Brazil 2012

Welcome to Global Brazil 2012

Orlando — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 20:43:01 +0000

Hey everyone, welcome to Global Connections – Brazil 2012. I’m excited to be able to lead another Global Connections trip. In previous years I have led the Brazil/Chile trip 3 times and the China trip twice. This year, just for the first-year students, we will focus exclusively on Brazil (which to be honest is the country I most feel at home in). Not only do we get to travel with our fellow full-time MBA students, but we are also going to be joined by a number of students from the Evening MBA program too. Cool. Our program officially begins on Thursday, May 17 (in Rio de Janeiro) and ends on Friday, May 25 (in São Paulo). Travel dates are Wednesday, May 16 and Saturday, May 26.

BTW, the picture was taken as part of our company tour of FMC Technologies during our last visit. Happy to say that we’ll be visiting with them again in 2012.

Stay tuned, we’ll have more details soon.

March 15, Consulting Projects, last day

Orlando — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 01:50:15 +0000

Last official day. Wow, where did the time go? For me it just flew by. Today we had the final consulting presentations. Let me tell you, as a faculty member, my greatest satisfaction is to see students perform well. I love to see the UT McCombs name be given an increased positive power. That is exactly how I feel as I watch all of you prepare for and present your results in the consulting projects. Thank you so much for your positive efforts in reinforcing the McCombs name.

After the consulting presentations the time was then yours to check out Shanghai. And of course we ended the day with a little karaoke. What a great way to end our trip together. Xie xie da jia! And how was your last day?

March 14, 2011 GLP, Jiading School

Orlando — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 14:28:51 +0000

We started the day at Global Logistics Properties, which after all, if you are in a city of over 23 million people, leaves you thinking about the logistics that come into play. Harrison Duan, UT grad, walked us through the whole process, helping us to understand the whole thing from real estate to investments and from warehouses to zoning issues. Thank you Harrison.

Then we were able to view first hand the Chinese approach to K-6 education by attending sessions at Jiading Experimental Primary School. Yes, that was Alice signing autographs in the hallway.

March 13, Zhe Jiang University

Orlando — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 14:41:54 +0000

It was a lively group listening to everyone chat with the MBA students from Zhe Jiang University, nice interactions. From there we took the train to Shanghai, maxing at around 350 kph (215 mph). At the alumni dinner we had a meal that might have even topped the Hangzhou lunch. From there, the Shanghai night lights lured everyone into the city like mosquitos to a summer porch light. So what did you get from today’s activities?

March 12, 2011 Hangzhou

Orlando — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 14:11:40 +0000

Today was a travel day. After a final breakfast at the Peninsula (we’re all going to miss that), we all got on the bus, said goodbye to Tiger, and headed on a plane to Hangzhou. First was lunch, including begger’s chicken, west lake fish, and dong po rou. A tour of West Lake, including a ride on the lake helped everyone understand why this is considered one of the most beautiful of all of the cities of the world. The afternoon was free and everyone was feeling like they could spend a lot of days in Hangzhou and be pretty happy the whole time.

March 11, 2011 Intel

Orlando — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 13:54:29 +0000

First Joe Fitter got us started at Intel with insightful observations about life in China. Ian Yang placed those observations within the context of Intel, and then the expats took all of that information and placed it within the context of those who work abroad. ”It’s not just the action, it’s the velocity.” What did you learn from the visit?

After that everyone got to enjoy their final evening in Beijing. For some it was a trip to the Imperial Palace, for others it was some shopping at the Silk Market, and for others it was a chance to hang out at cafes along the lake.

March 10, 2011 Tianjin

Orlando — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:06:41 +0000

Off to Tianjin. Wow, if you are looking for an example of the aggressive way that China is attacking things, look no further than the Tianjin Economic Development Area (TEDA). After a quick peek at their Construction Exhibit Hall we took in the tour at Master Kong’s Noodle factory, the largest and most efficient in the world. Although the tasting that we participated didn’t put a dent in the 500 per line per minute that are produced, at least we tried. From there we had a dumpling lunch and a visit to the warehouses of Global Logistic Properties. What were your take aways from today’s activities (and I’m not referring to any symbolic meanings behind the phrase ‘happy endings’)?

March 9, 2011 Consulting Projects

Orlando — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:32:54 +0000

A chance to meet with your companies and give your presentations, today NCET, Lenovo, Quintana, and HP got to present the results of their research project and others got to visit with Bank of China and Hainan Airlines. After that, the forbidden city is no longer forbidden. And in the evening, Tim’s Texas BBQ seemed to be a perfect setting for our alumni dinner. So what are your takeaways from the day? How did your consulting projects go and what did you learn from that experience?

March 8, 2011 Lenovo et al

Orlando — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:21:59 +0000

In addition to an interesting self view of Lenovo’s vision for its future, as this picture shows, part of the fun of visiting Lenovo was the tour of the innovative center and the production facility. To show that perseverance pays off, we then headed over to the temple of heaven, a miracle that they let us in. Then we ended the official part of the day with our Peking Duck dinner.

What did you learn from today’s visits? Any new impressions or take-aways?.

March 7, 2011 Great Wall and Tourist Day

Orlando — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:58:44 +0000

One of life’s great “check it off” activities is that of going to the great wall. Knowing that you would all be coming to China meant that you all knew that you would be going to the Great Wall. So, did it mean your expectations? What were your impressions? Today we also had our first “country-style” meal, and a photo op at the Olympic Village. And if you were lucky enough to go with the ladies to the pearl market, you witnessed what shopping is really supposed to be like. Clearly today was a travel and tourist day, more than a business-focused day, but it was a perfect introduction to China.