Master Meetings

15.05.2023

Argumentation in Finance

1. Analysis and evaluation. We will familiarize with instruments that support the identification and analysis argumentation structures and strategies in the context of several market activities on the basis of different kinds of text and dialogue genres produced in the financial sector (e.g. letters to investors, earning releases, earnings conference calls, analyst reports, newspapers articles, blogs and social media posts). To map argumentative structures, an argument visualization software for collaborative analysis (OVA) will be demonstrated during the course. Based on this kind of analysis, it is possible develop an assessment of the quality of argumentation with a view of fostering the quality of financial decisions. Selected case studies will be examined to accomplish an argumentative  evaluation at three levels: (1) dialectical, i.e. the contextual/dialogical conditions for sound argument exchange and decision-making; (2) inferential, i.e. the logical strength and relevance of the reasoning (argument scheme) underlying the argument); (3) rhetorical, i.e. the social acceptability and contextual appropriateness of the argumentative strategy. Particular attention will be devoted to the detection of fallacies and biases in reasoning.

2. The production of argumentation. Students will practice written and oral argumentative production through three exercises: (1) producing a persuasive text based on the canonical model of the rhetorical tradition, (2) writing an equity recommendation, (3) making an elevator pitch for a start-up venture. In the exercises, students will have to defend their position in face of criticism and will practice devil’s advocacy in order to strengthen their case.    

Banking Strategies & Wealth Management

The course provides an introduction to the elaboration of a Strategy for a Financial Institution, starting from the understanding of the financial environment and the macro trends characterizing the banking processes, down to client’s segments, products and services, and business areas (retail banking, private banking, commercial banking, investment banking and asset management). Complementary to finance and investments tracks, this course mainly focuses on a holistic, cross-disciplinary wealth management approach, and provides content on wealth governance, family advisory, wealth structuring and succession planning. Moreover, it adopts a value chain based approach, analyzing and challenging the current business model while re-assessing the role of the relationship management.