HSG Cooperative-Lab Updates November 2012
What is the Cooperative-Lab? The HSG Cooperative-Lab is a match-making platform between scholars researches and practioners projects in the context of SMEs in South America aiming at developing the entrepreneurial behavior beyond the classroom. 2
Three main areas of action Professional Traineeships: Students apply for clearly defined projects in SMEs or large companies with a high intrapreneurial spirit, which vary from three to 8 months and start before joining the company on site. Knowledge Exchange: Cooperation between partner schools regarding a specific subjects of interest. In this case, the final expected product is a joint publication. New Projects Development: For projects starting from scratch. Following a shared idea, a group of students and/or researchers form a consortium to write, propose and implement a project. Such projects must be conducted in partnership with SMEs, schools and associations in target countries. 3
Traineeships
Traineeships Summary SmartCaps, from August to November 2010, in Sao Paulo (Brazil) company responsible: Lucas Fischer, Alumnus Mentor: Immo Paul, Trainee Student: Philip Longoni, Main Project: Guerrilla Marketing Strategy and Implementation CooperCaju (Cashew-Nuts Cooperativa), from December 2010 to February 2011, in Serra do Mel (Brazil) and Germany, company responsible: Terezinha de Oliveira, Alumnus Mentor, Thierry Zysset, Trainee Student: Nicolas Nicklewicz, Main Project: Preparation for FLO certification and negociations at the Biofach Swiss-Chilean Chamber of Commerce, from September 2011 to April 2012, in Santiago (Chile), company responsible: Ladina Banicles, Alumnus Mentor:Martin Schmidig, Trainee Student: Nevena Radovanovic, Main Project: Commercial strategy for the Swiss Pavillon at the Expomin Fair. 5
Traineeships Summary Rolex, from August 011 to March 012, in São Paulo (Brazil), company responsible: Renata Kikuchi, Alumnus Mentor: Stephan Meili, TraineeStudent: AdrienRamel, MainProject: To develop key performance indicators for the accounting area. Ecogeo, from September 2012 to January 2013, in São Paulo (Brazil), company responsible: Ernesto Moeri, Alumna Mentor: Michaela Rueda, Trainee Student: Estelle Tanner, Main Project: Market survey about bioenergy potential in Brazil and to identy and write-up a business case. Coacipar (Orange Cooperative), from August to November 2012,in Parana (Brazil) and in Switzerland, company responsible: Vanusa Toledo, Alumnus Mentor: Luiz Fernando Turatti, Trainee Student:Simon Locher, Main Project: Support the cooperative strategic position in face of a new large orange juice player which acquired the FLO Certification. 6
Traineeships Summary HSG Hub Office, from Sept 012 to January 013, in São Paulo (Brazil), Company Responsible and Alumna Mentor: Angelica Rotondaro, TraineeStudent: MarcMaurer, MainProject: To develop and implement a social media strategy and to support writing a business case about Inclusive Business in Brazil. HSG Hub Office, from Sept 012 to March 013, in São Paulo (Brazil), company responsible: Angelica Rotondaro Alumnus Mentor: Peter Probst, Trainee Student:Fabian Oppenheimer, Main Project: To develop and implement a research platform aboutimpactinvesting. Inventrade, from March to August 2013, in São Paulo (Brazil), company responsible: Adriano Amui, Alumnus Mentor: tbd, Trainee Student: Melanie Thevenaz, Main Project: to support consultancy projects in the area of Trade Marketing. 7
New Positions Sophie&Juliete is an online and door-to-door semi-precious jewelry company. It was founded by a HSG Alumnus and entrepreneur Ronald Beigl. The traineeship will be in the company s trade marketing and communications area, for 2013. For more information, please contact: angelica.rotondaro@unisg.ch 8
How do the HSG CooperativeLab traineeships work? The process from opening a position to the start-up meeting takes from three to six months, and the main milestones include: 1.Identifying a traineeship positions based on the hub office network in the region, associate researchers and the support of Alumni members. 2.Focus is given to SMEs, what in general requires that the trainee speaks the local language. 3.The position is clearly defined with the hosting company, including main project to be developed and a first set of key performance indicators. 4.The position gets published in the CLS webpage, is informed to the CSC and sent by email to students that have previously showed interest in participating in selection processes. 5.The trainee is selected together with the hosting company. 6.For the traineeship visa, housing, reception and integration to the local culture, the hub office works with Aiesec. 7.A HSG Alumni mentor is assigned. 8.There are a minimum of three follow-up meetings with the trainee, the company, the mentor and the hub office along the traineeship for defining expectations, following up performance and for adjustments if needed. 9.At the end of the project, the trainee writes a report about his/her experiences along to the project development as well as the key learnings about the different cultural realities in the business and in the dailylife.
