tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71155327312704224782024-03-05T19:09:26.617-08:00UC DAVIS International Study Trip 2013 Germany, September 10 - 20Rojmary Fernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531166533793618015noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115532731270422478.post-55902750606956802382013-09-23T06:03:00.000-07:002013-09-27T17:33:28.461-07:00What A Thrilling Ride!The ten days spent in Germany were truly some of the most exhilarating, enlightening and educational times for all 10 brave students who decided to embark on the international study trip. All the planning, the long plane rides, the jet lags, the early morning call times, figuring out how the German train systems worked, walking and riding the train together from city to city to get to business meetings (with our luggages in tow on some occasions) while getting rained down on - the trip culminated to this one fact: We're all better and wiser because of it. Our business knowledge has exponentially expanded, all because we took that one step to immerse ourselves in another culture in another continent, how daunting it may have been. <br />
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The IST 2013 team will always look back to this trip with fond memories - "We'll always have Germany..." :)<br />
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After our study trip in Germany officially ended on 9/20/13, some continued their adventure in Europe: some went to Paris, some to Berlin, some went back to Munich to attend the Oktoberfest, and some stayed close to visit family and friends. <br />
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To the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, thank you for giving us this incredible opportunity to go on this trip to enrich and grow our knowledge in international business. This experience is truly the highlight of our academic lives. We're proud to be part of the Aggies Family!<br />
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Of course, a shout-out to all our loyal readers: We hope you enjoyed this journey with us! Until next time!<br />
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<blockquote><b><i>"A strong and well-constituted man digests his experiences (deeds and misdeeds all included) just as he digests his meats, even when he has some tough morsels to swallow."</b></i> ~ German Philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche</blockquote><br />
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<marquee behavior="scroll" direction="left" scrollamount="10"><b>THANK YOU from the IST 2013 Team:</b> Professor Hemant Bhargava - Inger Maher - Christine Chen - Rojmary Fernandez - Brad Fong - Franzi Frey - Monique Fritz - Nate Hinton - Indah Marcelly - Adam Pastorius - Mingyu Qu - Xuan Sen =)</marquee><br />
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<i>To see the student profiles, go here:  <a href="http://gsm.ucdavis.edu/student-profiles" target="_blank">http://gsm.ucdavis.edu/student-profiles</a></i><br />
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Rojmary Fernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531166533793618015noreply@blogger.com0San Ramon, CA, USA37.7799273 -121.9780152999999837.6794978 -122.13937679999998 37.880356799999994 -121.81665379999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115532731270422478.post-87266027251804867432013-09-20T08:22:00.000-07:002013-10-02T13:28:50.465-07:00Discovering Energy in Essen!Last, but certainly not least - our final day of meetings was held in Essen, Germany. At around 6 a.m., we all hopped aboard trains heading to the nation’s energy capital. <br />
<p align="center"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHT3-UWafq93QtPfmlT-efTRNpjLT0xwvc6fB7HuOLmrNBaFSR6WlhaKNPMCKm5Gls0fLtzQlbDcPqkMaZ7N5dm1HcgHznstvhlgCZ6X7DBI9KkZHrvBg_ZJAIzPFvObXD_JQ7_cmLp8U/s320/IMG_1131.JPG" /></p><br />
We had two incredible meetings lined up with Germany’s top two energy and utilities companies, E.ON and RWE. These two companies also lead globally as the #7 and #12 electric utilities companies, respectively.<br />
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<p align="center"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGC6MAAJDMhB37NSomXo-AAVTWwrd8k97JOzX6c0zhwgNFdTxQSYndX8PJIlh1Xyuo-xugUvHQdtC5ptkk684WTuuTpuxs8gw9wVEt9A9VI2530-DPIVniVXQSx4n7v202yb5YpvZuB1el/s320/IMG_1128.jpg" /> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhb4r59ddDWWrligVShCgwxT1TkeO8yfz565LLZlv6_Puk2tsM02D3EaRVuUNgzdWRTqHA-ng_URA9W2gYL3oH_WKWdEcWWekN_XQpummPnWrXHFwHSqiiWwyA1PaqMWzD9rRxsUQy-jX/s320/IMG_1139.PNG" /><br />
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When it comes to energy, Germany is in a particularly unique predicament. The German government has rolled out progressive energy policies, commonly called Energiewende, which virtually phase out all nuclear and coal energy production. The policies have set extremely aggressive goals such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% (against its 1990 Kyoto Protocol figures). These measures have led E.ON and RWE to begin closing down older and brand new nuclear power plants alike. Some foreshadow that these strict policies will lead to a new <i>green</i> Industrial Revolution with Germany innovating and leading the way. These policies are in part attributable to Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear crisis. In its wake, companies such as E.ON and RWE find many of their product offerings, technologies and business models turned upside down. Consequently, energy giants E.ON and RWE are currently rethinking how they will replace more than 70% of their energy and revenue-generating portfolios with renewable energy solutions. What an incredible challenge for them and what an incredible opportunity for us MBA students to discuss this timely situation and potential strategies directly with them. <br />
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<p align="center"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8uhhicB_rlsudUoaN5vzF3W1Q7mOt6Z6EvPkW5jXaYcUEZyWy9HPp0OC1f5G91FSxiciKn5PfMQ_HczlSwZvmq0sMkwgi6p02g66ccjT7LW8opP6kfX0ULgXeIO9GoqsBXt8dj4eHeFz/s400/IMG_1124+-+Version+2.JPG" /></p><br />
Upon arrival at E.ON, we were greeted by our host Mr. Brian Lonn, a former GSM student who now works on E.ON’s Asset Strategy team as the Energy Yield Coordinator. We also met with representatives from the Country Strategy, Asset Strategy and Country Sales divisions. Collectively, they presented a thorough overview of Germany’s energy policy, E.ON, and E.ON 2.0…the new business strategy. We learned about conventional vs renewable energy, Electro mobility (E-Mobility), Combined Heat and Power units (CHPs), wind farm operations and maintenance management (for 3,000 turbines), and strong new potential markets. In addition, we learned about the levelized cost of energy (LCoE), which represents the lifetime cost of the yield of energy. This is used in project benchmarking. Formula: LCoE = All Costs / Energy Produced The important take-away from LCoE is simply to reduce costs by making more energy and machine efficiency is, therefore, always key! <br />
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<p align="center"><img src='http://s22.postimg.org/c2lhdefoh/IMG_2152.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2152" /> <img src='http://s22.postimg.org/fd9uda5lt/IMG_2155.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2155" /></p><br />
After gaining these fascinating insights, our gracious host and his manager Mrs. Grundt accompanied us to lunch in E.ON’s delightful café. <br />
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<p align="center"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKc-pWo3RQHMen-BrsXyvAHlCI0FVEjVwaa3-HxRlPxb5YwrTNQclAZ0z5khRvpaFb3HERVLpL9cR67Nzaur-KvVaAOeuEzCpxRV40Kk4AbcSKBJdGeOeyES5c5T-JToStclQuqpXv5bQT/s320/IMG_1121.JPG" /></p><br />
Departing from E.ON by train, we traveled to downtown Essen where we met with Mr. Klapdor at the RWE headquarters.<br />
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<p align="center"><img src='http://s22.postimg.org/4eykv3h0h/IMG_2158.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2158" /> <img src='http://s22.postimg.org/nwxtos3c1/IMG_2159.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2159" /> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUct_Rqi7P23gjLlpEKtfAyxqNvmFSNGxUNyfbzufqNXMfqE90HfUN7Wwq1BYooJszjIaKOMGBwPTSIHbVassqlABiMRyvgo8028iIf8j-PKKHjl1SDG-TzWWfOGOSZbAjMW3DRNRGg8O/s320/IMG_1135.JPG" /></p><br />
Our RWE host, Mr. Klapdor, leads the Future House Project which is an innovative study where converted homes become self-sufficient energy producers. These homes not only power themselves comfortably via Solar Panels (even in freezing conditions) but they also power an electric car and most are able to sell excess energy back to the power grid and make a profit by doing so. To learn more about the future according to RWE, check out their Visions of Living 2030 short movie. Here is the link: <a href="http://universalhome.de/start.html">http://universalhome.de/start.html</a>. <br />
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<p align="center"><img src='http://s22.postimg.org/wt8lspty9/IMG_2160.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2160" /> <img src='http://s22.postimg.org/pv4hmrvtt/IMG_2161.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2161" /></p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrk903GTEbCUYGDG7eGzCuhm8_DVkdGvZphXnNFg9LxV1wVBclFtpd3_GAdn5H1lX91JHfzZrnb3012rTe63a0c3IaXaeasahEmSx_1lMSp8aRWKmE4mxqZx5etJfY-pyWf4gwdGdcWUG/s1600/rwe+group+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrk903GTEbCUYGDG7eGzCuhm8_DVkdGvZphXnNFg9LxV1wVBclFtpd3_GAdn5H1lX91JHfzZrnb3012rTe63a0c3IaXaeasahEmSx_1lMSp8aRWKmE4mxqZx5etJfY-pyWf4gwdGdcWUG/s640/rwe+group+pic.jpg" /></a></div>Monique Fritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11709523638515148329noreply@blogger.com1Essen, Germany51.4556432 7.011555199999975251.1389217 6.3661081999999753 51.7723647 7.6570021999999751tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115532731270422478.post-24043342859473312122013-09-19T15:18:00.000-07:002013-10-02T13:31:32.522-07:00Last Day in Frankfurt: Finance Day!<br />
Earlier today, we explored the finance industry. First, we visited the Money Museum at the Deutsche Bundesbank. The tour guide took us on a journey looking at the history of money.<br />
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<img src='http://s8.postimg.org/gxjczig0l/DSC01855.jpg' border='0' alt="DSC01855" /> <img src='http://s13.postimg.org/vo9jjtct3/IMG_2088.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2088" /> <img src='http://s13.postimg.org/6pw89hmhj/IMG_2089.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2089" /><br />
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<img src='http://s13.postimg.org/bpy9v6hhz/IMG_2090.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2090" /> <img src='http://s13.postimg.org/ur7pooqon/IMG_2092.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2092" /> <img src='http://s13.postimg.org/sy9ee3uvr/IMG_2096.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2096" /><br />
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Before the money as we know them today, people would barter goods to trade. At one point, cows were used to determine worth. For example, a plot of land was worth 12 cows. It was really interesting to learn that the "dollar" was derived from the German word "Thaler" used in the 16th Century.<br />
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<img src='http://s8.postimg.org/krct8nxcl/DSC01856.jpg' border='0' alt="DSC01856" /> <img src='http://s13.postimg.org/qaarc9n2v/IMG_2083.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2083" /> <img src='http://s8.postimg.org/sitj781hx/DSC01857.jpg' border='0' alt="DSC01857" /><br />
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We were then taken to this room where the currencies from all over the world were displayed:<br />
<p align="center"><img src='http://s13.postimg.org/9a5n8te6v/IMG_2101.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2101" /> <img src='http://s13.postimg.org/odn7z6b6f/IMG_2098.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2098" /> <img src='http://s13.postimg.org/u5rxk2adz/IMG_2100.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2100" /> <br />
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<img src='http://s13.postimg.org/4dxf3donr/IMG_2099.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2099" /> <img src='http://s13.postimg.org/ds3cn64uv/IMG_2102.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2102" /> <img src='http://s13.postimg.org/wndc26pzr/IMG_2111.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2111" /> <br />
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<img src='http://s13.postimg.org/suttmgahj/IMG_2110.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2110" /> <img src='http://s13.postimg.org/e97eby32v/IMG_2119.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2119" /> <img src='http://s13.postimg.org/6cibpz28n/IMG_2115.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2115" /></p><br />
We also learned about the monetary policy and the role of the European Central Bank. The EU governing council meets every two weeks. It was awesome to know that the leaders from all over Europe would come here to Frankfurt to talk about monetary policies.<br />
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<img src='http://s13.postimg.org/8hbvijimv/IMG_2128.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2128" /> <img src='http://s13.postimg.org/fodkeetjr/IMG_2121.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2121" /> <img src='http://s13.postimg.org/rriw1z4lz/IMG_2126.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2126" /><br />
