Coming to the End of the Journey

Minli Zhao (China/Germany) describes the end of our South African adventures in today's guest entry.

The diary readers are by now aware of the awesome experience that the IMD 2009 MBA’s are having in South Africa. The project with the local SMEs have been stimulating and the evenings with the groups have been exhilarating. Tuesday was the culmination of the project phase of our work. Each of the 21 groups presented their recommendations to their clients. It is amazing how a group of 4 or 5 individuals can swoop down on a business, immerse themselves in it and add value to the business. It is very gratifying when the contributions are recognized by the clients.

Wednesday we visited MTN, the multinational mobile telephone operator based out of South Africa. It is an amazing story of a new age post apartheid South African company that has emerged to dominate the mobile telephony market in Africa and is rapidly spreading its wings in emerging markets of Asia like Iran and Yemen. One of its core values was the attitude of “can do“ that it embodied in its operations. It was clearly visible to us that this organization was bold and ventured out with courage to capture horizons that others would have balked before trying. It take courage to venture out without knowing all the answers, armed only with the extreme self belief that we will find anwsers on the way.

The “ work phase“ of the discovery expedition ended with a grand gala dinner at the IDC premises. IDC is one of the chief sponsors that have facilitated our project in South Africa. 250 odd audience comprising of current MBA students, the SME clients, sponsors from IDC and MTN and IMD alumni congregated to culminate a wonderful experience. It was a great event and a wonderful opportunity to network with the business leaders of South Africa.

For our last day in South Africa we move out of the hotel that has been our home for the last 9 days to a well deserved 2 days of fun and frolic in the game park of Pilanesburg. We do hope to come face to face with some African Lions and Lionessess ….well in the safety of our armoured vehicles.

Minli