Team Imerys—MBA students Andy McMullen and Ryan Dillard—have been reporting on their blog from Brussels.
Members of the graduating MBA class of 2008 report in from Asia and Europe as they tackle their consultancy assignments, get to know their co-workers, and adjust to the customs and cuisines of their host countries. A sampling of observations from the team blogs:
First of all, there are a lot of people in Beijing. The population figures don't really hit you until you're walking around can see the 14 million who call Beijing home. Within the city, many people walk or ride some sort of bicycle to get around and bike lanes are well utilized even by the occasional taxi.
The work day at Havi Distribution Center lasts from 9am until 5:45pm with a short lunch break in the middle. It seems that few of the employees take much more than a half hour to eat their lunch and then they diligently return to work. All of the Havi DC employees we have talked to have been eager to help and very hospitable.
Havi Team, Beijing
We are working in manufacturing area, where most buildings are offices and factories. We are on the first floor with several cubicles in the front office and factory and warehouse in the back. A total of 20 people work there.
Our boss is pretty busy but finds time for us and our project. We get there at 9 after we get picked up by a mini-van hired by the company to transport several employees that live locally. Lunch is at 11:30—the company provides it. It's typical Chinese food and so far there has been variety; of course, not counting the rice, that's a must! I will admit: all my life I have been wondering how Chinese can eat rice with chop sticks, but now I am doing it and it's not too bad!
Stefan Stanev; Grohe AG Asian Supply, Shanghai
Yes, we are actually doing something productive over here. We've moved into our flat in downtown Brussels (Port de Namur to be exact). Andy and Ryan started work this week at Imerys (Imerys.com) and Erin (Ryan's wife) is reporting to the GE Brussels office. Our flat is great—only a 10 minute walk to the Grand Plaza, with tons of bars and restaurants.
The best news to report is that Ryan and Andy found their office without a map on Thursday. Yes, it took us four days to pull this off. Sunday it took 2 hours to find it—now it only takes 30 minutes. All the signs are either in Flemish/Dutch or French, or both; in the rare instance that there are actually signs posted. Additionally, there are no apparent rules or guidelines for driving—you just make it up as you go—except maybe there is no right turn on red?
Team Imerys, Brussels
After a weekend trip to Amsterdam, we got back to Menden early enough on Sunday to witness the turnout for the match between Germany and Poland in the Euro2008. The town set up a very large theater-sized screen in the pedestrian square for people to watch the match. I saw supporters for both Germany and Poland dressed from head-to-toe in the colors of their favorite team, similar to what you would see at a football game in the States. You could hear the cheering and shouting blocks away. The celebration at the end of the match lasted long into the night as drivers leaned on their horns to display their happiness that their team won.
Melissa Tolson; Team Grohe, Koln
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