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The tour guide also showed us some of "money game machines" on the floor. Some of the team tinkered with them :)<br />
<p align="center"><img src='http://s13.postimg.org/oagtz05jr/IMG_2130.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2130" /> <img src='http://s8.postimg.org/awq9g6is5/DSC01882.jpg' border='0' alt="DSC01882" /> <img src='http://s13.postimg.org/fean8t4bb/IMG_2134.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2134" /></p><br />
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After our tour, we headed off to lunch. It gave us yet another chance to walk around Frankfurt (aaahh..always a joy..) and for Indah and Rojmary to run off to Dunkin Donuts to get their donut cravings satisfied :) (Dunkin Donuts doesn't have a presence yet in California).<br />
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<img src='http://s13.postimg.org/ccogclgk7/IMG_2137.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2137" /> <img src='http://s13.postimg.org/y7wg5t2jb/IMG_2136.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2136" /> <img src='http://s13.postimg.org/4dk3hj1g7/IMG_2138.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2138" /><br />
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Some went to a Thai restaurant. Some of us went to Kleinmarkthalle, Frankfurt's indoor market. There were more than 60 stalls to choose from! There was a variety of meats, bread, cheese, produce, and other exotic foods and drinks. It was so much fun trying different food from the different stalls.<br />
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<img src='http://s13.postimg.org/nnmin7y1j/IMG_2135.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2135" /> <img src='http://s8.postimg.org/kwl5w2u1h/DSC01924.jpg' border='0' alt="DSC01924" /> <img src='http://s8.postimg.org/j90961191/DSC01928.jpg' border='0' alt="DSC01928" /><br />
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In the afternoon, we travelled north to visit Feri AG in Bad Homburg. This was a treat because we met Kaarina Suikkonen, a UC Davis GSM alumni!<br />
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<p align="center"><img src='http://s8.postimg.org/90zcanlhx/DSC01946.jpg' border='0' alt="DSC01946" /> <img src='http://s13.postimg.org/kse0u3jfb/IMG_2142.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2142" /> <img src='http://s8.postimg.org/pimc1jlw5/DSC01945.jpg' border='0' alt="DSC01945" /></p><br />
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Kaarina's colleague, Alexander Krater, taught us about private equity. We learned about creating value in private equity and the J curve effect making it different from equity investments. We found out that private equity firms not only invest in companies but infrastructure as well such as roads, solar parks, and jails. <br />
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<p align="center"><img src='http://s13.postimg.org/e8fu1hus7/IMG_2145.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2145" /> <img src='http://s13.postimg.org/ro2uqy39z/IMG_2146.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2146" /> <img src='http://s8.postimg.org/jx93oyzyt/DSC01937.jpg' border='0' alt="DSC01937" /></p><br />
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Mr. Krater talked about the importance of soft skills and building relationships. Meeting people in person helps open opportunities and assess the situation. Observing who speaks and how he/she treats others can help tell how a team is run and investments are managed. Also, building relationships will help expand your network so that opportunities and resources are available when the time is right.<br />
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<img src='http://s8.postimg.org/upb9ht4t1/DSC01940.jpg' border='0' alt="DSC01940" /> <img src='http://s8.postimg.org/qyk2egknp/DSC01941.jpg' border='0' alt="DSC01941" /> <img src='http://s8.postimg.org/558zbdjf9/DSC01938.jpg' border='0' alt="DSC01938" /><br />
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Kaarina Suikkonen is the Head of Private Equity at Feri. She shared with us her story of how she went from being a UC Davis MBA student to leading a major division at a Finance firm in Germany. It was inspiring to see a fellow GSMer working overseas. She talked about how great our UC Davis GSM alumni network is and encouraged us to use it to make connections and find opportunities.<br />
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<img src='http://s8.postimg.org/g3fnftimt/DSC01939.jpg' border='0' alt="DSC01939" /> <img src='http://s8.postimg.org/ej5q3okut/DSC01943.jpg' border='0' alt="DSC01943" /> <img src='http://s13.postimg.org/jemdysk5z/IMG_2143.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2143" /><br />
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Wow, our trip's almost over! However, we did save the best for last. For our final stops, we will be travelling tomorrow to Essen to meet with the top two energy and utilities companies! <br />
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Until then, dear readers! <br />
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14524766810108833984noreply@blogger.com2Frankfurt, Germany50.1109221 8.682126700000026249.7851336 8.0366797000000254 50.436710600000005 9.3275737000000269tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115532731270422478.post-25184057508498493972013-09-18T00:07:00.000-07:002013-10-03T07:44:39.601-07:00Day 3 in Frankfurt: Free Day - Rhein River Day CruiseThe team got a day off today (yay!). Some of us decided to do a cruise of the Rhein River.<br />
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The morning began with a heavy overcast, rain and chill, which, typically, is not the most ideal for a river cruise at the Rhein River… Or any river! We persevered and met up at 8:45 a.m. in the hotel lobby, silently hoping the weather would eventually get better and those clouds would give us a break to enjoy this long awaited vacant day for leisure. <br />
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The train took about one hour to get to our stop; through the drizzling rain, we half-jogged to the dock just to see our boat leaving. We missed it!! Wow, what a morning we thought as we shrugged the chillness and slight disappointment off. Luckily, as we tried to get the best of the situation, we found a beautiful quaint coffee house situated on the edge of the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time flew as we chatted away and enjoyed our coffee and teas. In the meantime, our eyes never wandered too far from the dock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t miss the next one! <br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWN14Ton4aIFXI1sOynFxyRQtjHASIaOQf5nHPvnzaIlySKcUNrlPqLj4QgkSJJkeqON6DFIeLokI5JK6JrNF5LroYZGgz4AZ4ZH22fPKrIvT4XaHOCmE6TC0wpRn1hSyjtPn7rMOlVU/s320/Rhine+tour+group+coffee+house.JPG" width="240" /> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpaiY4jei1-ywXp5KoAw80P_T49494MIxfJOlGUxHh8SQS6P8xjvlMixPVeqRhQ0vIQNM-1gGpbVid50qNG0tfvbzHDKbqRIsFlUq3S4zML9cqTFVWGAXNweoJPnruabloKKtk6Ze6fA/s320/Rhine+tour+group.JPG" width="240" /></div>
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Phew, we made it! As we boarded, some of us commented on how pleasant it was for us to not have to pay any additional fees to do this boat tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been included in our already purchased ICE/railway ticket. Things were looking up.<br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggC1cFJIEz1Bxpu-JN_FJFYXjn-ARg43oWTJBlOyWW7sS813k_nQXXqTaPH2qU3wcotVVQxcDjotaGi3f3Dcx2Jlp__b85k8O76qE8vO7qVT9hc59BjCHmw14qaoLZNcFAjbJ3GcgJoJ8/s320/Rhine+direction.JPG" width="240" /> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaFpgRID_ry1lLBafjD12VoDCB3Y5XViVJJxx2bxbwMGvURbGqqiAdSrhQnntBrye-CRMN3D4xJ4con5u3CU-YY_f6h20Ju9iwPXSGuJH4kTWIFbn6oJ0ofv3kD_E8XI90h8i_yXv8tQ/s320/Rhine+Baccarach.JPG" width="240" /> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrpD9TN_9e81d87xuAOgdKdl_-WU_o2goCIcFFTDnkB1Feqqpq3NvoX1Ohsd3pjTsuGNOAfhFK-M_NM_pFlf1NhRlZRcKhG2VTOK64LdmitlLIyEeYdZI2QR8yhKM9Z6mt_HKoyVtEAE/s320/Rhine+tour+group1.JPG" width="240" /> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJk-3ppz7lup8WJnDX6rTsNqaVXLPIV0mUW-mgigG-DL7ni010x4FVaKf7gactY-vB4IXF13uOGRxbg1GchxN8KpNYWp81X7FO3P0Qgaw-dw-K8s1hpqlCBnPVDcukEEnxwQjG7eNF5U/s320/Rhine+boat.JPG" width="240" /> <br />
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Some things in life are just plain consistent; one of the examples was the weather that we endured that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was consistently cold with cumulus clouds hanging around, causing a few drizzles here and there.<br />
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As the boat left the dock, the journey began and the stunning view of the Baroque styled architectures, stoned forts and castles along the river complete with their surrounding traditional charming villages took our breath and drew us into a pseudo Medieval reality. Soon, we were busy running to both sides of the boat with our camera trying to soak and capture all the beauties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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After a few stops, we ended up at the quaint little village of Boppard in the valley of Loreley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A town of 2000 years of history and population of 17,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Narrow cobblestone pathways split stores, coffee houses and restaurants led us to the center of the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfno0zvLtfDd-z2YoFsPcJPhFD1UYlrwWE4_oYJwPZcmWeitciwsMlZa_0baoEFhaX9G1CnxJvXtIpjANUABnDKOO_YlArYlUjes9O_2V7yDlC7pNI6ix58hlLrz9LYDzKc1DoHP4yY0/s320/Rhine+burg1.JPG" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1kuJ3y1AjzODwfeOcKbzsNDBgS4SpTW9Ps-28X53eOwRQ6ycunA4BEnlZzLIMDDEu7XOy59oPhW6_7V5aCr5zCNa9ymB5yGKFyeW_RstSR-opaLmgcSU7GDCd5lXDg76iLQESbrDfIc/s320/Rhine+burg2.JPG" width="240" /> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DDx59WWENDLPGfp7HYAiaGJBC2-0eO3NZJ3T9nXUIghkOduOypsur9GZkmNI6dbLX4CpN9PYpMjJOrt9Lv_BQLLSFfJz-UPFCp576kdNket7wYhz5X0PDbtIclpUp5TuW2FzpBktqSA/s320/Rhine+Burg+4.JPG" width="240" /></div>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBkfMxPHiJfLopC4uKdqitCnFcd_KCohXGDbPi0mHwcUgMRE68rh6HPPjTyg14v8BotaLfEC0yhQkwAarnY9ThsqWP5quZc6APf5cCcwTzBlsZxT7T0mx7a1xMGeXno05A_BXoX-RXLA/s320/Rhine+more+forts.JPG" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVo3asz4bo7yhRGkqeoHBErW31zMMJc-Zmu5NZyFKSFUFT9eVrBktK2Rom72g_7lPvrKudWJ9PB221_ZbXKZIQkZ35H8ueNUVmYgDQ0VM9tx697KNuGyfQwe6OWkJngaxOlzkWzXL1RO8/s320/Rhine+neidermbach.JPG" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OVXgjMOV3oy1ETAuwIWNVqz7XPuRI0fY3UQ3iDCrLUtMMcJwZ0s3PalaFXYet-So_yrQEpWS2rwlY_pOAjlH-vAlvomaolMJh2yVvDBZKQFmQ_T9QaHln8WeRMAlcmfNW96uws-SD_w/s320/Rine+river+1.JPG" width="320" /><br />
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4XbTRcsOpkwHiKgutXFpg_V4SMu8gpw854QF9Buxxv6wVEvWuetbHr-0dck0faE-rrLQOO724oTkEP0V09SQ6szCrkPm041PE9t348ROpw2BT1GlpU0ABeRl4QJCpswjlLGyj33jCz8/s320/Rhine+tour+being+a+tourist.JPG" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWF6cIsmx-wCvcuuygZfwbCsIAbuUTSxc71Gl3f1v7EYOhsjLzAw0f5z-I063T_74CKYtF6P06z13aM5R9YldlBaO_Q9HCfcdo3t0wXkWmZePhRGAhDUlIQOOk6Sg4R7ExlVL0FXHOLQ/s320/Rhine+Xuan+Indah.JPG" width="240" /> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_oUFfBaA8W44ZkhFJo5vkIl-45reri7mJhGgktHQ7d3_p8FAym0xzn2Tk5fIvhyphenhypheng3cc0BWnTOlA4IUcPSlcoNzUj56mNi2dVqMtmg7fMODU_3-wUP60w3OFts6lmE7D8RmJ-Pw7dJ6A/s320/Rhine+tour+port.JPG" width="320" /><br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESGP-X3hPM6e4vM5MTDeSmCRfGL19c1XvSKMshU-KBLjKgT3Usl0vcuEFH70KDqerLR_po6wR3GNstq40XVK0j6UoRo_Z_HUiqjkIpJ09-HRfkZJui_HPgJC-KEW_jw7k8SnB33Wlo2k/s320/roof+top+deck.JPG" width="240" /><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvv59k2yLkRCgmT4RLZ7uvULE12MF3KPFHvvJzONFmkv9MyJh1eK5mWDDcohlq_O7J1-SecLfV7hE2MlTLgWoOlh4wdGqkIdNAt_ugLd2AZW9QHVYu5dXw-7PaU6a2fsmbY1mNuoCmxFs/s320/Ming+Indah.JPG" width="240" /> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcC7hKAemdGVVYCbPF7ZfwOGmooDOfEIcwsmILYMojMCGJzWTweBXtflspj7iccOPH93ylG8HiyLQR9qA4GhPPwQeegdG6i1WwoKX-OIB_G0CF5sshqZqpPArWSXOJlm5ya6SASb1bYw/s1600/Rhine+tour+group+4.JPG" width="240" /></div>
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We decided to grab some refreshments at “Choco Bar” restaurant’s outdoor seating in the center of the town square while enjoying the gorgeous view of the baroque styled church strategically located in the front of table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As mid-afternoon came, we raced to the train station while trying to stay dry from the drizzling rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made the train and by 5.30 pm, we had returned to our hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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Personally, I felt very glad that we persevered that morning to make the Rhein River tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps, next time, in the summer time, I shall return, stop at every dock, and enter every castle. <br />
