Usc Ibear Business Class

Cecilia Chan is the Managing Director of a Manhattan-based private equity firm, Octonovem. In over 30 years as an investor, she has honed a style that focuses beyond the bottom line, to assess success by including a project’s effects on its community and the world. “Asset-light” companies, such as content creators, travel companies and products like perfume are included in her portfolio. Her “Doing good” maxim is supported by spending 80% of her time on business projects and 20% of her time on charitable projects.

Cairn Spring Mills is a company that surprisingly is growing during the pandemic. The company is a varietal flour mill that produces a high quality locally sourced product. While other companies have been strapped by failing consumer demand and disrupted supply chains, Cairn Spring has increased sales by changing their business model - pivoting from being a strictly commercial wholesale outfit to being a nimble retail business. CEO Kevin Morse said "I think a bubble has been broken. I was talking to one of our advisors who's a former venture capitalist and she called this a macro-shock event which is drastically changing consumer behavior. In this episode of Business Class, we continue to explore how companies are adjusting and working to survive the sudden economic shifts of the pandemic. Interview recorded over the web on May 12, 2020

The #Covid-19 virus is changing accepted business norms around the globe. In this episode of Business Class, we spoke with #MarcusLu as he sheltered-in-place at his home in #China. With deep insight into business in China, Marcus described how the virus is changing long accepted patterns of how business is conducted. “We realize and are starting to accept the fact that doing business can be easier,” he noted, while saying that, for the first time, important business meetings are being conducted virtually. In an interview with Dick Drobnick, Director of the #USC #IBEARMBA program, Marcus takes us through how he initially learned about the crisis coming out of Wuhan. We hear the firsthand story of lockdown in China, with grocery stores cleaned out in hours of panic buying. We also hear how the country adapted and local governments quickly adjusted to make sure goods and services were available. Looking at the big picture, he explained that GDP growth in 2020 is probably out of the question and to have t

In this episode of #BusinessClass, we return to Thailand for an #MBA review of the business skills needed to face this financial crisis. We spoke with PJ Van Hecke, a 2018 graduate of the #USCIBEARMBA program. PJ used his time in the program to shift from a global career in maritime engineering to the entrepreneurial side of book publishing. He is now a Co-Founder in #Bangkok-based #TheReadingRoom. In conversation with IBEAR MBA Director Dick Drobnick,, PJ lays out the core MBA skills he worked to master. He goes on to describe how these skills helped guide his new venture through the uncharted waters of a global #pandemic. Pieter-Jan Van Hecke is a 2018 graduate of the IBEAR MBA program. Interview recorded on April 16, 2020 Interview conducted by Dick Drobnick, Director IBEAR MBA Program

The moment the St. Patrick’s Day Parade was cancelled, Janet Lightner - General Manager of Boundary Bay Brewery - knew they were in trouble. In this episode of Business Class, we move to the Microeconomic impact of the pandemic and go to the craft brewery nexus of Bellingham, Washington, to explore how the virus has upended the business model of a classic brew pub. Boundary Bay, 25 years old, is a pioneer craft brewery that has built a brand on its constant interaction with its customers and community. As the virus spread and shut down orders were given, Janet said she and her staff began to, ”pivot, pivot, pivot - like a ballerina doing pirouettes.” No restaurant. No catering. No brew pub. We hear how Janet and her partner, made tough decisions, rearranged staff, created an instant ‘To Go’ business and managed through creative hard work, to keep their business vital, and not to be taken down by 300 pounds of corned beef. Interview recorded on May 13, 2020. To maintain social distancing this interview w

In this episode of #BusinessClass, we look at how the #Covid-19 pandemic is affecting the ASEAN nations, particularly #Thailand. We turn to #Dr.NarongchaiAkaransee, a former Thai government minister with extensive business knowledge. Dr. Narongchai explains Thailand’s successful approach to control of the Covid-19 virus. In comparing the government’s reaction to the #CovidCrisis vs. the 2008 financial crisis, he explains how the Thai government decided to distribute wages to 20 million people for three months because, “This time they lost their job because of a government order.” In conversation with #USC’s #DickDrobnick, the two explore the economic effects of the virus coupled with strong governmental controls, “Big control. Very big impact.” They also discuss how Thailand’s bond market and major economic sectors are faring. Dr. Narongchai notes that the virus will hinder economic growth for both auto parts and tourism, “We have been relying so much on #tourism. Last year, tourists arrivals were 40 mill

