B+I Strategy’s Oscar Valdivielso moderated the workshop entitled "Juicio a las Nuevas Tecnologías" (New Technologies on Trial), which was held 2nd December. The event, organized by FEVAS, the Basque Federation of Associations Supporting the Intellectually Impaired, was held at the Euskalduna Conference Centre in Bilbao and was intended to openly reflect on and consider the risks and opportunities of New Technologies for intellectually impaired people.

The workshop was also attended by the following distinguished participants: Luis Maria Fernandez (President of FEVAS), Nerea Lupardo Atutxa (Director of Euskaltel Institutional Relations), Juan Mari Aburto (Head of Social Affairs, Provincial Government of Bizkaia) and Fernando Fantova (Deputy Minister for Social Affairs, Basque Government), Maria Puy Arrastia (Telecommunications Engineer and volunteer with Kintati), Antonio Jimenez Lara (Sociologist and Journalist), Jose Antonio Valverde (Director, CENTAC [National Centre for Accessibility Technologies]), Jon Ander Arzallus (Director, RD&i Department of Gureak Group), Lourdes Gonzalez Perea (Director, Accessible Technologies of Technosite), Asier Gallastegi (Social Consultant and Coordinator of Elkartekintza Project), Ana Isabel Vitorica (Head of Innovation and Communication Technologies, Basque Government) and Pedro Carrascal (Director, Multiple Sclerosis Foundation).

Twitter thread #fevas
Videos: "Juicio a las Nuevas Tecnologías" (FEVAS Channel) (Spanish)

 

Over the last few months, a team of B+I Strategy consultants has been providing specific technical support to the Basque Premier’s Advisory Council on Socioeconomic Affairs to analyze the question of “Demographics, Economic Growth and Sustainability of Public Accounts toward 2030”. This is the third time the Advisory Council has been commissioned by the Basque Parliament to propose solutions to a given issue.

Composed of Sabin Azua, Maria Astigarraga, Igor Revilla, Mikel Achotegui and Kerman Gabiola, the B+I Strategy team was fully involved in the analysis of both the matter at hand and Basque Government foreign policy, as well as in task force meetings, all under the guidance and coordination of the Economic Office of the Lehendakari (Basque Premier).

During the plenary of the Advisory Council on 17th November, Maria Astigarraga presented conclusions by the B+I Strategy team to the Council, which proposes a wide ranging framework of public policies to deal with the challenge of Basque demographics.

 

       

Basque Government press release prior to plenary Basque Government press release following plenary  EITB TV Report Article in El Correo Article in Diario Vasco Article in El País Article in Deia Article in Noticias de Gipuzkoa * Please note all articles are in Spanish

The respective heads of partner companies Integran Consulting and B+I Strategy, Primavera Garbarino and Sabin Azua, jointly organized a workshop aimed at analyzing the role of Itaipu Technological Park and its contribution to regional and national development. The park is linked to Itaupu Binacional, the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant located on the Paran River along the border between Brazil and Paraguay.

Held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Asunción, the workshop was attended by the top management of Itaipu, Gustavo Codas Friedmann (Director General Paraguayo), Ruben Brasa (Technical Director), Pedro Mancuello (Director of Coordination) and Gladys Benegas (Financial Director). In attendance as well as were university professors and representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and from the National Commission on Science and Technology (CONACYT).

Read article on ITAIPU website (Spanish)

 

The First Workshop on Industrial and Technological Parks was held on 15th November at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Asuncion, and organized by the Universidad Catolica de Asuncion.

Among the speakers at the workshop were: the Honourable Francisco Rivas (Paraguayan Minister of Industry and Commerce), Gustavo Codas (Director General, Paraguayo de Itaupu), Carmen Quintana de Orack (Vice-chancellor for Academic Affairs, Universidad Catolica de Asuncion), Primavera Garbarino (Integran Consulting) and Sabin Azua (CEO & Partner, B+I Strategy).

In his presentation, Mr Sabin Azua spoke about the importance of innovation in technological parks. After describing some successful experiences and highlighting the critical role of social goals, he encouraged the attendees to each seek their own unique path while taking advantage of the present economic growth throughout Paraguay and Latin America.

Read article

 

On 11th November, Sabin Azua and Oscar Valdivielso participated in a thinking session on strategy, competitiveness and industrial-technological parks in Montevideo, Uruguay. The event was held at the facilities of the industrial park shared by COUSA (cooking oil), ALUR (biodiesel), AAK (exotic oils), AGA (hydrogen) and others, on the outskirts of the capital of Uruguay.

