Sao Paulo, March 11, 2010. Organized for the IE alumni newcomers to Brazil, the IE Career Drive Brazil gathered in the IE Brazilian Office alumni and future students of the IE April 2010 intake. The head-hunter Edilson Ramos, founding partner of Executive Search Authent and president of the alumni of the FGV-SP held a brief lecture about the current labor market and replacement strategies in Brazil. The event was attended by 8 former students of IE and 4 future students. Proving the incredible diversity found at IE, the alumni present represented the following countries: Italy, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Costa Rica, Brazil and Mexico. Incredible for a meeting of only 12 people.

Last 4 February, Mercedes Costa, Director and Professor of "Centro de Negociación y Mediación and Mariana Segura, another professor of the same Centro, gave the conference on "Cómo negociar y no morir en el intento: Identidades y juegos de poder en la negociación", a programmed activity by the IE Alumni Association.

With the use of fragments from known movies as a support, the professors analyzed certain topics which have been poorly discussed in most manuals and negotiation programs, however, are key in efficient negotiation. Matters such as the "nature of negotiation", "reciprocal identities" established between sides or how to neutralize "power games"...

They discussed the open and equal frame in which negotiators discuss their conflicts, the importance in setting appropriate identities which help establish respectful and productive dialogues, and drawing useful guidelines to be able to change power games when starting off in a position of disadvantage.

Last 23 February a round table was organized in Palacio Euskalduna in Bilbao on behalf of IE 

There were up to 150 attendees and the way it was carried out allowed to share different visions from the Business world and Government point of view about on the subject of matter.

Given the current situation, speakers agreed on the obligation of citizens, companies and political parties to give the best of themselves in their workplaces as well as in their private lives in order to transform the crisis into opportunity and growth. Bernabé Unda, Counsel of Industry, Eduardo Zubiaurre, President of Adegi, Alberto García Erauskin, Executive CEO of Euskaltel and Guillermo Ulacia, President of Innobasque considered essential to learn from past mistakes, such as financial speculation which set  off the real economic crisis, to build a future based on equal responsibility between social and political agents and agreements.

"It is a historic moment, of change, consensus and responsibility", said the Counsel of Industry on what was the way out of the crisis. " and until Spain doesn't emerge from the crisis, we will not do so with sufficient strength", he said after suggesting to hold on to European examples such as France and Germany, and those who are not suffering the crisis as much like China and Brazil. Eduardo Zubiaurre, President of Adegi, suggested that certain necessary structural changes in Spanish economy should be faced after years of growth, as well as in Basque labor market, to prevent such strong employment falls when economy sinks. " I don't know if a Government or State pact, but we must face those agreements", he said.

"Our aim is to build business opportunities and create awareness between the IE Community and the Greater China Market," stated IE China Club's President, Sokho Trinh as he welcomed nearly a hundred professionals, companies, students, and alumni on the February 19^th event at IE Business School.

 "Several business opportunities exist in China and we especially welcome investments into the more regional areas of the country," explained Mr. Ji Xian Zheng, the Commercial Consular for the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, Madrid.

"China is aiming to move away from the manufacturing center stigma.  Rather than being simply 'made in China', we are pushing for created in China", continued Mr. Zheng, as he outlined how to build meaningful and profitable relationships with their Chinese partners.

The guests brought in prosperity and fortune by studying their Chinese horoscopes, dining on traditional treats, and learning Mandarin, taught by Professor Keyi Wang.  Other speakers that shared their experience included Mr. William Davila, International Development Director - Middle East, Africa and Asia, IE Business School, Ms. Carmen Bedoya of Casa Asia, and Ms. Paula Ehrenhaus of Instituto Confucio.

On Friday, March 26^th four of our IMBA students will be traveling to Singapore to represent IE as Team DiversitIE in the 2010 National University of Singapore business plan competition.  The students, Mark Peinhopf, Matteo Perondi, Joseph Berlino, and Mario Del Duca have been working diligently on the various phases of their business plan to bring Vestas into the small-scale wind turbine market since early December. 

The NUS competition is one of the largest master level business plan competitions in the world, and has attracted nearly 500 teams to this year's event.  The round progression started with a brief executive summary discussing their plans for Vestas, in which the team devised a creative approach of utilizing both NGO and non-market strategies to enter into  the German market  - clearly reflecting IE's emphasis on all aspects of doing business.

As the rounds progressed, the business plans increased in completeness, and the majority of the competitors were eliminated: including the teams from MIT, NYU, LBS and the Gopher's from Minnesota.  Our Team DiversitIE remained one of the 6 teams that were selected to fly to Singapore for an all expenses paid trip and to present their ideas to a panel of 10 judges selected from leading Singaporean institutions.  Please join us in showing our support for these students.