Prof. Dr., Dr. h.c.
Peter Linnert

Prof. Dr., Dr. h.c. Peter Linnert studied economics and business administration at the University of Hamburg, where he was awarded a doctoral degree in economics and business administration in 1964 (Dr. rer. pol.). He subsequently worked as a tenured-track assistant professor at the Institute of Banking Business at the University of Hamburg.

In 1969/1970 he began lecturing at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration. He has published more than 25 books. With his two-volume work 'Die neuen Theorien des Marketing' (first edition 1969) he contributed essentially to the dissemination of marketing philosophy in the German-speaking part of Europe. Among other works, he published the 'Handbuch Organisation' and the 'Handbuch Verkaufsförderung', presenting sales promotion for the first time as a modern instrument of marketing policy.

After lecturing at several universities in Germany and abroad, he was appointed Director of the Institute of Management at the University of Merseburg. At the same time he held a chair at the Technische Universität of Vilnius, where he contributed substantially to the structuring of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration. In recognition of his scientific work, that faculty awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1994.

In 1996 he became CEO of 'Service Management Seminare an der Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien', which he reorganised as the 'Sales Manager Akademie (SMA)' in 1999. SMA has been awarding, among other qualifications, the Master of Business Administration degree to senior managers and high-potential executives since 2000, and founded the 'Studienzentrum Hohe Warte (SHW)' in 2006. In cooperation with European universities, SHW offers undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate studies in economics and business administration in the German language.

Prof. Dr., Dr. h.c. Peter Linnert has contributed critical analyses to more than 70 publications in the fields of economics and business administration, and serves as adviser to many well-known service and industrial companies across Europe. As a business and marketing consultant of many years' standing, he brings numerous living case studies that have substantially contributed to building and consolidating the success of the Sales Manager Akademie.