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No time for rest, some of us decided to meet in the lobby at 6:30 p.m. for a quick shopping spree and dinner around Zeil Street, Frankfurt’s main shopping street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a quick shower, we walked back to the train station where we, only about one hour ago, just arrived from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The half-of-mile walk was truly a déjà vu experience. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As most stores closed at 8pm, we needed to get there quickly!<br />
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Next up, after shopping, was to try some Austrian cuisine, a great suggestion made by our food connoisseur colleague, Christine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, it was “Full House!” said the waiter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to another restaurant across the street and it was the same bad news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The restaurants were packed and, unfortunately, we did not have any reservations for six people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note to selves, when in Frankfurt...make dinner reservation! <br />
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The silver lining of our dinner exploration was that we found an amazing Italian restaurant <b>“Paniateco.”</b> We received five-star customer service, amazing food and did we say, five-star customer service? The waiters were very pleasant and out of hospitality, the restaurant offered us digestif Limoncello after our dinner (Limoncello is known as a palate cleanser/digestif).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTScl5INaibtKleC8sv5KEjoNP8m14QzFWWCpzV3grXHIqVycf2UTczpMwcAbGKyLO51E3diNsDRWGM3YTfoKMLghukKkildXJQcmg9PR9jeJpPYgWq0h4r5FsehTporbj4xjSJNzJqwa/s1600/Italian+Restaurant2+P1010157-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTScl5INaibtKleC8sv5KEjoNP8m14QzFWWCpzV3grXHIqVycf2UTczpMwcAbGKyLO51E3diNsDRWGM3YTfoKMLghukKkildXJQcmg9PR9jeJpPYgWq0h4r5FsehTporbj4xjSJNzJqwa/s320/Italian+Restaurant2+P1010157-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Overall, we had a fabulous day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not even the weather could stop this IST team from enjoying the city and what Hessen has to offer! <br />
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<br />Indah Marcellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01195820829758196952noreply@blogger.com1Frankfurt, Germany50.1109221 8.682126700000026249.7851336 8.0366797000000254 50.436710600000005 9.3275737000000269tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115532731270422478.post-54406448213560729532013-09-17T16:13:00.000-07:002013-10-02T13:49:35.249-07:00Day 2 in Frankfurt - The Team Attends the International Car Show; Meeting with Chamber of CommerceAfter a lot of travel through the cold and rain yesterday, we were glad to finally be in Frankfurt. To further lighten our spirits, the first half of the day was devoted to one thing: cars. The 65th Frankfurt International Auto Show is going on this week and we had the opportunity to spend this morning and early afternoon checking out the current offerings and concepts from the world’s top automakers. <br />
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We noticed two very different themes to the show. The first, and most expected, was the trend for high-end manufacturers to go bigger, faster, stronger, and louder. From carbon fiber and brushed aluminum Bugattis to new Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Aston Martins, the ultra high-end automakers were not apt to shy away from more power and over-the-top designs. <br />
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<p align="center"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0_wubdrppPkRFzrtSh-0pdEPkB5WlBdnrl6bjdjtroILT-xtDj5E4RmnhLD8bZocMYTRnPrGOcYHxpzX51G7gxN0I944YtnQuEZY3SgI2BLJXnjn1gCFhIVjy_mup7sdrS1Vs9gDAHU/s320/IMG_2231.jpg" width="240" /> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedCFoPFxZq_YDN6XBPX7PMOUPjnu-IGRT2w1R6lrJaKTKraMbHW6s0WTsYbW45cBvuYJ_cfLnSJLN7FMzK3wADrXnLfLSGST-NY7pfjhLBz3SNpBW7NwKc6t31xzlWn7dZQY_zD2D2gs/s320/IMG_2229.jpg" width="320" /></p><br />
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOkslIXZ_afwrVfQB-hZg3JNfx8RFA1JrCr_VwqYWRqjWQQw54xzBJtsulG_IYecizDr9T19QiZoTdD-ruvzK3pJEZL8ff4OUn-iNcUbRGGj-MhtslLAh0INvVwWTNXMo92dxCG_vh_o/s320/IMG_2356.jpg" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYkbLU9E3r0OI8tpZGLued8asIbei9H6FIDlqm0AASgMhRNou3p3zEADWfkNZ6zCNEB01A99X5HGQHizJR7xKF6DDRwDe1BF9MDUnMAQ-oS6RCz7cpYimAAVqZ8SjxaW2UN_7tem10P8/s320/IMG_2223.jpg" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvqcVHzACqI6nxeHjNrZsLe6b10zs6r-MqK0knJpAylsz9zYmojZmPaHfxoKDR5D2GHSLnBtdjrre4hfT_RNe3DO_6FWu8XbGvv3sXtvHyTMAq5lTXjoHZGQGNM0blRFOz8Cru9fdWdY/s320/IMG_2291.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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In contrast, the vast majority of the remaining presenters at the show presented another theme: “smaller, smarter, cleaner”. With the building push for clean transportation and sustainably fueled cars, it is no surprise that “green” stalwarts such as Honda and Toyota were pushing their latest, more fuel efficient technologies. However, many luxury automakers were also emphasizing their latest and greatest innovations in automotive technology. Large German marques such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz (MB), Porsche, and Audi were emphasizing a move towards electric or hybrid coupled with technologies designed to make driving safer and smarter.<br />
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</div>One such example was in the MB building. When we first walked in, we were lucky enough to catch the show designed to introduce the new line of MB vehicles to the audience. The most striking aspect of the “show” was the production value. There were stage lights and digital displays that could rival any Broadway show. From digital water falls that broke over the hood and roof of the real-life car driving by to a virtual opera singer that watched vehicles drive down the ramp, we were all shocked by the grandeur of the production. Beyond the “shock and awe” of it all, MB was introducing electric hybrid vehicles that also had “smart” driving features. Some of these include automatic cruise-control, parking-assist, and collision avoidance. The latter served to automatically stop the car when an obstruction was sensed. The feature was demonstrated onstage both with other vehicle and pedestrians. <br />
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<p align="center"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjzB1TYtT3SuuE-G-FnwnW7PDvNM7zl9TYmsFYMeGzUKm8Xvzm8GBs7jf6v-vCZVOZA6WnfqrNGk_f13Ymi0tQL9T2E_zF355VsvIPqMtmEvV_NI8HTxPJ6jrnvEwoiXmpu2mHVAiotA/s320/IMG_2164.jpg" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTLsAOpj322LGI0_-_Xm9tdtdCFcOZmW9onlGC3N27uRAbZsCDWs9iPlbLdXruTo2BFoVuB3QfX8nSv52IEZMZuMZ0s-w3RmzorEqT0g_94gFI3sJ0AW4j9tdpnICLS6FSuilg_5gmEA/s320/IMG_2168.jpg" width="320" /> <br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zTxz6tamF4lFNifNSoJYfpjUm6Vw6xiBWnL6_d068uSZQxn0WURqlKJW025Mn8-WJ9aoQqe5yjCaD1MTiGsDkda-VPje0SCpVu12vZGDQMrUhuCjOrsrdCWRr-Zq1Op8tmWmQQJCXpc/s320/IMG_2195.jpg" width="240" /> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdI1fmfwYMeilAHZEDnuHTQub1Tjs_UAXxv0qRcpW8vHQ_84CkUIFurFUlLDLpXD7i1ExGyewBqwSps8-yhjxRUM55VuFka2kCFEhHg_Y59m7S-BrEsmkVQXa6FOJ5coeImTKKRBMf_Y/s320/IMG_2201.jpg" width="240" /> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8R3qBPOWpN9aE9epNhqI4i_3iUqSbeQtS3JnSxYTHV8SKmBE2ygGiGQF8XtOYzqF0i2v208kRYPGSEmU5OQjfNP1SKDN5gw9_xhTSBkfyjJuaSadDF6F-5LJE_anYeKUj3vykFhP_r4/s320/IMG_2199.jpg" width="240" /></p><br />
It is not often that we as consumers get to see and touch products before they are released to the public at large. I know that all of our group thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity and all had our various favorites ranging from the sane and practical to considerably less so.<br />
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After the auto show, we moved on to a meeting with the Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce. It is important to mention that the chambers of commerce in Germany serve a very different roll than those back home. The chambers in Germany are very sophisticated organizations to which membership is compulsory. The chamber serves to help its members establish, evolve, and move their respective businesses in an increasingly competitive global market. <br />
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<img src='http://s22.postimg.org/q14ekn0td/IMG_2013.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2013" /> <img src='http://s22.postimg.org/eekajidi9/IMG_2016.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2016" /> <img src='http://s22.postimg.org/ewk1d3sgx/IMG_2017.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2017" /><br />
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<img src='http://s22.postimg.org/c3qtt2s4h/IMG_2018.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2018" /> <img src='http://s22.postimg.org/sxw0ynw0x/IMG_2019.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2019" /> <img src='http://s22.postimg.org/xl230fjdt/IMG_2022.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2022" /><br />
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Our contact at the Chamber, Dr. Ratzinger, was extremely generous with his time. During our meeting, he shared information regarding the business climate in both Frankfurt and Germany as a whole. <br />
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<p align="center"><img src='http://s8.postimg.org/s8hfa4xhx/IMG_2029.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2029" /></p><br />
Frankfurt serves as the trade-show capital of the world (a very important part of the German business and sales process). Frankfurt is also the seat of German financial markets (Dr. Ratzinger was even kind enough to let us peek into the trading floor of the stock market). As Frankfurt has served as a financial and trade-show center for both Germany and Europe as a whole, other supporting industries have flourished. Some of these include: high-tech and communications, transportation (airport), and industrial/manufacturing.<br />
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<img src='http://s8.postimg.org/g95x2trx1/IMG_2024.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2024" /> <img src='http://s8.postimg.org/kkz45ko7p/IMG_2025.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2025" /> <img src='http://s8.postimg.org/72nmfjmol/IMG_2026.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 2026" /><br />
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<div class="p1">Our first full day in Frankfurt was a little cold, wet and windy but we were still able to enjoy the city, see some amazing cars, and gain a better understanding of doing business in Frankfurt and Germany as a whole.</div><br />
<div class="p1">Well, time for bed… We have a day off tomorrow, I think I’ll spend some of it on a boat…</div><br />
nhintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06330579284313842481noreply@blogger.com0Frankfurt, Germany50.1109221 8.682126700000026249.7851336 8.0366797000000254 50.436710600000005 9.3275737000000269tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115532731270422478.post-47374723675000417982013-09-16T08:49:00.000-07:002013-11-21T20:42:40.689-08:00Meeting With Audi and Catholic University in Ingolstadt - Plus, Team Travels to Frankfurt!It was quite a stressful and long day for everyone on Monday! We all had to get up early to take the 8:15 a.m. train to Ingolstadt to make it to the 9:45 a.m. appointment with Audi. Not only that, the biggest challenge was to haul our luggage on and off the train (believe me it wasn't easy!). The good news was we were able to store our luggage at the train station. We barely made it in time for the meeting (good thing, the taxi cab was fast)! Whew! But boy, was the day super cold and rainy!<br />
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Despite all that hassle, it was wonderful to be at Audi Headquarters for the first time. <br />
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<img alt="IMG 1968" border="0" src="http://s14.postimg.org/owuud1x9d/IMG_1968.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 3977" border="0" src="http://s9.postimg.org/sqrsb7kf3/IMG_3977.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 5867" border="0" src="http://s14.postimg.org/grmfpr4pt/IMG_5867.jpg" /> <br />
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Both Johanna Held and Mrs. Wade welcomed us with warmth and grace. We met with Mrs. Wade from 10-11 a.m. to discuss corporate responsibility from Audi's point of view. In addition, to help us better understand her presentation, she also provided the Corporate Responsibility Report 2012 handbook that stressed on five core values as part of their strategy: Operations, Product, Environment, Employees, and Society. The report is a great testimony to Audi's mission and effort to sustainability. Not only does it specify the activities toward the 5 core values but it also presents the data as measurement of progress and guidelines as reference point. Overall, we had a great discussion with her but unfortunately we ran out of time towards the end.<br />
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<img alt="IMG 3967" border="0" src="http://s14.postimg.org/9ltrkjxr5/IMG_3967.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 3970" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/x98vmcc2v/IMG_3970.jpg" /></div>
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The next activity on our agenda was the manufacturing tour at Audi plant. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the tour but here are some photos taken of the team in the waiting area (we got to check out some of the cool cars they had on display!).<br />