Over 30 relevant agents from the area participated in the session, business people, representatives from the Uruguay Ministry of Industry, the National Innovation Agency (ANII), as well as from a number of Universities and research centres among others.

 

On 4 November the III Strategic Conversations took place in the Kursaal Congress Centre in Donostia - San Sebastian, under the theme of “Gestión en la distancia: ¿qué supone ser una empresa internacionalizada?” (Long-distance management: What is involved in an internationalized company?)

The close to 90 people in attendance heard first-hand experiences from Ignacio Martín San Vicente (CEO, CIE Automotive), Jon Ander Buenetxea Zabala (Director General, Alfa Group) and Sabin Azua Mendia (CEO and Partner, B+I Strategy). The event was again presented by Mikel Madariaga (Director General, APD-North), but this time round Beatriz Tejedor (Partner, B+I Strategy) graciously acted as moderator.

       

 

As part of B+I Strategy’s dissemination and training activities, Mr Sabin Azua has been collaborating with Deusto Business School, Bilbao over the last few months .

Some of the sessions Mr. Azua has recently taught on Strategy and Innovation are:

- Strategy for Competitiveness. May 2010. CIE Automotive.

- Strategy for Competitiveness. June 2010. Labein.

- Innovation and Entrepreneurship. July 2010, Logroño. La Rioja Club Marketing.

- Five steps to being innovative. October 2010, Donostia – San Sebastian. University of Deusto.

      

On 10th June of this year, Sabin Azua and Oscar Valdivielso were in Barcelona to participate in the launching of the programme “360 Competitividad” (360 Competitiveness) promoted by ACC1Ó of the Government of Catalonia. With 26 Catalonian business people in attendance, the B+I Strategy team presented the definition of a turnkey model of business intervention aimed at favouring strategic thinking and la operational action in companies, with the dual focus of preparing the future by managing the present.

During the month of October, ACC1Ó has held six new “360 Competitividad” seminars throughout Catalonia, with over 100 business people participating, with content defined by and under the direction and methodology of B+I Strategy.

360 Competitiveness Programme (Catalan)
 

On 7 and 8 October, and as part of their tour of Nordic countries, B+I Strategy’s Oscar Valdivielso escorted the Uruguayan Delegation while on official visit to the facilities of some of the leading technological agents in Finland.

Over the two days, B+I Strategy accompanied the Delegation on their visits to Turku Biocity-Research and Technological Transfer Centre, VTT-Centre for Applied Technological Research of Finland and strategically, B+I Strategy. Along with the plenary sessions, B+I Strategy also collaborated in the organization of a series of specific work sessions with experts at VTT in the construction of future technological scenarios, particularly in the areas of biofuels and functional foods, as part of the areas of special expertise of this Finnish centre.   

         

B+I Strategy hosted a training workshop on creative problem solving run by Niels Krojgaard with the collaboration of Trine Aagaard Sorensen, both of whom are from the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies / Instituttet for Fremtidsforskning (CIFS). A number of creative problem solving techniques were presented and immediately put into practice during the course of the workshop, which was held at the B+I Strategy office.

This latest workshop is part of B+I Strategy’s commitment to ongoing training to build and strengthen the capacities and skills of our consultants to later provide vital assistance to companies, government institutions and other types of organizations in their decision-making processes.

           

 

The Provincial Government of Gipuzkoa and Donostia Hospital hosted the quarterly meeting of the Biohealth Coordination Body of Gipuzkoa on 23 May. This Coordination Body is comprised of the leading agents who develop their activities primarily in the area of research: hospitals, technological centres, cooperative research centres, universities, foundations, support institutions, companies, etc., with over 30 people from various organizations in attendance.

At this gathering, B+I Strategy’s Manuel Vizán outlined the highlights of the conclusions of the “Analysis of the Biosciences Sector in Gipuzkoa”, commissioned by Gipuzkoa Aurrera (Advancing Gipuzkoa) and the Provincial Government of Gipuzkoa. In this analysis, B+I Strategy took a detailed look into the sectorial structure, which was analyzed from an entrepreneurial and research point of view, identifying the main R&D activities of today. The analysis also further defined possible areas of specialization and put forward a number of proposals in terms of structuring and promoting this sector.

