Three pieces of advice from the CEO of Heineken México to EGADE graduates

Submitted by egade on Tue, 06/19/2018 - 10:47
3 consejos del CEO de Heineken México a graduados de EGADE

Dolf van den Brink, Presidentand CEO of Heineken México, was invited to speak at the EGADE Business School Monterrey June 2018 Graduation Ceremony, where he shared three pieces of advice with the graduating students.

The Dutch-born executive highlighted lessons he had learned from his father and as Commercial Director of Bralima, Heineken’s subsidiary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the position he held prior to being appointed President and CEO of Heineken USA, and taking on his current role in Mexico.

“I would like to share three pieces of advice with you, drawn from difficult lessons I have learned, and that can help you at this important moment in your lives,” he stated.

Advice #1: “Go to difficult places”

“(Accepting the position in the Congo) has been the most difficult decision of my life so far, but it also turned out to be one of the best. At a very young age, in my early thirties, I took on responsibilities and opportunities that I would never have had in more developed markets. It was a challenge like no other. Living and working in a totally different culture truly shifts all your paradigms and changes your mentality. I am here today because of what I learned in the Congo, a difficult place.

“You are about to make momentous decisions about your career and can have a similar experience when someone gives you the chance to go to a difficult place or take a position that, on the surface, might not seem particularly attractive. What are you going to do? Reject it and choose the easy path? Or are you going to seize the opportunity to face up to many challenges that might be somewhat painful, but that could also be unique learning experiences?

“My advice is not to look for the perfect job but to go for the role that will give you the greatest chance to learn. Have faith in life and the opportunities it gives you,” he said.

Advice #2: "If you want to receive, first give”

Van den Brink mentioned that this is the advice given to him by his mentor on arriving at the African subsidiary.

“When they invite you to be a group leader, many people focus on performance, strategy, vision. Or, even worse, some people think it’s about being in charge and giving orders. In reality, being a leader is, more than anything, about looking out for your people.  Helping and supporting them. And when you put your heart into this, they will give that and more back to you. I learned this in the Congo.

“During my first few months there, I focused on the business and how poorly it was performing. The company was losing participation and money, and had been doing so for some time. However hard I tried to change things, nothing improved. But when I saw the people’s needs, the obstacles they faced, that was when the business began to change.

“For example, when I arrived there was so little money that practically none of the salesforce had vehicles to visit customers. They spent their own money on transportation and it took them ages to get anywhere. Without knowing how I would do it, I made a promise to them, that I wouldn’t rest until each of them had a small car or at least a motorcycle. It took me more than a year and a half, but I kept my promise. The team’s response was fantastic. Of course, it wasn’t just about a car, but also trust. In the end, our operation became one of the fastest growing in the company worldwide.

“Each of you has received a world-class education, many of you will lead teams at some point in your lives, so take the advice given to me by my mentor: if you want to receive, first give. Take care of your people, safeguard their wellbeing, support them and help them to grow. That’s how you will achieve great results,” he commented.

Advice #3: “Make this world a little bit better”

Van den Brink related that some years ago, his father became ill and died within three months from a brain tumor. It was the saddest period of his life, but, at the same time, he forged a special relationship with this father and they talked about important things they had never discussed before.

“I asked him: ‘Dad, what was your purpose in life?’ I thought he would laugh at me because it wasn’t the kind of topic he talked about. However, he looked at me very seriously and said: ‘I came here to make this world a little bit better.’

“I often saw how he used his position of privilege to make a difference. And not only in big ways, but also in little gestures, in meaningful ways. More than a thousand people attended his funeral, mostly young students and colleagues whom he had helped in hard times, people from the charities in which he participated. Even though he was leaving this world, he taught me a very important lesson in the last moments we spent together.

“I know that the question about the purpose in life is huge and intimidating. Should you worry about it now that you are so young and just starting out in your careers? When I started working, I did focus on performing well and being successful, and I’m sure that’s what you have in mind, but if you don’t take care of yourselves, you will be stuck in this stage of your lives forever.

