Monthly Archives: September 2017

Asia firms’ sentiment slips on geo-political tensions – Thomson Reuters/INSEAD
Business confidence among Asian companies fell for the first time in three quarters in July-September as escalating geo-political tensions outweighed an improved performance by most economies in the region, the latest Thomson Reuters/INSEAD Asian Business Sentiment Survey showed.

“Companies expressed concerns this quarter about trade and diplomatic tensions not only in the region but also in the world,” said Antonio Fatas, INSEAD Professor of Economics. “This brought the index down, in a reflection of cautiousness because of the potential risks that could derail the current state of the economy,” he added.

Researchers at INSEAD and Columbia Business School explain how musicians can craft their next chart-topping song 
People like to say that mainstream music all tends to sound similar. An analysis of more than 26,000 songs by Noah Askin, INSEAD Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour, and Michael Mauskapf, Assistant Professor of Management at Columbia Business School, shows that breakout songs are those that conform to current musical preferences while infusing a modicum of individuality.

Book review: Mastering Private Equity
Claudia Zeisberger, INSEAD Senior Affiliate Professor of Decision Sciences, Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise, recently published the bookMastering Private Equity: Transformation via Venture Capital, Minority Investments & Buyouts with two co-authors Michael Prahl and Bowen White, both INSEAD alumni. The companion case book –Private Equity in Action: Case Studies from Developed and Emerging Markets – offers a selection of rich and diverse case studies, written with leading private equity firms. Investing.com BVI – 20 September

Who you need for your digital journey
Reprinted from INSEAD Knowledge
According to Charles Galunic, INSEAD Professor of Organisational Behaviour, there are many different skillsets necessary for an organisation’s digital journey. He shares his research findings in this area and a 10-point framework for the digital journey. Forbes India  – 6 September

Science Says Travel Makes You Smarter
William W. Maddux, INSEAD Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour, led a 2009 study on a group of undergraduate students using the remote associates test (RAT), a classic measure of individual creativity. It was discovered that those students who were primed with thoughts of living abroad solved more than 50% more problems than those who were not.  Forbes US – 5 September
Reprinted at: Singapore – MSN  

• 20 – 21 October 2017:              Alumni Volunteers Meeting in Abu Dhabi
• 17 – 18 November 2017:          INSEAD Alumni Forum Asia, Hong Kong
• 13 – 14 April 2018:                    INSEAD Alumni Forum Americas, San Francisco
• 8 – 10 June 2018:                     INSEAD Alumni Forum Europe, The Netherlands
• 1 – 2 June 2018:                       Alumni Volunteers Meeting in Fontainebleau

The New Middle East Campus in Abu Dhabi

A new era begins for our Middle East Campus with a move to a new facility in Abu Dhabi’s recently established international financial centre, ADGM Square. Although the new facility has similar usable area as our prior facility, the layout over two large floors offers significant operational enhancements and quality of facilities. The new location in the financial centre is described as “Abu Dhabi’s business and lifestyle destination” with luxury retail and dining experiences as well as world-class healthcare.

The faculty and staff on the Middle East Campus look forward to welcoming all of the presidents for the upcoming October Alumni Volunteers meeting.

Update on Lifelong Learning

As part of the IAA and INSEAD’s commitment to deliver more services to IAA/NAA members we are pleased to share that we have curated a series of innovative and impactful online and in-person lifelong learning experiences for alumni.  There are exclusive discounts available to members, at up to 40% off the regular price of the course.  A range of webinars that are free to IAA/NAA members are also on offer from industry experts and leaders in management education.  Please see the new section of the INSEAD website dedicated to lifelong learning and be sure to help promote the offerings in your communications.

Friday Drinks on 2nd Friday, due to Hari Raya Holiday!
Friday, 8 September, 7pm at Montreux Jazz Cafe
We invite MBA Students and Alums from ALL INSEAD programs and partners/guests to join us for our regular drinks on Friday, 8 September, from 7pm to 10pm. Thanks to a fantastic turnout last time, we will be heading back to this chic location just off Orchard!

Montreux Jazz Café Singapore brings together East and West to showcase performances championing the spirit of the Festival – grounded in jazz and blues while embracing the spirit of improvisation and experimentation to feature eclectic artists and genres from around the world. To accompany the atmosphere, Delicious ‘soul food’ as well as scrumptious cocktails, wines, beers, and sparkling are available!

Montreux Jazz Café is centrally located at Pan Pacific Orchard, 10 Claymore Road, Singapore – 229540. Our group will be primarily in the al fresco area, but there is also an indoor space.

We have worked out an agreement with the venue, who is kindly sponsoring a complimentary glass of house wine, prosecco, beer, or spirits, (or juice or soft drink) on arrival for all paid-up NAA Members! Tasty food will be available for order, and drinks will be offered at very tempting prices for our group only!
We will also be inviting the incoming MBA class to join us, so please look out for a few new faces. We appreciate you spreading the INSEAD welcome and cheer!

Kindly take 30 seconds to sign up on the event site here. https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/friday-alumni-drinks-on-the-2nd-friday-registration-37056774811