Bridging the Gap: Why Experiential Learning Matters
At Columbia Business School, we recognize that truly understanding what it takes to be a great advisor goes beyond theory and technical expertise. It requires an appreciation of the nuanced relational aspects of advising—something best learned through experience. That’s why we created Consulting and Advising Family Enterprises (CAFE) in Italy in collaboration with the Jerome A. Chazen Institute for Global Business. This isn’t just another class—it’s an opportunity to immerse students in real-life consulting scenarios where they witness firsthand what traditional research often misses.
By choosing this course, students step outside the classroom and into multigenerational Italian family enterprises, where they don’t just learn about family dynamics, ownership, and succession—they experience it. Italian culture, with its deep emphasis on relationships, trust, and authenticity, creates the perfect environment for students to sharpen their ability to listen, sense, respect, and assess. The genuine openness of the families we visited allowed students to gain profound insights into the complexity of advising in family contexts, while also appreciating how culture shapes decision-making and long-term success.
This transformative journey gave students not just a deeper understanding of family enterprise advising, but also a renewed perspective on their own roles—whether as future external advisors or family leaders. Below are just a few reflections from our student travelers, capturing the richness of their experience and the lasting impact of this immersive learning opportunity.
