IE & Asia-Pacific

Moritz Heck, Dual Degree IMBA-MIAF

Moritz is a passionate entrepreneur with a strong drive to revolutionize the offline shopping experience through the stocard App. After graduating from IE Business School, Moritz has been working on his business venture and is currently holding the position of Business Development/CFO of Stocard, Germany.

Here is his entrepreneurial story:

Are you tired of the mess in your wallet overfilled with loyalty cards and coupons? – The free Stocard app collects all loyalty cards on your smartphone and is now available on the Spanish app store. Providing users with personalized offers and coupons, Stocard creates a unique communication channel, through which offline retailers can reach young mobile customers. Moritz Heck has joint Stocard after completing his dual degree at IE Business School last December. He is convinced that the Stocard app has the potential to change the offline shopping experience. Working as CFO & Head of Business Development he can put the entrepreneurial knowledge into practice, which he acquired during his MBA and Master in Finance at IE Business School.

The Stocard app has already replaced about four million plastic loyalty cards for more than one million users in several countries. Now it also puts Spanish customers’ wallets on a diet. Stocard currently ranks 1^st in the Spanish app store – just a few days after its launch. “Smartphones are the future. They can completely replace all loyalty cards with the free Stocard app for iPhone and Android”, says David Handlos, CEO and founder of Stocard.

Stocard is very easy to use: Simply scan your loyalty card with your smartphone’s camera. The app then creates a digital version of the card on your phone. Stocard already supports 100 default loyalty cards – from Club Vips, over El Corte Ingles to Shell Clubsmart. If a rare card is not on the list, you can type in the store’s name by hand and easily add the desired card. Whenever you want to use your loyalty card, just show your phone with the digital copy and receive discounts and rewards, just as you would with the plastic card.

In May, Moritz will be able to put his IE experience into action, when he will pitch Stocard at the biannual IE Venture Days in Madrid. Stocard has been announced as one of the ten finalists presenting in front of VCs from across the globe. This will be an excellent opportunity to find potential international partners for Stocard’s future expansion in Europe and beyond.

First published on Finance Masters Blog.

IE celebrated this week its 3rd Venture Day in Shanghai. The program was made up of 12 IE startup projects from the Global Executive MBA and Executive MBA+ programs presenting to a Jury of 10 local and international investors, including James Tan from Beijing, Casey Wahl from Tokyo and several local Chinese investors and venture capitalists. The winner of the morning session was a “Curly” (Global Executive MBA), a new hair salon business model (see picture of winners Normen & Stephanie with Paris de L’Etraz).

In the afternoon the top three IE projects competed against 6 local Chinese startups. The winner in the afternoon was also an IE project, Aphenion Energy (Global Executive MBA) which develops renewable energy solutions in Africa for small villages. Over 200 people attended the event at China’s top Accelerator, Innovation Works in Shanghai.

IE Business School has announced the fifteen finalists of the first edition of its Prize for Economic Journalism in Asia. Entries for the competition comprised 130 articles, reports, interviews and other media formats from more than 60 media organizations in the region. The competition is sponsored by CAF- Development Bank of Latin America.

The entries that have made it through to the finals of this first edition of the competition were published by media from China, the Philippines, Thailand, India, Pakistan and Singapore, where the business press is continuously exploring issues related not only to the global economy, but also the economies of Spain and Latin America. The overriding aim of the competition is to increase the flow of economic information between Asia and the Latin America region in order to forge closer economic links and interests.

Prize giving ceremony – June 20, Casa de América
The judges’ panel that will select the winning entries is comprised mainly of journalists from América Economía, El País, CNN Expansión and International Herald Tribune, along with business experts from IE Business School and CAF – Development bank of Latin America. Further members of the panel include organizations like International Enterprise Singapore, other companies operating in the region like Brightstar and Finnair, and Saudi Arabia’s Effat University.

The prize giving ceremony will take place on June 20 at the Casa de América building in Madrid. The event will also include the presentation of the prizes for the second edition of the IE Business School Prize for Economic Journalism in Latin America.