Moderated by Mr. Jose Ramon Guridi (Secretary for Innovation of the Province of Gipuzkoa), Mr Iñaki Ibarrra (Director of Innovation of the Province of Gipuzkoa) and Julio Arrizabalaga (Science Director of the BioDonostia Institute), participants at the event also heard reports on training at the BioDonostia Institute, the activities of Inbiomed and the initiative of CITA-ALZHEIMER.

 

On 18th May, DeustoKabi held its annual conference with the aim of promoting entrepreneurship amongst University of Deusto students, as well as to publicly unveil seven recently founded companies. Enrique Navarro, B+I Strategy Project Manager, was invited to expound on B+I Strategy’s view on how to create spin off in university environments.

With around 60 people in attendance, which included a cross-section of business executives, faculty members and students, Enrique Navarro put forth B+I Strategy’s perspective of entrepreneurship and what should be delineated in order to stimulate entrepreneurial initiatives in the university setting.

Moderated by Enterprise Incubator Co-ordinator, Eva Ausin, the one-day event was also attended by Mr. Jaime Oraa Oraa (Rector Magnificus, University of Deusto), Mr. Aurelio Villa Sanchez (Vice-Rector of Innovation, Quality and Research), Mr. Jose Luis del Val Roman (Dean of the Faculty of Engineering) and Fernando Diez Ruiz (Head of OTRI and DeustoKabi Coordinator). Also in attendance were: Mr. Raul Onaindía (Director General of Beaz); Imanol Cuetara (Head of SPRI Programmes) and Alfredo Alonso (Head of Entrepreneurship, Lan Ekintza-Bilbao).

 

On 14th May, Mr. Sabin Azua delivered an address on Strategic Innovation entitled "La Cometa de la Innovación" (The Innovation Kite) to an audience of students from the Strategic Business Management Master’s Programme at the Institute for Business Practice in Malaga. This event was organized in accordance with the terms outlined in the mutual collaboration agreement between IPE and B+I Strategy to share and exchange knowledge.

  

 

In keeping with the firm company commitment to ongoing professional development, B+I Strategy consultants participated in a workshop run by Jessica Panke of the Instituttet for Fremtidsforkning-Copenhagen Institute of Futures Studies (CIFS).

During the workshop, CIFS methodology was employed to explore a variety of possible future scenarios that the consultancy sector may evolve into and to analyze the short, medium and long-term consequences for B+I Strategy. By using a series of “mega-trends” that the Institute for Futures Studies works with on a regular basis, the B+I team was able to objectively look at the issues at hand and reflect on their own future. This methodology is a tool that B+I Strategy and CIFS jointly offer to clients as part of the mutual collaboration agreement signed in January of this year.

  

 

Published in the Estrategia Empresarial (Business Strategy) 2009 Yearbook, the interview with B+I Project Managers and partners, María Astigarraga and Beatriz Tejedor, goes to the heart of a number of challenges of the present economic situation and the implications for strategic management in companies. The interview on pages 190 and 191 speaks to a variety of timely topics such as the necessary convergence between competitiveness and innovation, the importance of a company’s identity and history, the collaboration with a company’s external agents or the concept of a “strategic map”.

Read interview (Spanish)

 

As a gesture of good social practice, Cáritas Bizkaia hosted a breakfast discussion on 25 March to raise awareness among business leaders in Bizkaia. Starting at 9:30 a.m., the discussion was intended to arouse a sense of Corporate Social Responsibility among these business leaders and to encourage them to take an active role as agents in transforming society, the ultimate goal being to improve the quality of life of all people.

By promoting collaboration initiatives, a collective hand of support could be extended to marginalized individuals and the most underprivileged within in our communities to combat poverty and social exclusion.
With the participation of approximately 70 business executives from the most relevant companies based in and around Bilbao, Mr. Sabin Azua, Partner and CEO of B+I Strategy, set out his company’s vision of Social

Responsibility, along with the B+I Strategy’s motivation behind entering into a collaboration agreement in September 2009 with Cáritas Bizkaia-The Bilbao Diocesan Charity, an organization of the Catholic Church dedicated to serving the poor.

Of note, the following were also present at the breakfast discussion: Mr. Mikel Ruiz (Director of Cáritas Bizkaia), Ana Isabel de la Torre (Head of Social Base Development, Cáritas Bizkaia), José Antonio García (Coordinator Incorpora Euskadi Network), Jaume Farre Cortadellas (Head of the Employment Integration Programme, “laCaixa” Foundation), Mr. Juan Carlos Anchia (Human Resources Director, EULEN-Northern Region Spain) and Mr. Roberto San Salvador del Valle (Associate Dean of Communication, Linguistic Policy and Students, University of Deusto).

