Good Relationship is a Gold Mine

Mentee:  Stephen Zhao

Mentor:  Larry Ding, GM, Shanghai Region of Lenovo

Carnegie: anyone's success, 15% comes from expertise, the other 85% from relationships.

The Mentor program is one of the most valuable and unique programs in my MBA study at CEIBS. For most of the MBA students, besides the comprehensive study of business knowledge and skills, establishing personal networks is the most important. The mentor program built a bridge between current business leaders and future business leaders.  Since two months ago when the mentor program began, I have learned a lot from my mentor: Mr. Ding Le Jia, GM, Shanghai region of Lenovo. During my interaction with him, I was deeply impressed by his leadership and character:

--Easygoing: He can easily make you feel like friends
--Humorous: He is good at making jokes and we are always laughing together.
--Professional: He knows Lenovo well and has a deep understanding about the computer business
--Easiness: He fully trusts his subordinates and is good at leading and coordinating people in the work place.

Besides this, he often introduces other EMBA06 students to us, for example general manager Yang ChuanHua, the monitor of EMBA class 4, etc. Even though all of them are general managers and successful business men in their fields, they are very easy-going and humorous. Through our conversation and experience sharing, I broadened my views and learned a lot about different industries. Now I am better prepared for my future career.

In summary, I strongly feel how important it is that MBA students master the excellent abilities of networking, communication, organization and leadership which are owned by all successful business leaders and our EMBA schoolmates.