On 2nd December, Sabin Azua addressed the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Builders of Gipuzkoa (ASCONGI) to outline the basic contents of the Strategic Plan which B+I Strategy was tasked with assisting on during its development process.

Mr Azua’s talk focused on the future economic scenario and appraising the contribution to Gipuzkoa’s economy made by the construction sector. Furthermore, after identifying the main strategic challenges, the presentation evaluated the impact of future trends in the industry, including a definition of the lines of strategic action laid out for ASCONGI in order to promote the competitiveness of the member companies.

 

Sabin Azua and Ana Avendaño were invited to address the Coop’s General Meeting as a result of our professional collaboration with AMPO Cooperative in a thinking process on the company’s business project, which was aimed at defining the basic guiding principles in strategic decision-making.

During the talk, coop members were provided with an overview of the B+I Strategy perspective on the company’s current competitive situation. They also listened to a description of some of the challenges and windows of opportunity opening up in the near future, as well as those strategic areas needing to be paid attention to and to be developed over the coming years

 

On 16th November Sabin Azua and María Astigarraga were guest speakers in a workshop entitled “Advanced Innovation = Profitable Innovation” organised by the Industry Association of Navarre (AIN) with top executives of variety of companies and sectors from throughout Navarre in attendance.

After his opening remarks introducing the speakers, José Miguel Zugaldia, Director General of AIN, went on to speak about various megatrends, reflecting on their impact on the competitiveness of companies. In such a setting of change, the need for companies to innovate strategically was emphasised, discussing what the characteristics of the most innovative companies were.

Later, after attendees heard firsthand the views and experiences of a number of local companies such as Guascor, Sener, Ficosa, Alfa and Elecnor, concerning the development of innovative strategies, “The Innovation Kite” model was presented as a useful framework for those companies seeking to define innovative strategies, manage successful innovative projects and develop a capacity for continuous innovation. Discussed as well were the obstacles and challenges facing companies when innovating, with a few tools provided aimed at promoting innovation within their organisations.

Finally, Sabin Azua led a round-table discussion with three business executives in Navarre who shared their experiences and opinions regarding innovation: Alberto Munárriz (Director General of Comansa and President of AIN), Oscar Matellanes (Director of the start-up QUOMAI) and Santiago Lozano (Investment Manager for the Venture Capital Firm CLAVE MAYOR).

 

On 8th November, Enrique Navarro and Oscar Valdivielso were invited by Loiola Berrikuntza Fundazioa to lead a seminar entitled “Creating and developing new activities and/or innovative companies, or within SME’s in the Urola Erdia region of Gipuzkoa”, along with the participation of the companies IBARMIA, Elkarmedia, GLUAL, JUARISTI, BIELE and IRURENA.

The goal of the different talks given during the course of the day was to train managers in methodology, tools and measures specifically aimed at managing intra/entrepreneurship and innovation in their companies, with the ultimate goal of implementing their own mechanisms of producing and managing intra/entrepreneurial and innovative initiatives.

After the opening talk given by B+I Strategy Associate, Oscar Valdivielso, who outlined the common traits of innovative–intra/entrepreneurial companies, Mr. Rafael Amasorrain, Director of Development of Ulma Group Corporate Services, spoke about how the development of new businesses is developed and managed within the Group.

B+I Strategy Associate, Enrique Navarro, went on to speak about fundamental questions managers deal with, providing them with assistance in order to answer the questions they ask themselves, such as: How can I strategically direct the intra/entrepreneurship in my company? Who can I count on in my company? What methodologies and tools can I use? What tools do other companies use?

The closing talk of the day was given by Director of Loiola Berrikuntza Fundazioa, Begoña Beobide, who presented a list of public programmes supporting intra/entrepreneurship.

 

On 30th September, Sabin Azua and Manuel Vizán had the opportunity of participating in an encounter for business executives organised by Azaro Fundazioa. Under the name of Elkarguneak (“Meeting Places”), the event was a starting point for a new forum for these executives in the Lea Artibai region of Northeastern Bizkaia. In participation were top level managers from some of the leading companies in the area: Aitor Alberdi (Kautenik S.L), Victor Arrizabalaga (Cikautxo S.Coop), Toni Aspiazu (Fagor Arrasate), Txabi Koskorrotza (Burdinola S.Coop), Josu Tornay (Kide S.Coop), Ainara Basurko and Ainhoa Arrizubieta (Azaro Fundazioa).

