Archive for the ‘Brazil Winterim’ Category

By Ryan Conway, Thunderbird Full Time MBA

Well the holiday break is now over and it’s back to the grind, although the holiday break turned out to be not much of one. I arrived home last Saturday from Rio de Janeiro, the last stop on my five-city tour of Brazil as part of my “Winterim” course at Thunderbird. The Winterims and sister Summerims are a great way for Thunderbirds to get out and see firsthand how business runs around the globe; from visiting the financial players or discussing the latest branding techniques in New York, to learning more about international development in Jordan, to immersing themselves in the business climates of China, South Africa or India (among many others).

My Winterim of choice was Brazil, where we met local and multinational companies and discussed their efforts toward sustainability. Over the course of the trip it became clear that the definition of sustainability varied greatly, but the most successful in the eyes of our group were not only passionate about the issue but had also turned it into a competitive advantage.

Read the rest of this post on the Financial Times’ MBA blog, and watch the video summary below:

By Kate Robertson ’10, full-time MBA student

During the January 2010 Brazil Winterim course, Sustainable Business in Practice, we visited Grupo Balbo, a company that, since its inception in 1903, has had a genuine respect for the environment and social responsibility. Despite being a household name in the ethanol industry, Grupo Balbo prides itself in continuous innovation and collaboration. This company visit was definitely a course highlight.

Over the past years, Grupo Balbo has worked to develop BiCycle, a biodegradable plastic made from sugar cane. In addition, they’ve launched Native, a brand that produces and markets organic and biodynamic foods including sugars, cookies, juices, coffees and granolas, to name a few. What is most refreshing, however is knowing that these very products are supplied by a company that produces in energetically self-sufficient facilities, takes responsibility for their greenhouse gas emissions, protects biodiversity, fosters reforestation and upholds high standards of social accountability.

Do you want to fill your kitchen with Native’s organic and biodynamic foods? I know I do! I’m still craving the fresh coffee and delicious cookies that we were served during our visit. I encourage you to browse the Native website. Unfortunately, one thing you won’t see on Native’s website is the super cool flow chart (it did say confidential on it) that the CEO shared with our Winterim group that outlined ALL of the uses of ethanol. Wow, I had no idea.

Grupo Balbo is definitely on to something, and I look forward to seeing what they come up with next.

By Kate Robertson ’10, full-time MBA student

As our bus approached the Natura headquarters somewhere between the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, there was a lot of discussion of Natura’s position as a leader in sustainability and as a role model to South American corporations. My thoughts turned to the passion fruit perfume that I had ordered six years earlier from a Natura catalogue as a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Peru. Before living in Peru, I had never heard of Natura and didn’t think much of it besides that I liked the look of the catalog.

However, after touring Natura’s headquarters during the 2010 Brazil Winterim course, Sustainable Business in Practice, it is no surprise that Natura products have come to represent South America cosmetics.

The visit to Natura is one of the highlights of the Brazil course and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many. No, this is not because we were able to try all of Natura’s natural products in the campus store (though it was definitely an added bonus). In fact, it was fascinating to learn about Natura’s sustainable supply chain and focus on ethical sourcing to support communities in the Amazonian regions of Brazil.

If you don’t have the chance to visit Natura in person, you must watch this short video and see why Natura is at the forefront of innovation and sustainability in Brazil. In addition, you will understand why, after leaving the company, almost all 20 of us wanted to work at Natura!

By Kate Robertson ’10, full-time MBA student

OK, for all you inductive and linear thinkers out there, listen as Professor John Zerio outlines the four goals of the Brazilian Winterim course, Sustainable Development in Practice:

– Students gain a sensitivity of doing business in an emerging economy.

– Students strengthen the Thunderbird commitment to creating sustainable prosperity worldwide.

– Students understand the importance of the Amazon Rainforest, which makes up one-third of Brazil.

– Students are given the opportunity to experience the richness of the Brazilian culture.

Is there something else you’d like to learn about Brazil? E-mail Professor Zerio and ask him.

By Kate Robertson ’10, full-time MBA student

As a strict vegetarian, five weeks in Brazil with limited Portuguese skills proved to be quite challenging. If it weren’t for the delicious acai berry smoothies, I’m not sure what I would have done!

Lately, we’ve heard about acai as the newest “superfood.” I definitely jumped on the craze wagon and have started buying acai in Arizona. Not surprisingly, upon acceptance to the Brazil Winterim, “Sustainable Business in Practice,” I was eager to get my hands on some more acai berry. It wasn’t long before I realized that the Brazilian acai is definitely the real deal, the purest form out there.

