In May, I attended 2 Vital Topics sessions in Manchester Business School. What is Vital Topics? For over 30 years, the School invited a line up of distinguished business leaders to share their insights into key business issues. The series aim to gives people the opportunity to learn from those who are driving our economy – giving you a fresh business perspective.
1. Ronan Dunne – CEO of Telefonica O2 UK: Turning customers into fans – how to stand out in a commoditised market
May 7, 2009 (Thursday) at 18.30, in G6, MBS West.
Before going to U.K., all I knew about O2 was its manufacturing PDA phone. In U.K., however, it was one of the key mobile service provider. Although it was a very young company (started from 2001) as compare with other established competitors, it gained solid brand and customer base within few years. How they stand out in a commoditised market? The answer was to turn customers into fans.
The speaker, Mr Ronan Dunne joined O2 prior to demerger from BT in 2001, and following a number of senior finance roles, most recently as CFO, Ronan became CEO of Telefónica O2 UK in January 2008.
It was a wonderful lecture by Ronan. I guess the concept can apply to nearly all industries nowadays.
2. Ambassador Susan Schwab, former US Trade Representative: Reflections on trade policy
May 20, 2009 (Wednesday)
I seldom paid much attention at politics. But today, I decide to join the majority of the audience whom mainly from the School of Politics study to attend the lecture by Ambassador Susan Schwab.
Ambassador Susan Schwab served as US Trade Representative (USTR) from 2006-2009. As a member of the President’s cabinet, public policy scholar and global strategic corporate executive, Ambassador Schwab is considered a foremost expert on global trade relations.
Although I am an armature in politics, I am fascinated by the speech about the free trade around the globe, the increased global trade protection which is reflected on global supply chain, especially for countries that heavily depend on export (e.g. Japan, China, Germany)!
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Reference:
- http://www.mbs.ac.uk/vitaltopics/index.aspx