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<img alt="IMG 5870" border="0" src="http://s14.postimg.org/jo4esx481/IMG_5870.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 5872" border="0" src="http://s14.postimg.org/92kjgwxwh/IMG_5872.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 5873" border="0" src="http://s14.postimg.org/yp6pa6mxt/IMG_5873.jpg" /><br />
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Dr. Kuhn from Catholic University also sent one of his students to join the tour with us. She was very nice and friendly. Once again, we were not disappointed. The tour started at 11:30 a.m. and ended at 1:30pm. First, the tour guide took us to the processing floor where all the robotics work are required (welding, and quality testing). We were very impressed with Audi's advanced technology Audi and especially with the amount of work that is being done by robots. Second, he took us to the assembly line where we get to see operators and technicians assemble interior components to the car. The overall process was very efficient.<br />
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<img alt="IMG 3971" border="0" src="http://s16.postimg.org/x0g61esgl/IMG_3971.jpg" /></div>
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After finishing the plant tour, she and Johanna took us to Audi's café for a wonderful <u>free</u> lunch. To be honest, we did not expect this at all!!! Did we mention that the food was good, too? Yummy...<br />
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Next, we took the bus to Catholic University to meet Dr. Kuhn. He and a few of his students were such wonderful and kind hosts. He gave us 30 minute lecture on supply chain management and operations and answered all of our questions we had. After the lecture, they brought us light dinner - drinks and Bavarian food - and the students used the time to network!<br />
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<img alt="IMG 5875" border="0" src="http://s14.postimg.org/7fvbvolup/IMG_5875.jpg" /></div>
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We did not expect to receive too many treats in one day but we really appreciated Dr. Kuhn, Audi, and his students for going out of their way to welcome us to Ingolstadt. We could not ask for anything better.<br />
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Finally, we departed Catholic University and continued our journey to Frankfurt. <br />
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<img alt="IMG 1969" border="0" src="http://s14.postimg.org/x8m00k59d/IMG_1969.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1970" border="0" src="http://s14.postimg.org/tud0bwom9/IMG_1970.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1973" border="0" src="http://s10.postimg.org/9wrdb7rxl/IMG_1973.jpg" /></div>
<img alt="IMG 1988" border="0" src="http://s14.postimg.org/5wvccypwh/IMG_1988.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1987" border="0" src="http://s14.postimg.org/5qrakqcgx/IMG_1987.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1991" border="0" src="http://s14.postimg.org/83uzn55sx/IMG_1991.jpg" /> <br />
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It was a 3-hour ride, but we made it to the Sheraton hotel at around 8 pm and called it a day. Yay! <br />
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Don't forget to stock up on cash so you don't get charged an additional 3% fee for every swipe of your card!</div>
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Xuan Senhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08187088592641570605noreply@blogger.com0Frankfurt, Germany50.1109221 8.682126700000026249.7851336 8.0366797000000254 50.436710600000005 9.3275737000000269tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115532731270422478.post-31535680690495989142013-09-15T16:56:00.000-07:002013-09-25T10:15:35.778-07:00"Suburban Living" and food in Munich<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It is worth writing a few notes about our "neighborhood experiences" in Munich, which are typical of what one would find in a medium or large sized European city. Our hotel (the Orly) was in a residential neighborhood, a few kilometers away from the central area of Munich. So, I would describe it as "suburban" - and in that respect, not too different from the Wildhorse area of Davis, CA, where I live. But the similarity ends there.<br />
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At Munich, from our hotel (marked as pin "B" on the map) - and within say, a 1-square kilometer area (this is approximately what is covered in the map) - we could walk to:<br />
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- public transport (U-bahn - pin "A", S-bahn - just South of the map, tram, bus line)<br />
- restaurants, bars, and coffee shops<br />
- parks<br />
- services (e.g., laundry)<br />
- supermarkets and drug stores <br />
- specialty shops (e.g., jeweler) <br />
- commercial offices (e.g., energy companies such as RWE, E.On)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeOZkbwKH7A7cv-lcJLJLocFFXv3-dNdVNZs3uKNT7uPKBVW5zN8xp9As3cdwaMnWSdi7VHU3_hEQAlb6y9tC-azhMRSfGQLv1Wi8ugq-eAt83L56-YImuHDvlMZs5iek8H33BC2Jkd8/s1600/Orly-Neighborhood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeOZkbwKH7A7cv-lcJLJLocFFXv3-dNdVNZs3uKNT7uPKBVW5zN8xp9As3cdwaMnWSdi7VHU3_hEQAlb6y9tC-azhMRSfGQLv1Wi8ugq-eAt83L56-YImuHDvlMZs5iek8H33BC2Jkd8/s640/Orly-Neighborhood.jpg" title="Neighborhood around the Orly Hotel in Munich" width="640" /></a> </td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neighborhood around the Orly Hotel in Munich</td></tr>
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All of these within a 5-10 minute walk. Which is just not possible in American cities and towns because of our sharp zoning laws. But this design enabled us to walk to dinner almost every night - and we enjoyed good food with so much diversity. A "modern european" cuisine the first night, then Indian, then Thai, Greek ... what I notice not noticing were fast food places. Most of these establishments are basically part of the street level premises in a 3-4 story residential building. All in all, a very nice way to live and barely any need for a car. </div>hemantbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14422890740230937283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115532731270422478.post-14515995751486177422013-09-15T16:36:00.000-07:002013-09-26T04:04:42.285-07:00Advertising, Products, and Consumption in Germany<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Walking around in Munich one day, our ever-observant Inger pointed out the lack of advertising - actually, both that there were fewer ads to be seen and they weren't really in-your-face trying-to-sell-something ads. A few conversations and observations later, including conversation with corporate executives, revealed the following insights.<br />
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First, German companies make better products (at least they claim that they make better products, and I have no trouble agreeing with this claim) . In their view, the product sells itself - you don't have to dance around the consumer to make her pick your product.<br />
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Second, German consumers are more conservative with their consumption. Certainly they have smaller places to live in, so need less of everything (say, one television set in a house rather than two or four) - but also their purchasing focus tends to be quality rather than quantity. So, this diminishes one purpose of advertising which is to make people buy more - even if it is making people to buy more of things they do not need.<br />
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Third, in many product categories there is a smaller set of competing brands available - hence each brand has to spend less on advertising to push itself to be selected. I can't be sure of this, but it is certainly an empirically testable idea. <br />
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I have been in Germany many times over the last 20 years, but never really noticed this point about less advertising - but now that I think about it, it certainly seems true, whether it is ads on TV, in print media, on street billboards, and even promotions near the checkout counter. You don't see companies trying to push their products on you everywhere. Instead they focus on making better products. We could certainly use some of that in the US. </div>hemantbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14422890740230937283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115532731270422478.post-69168309747953840262013-09-15T08:31:00.000-07:002013-10-02T13:38:41.047-07:00Day 6 in Munich - Visit to the English Garden and FestivalSundays in Germany are fairly relaxing, meaning one is forced to relax because mostly everything is closed. No shopping malls, stores, supermarkets, or much of anything else is open. So everyone was free to choose his or her own activity.<br />
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One group decided to get in touch with some local culture in Munich. A typical Sunday for locals is a gathering at Englischer Garten (English Garden);Englischer Garten is a beautiful green park located near the center of the city and is comparable to Golden Gate Park of San Francisco or Central Park of Manhattan. The Sunday gathering is at a Biergarten (Beer Garden) which can be found after a brisk 15 min. walk through a forest surrounded by green grass, streams, and the occasional rider on horseback. Trekking the various paths, your ears are greeted with the sounds of accordion players who serenade the morning joggers, cyclists, strollers, and alternative exercise advocates we saw including a surfer and a cross country skier.<br />
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As we approached the gathering, we came to a tall Chinese tower built in the style of an old temple. <br />
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<p align="center"><img src='http://s22.postimg.org/ncrzdvu3l/IMG_1943.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 1943" /> <img src='http://s22.postimg.org/fzh6snzfl/IMG_1946.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 1946" /> <img src='http://s21.postimg.org/ddqzkm3dz/IMG_1948.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 1948" /><br />
</p>Atop the tower is a space for a band to play (although, they had just started setting up as we were leaving). The biergarten has various stalls and structures serving typical bavarian breakfast: sausages, potatoes, bretzels, beer (1 liter or .5 liter only) and much more. <br />
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After enjoying our bavarian breakfast, we stumbled upon a festival that spanned about 15 city blocks. It was an organic food, wine and beer festival! Musicians, dancers, lots of food and other exhibits lined the streets bordered with classic architecture. A couple of hours at the festival was not enough to see everything but it was quite an experience.<br />
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<img src='http://s2.postimg.org/a4lr5w9ex/IMG_20130915_121345_472.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 20130915 121345 472" /> <img src='http://s2.postimg.org/jexv9fk4p/IMG_20130915_121557_661.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 20130915 121557 661" /> <img src='http://s2.postimg.org/jvj2vv7vt/IMG_20130915_124218_452.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 20130915 124218 452" /><br />
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<p align="center"><img src='http://s2.postimg.org/ugycu4otl/IMG_20130915_125823_139.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 20130915 125823 139" /> <img src='http://s2.postimg.org/8a8wo5meh/IMG_20130915_130128_264.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 20130915 130128 264" /> <img src='http://s2.postimg.org/4uc70uzs9/IMG_20130915_163014_199.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 20130915 163014 199" /><br />
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<img src='http://s2.postimg.org/lfjtgiqw9/IMG_20130915_171618_753.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 20130915 171618 753" /> <img src='http://s2.postimg.org/xg59h8yax/IMG_20130915_172243_194.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 20130915 172243 194" /> <img src='http://s2.postimg.org/gi68veox5/IMG_20130915_174134_410.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 20130915 174134 410" /></p><br />
Another group decided to travel to another Bavarian region southwest of Munich to see the two famous castles: Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein (this one is the castle that inspired the Disney Castle!). The group was not allowed to take photos inside the castles but here are some of the photos that were captured from outside. Enjoy!<br />
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<img src='http://s23.postimg.org/j1figh0yz/IMG_5753.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 5753" /> <img src='http://s23.postimg.org/8ik451nor/IMG_5755.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 5755" /> <img src='http://s23.postimg.org/h5xbj21ij/IMG_5759.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 5759" /><br />