After a brief opening presentation by B+I Strategy, one of the topics dealt with during the session was: “New Business Models to Develop Entrepreneurial Competitiveness”. Attendees also discussed other timely topics such as the need for a unique identity and ideology in the company, the importance of looking to the future, choosing revolutionary strategies, as well as leadership in organisations.

 

     

 

On 1st July, a B+I Strategy team composed of Óscar Valdivielso, Galo Álvarez and Miren Salazar had the opportunity of teaching a workshop on future studies for Medical Óptica, a leading company in the sector of hearing and sight support and advice in the Basque region. The management team were presented with 20 global megatrends which are going to have a strong influence on politics, the economy, society and technology over the coming decade. In addition, the 10 trends which will typify consumers in 2020 were also presented while applying them to the particular lines of business Medical Óptica is active in.

During the all-day workshop with the Medical Óptica team of managers, they were able to discuss and work on the future implications and changes emerging in the company’s “average client” as a first step in the thinking process aimed at defining the future strategy of the company.

 

                  

 

Tuesday 28th June was witness to the fourth edition of Strategic Conversations at the Hotel Meliá in Bilbao, under the theme of: “Dirección estratégica de equipos o hacer que las cosas sucedan” (“Strategic Management of Teams or Making Things Happen”).

With over 200 people in attendance, a number of speakers participated in this latest session of Strategic Conversations: Rafael Martín Bustamante (CEO of Elecnor Group), Javier Ormazabal Echevarría (President of Ormazabal Group), Eduardo Junkera Pérez (President of Egile Corporation) and Sabin Azua Mendia (B+I Strategy Partner and CEO). Listening first-hand from business leaders themselves, the event became an opportunity to understand such questions as why it is so hard to make things happen, or why it is so hard for people to move from thinking to doing.

Presented by Mikel Madariaga (Director General of APD Northern Branch) and moderated by Beatriz Tejedor (B+I Strategy Partner), the event concluded with the formulation of a few rules which would inspire companies to define and implement their strategies for the future.          

 

                 

             

 

Article in Estrategia Empresarial (Spanish)

 

On Friday 20th May, B+I Strategy had the pleasure of receiving a visit from Mr. Miguel Lazpiur, President of the company Lazpiur and current President of Confebask (Confederation of Basque Businesses). Lazpiur is a precision machine and tool manufacturer located in Bergara, Gipuzkoa.

Mr. Lazpiur outlined the history of the company he leads along with the most relevant strategic decisions undertaken over the last few decades, highlighting his company’s commitment to management excellence and keeping people in focus. Furthermore, Mr. Lazpiur also spoke about how the impact of the present economic crisis on the company is being managed, that is, by remaining clearly centred on markets and clients.

Among lessons learnt from his experience at the head of the company, Mr. Lazpiur stressed the importance of humanising companies and of adapting to change.          

 

Estrategia Empresarial’s 2010 Yearbook features an interview with B+I Strategy’s Sabin Azua and Beatriz Tejedor, in which they take a look back over the last five years of business venture.

Along with discussing the importance of partnerships, the current economic climate and the future of B+I Strategy, some of the company’s strategic lines of action were also outlined. The interview with Mr. Azua and Ms Tejedor covers other such areas as the international expansion of B+I Strategy (opening offices abroad with new business models), capitalising on new knowledge (learning about new business cultures abroad), as well as fostering commercial activity while enhancing existing partnerships.  

Read interview (Spanish)

 

La Kutxa, along with BIC Gipuzkoa Berrilan, has been organising a series of ongoing encounters of entrepreneurs with the goal of encouraging company managers to identify and develop new business opportunities by capitalising on capacities and structures already found within their existing companies.

To that end, and thanks to B+I Strategy’s proven track record in innovation and intra/entrepreneurship in management projects, B+I Strategy’s Enrique Navarro was invited by Kutxa and BIC Gipuzkoa Berrilan to give a talk on 15th April.  Entitled “La creación de negocios con éxito desde dentro de la empresa” (Building successful businesses from within the company), Mr. Navarro’s talk was on how to prepare and organise companies to facilitate the birth of this form of innovation.

Following Mr. Navarro’s presentation, Eduardo Junkera, Jon Urtizberea and Andoitz Korta, in representation of the companies Grupo Egile, Grupo Gorosabel and Kortagroup respectively, shared their experience in this type of initiatives, which each of their companies had already undertaken. At the close the event the General Director of BIC Gipuzkoa Berrilan, Ms Marisa Arriola, detailed the range of public subsidies available to entrepreneurs to foster this type of initiatives.     