Read news item on University of Deusto Website (Spanish)

 

The II Strategic Conversations was held Tuesday 2nd March at the Melia Bilbao Hotel under the theme of: “How to redefine a business in uncertain times. What happens when a company can no longer count on its main line of business?” With approximately 150 participants in attendance the event was organized by B+I Strategy and APD (Association for Managerial Progress).

This second event (the first one being held on 4 November, 2009) received valuable input from such distinguished participants as: Iñaki Lopez-Gandasegui (President of Aernnova),  Jorge Unda (Director General of Sener), Jon Azua (Vice-President of Guascor Group), Josep Maria Tarrago (Executive Vice-President of Ficosa) and Sabin Azua (Partner and CEO of B+I Strategy). Although the event was presented by Mikel Madariaga (Director General of APD Northern Region), the discussions were again facilitated by Susana Rodriguez (Director of the Bologna Master and Postgraduate Programmes, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Deusto University).

 

             

 

                      

       

News article 5 Días (Spanish)

News article Empresa XXI ("Company XXI" - Basque Business Periodical) (Spanish)  

News article Periódico Gestión (Spanish)

News article Estrategia Empresarial (Spanish)

News article Nueva Gestión (Spanish)

* Please note all articles are in Spanish

 

B+I Strategy’s Maria Astigarraga taught a workshop on “Innovation in Strategy”, as part of the 4th Annual Professional Development Seminar aimed at Directors of Vocational Training Schools organized by TKNIKA Institute, the Innovation Centre of Basque Vocational Training located in Errenteria, Gipuzkoa.

A total of 20 Directors of Vocational Training Schools took part in the day-long sessions of 25th February, in which a general introduction to the concept of strategy and the various currents of how to manage it was made.

The discussion then centered on the importance of innovation in the design and development of strategy with real-life examples of a number of companies and organizations used to illustrate the theory. Subsequently, a possible framework or model was proposed that would clearly define innovative strategies intended to develop both capacities and an environment conducive to putting such strategies into practice.

Finally, the importance of teamwork with a diversity of people was examined, along with a critical view of strategic thinking processes in organizations, including the most common errors committed and specific suggestions on what action to undertake to avoid or remedy them.

 

Sabin Azua delivered a talk entitled “Emerging Sectors or Innovative Companies” within the framework of the annual gathering of people involved with the management of Lantegi Batuak (a charity for the disabled and intellectually impaired with employment issues). The main focus of Mr Azua’s presentation was the need to design an innovation strategy for businesses Lantegi Batuak is currently involved with by means of developing elements of differentiation and creating new experiences with target clients, all the while furthering organization identity.

 

B+I Strategy was visited by Trine Aagaard Sorensen, Director of Business Development of CIFS (Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies). Ms Sorensen travelled to Bilbao to personally detail CIFS activities and to meet the B+I Strategy team as part of the collaboration agreement signed between both organizations in January of this year.

Aside from getting a first-hand look at the innumerable knowledge resources CIFS makes available to B+I Strategy, specific collaboration opportunities with our Firm’s clients were also identified during the visit.

 

 

In January 2010 B+I Strategy signed a collaboration agreement with the Instituttet for Fremtidsforkning-Copenhagen Institute of Futures Studies (CIFS) with the goal of promoting capacities and strengths of both organizations via a permanent exchange of knowledge and professionals in order to deal with their respective clients and research projects.

With this agreement, both B+I Strategy and CIFS are committed to jointly promoting workshops and training sessions with clients in Spain and Latin America. The dissemination of the Institute’s research activities will assist private and public organizations to visualize the future and its implications.

Furthermore, this agreement will allow B+I Strategy and CIFS to increase their range of services to clients by sharing knowledge and methodologies. Both organizations are also committed to seeking out new opportunities for collaboration in the area of research.

The Copenhagen Institute of Futures Studies (CIFS) is a leading institution of future exploration world-wide, and was founded with the goal of researching the future and its implications for present strategies within both private and public organizations.

 

The December 2009 Issue of APD Magazine (Association for Managerial Progress) features an article by Oscar Valdivielso recapping the main ideas discussed during the event held on 4th November in Bilbao.

There will be further updates from B+I Strategy, who will continue to edit the Strategy section of APD Magazine as part of its joint collaboration.

Read article (Spanish)