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<p align="center"><img src='http://s23.postimg.org/t92n6mckr/IMG_5760.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 5760" /> <img src='http://s23.postimg.org/fajpzdrfv/IMG_5769.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 5769" /> <img src='http://s23.postimg.org/gw86iogff/IMG_5790.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 5790" /></p><br />
<img src='http://s23.postimg.org/4t2uv45d7/IMG_5793.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 5793" /> <img src='http://s23.postimg.org/fn6zb719n/IMG_5842.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 5842" /> <img src='http://s14.postimg.org/ex8ku6uu9/IMG_1963.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 1963" /><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08000766501244420412noreply@blogger.com0Munich, Germany48.1367203 11.57675399999993747.9672328 11.254030499999937 48.3062078 11.899477499999938tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115532731270422478.post-45626078912632223982013-09-14T14:00:00.000-07:002013-10-03T07:43:32.788-07:00Day 5 in Munich (Our First Weekend!) - Munich Exploration We have our first official break from business meetings today after a relatively intense week since arriving here in Munich. Our big group spread out into small teams to explore the city on their own. <br />
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<div align="center"><img alt="P1000999" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/iwa5509qz/P1000999.jpg" /></div><br />
After a very nice and relaxing breakfast, me and the others decided to explore BMW museum, Olympic park and English garden. The downpour of rain and strong gusts of wind did not stop us from venturing into the exciting world of BMW. We visited the BMW Welt and Museum, shamelessly gawking at all the cool cars they had on the floor: from existing models to concepts cars! <br />
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<img alt="P1010001" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/e6k7geiqj/P1010001.jpg" /> <img alt="P1010004" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/d44z0qtln/P1010004.jpg" /> <img alt="P1010012" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/3s9qcb2aj/P1010012.jpg" /><br />
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<img alt="P1010010" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/x00ygaamz/P1010010.jpg" /> <img alt="P1010014" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/uh62o4a57/P1010014.jpg" /> <img alt="P1010047" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/fus335ufv/P1010047.jpg" /><br />
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<img alt="P1010068" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/s7m37q9nf/P1010068.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1803" border="0" src="http://s21.postimg.org/xibjqp8h3/IMG_1803.jpg" /> <img alt="P1010063" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/ij8n4leu3/P1010063.jpg" /><br />
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<img alt="IMG 1820" border="0" src="http://s21.postimg.org/73vwppu07/IMG_1820.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1837" border="0" src="http://s21.postimg.org/5cc4mapev/IMG_1837.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1850" border="0" src="http://s21.postimg.org/8fhg3etrb/IMG_1850.jpg" /><br />
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<img alt="IMG 1854" border="0" src="http://s21.postimg.org/4xa1kri93/IMG_1854.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1860" border="0" src="http://s21.postimg.org/d9auj4lyf/IMG_1860.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1870" border="0" src="http://s21.postimg.org/jw6p3sief/IMG_1870.jpg" /><br />
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<div align="center">Magic Beads!<br />
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The team ended the BMW tour at the gift shop, getting some mementos for ourselves and to take homes to our family and friends.<br />
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<div align="center"><img alt="P1010023 1" border="0" src="http://s9.postimg.org/9io27k0bj/P1010023_1.jpg" /></div><br />
Our next stop is at Olympic park. We went up the famous tower where we were treated to a nice view of the entire Munich city, Olympic stadium and BMW welt & Museum. We couldn't resist taking multiple photos! We also ran into the women marathon and some promotion booths in the park and collected some nice gifts, yah!<br />
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<img alt="IMG 1941" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/6vbf5x9lt/IMG_1941.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1918" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/6w2zgdhwh/IMG_1918.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1926" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/fsmybsna9/IMG_1926.jpg" /><br />
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We were also curious about a Chinese temple-looking place we saw on one of the maps while travelling to our business meetings days before. We realized that it was the famous English Garden so we just had to visit it as well! It was relatively easy to get to due to the super convenient subway system of Munich (it only took us a few days to get fully “engaged” with the U & S bahn system!).It only took us a few stops from Olympic park to English garden. We immediately enjoyed the walking along the garden area and kept looking for the “temple”. With some friendly local people’s guidance, we finally got there! It turned out, it was not really a Chinese temple but a beer garden, with a Chinese architecture looking tower. <br />
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<div align="center"><img alt="DSC01625" border="0" src="http://s18.postimg.org/cbk2tao1l/DSC01625.jpg" /> <img alt="DSC01622" border="0" src="http://s18.postimg.org/yrgagoi0p/DSC01622.jpg" /></div><br />
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As compensation, we accidentally found the Greek temple across a big meadow, which looked gorgeous. We were quite far from it so only pictures with it will do :)<br />
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<div align="center"><img alt="DSC01641" border="0" src="http://s18.postimg.org/aickr8dh5/DSC01641.jpg" /> <img alt="DSC01627" border="0" src="http://s18.postimg.org/7ja9hutdl/DSC01627.jpg" /></div><br />
Time flew fast which didn't leave us some time for shopping. Munich is just simply captivating! <br />
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<div align="center"><img alt="DSC01652" border="0" src="http://s18.postimg.org/5kuesdm49/DSC01652.jpg" /> <img alt="DSC01658" border="0" src="http://s18.postimg.org/cf4pi2erd/DSC01658.jpg" /></div><br />
For dinner, we went to a very traditional German restaurant and very much enjoyed the meal with, of course, beers!<br />
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<div align="center"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtagRd6sUkx-EG4u7HMfIrPCXVWfCL0GUWt0U6m1HKC5kXMKiLijMyt0eHa93gAkwkLg4dbw9GOAzI64YTjpkJ2HlJsoybzjcJnZ-lpVQ_jTqeeUNqEZitU6ixjolvc2Yzd-1ASMd4_6u/s320/DSC01669.JPG" width="240" />  <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEdifl0xwGDFQZbrbrZRJBo7yulH6b6oK3HuJxkNawR3Cz8o4XEQQJimcLrWU_RU0xpqNH52ssBEcQsR3ZFnNWvF_YJJpthFE3WUZST8vLlwhlOv5LhQCv9lyaxUbNifaV3yoYYL06mNJ/s320/DSC01670.JPG" width="240" /><br />
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwtPHkSvv2PmvIVOSf3GQKplI8kHfJf5wa6rJeqgO6AKxTj1ytyoxJ53xviEyqMbNfhgGU77j1qaemeg3LGxhvLThLTq4bIDNS1Gpzkn3aHPRFGtMVyPi9ct-PC12Bno2Son829cpXsK1/s320/DSC01677.JPG" width="320" /><br />
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As a bonus, here's a photo of Professor Bhargava and Inger in the Alps!<br />
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<div align="center"><img alt="IMG 1947" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/kstlb87oh/IMG_1947.jpg" /></div><br />
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<b><i>-- Author: Mingyu Qu </i></b><br />
Rojmary Fernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531166533793618015noreply@blogger.com0Munich, Germany48.1367203 11.57675399999993747.9672328 11.254030499999937 48.3062078 11.899477499999938tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115532731270422478.post-29041019405067582532013-09-13T13:56:00.000-07:002013-10-02T13:37:41.463-07:00Day 4 - Danone and Siemens<br />
Another day of business meetings started off with the Director of Public Affairs, Sustainability and Science for Danone. After racing through the wet streets of Munich to get to our meeting place, we learned how Danone tackles the challenges of sustainability and energy efficiency while producing high quality products. We discussed strategies of reducing energy consumption during the food production process, reducing packaging to limit waste and adapting to customer demands and preferences.<br />
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She was also eager to learn more about sustainability developments and efforts in the US and particularly California. Since two of our students, Ming and Nate, just finished a consulting project with a dairy processor, we were able to make relevant comparisons.<br />
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<img src='http://s23.postimg.org/plr7b9c7v/20130913_100915.jpg' border='0' alt="20130913 100915" /> <img src='http://s23.postimg.org/7wzgjn0gr/20130913_100940.jpg' border='0' alt="20130913 100940" /> <img src='http://s23.postimg.org/4nl1d6cd7/20130913_100945.jpg' border='0' alt="20130913 100945" /><br />
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<p align="center"><img src='http://s9.postimg.org/c4lnowexr/P1000996.jpg' border='0' alt="P1000996" /></p><br />
After a quick lunch in one of the train stations consisting of doener for some and Burger King for others, we headed to Siemens for our afternoon meeting. We checked in at the front gate to receive our visitor badges and we’re greeted by our host who had arranged a discussion with several Siemens department heads with emphasis on sustainability and strategy.<br />
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Siemens identified several mega trends that are shaping their current strategy. These trends are demographic change, urbanization, climate change, and globalization. Therefore, Siemens established an Environment, Health, and Safety department as well as a Corporate Sustainability department which develop and disseminate corporate strategies through company-wide initiatives and action items to increase efficiency, reduce waste, yet maintain high quality products. One such example is the newly created Infrastrucure and Cities sector to “transform cities for the better through sustainable technology”. Each presenter was eager to share their insights and answer all of our questons so that four hours went by without notice.<br />
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<p align="center"><img src='http://s12.postimg.org/cqtoxbdm5/P1000998.jpg' border='0' alt="P1000998" /></p><br />
After our Siemens visit, the team split up for some R&R at the hotel, shopping, and dinner around town before some of group explored the Munich nightlife until the wee hours of the morning.<br />
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More exciting adventures to come over the weekend so, stay tuned.<br />
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Franzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08691350611810993390noreply@blogger.com0Munich, Germany48.1367203 11.57675399999993747.9672328 11.254030499999937 48.3062078 11.899477499999938tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115532731270422478.post-7329506710533962162013-09-12T13:07:00.000-07:002013-10-02T13:36:29.626-07:00Day 3 Munich - TU Munich and IHK The day started bright and early at 6 a.m. after a night of bonding out on the town with one other. The weather was beautiful and the skies were bright with rain. We set out on our venture 2x2 under the cover of umbrellas to the TU Munich and the SAP conference. <br />
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We arrived at the very modern and impressive campus around 9 a.m. and settled in to hear SAP's University Alliance informational program with the many other international higher education representatives. We were privileged to hear from not only a prominent professor of the host university but also from both the Executive VP of Global Head of Solutions and Knowledge of Packaging and a prominent professor and University Alliance consultant from the Copenhagen School of Business. Topics covered included SAP's outreach to prospective university students, SAP's approach to education in the European arena as well as developing countries in Europe and Northern Africa.<br />
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<img src='http://s7.postimg.org/w8bkrpi3v/P1000960_1.jpg' border='0' alt="P1000960 1" /> <img src='http://s7.postimg.org/6mzcruuwb/P1000961_1.jpg' border='0' alt="P1000961 1" /> <img src='http://s7.postimg.org/bzjls8tez/P1000964.jpg' border='0' alt="P1000964" /><br />
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<img src='http://s7.postimg.org/40juax3or/IMG_20130912_093535_736.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 20130912 093535 736" /> <img src='http://s7.postimg.org/m4muvk1d7/IMG_20130912_092140_335.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 20130912 092140 335" /> <img src='http://s7.postimg.org/6glnorlrf/IMG_20130912_094747_739.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 20130912 094747 739" /><br />