  

 

One of the most prestigious organizations worldwide in the area of future prospection, the Instituttet for Fremtidsforskning (Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies - CIFS), presented the report “10 Tendencies Towards 2020”, in an exclusive event held at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC) on 12th April. This event was the only one of its kind to be held in Euskadi and was part of the ongoing knowledge partnership between CIFS and B+I Strategy.

CIFS’s presentation was held with a group of business leaders and executives from both the Basque public and private sector in attendance. All attendees had the opportunity to hear the 10 trends which will determine how we will live and work from today until 2020. These trends will also influence how we will take business decisions throughout Europe and abroad.

The “10 Tendencies Towards 2020” report describes and interprets the future which our societies and companies will be dealing with in coming years. The report by the Institute takes a close look at the opportunities which will arise in such areas as the economy, demographics, labour, health, international politics, human behaviour, paradigm shifts, new players and great challenges.

During the presentation a number of vital topics were touched upon, such as the change in the centre of gravity in international geopolitics and the emergence of Africa. Furthermore, a number of other issues were raised: how to find, attract and retain talent from anywhere in the world; how social network consumer habits will influence strategy in companies; how to face the challenge of an aging population; and how we will be affected by advances in genetic engineering.

In attendance at this unique and stimulating event were high-level managers from the following companies and institutions: Mondragón, CAF, Irizar, Vicinay, Progenika, Mtorres, Grupo Ormazabal, Fundación Metrópoli, BEC, Jaz Zubiaurre, Innobasque, Zabalgarbi, Industrial Association of Navarra (AIN), Bizkaia:xede, EVE, BioBasque, Ikerbasque and the University of Deusto.   

 

           

     

 

On 30th March, Mr. Sabin Azua, B+I Strategy’s CEO & Partner, gave a talk entitled: "Innovación Estratégica como mejora de la Competitividad" (Strategic Innovation as a Way to Improve Competitiveness) at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of the Basque Public University (UPV – EHU). In attendance were students in the Faculty’s Research and Family Business Programmes, along with a number of faculty members.

The event was moderated by Ms Amaia Maseda, Vice-chancellor of Social Responsibility of the UPV-EHU, with the participation of Professor Txomin Iturralde from the Department of Family-Owned Business within the Basque Public University.

 

     

A day-long workshop on B+I Strategy was held to hone our meeting and interviewing skills, essential skills in our consulting work. The workshop was led by Pedro Pablo Ramos, Director of Tea-Cegos in the Basque Region and expert in training and effective meeting management.     

 

       

 

As part of B+I Strategy’s ongoing learning and training policy, an in-house training session took place on 25th March on current trends in ICTs, principally in terms of the world of Internet and social networks. Delved into were such issues as how they affect interpersonal relationships and how companies can take advantage of them to incorporate new working tools, along with how companies manage their corporate image or facilitate the interaction of feedback between company and client.

The training session was taught by Raúl Hernández. A graduate of Business Management and Administration, from the University of Deusto Business School, Mr Hernandez has seven years experience in a number of consulting firms. In 2006 he joined Weblogs SL., and since 2007 he has been an independent consultant working in the conception and definition of project start-ups, as well as project management in the digital world.     

 

  

 

On 24th March, B+I Strategy’s Enrique Navarro and Kerman Gabiola led a work session as part of the corporate volunteering which B + I Strategy undertakes with Bilbao Diocesan Cáritas. The main goal of the session was to assist the organization in identifying key trends and aspects which could influence the manner in which Cáritas meets the needs of the most underprivileged in our society.

Discussed during the session were a number of topics such as philanthropy and patronage in the 21st Century, the role of Bilbao Diocesan Cáritas in society, along with the identifying and differential elements of the organization compared to other organizations. Also looked at were the types of services which Bilbao Diocesan Cáritas should offer over the coming years, as well as alternative forms the NGO can relate to the players it habitually deals with.

The conclusions of this latest thinking session are similar to those reached in parallel sessions which B + I Strategy shall be leading with other collectives of particular interest to Cáritas. Furthermore, the findings shall contribute to an improvement in the work Bilbao Diocesan Cáritas carries out with the most underprivileged, bolstering social rights and the transformation toward a warmer, more welcoming and participative society. 