FINALISTS OF THE FIRST EDITION OF THE IE BUSINESS SCHOOL PRIZE FOR ECONOMIC JOURNALISM IN ASIA

1. Tehelka (India) “Our BRIC mindset will ruin us”   Karan Mehrishi
2. Dawn (Pakistan) “Democratisation of capital” Aftshan Subohi
3. Forbes (India) “Bric countries hit a wall” Shisihr Prasad, Dinesh Narayanan and Pravin Palande
4. The Straits Times (Singapore)  “Latin America beckons for Singapore firms” Himaya Quasem
5. Business World (Philippines)  “Philippines told to invest” Diane Claire J. Jiao
6. SME Times (India) “Export diversification: where we are lacking”  Bikky Khosla
7. SME Times (India) “High taxes for the “super-rich” a poor idea”  Bikky Khosla
8. China Daily (China) “Deeper sino-latin American trade cooperation urged” Li Jiabao
9. The Strait times  (Singapore) “Singaporeans wanted in Latin America” Melissa Tan
10. Berita Harian  (Singapore) “More executives to be trained for the Latin American market” Oleh Norhaiza
11. Business Times (Singapore) “Manpower push for firms expanding in Latin America”   Malminderjit Singh
12. Live Mint (India) “India needs a restart”  V. Anantha Nageswaran
13. Strait Times (Singapore)  “Mexico means opportunity, says President Calderon” Himaya Quasem
14. The Economic Times (India) “Corporate chiefs on how they survived their greatest crisis”  Dibeyendu Ganguly
15. Bangkok Post. (Thailand) “Good soil or good fertilizer? Nanchanok Wongsamuth

Are you an entrepreneur? Are you planning to set-up your business with a strong social commitment? Then have a closer look to the IE University Social Entrepreneurship Summer School… Oh! You are not High School student? Sorry…

IE University would like to offer high school students a unique experience of taking part in the Social Entrepreneurship Summer School. If you see opportunities where others only see empty buildings, unemployable people and unvalued resources, this is the event for you.

During the week of July 15 till 19, you will be working alongside other students from around the world on creating a social entrepreneurship project using The Design Thinking Methodology, an idea generating methodology, a protocol for solving problems and discovering new opportunities. By implementing the six steps of the Design Thinking Process, you will be forced to think out-of-the-box every step of the way, to use your imagination, to come up with innovative solutions, to overcome challenges and to seek opportunities.

Using this methodology, you will develop within a Global Action Team a grass-root social entrepreneurship project, centered on different topics, such as culture, ecology, sports, social justice and other. Interact with other students and social entrepreneurs who share your concern about our society’s most pressing problems and put an innovative battle plan into action. The program combines interactive and motivational lectures by renowned social entrepreneurs with hands-on Global Action Teams sessions. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in cultural, social, and outdoor activities that will allow you to get to know your fellow participants better and learn from their experiences.

The conference will be hosted in IE Universities’ beautiful historic campus in Segovia, Spain. Housed in a 15th century convent, this perfect setting will inspire you in your quest for new ideas to achieve social change. You’ll also be able to explore the surrounding areas, and enjoy and absorb all the history and culture that Spain has to offer.

We look forward to seeing you in Segovia! Sign-up here!

There’s a Japanese proverb that says that the person who makes poor quality goods is worse than a thief, because he makes things that neither last nor provide true satisfaction, while a thief at least redistributes wealth in society. Well, when it comes to quality Prof. María Eugenia Girón knows everything there is to know.

Here she speaks about luxury and perfection, while touching on the ancient and intriguing Japanese Wabi Sabi concept of beauty, which is about seeking beauty in the imperfections found in all objects. As you might know, the aesthetic values of Wabi Sabi have inspired a great many aspects of Japanese culture, including the tea ceremony, flower arranging, haiku, garden design, and noh theater.

Prof. Girón has many sides and talents. She holds a degree in industrial engineering and is a Harvard MBA graduate. She has also studied art, worked as CEO of Carrera & Carrera, is a member of a large number of boards, including that of Oceana, and also she is the Executive Director of the Premium & Prestige Business Observatory etc. etc. But most of all she is just a really nice person. What else can I say?

P.S. Prof. Girón is the author of the book “Inside Luxury”.

First published in The Other Side, the blog about the other side of IE Faculty

It is difficult to get a sense on how students spend their non-lecture time at IE. For potential candidate this piece of information however is important as a Master degree in a foreign country should not just only be about academics and learning. Immersing into culture, learning Spanish and build up the personal and professional network are as critical to the overall experience.