As good as it may or may not taste, and as healthy or unhealthy as it may be, the production of acai has brought additional work to Brazilian farmers.

The New York Times article from February 2010, Açaí, a Global Super Fruit, Is Dinner in the Amazon?, discusses some of the benefits the surge in acai berry has had on  producer communities in Para, Brazil.

By Kate Robertson ’10, full-time MBA student

Rumor has it the Brazil Winterim course is a wonderful experience for Thunderbird students.  Having lived the experience in January 2010, I can say this isn’t just a rumor, it is FACT! If you don’t believe me, well, I’ve brought you further evidence from two other participants. For additional testimonials, see my blog post from Aug. 31.

Adam Steinbrunner ’10 (United States)

The Brazil Winterim was a unique opportunity for me to learn more about new technologies as well as the business culture of a Latin American country. I had previous opportunities to travel throughout Latin America, including Brazil, but never had the experience of learning the strategies and motivations of native businesses. It was exciting to be introduced to sustainable businesses in a high-growth environment because it provides an appreciation that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of other key stakeholders, such as local communities and the environment. Local firms are meeting regional needs through innovative and eco-friendly processes, while international firms are partnering with an emerging world market to find expansion opportunities.
Read more »

By Kate Robertson ’10, full-time MBA student

As I wrote last week, the Brazil Winterim, “Sustainable Business in Practice,” has something for everyone! Though company visits were focused on teaching students about sustainable business practices, the not-for-profits, multinational corporations, financial institutions and government agencies with whom we met in January 2010 spanned various industries.

This diversity made for quite an interesting trip! See the photographs below for an “insiders view” into the course’s company visits to Dedini S.A. Industrias de Base Manufacturing Equipment, Deutsch Bank, Fibria Forest Products, Friends of the Earth, Fundacao Amazonas Sustentavel, Natura Cosmetics, Tecsis Wind Turbine, Vale do Rio Doce Mining Company and Wal-Mart.
.

By Kate Robertson ’10, full-time MBA student

The purpose of the Brazil Winterim course, “Sustainable Business in Practice,” is to expose students to the Brazilian business environment, one in which many companies take sustainability to heart.

In Brazil, they don’t just “talk the talk,” but they “walk the walk”! Although the course’s itinerary varies slightly each year, this serves to give students a brief glimpse into the companies that have previously been visited during “Sustainable Business in Practice.”

• Dedini S.A. Industrias de Base Manufacturing Equipment (site in Portuguese)
• Deutsch Bank (site in Portuguese)
• Fibria Forest Products
• Friends of the Earth
• Fundacao Amazonas Sustentavel
• Natura Cosmetics
• Tecsis Wind Turbine
• Vale do Rio Doce Mining Company
• Wal-Mart (site in Porguese)

The Winterim covers a wide range of companies and industries. From the not-for-profit sector to banking, mining, consumer products, manufacturing and government organizations, the course has something for everyone! Thunderbird Professor John Zerio, Ph.D., is always forging new relationships with Brazilian companies, so contact him (john.zerio@thunderbird.edu) if you have ideas or if you are a business owner who would like to receive a visit from a group of sustainable-minded T-Bird students.

By Kate Robertson ’10, full-time MBA student

As Thunderbird students contemplate the many Winterim offerings, they usually have a tough time narrowing down the options and making a final decision. If you are wondering whether to apply to the Brazil Winterim course, Sustainable Development in Practice, listen to the course professor, Dr. John Zerio, answer the question of “Why Brazil?”

Dr. Zerio gives a brief history of Brazil including the important developments during the 1960s and 1970s that caused Brazilian countries to begin thinking and acting sustainably. He also explains the definition of sustainability as it relates to developed countries versus emerging markets. Even if you aren’t planning to apply to the Brazil Winterim, this short video is a must-see. I guarantee you will learn a thing or two …

By Kate Robertson ’10, full-time MBA student

Watch this short video to learn about the benefits of participating in the Brazil Winterim, Sustainable Development in Practice. Dr. John Zerio explains some of the key takeaways that students have as a result of their two-week studies in the emerging economy of Brazil.

As a past-participant in the Winterim, I can vouch that I definitely learned everything (and MUCH MORE) that Professor Zerio strives to teach students. I’d recommend this course to anyone. In fact, it was such an eye-opening and educational experience that it should be a prerequisite for graduation. Perhaps I will pitch that to Thunderbird’s administration…!