 

          

 

The Instituto de Competitividad of the Universidad Católica de Uruguay has presented a book entitled: “¿Cómo innovan las empresas exitosas en Uruguay?"  (How Do Successful Companies Innovate in Uruguay?) which incorporates research project work based on the Innovation Kite model designed by B+I Strategy. The prologue to the book was written by CEO and Director of B+I Strategy, Mr. Sabin Azua.

The research was undertaken by a team composed of Micaela Camacho, Andres Jung, Roberto Horta and Santiago Garcia from the Instituto de Competitividad (Competitiveness Institute). B+I Strategy is proud to have provided support to the Institute’s activities, which in this case included the incorporation of the Model defined in our own research project, along with cooperation in exchanging knowledge on this topic and in the validation of the conclusions drawn.

This publication is a tangible result of the exchange of knowledge taking place within the framework of the collaboration agreement between B+I Strategy and the Instituto de Competitividad of the Universidad Católica de Uruguay.

                

 

Grupo Guascor has recently announced a merger agreement with Dresser-Rand, a leading American company in the development and manufacture of rotating and centrifugal equipment for applications in the natural gas, petroleum, petrochemical and industrial sectors. The merger of both companies is an outstanding opportunity to move toward world leadership in energy solutions for power and compression systems.

Since its inception, B+I Strategy has consistently worked with Guascor Group on numerous projects to promote its strategic development, and who has also acted as advisor for the present operation.     

Letter from the President of Guascor, Joseba Grajales
Guascor Press Release
Dresser-Rand Press Release (English)
Provincial Government Alava Press Release
Article in Deia 
Article in Berria (Basque)
Article in El Correo
Article in El Mundo
Article in El País
Article in Cinco Días
Article in Expansión
Article in Wall Street Journal (English)
Article in Bloomberg Businessweek (English)

*Note: All articles are in Spanish, except where otherwise indicated.

See projects undertaken for Guascor Group by B+I Strategy

 

On Wednesday 23rd February, the signing ceremony of the collaboration agreement between Bic Berrilan and Loiola Berrikuntza Foundation was held at the business offices of the Oinartxo Industrial Park.
The main objective of the agreement is to forge closer ties between the two institutions to give new energy to the efforts of entrepreneurs and the development of companies in the Urola Erdia region of the Basque province of Gipuzkoa.

Among those present during the ceremony were Jose Ramon Guridi (Innovation Department of the Provincial Government of Gipuzkoa and President of Bic Gipuzkoa Berrilan), Julian Eizmendi (President of the Loiola Berrikuntza Foundation and Mayor of Azpeitia), Marisa Arriola (Director General of Bic Berrilan) and Begoña Beobide (Loiola Berrikuntza Foundation), in addition to the Director of Administration and Industrial Safety of the Basque Government, Ms Yolanda Lopez.

Following the ceremony and with a sizeable audience of local entrepreneurs and business leaders in attendance, B+I Strategy’s CEO and Partner, Mr. Sabin Azua, gave a lively talk on the importance of intra/entrepreneurial collaboration, coming business challenges, key elements to remaining competitive and how organizations can become motors to generate new entrepreneurial initiatives.

Intra/Entrepreneurship and improving business competitiveness are just two management areas that B+I Strategy has recently developed through ongoing collaborations with numerous Basque companies. 

Press Release (Spanish)
Article in Diario Vasco (Spanish)
Noticia azkoitia.hitza.info (Basque)

        

 

The sporting, business and leisure activity undertaken by the Circuit of Navarra over the first six months of operations has caused an economic impact of €21.7 million in the Region of Navarre. The economic impact of this motor racing circuit is measured in terms of direct demand and the maintenance of over 140 direct and indirect jobs.

The announcement was made during a press conference held by Mr Jose Javier Esparza, Director of the Sports Institute of Navarre (under the auspices of the Department of Social Affairs, Family, Youth and Sports); Mr. Michel Ligonnet, Director General of the Circuit of Navarra, and Mr. Galo Álvarez, B+I Strategy Associate. The Circuit of Navarra has received a total of 125,000 visits since it opened its doors 19th June 2010.

 

 

Organized by Jesús Obrero Polytechnic Training Centre in Vitoria-Gasteiz (Alava), Igor Revilla spoke at this one-day workshop to detail B+I Strategy’s collaboration with the Alboan Foundation, an NGO which is promoted and backed by the Jesuits. In his presentation, Mr. Revilla particularly focused on the relationship between Social Corporate Responsibility (SCR) and the company model.