It’s always difficult to know what’s happening inside China. In this episode of Business Class, we hear first-hand information and analysis on China’s Covid-19 response from Shanghai resident, Jim McGregor, the CEO of APCO China. In an interview with USC’s Dick Drobnick, Jim notes that “China’s exports have fallen off a cliff.” They explore if: having a two month head start with the virus is affecting the country’s recovery strategy, how China is opening up and they dig into the “poisonous” U.S. / China relationship. In one of the biggest shifts the virus has triggered, Jim describes how companies are beginning to rethink their manufacturing strategy. They are considering manufacturing goods inside China for that market, while manufacturing goods outside China for the rest of the world. Jim explains that this potentially dramatic shift in supply chain strategy reflects that, “There's been such a risk by having too much in China. This is going to be a new paradigm.” Interview conducted on April 15th 2020

Millions of sports fans across the Asian sub-continent are watching the results of Jasdeep Pannu working from his living room. In this episode of Business Class, we speak with the Head of Digital Programming for ESPN India about how his organization saw the virus coming and moved #ESPNIndia out of the studio and into the guest room. The biggest problem? The virus coincided with the country’s most anticipated sporting event – The #IndianCricketLeague. “We were tied into the fortunes of how the league would happen. So if the League went ahead, we would be proceeding. “ But in a time where a new normal is being created, Jasdeep described how his programming has shifted from live sports to storytelling, and with the adoption of digital tools, more direct interactions with fans and athletes. “So it's actually turning out to be an interesting time for us to have great learning and everybody's agreeing that the world won't be the same place.” Jasdeep Pannu is a 2015 graduate of the USC IBEAR MBA program. To ma

Overnight, the Covid-19 pandemic moved much of the world’s business and business interactions online. In this episode of Business Class, we talk with Paul Wilson, Managing Director for Google Cloud (Public Sector) Asia Pacific. We asked Paul how this pandemic has created a moment in time, where technology tools are being adopted for use by people all over the globe and being put to work in ways no one ever imagined. We had many questions. What did this shift mean? Can the networks handle it? What new norms are being created? Paul takes us through how his team shifted from sales to service to help organizations from Japan-to-Australia, to conduct, business, healthcare, education and life online. Interview conducted on April 17, 2020 Interviewed by Richard Drobnick, Director of the USC IBEAR MBA Program

Are the numbers coming out of China real? Will China record any positive GDP growth for the year? Will global companies change their strategies to remove the China bottleneck in their supply chains? Business Class continues its look at the economic impact of the Covid-19 virus with Clay Dube, Director of the USC US-China Institute. “The Chinese economy fell off a cliff,” notes Clay Dube as he takes us through what is known and what is speculated around Covid-19 in China. The Good – “There are aspects that can only be described as good; things that they did that proved effective.” The Bad - “The fumbling at the outset, where they internally didn't recognize the enemy that they were facing.” The Ugly – “Some of the ways that the Chinese government cracked down or locked the country down might be described as pretty harsh.” It is becoming clear that mistakes and missed opportunities in China, the US and many other countries are unifying factors in this global pandemic. To maintain social distancing, this in

Business Class originates in Los Angeles, the home of the entertainment industry. In this episode, we look at how Covid-19 has brought the entire industry to a standstill. Movie theaters are empty, studios are closed, the few TV commercials being filmed are done so in isolation via Zoom and iPhones. Devin Mann, Founder of Iconic Talent Agency of Beverly Hills, takes us inside the pandemic effects on entertainment production. What happens when a workforce that is based on creativity is told to go home and stay there? Do movie theaters come back? Does this signal a shift in how the world is entertained? It’s clear that no one really knows how this particular movie is going to end. To maintain social distancing, this interview was recorded via the web.

Business Class begins a series of interviews to explore the effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic. In this episode, Peter Guyer, Founder of Athena International Foods gives insight on the effect the virus has had on his business, his supply chain and his sector. What can a business do to prepare for this kind of event? What lessons from past experience have helped guide him? Is there a way to prepare for such a unique business disruption? Peter discusses resilience - a term from biology - in terms of how a business can survive and maintain viability. In terms of leadership, he notes that this is a time when customers and employees get a good look at who they are working with and for and that, “people have long memories.” Peter Guyer is a 1992 graduate of the USC IBER MBA program. To maintain social distancing, this interview was recorded via the web.

Cintra is one of the world’s largest infrastructure building companies. In this episode of Business Class, Carlos Ugarte, Global Head of Corporate and Business Development, explains how a project must send the right economic signals to be successful. Using toll roads and managed pricing as examples, Carlos explains the right moves that cities need to make. He laments however that even though urban populations are projected to grow by 1 billion people…few of the world’s cities are listening to the signals that are telling them how to plan for the future. Carlos feels the right investment, in a project that does the right thing, can help cities get back on track. Carlos is a 1990 graduate of the USC IBEAR MBA program.

