News and Cluster Activities
Berlin opens door to EBBF German speaking conference >>
Addressing the issues in the art of consultation >>
Practical business solutions from Canada >>
Sales and Ethics in Finland >>
Two Wings spreading social economic solutions >>
Introducing a new code of ethics in Madrid >>
AIESEC and EBBF hitting it off in Germany >>
Successful EBBF Berlin Conference attracts elated participants from German speaking Europe
Submitted by Daniel Schaubacher
Berlin, October 28, 2007. Seventy business leaders, concerned citizens, consultants and students from Germany, Austria and Switzerland responded to the invitation to attend the first EBBF conference in Germany, on “Führung in einer globalen Wirtschaft – Erfolgsfaktor Mensch(lichkeit)” (“Leadership in a Globalized Economy – Humane Values : Key to Success”), held October 26-28, 2007 in the IG Metall Conference Centre at Pichelsee, in Berlin-Spandau.
A rich three-day program vividly addressing key issues in values-driven leadership, sustainability and responsible entrepreneurship; the superb conference facilities of a major German trade union, nestled in a tranquil fall-coloured park on the banks of enchanting Pichel Lake; entertaining and thought-provoking evening musical and theatrical productions; animated workshops; inter-generational exchanges with students and young educators and experienced business people; and, last but not least, unique networking opportunities facilitated by expert coach and communicator, EBBF member Sabine Bredemeyer – the so-called Global Café conversation tables; – all contributed to make this premiere a uniquely memorable and enriching experience.
The EBBF Berlin Conference was GREAT. Uwe and his team did such a fantastic job. Great speakers, warm atmosphere, great participants, great talks!!
Herzlichen Dank für die Vielfalt an kompetenten Vorträgen, die mich alle sehr bereichert und inspiriert haben. Ich bin „infiziert“ und von Herzen bereit, mehr zu erfahren und in die Welt zu tragen.“
Thank you so much fort he diversity in competent presentations which have greatly enriched and inspired me. I am “infected” and prepared, with all my heart, to learn more and share it with the world.
„Ich weiss kaum, wo ich mit all den Ideen im Moment hin soll!!“
I don’t know right now how to handle the wealth of ideas gleaned {at the conference}
Among the keynoters, the noted international environmental expert, Dr. Arthur Dahl (ex-UNEP) who spoke on Ethical Challenges in a Globalizing World; Peter Spiegel, spokesman for the Global Economic Network and the BWA-German Export Trade Federation (intelligently addressing the topic of Turning Point to a Humane Global Economy with encouraging case studies); Author and Trainer Kambiz Pootschi from Austria (captivating, on a systemic approach to management, leadership and team dynamics); Angela Lawaldt, the talented young CEO of the Ashoka network in Frankfurt/M. Germany, on social entrepreneurship; Trainer/Outplacement Consultant Heinz Goeltenboth with Self-Improvement Trainer Ruth Valaer on facilitating the employability of the +50 unemployed – a Swiss local government-supported program of their Human Encouragement Institute in Schaffhausen; and international PR & Media Expert Dr. Stephan Pernau on practical case studies in corporate in-house communications, attracted special attention from elated conference attendees.
Workshops on systemic thinking, values-based leadership, CSR, workers’ employability issues and motivation, consultation and communications, and EBBF activities in German-speaking Europe in cooperation with peer institutions as the AIESEC student organisation enabled participants to actively offer their views to social, sustainability, accountability, work and life ethics, as well as collective intelligence and team dynamics issues. Two AIESEC students of theLueneburg Leuphana University described innovative climate change and sustainability corporate and economic approaches based on the Global Marshall Plan Initiative.
The art of consultation - some of the issues
Submitted by Gary Reusche
- Gary Reusche
At the invitation of the UK EBBF group, Gary Reusche from Ukraine lead two discussions on the theme of “consultative decision making.” The main emphasis for both events was the same, but adapted for the respective audiences in Oxford and London. The first part of the discussion focused on the relevance of consultative decision making to businesses and organizations, and its central role as a decision making mechanism for a wide variety of popular management theories and practices that have been introduced to businesses in the UK during the past decades (participatory processes, transparent decision making, team decision making, etc.). Discussion from the participants, however, with a few notable exceptions, often returned to the perception by many that these trends, although popular, were given only “lip service” by management who continued to operate as before producing a skeptical environment for their implementation.
The second part of the discussion focused on the pre-requisites for this methodology to be implemented and employed, and the futility of attempting to implement it without taking a “whole system” approach. There was general agreement during the discussion that other decision making styles do not disappear for the simple fact that some decisions require quick action for efficiency. In addition, there are some employees who choose to remain aloof from consultative decision making, as they see their managers as being paid and responsible for the direction of the company. In some cases, it was suggested, certain tasks do not require team efforts and tolerance for such an aloof attitude is possible. On the other hand, many teams and processes require a team orientation, it is almost universally stated as a job requirement at hiring, and an aloof position would be detrimental to the overall effort.
The discussion also highlighted the fact that the development of a culture that includes consultative decision making requires personal transformation on the part of many individuals, perhaps especially those at the higher levels of the organization. The formal leaders’ participation, and their personal example, is essential. In many cases the implementation of consultative decision making needs to be combined with other training activities, such as personal effectiveness training, in order to develop the interpersonal skills that are necessary. Expectations need to be realistic, particularly with regard to the time and sustained effort that is required to make it work.