It is a reality that students spend long hours working in teams preparing presentations, discuss projects and find solutions to the problems highlighted in each case. It is also true that on top you have to spend several hours prior to your team meetings to read all those case studies and technical notes.

However, there seems to be also time for the other “more exciting student life” meaning joining student clubs, networking and partying. Check the web of the IE Campus Life and their facebook page to really learn which student clubs are doing what.

In this video IE Business School leadership professor Margarita Mayo uses tango dancing as a metaphor to speak about leadership. She draws an interesting comparison between the two from the perspective of the dancer’s role in tango.

The origin of the word tango has always intrigued me. There are many theories about its roots. One is that it is actually an onomatopoeic term because the word tango sounds like the drums used in early forms of the dance. Opposers of this theory say that the drum was never a typical tango instrument. The first tango instruments were the violin, guitar, flute, and later a concertina-style instrument called the bandoneon.

Another theory is that the word tango originated from the Italian word tangere, which means ‘to touch’. However, considering that early tango did not feature the close embrace it is known for today, the word tangere is hardly likely to be the origin.

Some say that the most plausible theory is that which claims the word tango has African roots. In several African languages, tango means indoors – the closed space which was used for dancing… Well, who knows. The fact is that tango has become a dance form that is admired the world over.

Maybe we can’t be certain about the origin of the word tango, but one thing is for sure and that is that the world needs meaningful leadership. Listen to what Prof. Mayo has to say about both. You might end up wanting to dance with her just like Prof. Burak Konyuncu from Rouen Business School did.

First published on The Other Side, the IE Blog about the other side of IE faculty

In an upcoming talk about “How to create successful brands” (Singapore, April 17, 19.00, register here) Prof. Dr. Martin Boehm will reveal the strategic role that brands play in driving business growth and profitability and why have brands become key assets in organizations.

In a highly competitive and saturated market environment, building strong brands has become an imperative need. The best way to keep customers and attract new ones is to ensure you have a unique value proposition that is both rationally and emotionally different.

To know Prof Boehm a little better, we asked him some questions about himself and why he is so passionate about branding and marketing. Another impression you can gain from this short video.

How did you come to IE?

As a faculty member I was interested in working at a business schools which is among the best business schools in the world and at the same time follows a very practical, hands-on approach to teaching and research.

What is your background?

I am a marketer by training. However, before joining IE Business School I also gained experience in the management consulting industry.

Why are you is so passionate about what you teach

Marketing rocks! It rules the world.

What do you learn from IE students?

As I am teaching marketing at IE Business School, I am in the fortunate situation to teach a subject which is accessible to everybody. Students are more than happy to share interesting marketing stories from around the world. This provides me with the great opportunity to constantly learn about new marketing ideas and concepts.

There are certain people you meet in life that make you feel you could tell them anything. I call them “Divan People” because it’s as if there were an irresistible force pulling you towards them and causing you to talk as freely as if you were on a psychologist’s Couch. This is the case of Juan Humberto Young Elser, IE Business School Prof. of Positive Leadership & Strategy. When he looks at you, he looks deep into your heart. I know it isn’t possible for him to look at you right this minute, but if you listen to what he has to say you will probably see what I mean.

Prof. Humberto Young Elser graduated from Harvard, spent years at UBS, and now runs his own investment consulting firm. He does kick-boxing, yoga, and aikido. Everything he does seems to flow in the same direction, and he explains how important this flow concept is not only for aikido, but also for management.

One of the secrets of his success appears to be that he never stops learning (he is currently taking a course on mindfulness based cognitive therapy at Oxford University. When I said that I thought it was too late for me to start with Aikido he said “You really think so? I started with Aikido when I was 54. It’s not as late as you think…”.

Enjoy the flow!!!

First published on The Other Side, the blog about the other side of IE faculty.

Get a life vision on architecture from three acknowledged architects within a short period of time, is a rare happening. The students of the IE Master in Architectural Management & Design can enjoy those insights on a regular basis. The Architect’s Backstage lecture series will enrich the students experience through direct exposure to leaders of top architecture practices who will explain their work underlining the necessary back office to achieve excellence in design.

Get a glimpse on what 3 renowned architects have to tell:

If you would like to learn more about this part-time Master Degree, join the upcoming virtual conference on April 9 at 5pm (Madrid time, GMT+2).

The IE School of Architecture & Design offers two other Architecture Master Degrees: Master in Work Space Design and Master in Architectural Design.