B+I Strategy’s experience served as a practical and tangible example during this workshop where participants also heard such speakers as Prof. Cristina de la Cruz, Professor of Ethics at the University of Deusto, Mr. Nacho Eguizabal, Director of Alboan, and Mr. Jose Antonio Abarca, Director of Jesús Obrero Polytechnic Training Centre.

 

On 16th February the Chairman of the Provincial Government of Gipuzkoa, Mr. Markel Olano, presented the Analysis of the Provincial Government of Gipuzkoa’s Management Plan for 2007-2011. Held in the Kursaal Congress Center in Donostia-San Sebastian, the event saw Mr. Olano announce to the public a summary of the work undertaken during the current legislature with the full support of all the members of the Provincial Government in attendance.

The 2007-2011 Management Plan of the Provincial Government of Gipuzkoa, developed with the support of B+I Strategy, is the first manifestation of the New Political Culture, and as Mr. Olano, Chairman of Gipuzkoa, called it: “the true motor of our legislature”. He went on to explain that the key to these last four years has been the ability to "put differences aside and focus on the matters that concern society".

Prior to Mr. Olano’s announcement, the deputy Chairman, Mr. Iñaki Galdos, acknowledged “the effort” of all the MPPs in defining the priorities of the legislature. His recognition of the team dynamic was expressed in terms of being “satisfied with” and “proud of” the achievements realized during this legislature, praising the performance of the external consultants in developing the Management Plan.

Mr. Olano’s overall assessment of the work accomplished within the Government of Gipuzkoa was highly favourable, which was based on the design and implementation of the Management Plan developed with the specific support of B+I Strategy. From the definition of main lines of action to the design of two anti-crisis plans aimed at mitigating the effects of the economic downturn, B+I Strategy’s direct contribution led to determining seven fundamental challenges which Gipuzkoa would have to resolve in order to continue to advance while maintaining social well-being.

 

On 14th January, the Provincial Government of Gipuzkoa presented a case study entitled: "The Change in the Political Culture of Regional Governments" carried out by B+I Strategy under the supervision of Göran Roos, Professor of Innovation Management at Aalto University in Finland.

The study takes an in-depth look at the change in political culture in Gipuzkoa. Research entailed combining statistics and analysis, as well as interviews with a number of politicians and civil servants from within the Government of Gipuzkoa. Also interviewed were a number of players from the sectors of finance, university and business in the Basque province of Gipuzkoa.

Some of the challenges addressed in the study are how to survive the economic crisis, guarantee competitiveness in companies and set up university networks and networks for international research. The improvement of social capital must also be highlighted, along with the development of cultural change and the definition of the identity of Gipuzkoa.

Following the presentation, a round-table discussion was held, which included among others: Arantxa Tapia, Xabier Barandiaran and Edurne Egaña (all from the Provincial Government of Gipuzkoa); Jokin Bildarratz (Mayor of Tolosa and President of Eudel-the Association of Basque Municipalities); Eduardo Zubiaurre (President of Adegi-the Employers' Association of Gipuzkoa); Jose Miguel Ayerza (General Secretary of Adegi); Jon Azua (e-Novating Lab); Jesus Mari Herrasti (MCC); Pedro Esnaola (President of the Chamber of Commerce of Gipuzkoa); Xabier Iturbe (President of Kutxa); Cristina Uriarte (Vice-Chancellor of the Basque Public University UPV-EHU); Kepa Korta (Donostia Plan Estrategikoa); and Jonan Fernández (Director of Baketik).

Article in El Diario Vasco (1)
Article in El Diario Vasco (2)
Article in El País
Article in Noticias de Gipuzkoa
Article in ABC

*Please note all articles are in Spanish 

 

B+I Strategy has had the pleasure of receiving a visit from Regina Pacheco, professor with the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the purpose of which was to participate in the public presentation of the “caso Gipuzkoa” (Gipuzkoa Case).

Ms Pacheco holds a Master’s in Urbanism and Urban Development, as well as a PhD in Urban Development and Environment from the Université Paris 12. Professor Pacheco actively participated in the modernization of the Brazilian Federal Government during the mandate of President Cardoso, when she collaborated with Minister Bresser-Pereira.

Additionally, Professor Pacheco shared with us some of her experiences in an in-house session, and observations having to do with challenges to modernization of governments and the management of public policies.

Furthermore, via a round of visits organized by B+I Strategy, Professor Pacheco had the opportunity of exchanging experiences and impressions with the leading people in charge of the modernization of some of the Public Administrations in our area.

See Regina PACHECO’s CV (Portuguese)