The battle lines are being drawn in the world of global e-commerce. JD.com is the #2 online retailer in China with a staggering $67 billion in sales. In this episode of Business Class, Jasmine Liu, Director of HR & Operations of JD.com’s Silicon Valley Research Center, gives us insight into why her company sees plenty of room for JD.com, Alibaba and Amazon. Jasmine points out that research, creating a better customer experience and marketing deeper into China’s 2nd tier are giving JD.com its edge. She notes that “the density of population centers” creates opportunities that don’t exist in the U.S., and describes that ubiquitous mobile internet as being the key. We also hear about social e-commerce, analysis on the differences between Chinese and American consumers and even how JD.com labs has developed an AI facial recognition app to help local farmers raise their pigs. Jasmine is a 2018 graduate of the USC IBEAR MBA program.

At heart, Indra Uno is a consultant. He did a case study of his country and came up with a powerful set of findings: • manufacturing jobs are leaving for less expensive locations • unemployment is steady of 5% - but is 15 – 16% for youth • 98% of the countries businesses are micro-entrepreneurs with sales under $50,000 USD • Regulations are slowing needed growth in Indonesia The Recommendation • The country needs to create 2,000,000 new micro-entrepreneurs in the next 5 years. In this episode of Business Class, we’ll hear how Indra is working to take these findings and implement the changes needed to help move Indonesia, it’s economy and youth -- ahead. Indra Uno is a year 2000 graduate of the USC IBEAR MBA program.

Sidney Rittenberg led an exceptional life. He tumbled into the swirling waters of history as the communist revolution swept Mao into power. He was a friend of Mao. He was also a prisoner of Mao. Twice. He spent sixteen years in solitary confinement, six years thanks to Josef Stalin, and ten years courtesy of the Cultural Revolution. Somehow he rebounded and started a consulting business that brought companies such as Intel, Levis and Microsoft into China. Throughout these events and efforts he was always observing and thinking. We go back to a 2014 interview with Sidney and talk about the amazing situations he navigated. We also hear his thoughts on power and the people who wield it. Sidney Rittenberg passed away at the age of 98 and in this episode of Business Class we salute and remember his life.

In this episode of Business Class, the subject is climate change and business. Interviewed by USC’s Dick Drobnick, Singapore’s Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Masagos Zulkifli explains how Singapore, a small country with few natural resources, may present a very realistic model for a world that is facing effects from its changing climate. Masagos Zulkfli, is an engineer and looks to science and numbers to understand the threats his country must prepare for. He pointed out that Singapore is already planning to move its primary seaport and airport to locations that can be defended from sea level rise and storm surge events, “That’s how serious we are.” The discussion digs in to the business opportunities being created by the research and infrastructure projects and the policy that is driving them. In Singapore. Minister Zulkifli says, the world’s current model of, “Take, Make and Throw is not sustainable.” Minister Masagos Zulkifli is an alum of the USC IBEAR MBA program.

According to Sri Manchala, CEO of Trasers, “This is where the game begins.” Sri and Trasers are digging in deep to help companies understand the Digital Transformation. Trasers has recently completed an exhaustive, many industries wide survey, of just where companies stand and what they understand about the Digital Transformation. The resulting reports are aimed at helping companies understand how this revolution will affect them as well as how to begin to get out in front of it. Sri says that the data tells him that only 7% of companies have taken on the transformation in a meaningful way. This means that there is time to get it right, but that CEOs only have to think of Sears Roebuck, if they think they can just ignore it. Sri is an alum of the USC IBEAR MBA Program.

Bob Zukis sees two corporate worlds. In one world, a company is smoothly navigating the Digital Transformation and using these new tools to connect with customers and advance their business. In the other world, he sees boardrooms that simply don’t comprehend how the digital world operates and that there are barbarians at the gates. Bob says, “this is a crisis in the boardroom” and that business are facing new risks while simultaneously being presented with tremendous opportunities, He notes “Even Warren Buffet says we’re in uncharted territory.” In this episode of Business Class we hear how businesses can begin to navigate this new landscape. Bob runs the USC IBEAR MBA International Business Consulting Project and is CEO of the Digital Directors Network.

How does the Cold War inform business strategy? What truism about strategy did Lord Nelson understand to win the Battle of Trafalgar? Carl Voigt, Professor of Clinical Management and Organization at the USC Marshall School of Business and Academic Director of the USC IBEAR MBA Program brings storytelling to Business Class to describe what makes a good and what makes a bad business strategy. The basic definition of strategy? Professor Voigt says, “It’s my strengths against your weaknesses.” He finds that good business strategies are rare and that companies can trick themselves into believing they have one. In this conversation, Business Class looks at how to separate goals - from strategy and whose job it is to implement a strategy. Carl Voigt is a Professor of Clinical Management at the USC Marshall School of Business and the Academic Director of the USC IBEAR MBA Program.