The UK EBBF Group has made this topic of consultative decision making to be a central priority in the coming year, and these events were a step towards the realization of its objectives.
You can download Gary´s powerpoint presentation (7.2 MB) on Consultation by clicking here
The Canadian BBF getting practical and meaningful
Submitted by Samantha Fowlds
had a panel of three local entrepreneurs tell us how they incorporate the EBBF/CBBF core values into their work. We had the owner of a private school, an editor, and a nutritional consultant.
The format worked well as both the audience and the speakers talked to the personal side of running a business.
Our turn-outs for monthly meeting keeps growing from a year ago August in Brampton for partnership of women and men in all fields of endeavour. Then in January in Toronto where Nousha Etemad presented the new paradigm of business. The other week we went to a location that was remote for everyone. It was in Oshawa ( 1hr to 1.5 hrs for most drivers) at the home of Donald Igbokwe. Donald's wife, Marie, made dinner for everyone! We changed our format a bit, and we ended rigtht on time.
Sherry Connoly, from The Centre for Spirituality at Work, was in attendance for the second time, after attending her Appreciative Inquiry workshop two weeks ago, she agreed to be our speaker at our next talk. She is going to ask her friend to co-present a leadership workshop. Her friend is a Gemini award winning pianist and will incorporate music into the presentation somehow.
One of the aims of CBBF is to produce an annual publication that summarises the monthly talks in the hope that the rich monthly meetings will inspire others both inside and outside the EBBF.
Sales and Ethics, in Finland
Submitted by Kimmo Vesajoki
At the AIESEC Helsinki office, EBBF External Relations Representative in Finland was asked to give a presentation to the AIESEC team on the topic of "Sales and Ethics"
A nicely mixed group of AIESECers from Pakistan, Laos and Finland were ready to receive Kimmo.
EBBF arranged an informal dicussion on sales and ethics. This was a follow up to the values based leadership event held in August. Kimmo Vesajoki presented EBBF briefly and gave an introduction to the topic after which a lively discussion followed. The evening went very well and the discussion continued ½ hour overtime after which the EBBF Annual Conference program was briefly explained and the AIESEC officers invited EBBF to participate in their national Access seminar, held in Oulu in the beginning of November. Also a mentoring session to AIESEC salespeople was suggested to be held.
Partner organization Two Wings spreads social economic development
Submitted by Sarvenas Ettehadieh
Two Wings invited e a large group of AIESEC AUSTRIA students to a Cafe Talk on "hands-on development" with some of the participants of the FUNDAEC Course. The AIESECers were so impressed that they asked if they would be allowed to also study some of the Curriculum of Fundaec. FUNDAEC then mentioned that maybe the first part of the curricullum on Promoters of Community Wellbeing might be useful for AIESEC AUSTRIA, namely the material "Discourse on Social Action", which has about 80 pages.
With the support of Bita Correa, Coordinator and Trainer in Fundaec, we will offer this seminar "Discourse on Social Action" for AIESEC Austria students in the beginning of November.Our goal will be to offer this course twice a year for the AIESEC students who are interested in social action and are looking for a framework for that. a good number of AIESEC Students in Vienna. The students had the opportunity to become acquainted about the sustainable development activities of collaborators such as the Badi Foundation in China, Fundaec from Columbia, Inshindo Foundation from Zambia, ACEM from Costa Rica, and Emergence Foundation for Education and Development from Cameroon.
Introducing the new code of ethics in Madrid
Submitted by Daniel Truran.
The presidency of AIESEC Spain asked EBBF to facilitate a session aimed at deepening the understanding and ownership amongst the leaders of AIESEC in Spain of the new world wide AIESEC code of ethics.
For this reason EBBF member and IBM Management Development Leader Cristina Marquès facilitated a three hour session with the AIESEC team and here is what they had to say "Some of the guys told me that, even tough before they had been stressed by not being able to use this time for individual work, after the session they also felt energized and were glad that we took the time to have these kind of discussions. Their happiness and drive made my day!"
AIESEC – EBBF cooperation takes off in Germany
Submitted by Leonor Gimelfarb
- An AIESEC session
AIESEC Germany invited EBBF to run a workshop at their Autumn Strategic Meeting. “350 delegates, all students who hold leadership positions in AIESEC, met to plan activities for the new academic year and to give themselves further training” said Conference organiser Lars Konnertz, himself a student. The first day was dedicated to global issues such as Energy, Finance and Emerging Market.
EBBF member Leonor Gimelfarb organised a workshop on “Responsible Trade with Emerging Markets – how to manage supply chains more sustainably”. Drawing on her experience with a textile company sourcing from India, she highlighted workplace issues and the importance of cultural sensitivity when dealing with suppliers. “Those students who major in logistics could actively contribute to the discussion on supply chain management” said Gimelfarb. The second half of the workshop was dedicated to a case-study. Students took on the role of a social audit team inspecting a factory. “They came up with very relevant ideas as to how to conduct the audit” said Leonor. “The workshop was very interactive and we loved the anecdotes”, was the most-heard feedback from students.
The EBBF-AIESEC cooperation will continue at the EBBF Conference in Berlin on 26-28 October. Juliane Krüger and Gerrit Mumm from the AIESEC Global Marshall Plan drive team will present their project “Unity in Diversity”.
“AIESEC gives students opportunities to develop responsible leadership” said Leonor. “It is a great partner for EBBF. Wonderful projects are running in Italy and I wish we can do the same here in Germany.”
