On March 23, 2017, the MiM-CEMS 2017 Global Alumni Week (GAW) was held at Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management (Tsinghua SEM). The event, which included Tsinghua x-lab Tour and the "Innovation and Entrepreneurship in China” seminar, attracted more than 20 MiM-CEMS students from top business schools worldwide to attend.

Tsinghua x-lab Tour: Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Welcomed warmly by Ms. Tal Badt, Director of Business Development and Head of Intellectual Property Center of Tsinghua x-lab, MiM-CEMS students visited the showroom and incubator. During the visit, students experienced several innovative products, such as a vendor machine named “Easy Coffee” which could make a cup of coffee in 90 seconds, a freestyle transformable discussion area, a mini portable air cleaner, a menstrual period thermometer, 3D printers and so on. By visiting Tsinghua x-lab, students experienced the international environment of entrepreneurship and the incubation mechanism of entrepreneurial projects. They gained the insights that Tsinghua University strongly supported the innovation of students and alumni.

MiM-CEMS students at Tsinghua x-lab

Innovation and Entrepreneurship in China

In the evening, the “Innovation and Entrepreneurship in China” seminar was held in Shunde Building at Tsinghua SEM. MiM-CEMS alumnus, Jan H. Milark, MiM British student Stewart Johnson and alumna JIAO Wenjuan shared their insights on “entrepreneurship in China”, "business opportunities in China” and “cultural differences between Chinese and foreign corporations”.

Jan H. Milark was used to work in McKinsey overseas. He came back to Beijing in 2016 and created YIDU International, which is an e-commerce company devoted to introduce international arts into China. He said that China had plenty of innovation opportunities due to the fast changing market, which was also the reason of his return to China to set up his own business. A global team is the key to his success. Besides, he stressed that execution is really important, since you will know how to solve the problems when you start to deal with them”.

Steward Johnson founded Alpha Education Company and Hatchery Catering Incubator in 2013. He suggested that the distinguishing feature of company was the most important element on the way to the successful set-up of a company, and that foreigners had to face challenges such as acquiring a new language, different culture and values when working in China. However, he mentioned that once foreigners overcame the challenges, the foreign background would be a competitive edge for the company, since they could match the foreign resources with local demands.

JIAO Wenjuan has been working as a consultant of high-tech industry in Siemens Management Consulting in 2014. She said that the consulting forges her professionalism. During her work, she tried to learn as much as she can to think with the point of view of experienced clients. As a coordinator with the big picture in mind, she was well aware of the different roles and expectation of different stake holders, and could communicate with different skills to each of the stake holders to reach the common target. At last, she stressed: “Never fear to ask questions as long as you are expressing a sincere attitude.”

Tsinghua Alumni and MiM-CEMS students at the “Innovation and Entrepreneurship in China” seminar

The GAW event not only provided a great platform for students to learn the significance of innovation in international markets and the large scale of entrepreneurship opportunities in China, but also enhanced the connection between alumni and MiM-CEMS students. (source: MiM-CEMS program)