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The conference audience was comprised of educators and faculty from SAP's target demographics. It was interesting to see their reaction to the presentation as it was targeted at exciting prospective students vice the needs of their educators. A major difference between the American and European higher learning approaches became very evident. That difference lies in the approach of the institutions. In European institutes, higher education is designed around specific industry needs and standards if not the actual programs and procedures of a specific corporation such as SAP. At the conclusion of the conference, this difference was exaggerated by the response of the attending educators as they asked SAP for definitive guidance in what they should teach their students as well as the material to be used to be provided to them by SAP.<br />
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<img src='http://s7.postimg.org/jw430h4vf/P1000967.jpg' border='0' alt="P1000967" /> <img src='http://s7.postimg.org/kiyec9cdn/P1000970.jpg' border='0' alt="P1000970" /> <img src='http://s7.postimg.org/eti5ry67f/P1000975.jpg' border='0' alt="P1000975" /><br />
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One thing that was extremely interesting was the parliamentary actions of the audience. By that I mean that when the audience is in agreement with another member, it is customary knock on the table to show your support. So, when we return, if you randomly hear any of us knocking stuff around when you are speaking it's because we think you're spot on, not crazy... well maybe just a bit crazy.<br />
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<p align="center">IST Team in the conference:<br />
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<img src='http://s7.postimg.org/5csclbmcr/P1000977.jpg' border='0' alt="P1000977" /></p><br />
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After grabbing lunch at the university, it was off to the Munich IHK where we met a very friendly and excited representative named Frank Dollendorf. He was able to spend just under an hour with us explaining the business makeup and environment of Bavaria and Munich with such fervor that I think we all wanted to become honorary Bavarians. Unfortunately, his time with us was cut short as he had to meet with the newly appointed General Consulate of China - as if he were more important than our amazing group of Californians ;-)<br />
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<img src='http://s17.postimg.org/5xwezyxof/IMG_20130912_152748_884.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 20130912 152748 884" /> <img src='http://s17.postimg.org/8coakedxb/IMG_20130912_150314_940.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 20130912 150314 940" /> <img src='http://s17.postimg.org/6bxqzkhrz/IMG_20130912_150349_908.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 20130912 150349 908" /><br />
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At the same time, we were extremely fortunate to have a special guest speaker to follow Frank. The U.S. International Business Liaison spent another hour of her time with us discussing her experiences  as an international diplomat and her function within the international business arena. It just so happens she too was a Californian! She provided us some great insight into the how the U.S. is working in other countries to promote the spread of international business globally and the recruitment of international businesses to establish themselves in the U.S. and help bring jobs back to the states.<br />
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<p align="center"><img src='http://s22.postimg.org/5b8ug302p/IMG_1788.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 1788" /></p><br />
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Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894335363717948239noreply@blogger.com0Munich, Germany48.1367203 11.57675399999993747.9672328 11.254030499999937 48.3062078 11.899477499999938tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115532731270422478.post-60386132594472511502013-09-11T14:00:00.000-07:002014-12-25T11:56:22.554-08:00Day 2 Munich - Meeting With MercateoGood morning, picturesque city of Munich! <br />
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We started off the day with a sumptuous breakfast buffet offered in the hotel. They have really good selections here!<br />
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<img alt="Screen Shot 2013 09 12 at 4 56 12 AM" border="0" src="http://s16.postimg.org/iamvlyxvp/Screen_Shot_2013_09_12_at_4_56_12_AM.png" /> <img alt="Screen Shot 2013 09 12 at 4 55 54 AM" border="0" src="http://s16.postimg.org/njhwjugat/Screen_Shot_2013_09_12_at_4_55_54_AM.png" /> <img alt="Screen Shot 2013 09 12 at 4 56 03 AM" border="0" src="http://s16.postimg.org/mihnupzb9/Screen_Shot_2013_09_12_at_4_56_03_AM.png" /><br />
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<table><tbody>
<tr><td><img alt="IMG 1671" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/e3yep5ifr/IMG_1671.jpg" /><br />
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<td>Everyone met in the hotel lobby around 11:30 a.m. and headed out to the train station by foot...<br />
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<td><img alt="IMG 1669" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/fhq1kghp3/IMG_1669.jpg" /><br />
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</td></td></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="center"><img alt="IMG 1672" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/4bvqji7iv/IMG_1672.jpg" /> &nbsp<img alt="IMG 1673" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/flogegck7/IMG_1673.jpg" /><br />
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...and snapped pictures of the gorgeous city center along the way!<br />
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<img alt="IMG 1695" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/x4bougtxz/IMG_1695.jpg" /> </div><br />
<img alt="IMG 1730" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/rht427vkn/IMG_1730.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1732" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/ol631xpqv/IMG_1732.jpg" /> <img alt="P1000951" border="0" src="http://s21.postimg.org/ik5egyjw7/P1000951.jpg" /><br />
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<img alt="IMG 1693" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/4z3u0ij6f/IMG_1693.jpg" /> <img alt="DSC01487" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/bu0n3jdsn/DSC01487.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1678" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/b7fz2m1zr/IMG_1678.jpg" /><br />
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<img alt="IMG 1684" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/yuq4i7m3b/IMG_1684.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1685" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/ttiqguemv/IMG_1685.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1686" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/qb6qkgdqv/IMG_1686.jpg" /><br />
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<div align="center"><img alt="IMG 1680" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/qevymytuf/IMG_1680.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1691" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/axd1x0crb/IMG_1691.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1692" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/p7r7m8ihj/IMG_1692.jpg" /></div><br />
<div align="center">Any city will not be complete without a friendly, moving statue!<br />
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<img alt="IMG 1687" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/wrfpajmaf/IMG_1687.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1688" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/b7kkgcrdj/IMG_1688.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1689" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/nnhaa3kpj/IMG_1689.jpg" /></div><br />
<div align="center">We stopped at this food court in the city center for lunch. Variety of German cuisine favorites!</div><br />
<img alt="DSC01490" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/scjsimbvb/DSC01490.jpg" /> <img alt="DSC01491" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/udexh6xef/DSC01491.jpg" /> <img alt="DSC01492" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/fiqc30ntj/DSC01492.jpg" /><br />
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<div align="center">The food court had an underground chocolate store. Some of the team checked it out!<br />
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<img alt="DSC01502" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/ipph0dxnb/DSC01502.jpg" /> <img alt="DSC01495" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/gigmyq2zb/DSC01495.jpg" /> <img alt="DSC01498" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/dxfnoy2zb/DSC01498.jpg" /></div><br />
<div align="center">After lunch, we then headed off to Mercateo, our first official company visit! <br />
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<img alt="IMG 1729" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/d69lxbdef/IMG_1729.jpg" /> &nbsp&nbsp<img alt="IMG 1702" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/xc3x4puaf/IMG_1702.jpg" /></div><br />
The founder/CTO, Sebastian Weiser, welcomed and ushered us into a room full of goodies!<br />
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<div align="center"><img alt="IMG 1706" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/xyy8gi1sn/IMG_1706.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1709" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/cghmtgy3b/IMG_1709.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1708" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/3szu1puvr/IMG_1708.jpg" /></div><br />
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Some highlights of the meeting:<br />
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He started off with a brief history of Germany, the 2nd country with largest export record next to China and how the split happened between East and West. Mercateo moved to East Germany due to its high unemployment but lower labor cost, making it a more ideal environment to do business in than in the West. There are approximately 4 million companies in Germany with few hundred companies signing up everyday with Mercateo; 10,000 companies signing up every month making that 120,000 companies a year and 1.2M companies in 10 years! Mercateo is the largest B2B (business to business) in Germany. Mercateo has 300 employees with 150M turnover yearly. <br />
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Mercateo reorganized its IT to build its effective platform. He understood how powerful "clicks" are and how key word advertising made Google's business model successful the way it is today, making Google a powerful ally/partner. Mercateo's platform is designed for suppliers to find other suppliers of products they need - suppliers can upload their catalogue of ten million or so products in Mercateo's console and Mercateo connects these suppliers with other suppliers. There is no exclusivity; Mercateo is open to all suppliers. Seventy-five percent were previously owned by e.on before eventually giving all control over to Mercateo. Even though Mercateo has a closer relationship with suppliers than it does with its customers, Mercateo bridged that gap by building its sales team to follow up with the customers after a recent purchase. This also allowed Mercateo to offer better prices for other products the customer may be interested in based on that recent purchase. After initial marketing ended up to be a miserable failure, Mercateo completely stopped marketing and depended on its core competitive advantage (semantic search and service translation functionality) to drive traffic to the business. <br />
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<img alt="IMG 1710" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/plx4zkryv/IMG_1710.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1711" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/le2cqtqjb/IMG_1711.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1712" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/t82yc7yc7/IMG_1712.jpg" /><br />
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Sebastian also dispersed some advice on how to sustain longevity: "To be successful, figure out your company's added value. Bigger is not always better but your scalability and unique processes are. Be cool in negotiations, take risks, listen to your guts." This was especially helpful when he spearheaded the decision to convince e.on to step out of Mercateo's business. He added, "Have passion for what you do. Don't just do it for the money. This makes you strong and more committed to putting in long hours into your work. Play the price game - reduce marginal cost to its lowest." <br />
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Right now, Mercateo is under stress because Google made an update that lost some of the traffic going towards the business. Despite this setback, Sebastian continues to refuse to sell because "the value of money is decreasing rapidly. I would lose my interesting job, my interesting position. I can't work under a circumstance where I don't have the freedom to do what I need to do." <br />
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<img alt="IMG 1713" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/s9ml9xl07/IMG_1713.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1714" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/67wazw0if/IMG_1714.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1715" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/g91597dlj/IMG_1715.jpg" /><br />