HSG Alumni Mentors
What is expected from a HSG Alumni member? To act as mentors in the intercultural process of living and working in South America, as well as for bridging academia and practice. Support the development of traineeship opportunities, being themin SMEsor not. Give access to opportunities through individual networks. Alumni s involvement supports the professional development of future colleagues as well as the building the HSG reputation and awareness in the region. 11
Interview with a HSG Alumni mentor Alumnus Stephan Meili, who mentored Adrien Ramelduring his 7 months traineeship in Sao Paulo. What has motivated you to mentor a HSG trainee in Brazil? We were searching for a trainee to develop a project in our financial department, which would involve the development of strategic indicators for our company. The trainee integration worked very well and, at the same time, gave us the possibility to actively contribute to the development of this HSG Alumni initiative in Brazil. Was there any situation when you had to guide the trainee in relation to cultural differences in the way of living in Sao Paulo? The trainee cultural integration is fundamental for the company as well as a personal development opportunity for the trainee. In our case,the trainee good language level and self-motivation promoted his fast and good integration. What do you consider to be the most interesting point in your experience as a mentor? The experience as a mentor is very rewarding, and it also allowed me to get in touch with an updated version of some well know HSG methods. 12
HSG CooperativeLab Alumni Mentors Alumna Michaela Rueda, who is mentoring Estelle Tanners during her 5 months traineeship in Sao Paulo. Alumnus Peter Probst, who is the mentoring Fabian Oppenheimer during the start-up of the Impact Investing Platform. Alumnus Thierry Zysset, who mentored Nicolas Nicklewicz in a agricultural SME in the Northeast of Brazil Alumna Angelica Rotondaro who is mentoring Marc Maurer along his traineeship at the HSG Hub Office in Sao Paulo Alumnus Martin Schmidig, who mentored Nevena Radovanovic along her project at the Swiss- Chilean Chamber of Commerce Alumni Lukas Fischer and Immo Paul, from Smart Life, who hosted the first Cooperative-Lab trainee, Philip Longoni, in their company Alumnus Stephan Meili, who mentored Adrien Ramel during his 7 months traineeship in Sao Paulo. Alumnus Luiz Fernando Turatti, who mentored Simon Locher in a agricultural SME in the South of Brazil
Key stakeholders statements about the HSG CoopLab What else can better symbolize a school s good reputation and sense of identity between its students, than its Alumni involvement with the Alma-Mater? The Coop-Lab is a good example of a life-long care and sense of belonging which connects the Alumni among each other and to the University of St. Gallen. Wolfgang Reichenberger, Alumni Council member and Cooperative-Lab local delegate. By participating in such projects, students are able to have an in-site experience as consultants of small enterprises in the business context of Latin America and can bring HSG knowledge to local companies. The Coop-Lab also reinforces the already existing long-term presence of the University of St. Gallen in the region. Yvette Sánchez, HSG, CLS Director. The Cooperative-Lab is a learn-by-doing experience which will support the development of the next generation of people who will lead; people with not only technical knowledge but also a strong sense of corporate citizenship. Jürgen Brücker, Dean External Relations & Development, CEMS Academic Director The Cooperative-Lab is the leading program of the HSG Hub in South America. Through it we integrate research and practice, in a very entrepreneurial mode. Angélica Rotondaro, representative HSG Hub Office South America, and Cooperative-Lab Program Manager. 14
HSG Hub Office in Sao Paulo Established in July 2010, the HSG Hub in São Paulo aims at strengthening the relationships and network in South America by having a established office with a long term view and respect for the local culture and knowledge. In the hub office SP we aim at developing grass roots research, meaning knowledge that is generated by being effectively in the field, and in collaboration with long established companies, the communities and partner universities. Through the CooperativeLab,the aim is nourishing entrepreneurial leaders of tomorrow by a set of handson traineeships in SMEs in South America. The main Sao Paulo hub office research areas include: Family Business & Governance Trends in Impact Investing Inclusive Business Leadership and Intercultural Management For this the hub office works together with the following partners: Partner Universities in Latin America< Swiss Chambers of Commerce, Swiss Hub, Corporate Partners HSG Alumni Group : formed by approx. 80 members in South America
For more information Angélica Rotondaro(HSG SP Hub Managing Director) Email: angelica.rotondaro@unisg.ch Phone: 55-11-98010-2299 Skype: angelica.rotondaro 16