Bringing China to Milan
Milan may be the heart of Europe's fashion and design industry, but the city has a keen interest in China. This was the message delivered to CEIBS International Relations Office this spring when the city welcomed two events informing Milan-based business executives on the ins and outs of doing business in the Middle Kingdom.
On April 21, CEIBS Management Professor Juan Antonio Fernandez presented a lecture on "Challenges in Doing Business in China" to an audience of Italian executives and CEIBS alumni. The event was the first in a series of China Executive Seminars co-organized by CEIBS' new partner in Italy, Fondazione Italia Cina.
In his lecture, Prof. Fernandez outlined several case studies of multinationals entering the China market based on his successful book China CEO, co-authored in 2006 with CEIBS External Communications & Development Director Laurie Underwood. His tips for succeeding in China included: define your entry strategy, be persistent and prudent, protect your IPR, focus on HR, and give autonomy to your China operations. "China is not a developing country," he said, "but a superpower coming back."
Fondazione Italia Cina Managing Director Alcide Luini was among the attendees impressed by the presentation. "Professor Fernandez has pointed out the real problems which a manager faces when doing business in China. Moreover, he provided deep insights and a variety of examples and quotations from top executives which were very easy to grasp by the participants," said Mr. Luini. "I am sure that after the outstanding presentation of Prof. Fernandez, even senior managers were eager to know more about China."
Prof. Fernandez's lecture was followed by a lively Q&A and a dinner with attendees from Fondazione Italia Cina, CEIBS International Relations Office Director Seanie Comerford, CEIBS Italian Alumni Ambassador Pier Giraudi and other alumni.
On May 16, Milan's business community again welcomed CEIBS at the Fondazione Italia Cina. This time, Prof. Jaume Ribera, Port of Barcelona Chair Professor in Logistics, briefed Italian Executives on the subject of logistics and distribution in China. Prof. Ribera reviewed China's current economic trends including the over-capacity in certain sectors as well as the trade imbalance between China and the EU and USA. He also outlined recent changes in legislation in the logistics sector, as well as the new labour regulations and tax reforms.
In keeping with the audience members' interests, Prof. Ribera then presented the primary opportunities for European companies in China's fragmented logistics sector, including acquisition of local companies and knowledge transfer in emerging sectors such as third party logistics, which is still relatively unknown in China. Prof. Ribera also urged european companies to work with Chinese partners who want to internationalise.
Commenting on the establishment of CEIBS International Relations Office (IRO), which opened in Spain in February 2008, Prof. Ribera said, "Being an international business school means more than having international students and faculty - it also means CEIBS must be present and visible in other parts of the world. CEIBS new IRO allows the school to be in closer contact with companies and media outside of China and to grow the CEIBS brand internationally. It also provides a focal point and support for alumni activities outside of China; the school is growing in tandem with our alumni base and it is important that we expand and go international together."
CEIBS VICE PRESIDENT & CO-DEAN VISITS CEIBS IRO IN BARCELONA.
CEIBS Vice President and Co-Dean Professor Zhang Weijiong, together with members of CEIBS EDP team, visited CEIBS IRO in Barcelona during the week of May 20 during the China CEO Programme module at the IESE campus.
VISITING THE IRO - CEIBS Vice President Zhang Weijiong (center) called on the school's new International Relations Office in Barcelona on May 20. Here, with IRO Director Seanie Comerford and CEO Programme Coordinator Aileen Zhang.
CEIBS ALUMNI DINNER IN GERMANY
On april 16, a small group of Germany-based alumni gathered for a casual dinner in Frankfurt.
"It's a start," was the thought of Mr. Jochen Trommer, MBA 2005. "With around 40 alumni in Germany, hopes were a little higher for a larger gathering but it was a wonderful kick-off meeting nevertheless." The MBA Alumni from class of 2004 and 2005 discussed current jobs, the development of the school and the global role of China's emerging economy.
LONDON CALLING
UK-based alumni met in London three times this spring after an inaugural meeting in March. The objective of these initial meetings was to get to know each other better and to develope CEIBS social networks in an informal setting with dinner and drinks. CEIBS UK Ambassador Madhav Timalsina (Exchange 2002) says the evening events offered an ideal chance to socialize as well as to discuss current economic issues in China. Additional events will be planned for the summer period.
PROF. XIAO ZHIXING SPEAKS AT EXPORTA 2008 IN MADRID
On June 3, Prof. Xiao Zhixing was the invited guest speaker during a session on Human Capital at the 2008 EXPORTA in Madrid.
During his presentation, Prof. Xiao outlined to an audience of prominent Spanish business executives his views on the complexities, challenges, success and failures of Chinese companies managing their human resources. Prof. Xiao first framed his comments within the context of the history and development of the Chinese economy and society. He highlighted the cases of Huawei, Vanke and Mengniu Dairies to emphasize the importance of trust in the Chinese employer-employee relationship. He also discussed how share ownership and strong performance appraisal and management development programmes contribute greatly to the success of these Chinese companies.
Prof. Xiao was also guest of honour at a CEIBS alumni dinner in Madrid on June 2.
HR WITH CHINESE CHARACTERISTICS - At 2008 EXPORTA in Madrid, Prof. Xiao Zhixing spoke on human resource challenges in China.
CEIBS EUROPEAN ACTIVITIES: DATES FOR THE DIARY
London, Sept 6: Join CEIBS for a visit to London City and the China-Britain Business Council, followed by an alumni dinner with Professor Zhou Dongsheng and CEIBS Senior Executives Alumni Study Tour participants.
Brussels, Sept 27: CEIBS participation at the McKinsey MBA2U Workshop 2008. Alumni are cordially invited to assist the CEIBS IRO and MBA team.
Frankfurt, Oct 6: CEIBS Alumni Dinner with Prof. Waldemar Pfoertsch during CEIBS EMBA Class Tour to Germany.
Barcelona, Oct 7: CEIBS Executive Forum and Alumni Dinner with Professor Willem Burgers.
Details of the above events will be available on CEIBS website.
For further information on CEIBS activities overseas please contact:
CEIBS IRO Director:
Seanie Comerford
cseanie@ceibs.edu
CEIBS Alumni Ambassadors
Germany
Joe Trommer
MBA 2005
Joe@jpasiagroup.com
Holland
Arjan Petten
MBA 2006
arjanpetten@googlemail.com
Italy
Pier Giraudi
MBA 2005
plgiraudi@gmail.com
Denmark
Brian Kane
MBA Exchange
kane@cbs.dk
France
Fabien Lacroix
MBA Exchange
FABIEn-LACROIx.IMBA@emlyon.com
Greece
Stavros Exindaris
MBA Exchange
stavros.exindaris@sdabocconi.it
Ireland
Michael McCannon
MBA 2006
mmichael.m06@ceibs.edu
Philippines
Karl Leung
MBA 2006
karlleung@hotmail.com
Switzerland
Till Schweizer
MBA Exchange
till.schweizer@student.unisg.ch
South Korea
Sam Lee
MBA 2005
samys.lee@gmail.com
Spain
Alvaro Burgos Priets
MBA 2006
alvaro.burgos@gmail.com
UK & Belgium
Madhav Timalsina
MBA Exchange
madhav.timalsina@fortis.com