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When compared to Alibaba (the most successful B2B business in China), he distinguished Mercateo by saying that it links to suppliers' systems which is superior to Alibaba's lack of integration. It takes some interfaces to connect orders/invoices and to build the semantic search that Mercateo has, allowing Mercateo to have somewhat of a monopoly in the B2B business in Germany. <br />
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What about their future plan? Sebastian would really like the "last call option" vision to succeed which is the possibility of providing just one link containing a list of all suppliers. This allows suppliers to get buying behavior of other suppliers who are also their customers. Currently, instead of going to just one site, suppliers need to go through the trouble of going to Google first to get the list of suppliers of products they need to run their businesses. More mechanism is in the works such as getting suppliers to log in directly into the website to have full access to other suppliers' (signed up with Mercateo's platform) competitive prices.<br />
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<img alt="IMG 1716" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/ev9idwec7/IMG_1716.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1720" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/hlnfou0ev/IMG_1720.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1721" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/ckg1ngsyf/IMG_1721.jpg" /><br />
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<div align="center">After our meeting, Sebastian was presented with an appreciation gift by the UC Davis MBA Program:<br />
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<img alt="IMG 1722" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/z7vatm8if/IMG_1722.jpg" /><br />
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Thank you so much, Dr. Sebastian Wieser, for accommodating the IST team!</div><br />
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The evening ended with a calm and relaxing dinner at Augustiner-Bräu München in the inner city. Strongly recommended! Über delicious food! We enjoyed a nice traditional Bavarian dinner, local beverages and some enjoyable conversations amongst ourselves and the staff. <br />
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From Adam - "Some of us were lucky enough to have a very generous, not necessarily wanted, glass of sauvignon shared with us. Though the recipients may not have explicitly shared in the wonderful taste of said wine, they definitely are very familiar with the aroma and stain removal properties of German white wines." If you didn't understand what he meant with this, you'll need to ask him ;) <br />
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<div align="center"><img alt="IMG 1741" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/xb362s787/IMG_1741.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1742" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/zd3nh157b/IMG_1742.jpg" /> <img alt="DSC01518" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/j6fqjxrpz/DSC01518.jpg" /></div><br />
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<img alt="DSC01523" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/xhz8ou9w7/DSC01523.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1746" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/7w98jrijb/IMG_1746.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1749" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/yvd3ex507/IMG_1749.jpg" /><br />
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That caps off the day, lovely readers! We are off to our after-dinner drinks :D Tomorrow, we will tell you about the SAP Academic Conference we are attending and our meeting with IHK so, stay tuned!<br />
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<div align="center"><img alt="IMG 1751" border="0" src="http://s13.postimg.org/nx1twqgev/IMG_1751.jpg" /></div><br />
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Rojmary Fernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531166533793618015noreply@blogger.com0Munich, Germany48.1367203 11.57675399999993747.9672328 11.254030499999937 48.3062078 11.899477499999938tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115532731270422478.post-22515962615260472072013-09-10T18:03:00.000-07:002013-09-11T01:18:51.059-07:00The Team Arrives in Germany!"WILLKOMMEN" says some signs in the Munich International Airport as we walked off towards the exit after making the 12-hour flight! This is at least for some of us who went straight to Germany from the US; some left the US much earlier to explore Italy, Spain, etc., prior to flying to Germany the day before. One thing is for sure - it is truly a whole new world out here. So exciting! We are definitely not in the States anymore!<br />
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Those of us who met in the MUC airport (Rojmary, Professor Bhargava and Brad) took a 45-minute train and cab ride together to the New Orly Hotel to meet up with the rest of the study trip team. Here's a quick photo I snapped of Professor and Brad inside the train:<br />
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<p align="center"><img src='http://s23.postimg.org/abky8ckx7/IMG_1638.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 1638" /></p><br />
Check out some pics of the New Orly Hotel we will be staying at during our week in Munich (as they say - "not so shabby":D):<br />
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<p align="center"><img src='http://s18.postimg.org/rvcasnf95/Screen_Shot_2013_09_11_at_12_48_19_AM.png' border='0' alt="Screen Shot 2013 09 11 at 12 48 19 AM" /></p><br />
<img src='http://s22.postimg.org/6a2znn7a9/Screen_Shot_2013_09_11_at_1_05_10_AM.png' border='0' alt="Screen Shot 2013 09 11 at 1 05 10 AM" /> <img src='http://s22.postimg.org/hxx1i6wf5/Screen_Shot_2013_09_11_at_1_05_47_AM.png' border='0' alt="Screen Shot 2013 09 11 at 1 05 47 AM" /> <img src='http://s9.postimg.org/erbu0pdov/Screen_Shot_2013_09_11_at_2_15_47_AM.png' border='0' alt="Screen Shot 2013 09 11 at 2 15 47 AM" /><br />
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After freshening up in the hotel, the entire team went to dinner at Cafe Neuhausen, a stone's throw away from our hotel and caught up with one another's adventures in Europe so far! <br />
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<img src='http://s23.postimg.org/jlx2bvvmz/IMG_1640.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 1640" /> <img src='http://s23.postimg.org/6pajhyp63/IMG_1642.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 1642" /> <img src='http://s23.postimg.org/6j1fsm5ez/IMG_1645.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 1645" /><br />
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<p align="center">Yum-yum!!<br />
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<img src='http://s23.postimg.org/g9yril3vv/IMG_1649.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 1649" />        <img src='http://s23.postimg.org/dvbhbwd0r/IMG_1652.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 1652" />        <img src='http://s23.postimg.org/ulmv18bfv/IMG_1653.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 1653" />        <img src='http://s23.postimg.org/dheqq1iaz/IMG_1659.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 1659" /></p><br />
<blockquote>At the end of the dinner, we couldn't help but notice and be wowed by the tools that our kind server was using to generate the individual receipts. We were amazed as we do not have these in the US!</blockquote><p align="center"><img src='http://s23.postimg.org/nxq9emrxn/IMG_1660.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 1660" />              <img src='http://s23.postimg.org/dq7q285pn/IMG_1661.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 1661" />              <img src='http://s23.postimg.org/hb3llga97/IMG_1662.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 1662" /></p><br />
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<td>Before we turned in for the day, the team had a short meeting to finalize the agenda for tomorrow: assemble in the lobby late morning and head off for lunch before our business meeting in the afternoon with Mercateo, the first company we'll be visiting in Munich. <br />
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<td><img src='http://s23.postimg.org/i5uql87hn/IMG_1665.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 1665" /> <br />
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This wraps up our first day in Germany. Thank you for continuing to follow our journey, dear readers! Talk again tomorrow!<br />
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Rojmary Fernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531166533793618015noreply@blogger.com2Munich, Germany48.1367203 11.57675399999993747.9672328 11.254030499999937 48.3062078 11.899477499999938tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115532731270422478.post-19377949917783968022013-09-09T11:26:00.003-07:002013-09-11T17:01:19.335-07:00Heading to Germany!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The day has arrived! Most of us are headed to Germany today (while a couple left earlier, and at least one person is already on the ground in Munich). We've accomplished a lot since that first day we met in San Ramon on July 7 (and before that, the planning/organizing phone call on June 20th). At that time we knew only that we were headed to Germany (and perhaps elsewhere in Central Europe) and - based on some conversations I had with the German-American Chamber of Commerce - a vague sense that energy efficiency, and sustainability in manufacturing, might be key focal areas for the trip. Manufacturing (and automotives) is a no-brainer given the vast reputation Germany has in this field. Energy efficiency because while Germany is a leader in manufacturing, it has almost no raw materials, including energy. Everything must be imported and therefore efficiency - and sustainability - become very important. Germany, through a mix of private initiative and public policy, has become a leader in this area, and we determined quickly on that first day that we wanted to learn more about this.<br />
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Since then there have been numerous planning meetings, data collection, analysis and presentations, students' pitches (for visiting certain companies, industries, cities, regions), several debates and votes - and finally we have settled on a plan. Students have worked hard and patiently to reach out to contacts at various German organizations, all in the middle of summer when everyone was on their long summer vacation! Yet, they persevered and had many successes (and a few failures) - and at the end we have a very packed calendar. We spend 3 business days in Munich (and a weekend), then one in Ingolstodt (home to Audi and the Catholic University), followed by 3-4 business days in Frankfurt. We look forward to a lot of exciting and informative meetings and conversations, and will be sure to keep you all informed as things move along.<br />
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For now, time to complete the packing and travel planning ...<br />
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<span class="hw">auf Wiedersehen, und danke für das Besuche. </span></div>hemantbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14422890740230937283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115532731270422478.post-68341018909104884832013-08-26T23:05:00.000-07:002013-08-28T17:13:07.758-07:00Two Weeks Before Take-off!!!<table><tbody>
<tr><td>The IST class had its final meeting yesterday, Sunday, 8/25, to tie up some loose ends before the trip to Germany (woohoo, can't wait!). Inger Maher kicked off the day by laying out the full agenda that we needed to work through: <br />
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Logistics – daily schedule, transportation from and to companies, others<br />
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Communication – how to reach one another, blogging from the road<br />
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Miscellaneous – travel documents, trip calendar, etc., that need to already be updated in drop box<br />
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Presentations – assigned Germany-related topics and business briefs from last meeting <br />
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<td><img alt="IMG 1482" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/pt8laz5td/IMG_1482.jpg" /><br />
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<td>Adam (Pastorius), one of our travel coordinators, walked through the tentative travel schedule. Some gaps still existed since we have yet to receive confirmation from few of the companies we'd like to visit. He reminded everyone to send him the address of all the companies (if it hasn't been done so) that have recently confirmed so he could finalize the best mode of transportation between business meetings. Everyone also provided status on where they were in their communication with the companies that have yet to confirm an appointment with us. </td></td></tr>
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<tr><td>The class then moved on to the next item in the agenda which was the communication plan while we’re in Germany. Some suggestions thrown around were subscribing to an international data plan from their current cellphone provider; use of Viber; use of Go Phones, etc.<br />
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<td><img src='http://s22.postimg.org/faqz4rwoh/014.jpg' border='0' alt="014" /><br />
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Brad (Fong) suggested the use of “Whats App”, an app that allows creation of chat rooms for collaboration meetings and instant messaging. Those who haven't used the app before downloaded it to their smartphones/iPads and tested it. Everyone concurred that the app made sense for our intended purpose. It was free, too, so everyone agreed to use it as an avenue to reach one another in Germany.<br />
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<img alt="photo" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/y0mmwigxd/photo.jpg" />     <img alt="IMG 1483" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/9gyjl8rht/IMG_1483.jpg" />     <img alt="IMG 1534" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/gj0m1t3jl/IMG_1534.jpg" /><br />
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Inger then reminded everyone once again to make sure to scan their passports and upload them to drop box. Franzi also pointed out to bring adapters and converters for any electronic gadgets and appliances that we were bringing with us to Germany, lest they get fried when they get plugged directly to the electrical outlets there! Very good reminder!<br />
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<img alt="IMG 1507" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/c12wngcvl/IMG_1507.jpg" />      <img alt="IMG 1506" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/y1nuhtkxd/IMG_1506.jpg" />     <img alt="IMG 1490" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/lneumpxkh/IMG_1490.jpg" /><br />
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The first leg of the presentations followed soon thereafter. <b>Check out the highlights below:</b><br />
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Nate and Ming presenting on “Doing Business in Germany”:<br />
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<img alt="IMG 1494" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/o71apc6cx/IMG_1494.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1498" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/72jzmnygh/IMG_1498.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1519" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/or2jmsvg1/IMG_1519.jpg" /><br />
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Monique presenting on RWE:<br />
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<img alt="IMG 1539" border="0" src="http://s17.postimg.org/5uwmz9pen/IMG_1539.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1589" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/57aixcwtt/IMG_1589.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1535" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/g4za27jg1/IMG_1535.jpg" /> <br />
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Xuan and Rojmary presenting on “The German Consumer”: <br />
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<img alt="006" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/vyn2l0gtt/006.jpg" /> <img alt="007" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/3ukk6qii9/007.jpg" /> <img alt="031" border="0" src="http://s15.postimg.org/rvrtmf6ej/031.jpg" /><br />
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Before breaking for lunch, the team quickly filled out the class evaluation forms. We couldn’t believe it was the last day. It seemed only days ago when the class first met to plan the trip. Wow, time flies!<br />
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<img alt="IMG 1557" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/k2hydvgvl/IMG_1557.jpg" />        <img alt="IMG 1492" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/7xb4mfvox/IMG_1492.jpg" />        <img alt="IMG 1561" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/aaaouhgkx/IMG_1561.jpg" /><br />
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<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><td><b>AND FINALLY, SOME LUNCHIE!!!</b><br />
<td>      <img alt="IMG 1564" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/5unobhesx/IMG_1564.jpg" />    <img alt="IMG 1566" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/uk3evvsc1/IMG_1566.jpg" /><br />
</td></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><td><img alt="IMG 1574" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/hfssm2typ/IMG_1574.jpg" /><br />
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<img alt="IMG 1572" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/v0jkl79rl/IMG_1572.jpg" /><td><b>...and some good quality time with one another! We all couldn't help but get really close during all that time together!</b><br />
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</td></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <img alt="IMG 1576" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/npjgvc3zl/IMG_1576.jpg" />    <img alt="IMG 1578" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/wqy08y1wx/IMG_1578.jpg" />    <img alt="IMG 1580" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/6g2zwqe5t/IMG_1580.jpg" /> <br />
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After the yummy lunch and our appetites satisfied, the last leg of presentations of company profiles and business briefs resumed:<br />
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<img alt="IMG 1602" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/whr8rjacx/IMG_1602.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1548" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/lckd6o01d/IMG_1548.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1556" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/aj89ketdd/IMG_1556.jpg" /> <img src='http://s22.postimg.org/pyyeely5t/IMG_1616.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 1616" /> <img alt="IMG 1504" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/9mfmgrm0h/IMG_1504.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1610" border="0" src="http://s22.postimg.org/g2xbeysdt/IMG_1610.jpg" /><br />
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The class wrapped up with a group picture (courtesy of Professor Bhargava’s camera and Indah’s car as a tripod haha!). We made it through the very long, challenging process of planning the trip, team! A big celebration in Germany is in order! :)<br />
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<p align="center"><img alt="035" border="0" src="http://s17.postimg.org/c9xjoz4db/035.jpg" /></p><br />
<blockquote><b><i>"The ordinary method [of education] is to imprint ideas and opinions, in the strict sense of the word, prejudices, on the mind of the child, before it has had any but a very few particular observations. It is thus that he afterwards comes to view the world and gather experience through the medium of those ready-made ideas, rather than to let his ideas be formed for him out of his own experience of life, as they ought to be."</i></b></blockquote><br />
<p align="right"><b>~ German philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer</b></p><br />
We hope you enjoyed it today, dear readers! Our next story will be coming to you straight from the land of delightful castles, fine beer and fast cars! :)<br />
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Take care and may your week start off well! Hugs!<br />
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Rojmary Fernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531166533793618015noreply@blogger.comSan Ramon, CA, USA37.7799273 -121.9780152999999837.6794978 -122.13937679999998 37.880356799999994 -121.81665379999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115532731270422478.post-46673089191029673832013-08-11T20:03:00.000-07:002013-08-28T06:52:34.553-07:00Class Meets To Plan Study Trip (countdown starts now!)The IST team met again early this morning, 8/11/13, to continue planning the trip to Germany. We leave in 4 weeks!<br />
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<img alt="IMG 1443" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/v724yry97/IMG_1443.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1445" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/cwlfb1rfv/IMG_1445.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1440" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/fci6rs36z/IMG_1440.jpg" /><br />
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We invited a guest speaker, Kay Peters, to tell us more about the culture in Germany which he happily did so! He shared with us acceptable and proper German work etiquettes, directness of Germans (they use "NO" more often than Americans do:D), made some good dining recommendations - like what good food to eat (German sausages for breakfast, yum!), how to tip (5-10% tip is acceptable - this is less than here in the US because in Germany, servers are paid real wages instead of minimum wages), no coffee refills (sorry, coffee drinkers!) and it’s cheaper to get beer than soda (shocker!). He also shared tips on how to save on train passes (like getting the “Happy Weekend Passes” and booking tickets in advance). He also recommended the use of debit cards to go around the cities over credit cards to avoid huge charges. He advised to look for “maestro” sign on your debit cards as they will be accepted everywhere you go. <br />
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<img alt="IMG 1446" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/miezrciln/IMG_1446.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1448" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/eyqi31esr/IMG_1448.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1449" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/m4i95hnvv/IMG_1449.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1456" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/e48juqwbv/IMG_1456.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1453" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/d9m08poh7/IMG_1453.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1455" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/inksg9e7f/IMG_1455.jpg" /> <br />
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Lastly, he shared some beautiful spots in Cologne, Copeland, Rhein and many others that we absolutely MUST visit during our stay in Germany :)<br />
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<img alt="IMG 1458" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/4dftiin8r/IMG_1458.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1459" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/dmhzsmw4r/IMG_1459.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1461" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/3rqumes6j/IMG_1461.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1462" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/sz1qmnvaj/IMG_1462.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1464" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/gblza5gdn/IMG_1464.jpg" /> <img src='http://s23.postimg.org/axilov19n/IMG_1463.jpg' border='0' alt="IMG 1463" /><br />
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The extra time we had left was spent getting updates on where everybody was with contacting the companies we’d like to visit in Germany and finalizing some logistics (e.g. the exact number of hotel rooms to book while in each city..etc.). Our calendar is getting full! Some also used the time catching up with one another and arranging how to meet up once we all land in Munich. Wow, this is going to be a great trip!<br />
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<img alt="IMG 1465" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/4dkew9cmj/IMG_1465.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1467" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/w4qxqm3aj/IMG_1467.jpg" /> <img alt="IMG 1468" border="0" src="http://s23.postimg.org/4wpi5j417/IMG_1468.jpg" /><br />
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Before the class left for the day, we were reminded of priorities to take care of before our next live meeting on 8/25 (give a copy of all travel documents as well as profile bio and pictures to Inger; submit travel insurance; prepare business briefs and assigned company profiles to present in class.. etc). <br />
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Until then, dear readers! Have a great week ahead of you!<br />
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Rojmary Fernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531166533793618015noreply@blogger.comSan Ramon, CA, USA37.7799273 -121.9780152999999837.6794978 -122.13937679999998 37.880356799999994 -121.81665379999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115532731270422478.post-91229509948826179362013-08-03T17:23:00.000-07:002013-09-26T15:05:35.192-07:00Welcome to the International Study Trip 2013 Blog!Follow our journey as we plan the logistics of our study trip to Germany. We will share with you notes and pictures from our class meetings, guest speakers as well as all the fun times we will sure to have during our company visits while in Germany on 9/10 - 9/20.<br />
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Come join us on this fantastic ride!<br />
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Rojmary Fernandezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15531166533793618015noreply@blogger.com0San Ramon, CA, USA37.7799273 -121.9780152999999837.6794978 -122.13937679999998 37.880356799999994 -121.81665379999998