“This is what my father taught me. He forced me to ask myself what is the greater good than the one I am serving, until I am serving beyond myself. We are all born with unlimited potential. But serving only yourself, accomplishing only success, won’t let you reach your full potential of the person you could be.

“Put into practice everything you have learned here at EGADE. This is an incredible place that has given you so much. Go out into the world, go to those difficult places that will teach you so much. Remember that if you want to receive, you must first give. And don’t forget that in the middle of all this success, you must try to find a way to make this world a little bit better,” concluded Van den Brink.

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EGADE drives the future of family business at the Global Family Business Summit 2025

Submitted by jose.paz on Mon, 05/19/2025 - 02:39

The international event explored family businesses' challenges and opportunities in times of transformation, transition, and trust.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Leadership, trust, legacy, and innovation were the core themes guiding dialogue among business leaders, academics, and entrepreneurial families from around the world at the Global Family Business Summit 2025, an international gathering jointly organized by the STEP Project Global Consortium (SPGC), the Institute for Entrepreneurial Families (IFEM), and EGADE Business School of Tecnológico de Monterrey.

Held from May 14 to 16 in Monterrey, the summit, under the theme "Evolution & Revolution: Transformation, Transition and Trust," served as a platform for connection and intergenerational exchange, driving the present and future of family businesses.

The welcome took place at the Expedition FEMSA building at Tecnológico de Monterrey, led by Horacio Arredondo, Dean of EGADE Business School; María Fonseca, Director of IFEM and Chair of the summit's organizing committee; and Andrea Calabró, Academic Director of SPGC.

“This summit brings together extraordinary voices from academia and family business and is a unique opportunity to generate bold ideas, meaningful connections, and lasting impact,” highlighted Arredondo in his welcome remarks.

LEGACY AND VISION: THE FORMULA FOR TRANSFORMATION

At the summit’s opening, José Antonio Fernández Carbajal, Executive Chairman of the Board and CEO of FEMSA, delivered the keynote speech "Evolving Families, Trusting Generations and Transformative Businesses," sharing his vision on the evolution of business families and their role in building transformative companies.

"From the perspective of our patrimonial shareholders, the key drivers of FEMSA’s long-term success are three: a long-term vision, awareness of our context, and continuity supported by clear governance," he stated.

Fernández Carbajal emphasized that "governance is the foundation for sustainable growth: it transforms intention into impact and ensures that decisions are made with clarity, consistency, and alignment."

He also stressed that "a well-defined structure enables organizational agility: it clarifies responsibilities, sets priorities, and strengthens execution."

He noted that a well-planned leadership transition is essential to ensure business continuity and preserve values.

“A transition is not just about preserving the legacy, but about ensuring the company is ready for the future,” he said.

In this process, he underscored three key factors: Knowledge Transfer, Entrepreneurship, and Trust.

The executive explained that knowledge transfer involves sharing both know-how, wisdom, and culture, ensuring that the next generation understands the “what” and the “why.”

Regarding entrepreneurship, he highlighted the importance of empowering new leaders to innovate and take ownership instead of simply maintaining the status quo.

On trust, he noted that it enables goal alignment through open dialogue and a shared long-term vision.

“Empowering the next generation is the bridge to a bright future,” he said, concluding with his transformation formula: “Transformation = Legacy + Vision.”

Transformation is not the end of a legacy — it’s how the legacy stays alive, with purpose and long-term focus,” said Fernández Carbajal.

ENCOUNTER AND DIALOGUE

The summit agenda included visits to family-owned companies such as Metalsa, Viakable, and Heineken México, which offered attendees an in-depth look at their legacy, culture, and future vision. The agenda also included an academic program featuring keynote conferences and research presentations at the EGADE Business School campus.

During parallel sessions, participating researchers from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, Japan, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Peru, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Sweden shared their valuable findings among peers.

Faculty from EGADE Business School, including Sascha Fürst, Jairo Orozco, Christiane Molina, Luciana Manfredi, and Hans Lundberg, contributed as moderators and presenters.

Keynote speakers also included Prasad Jayaraman, Americas Cyber Security Leader & Principal at KPMG US, who addressed the challenges and opportunities that technological innovation represents for the future of family businesses, and Justin Craig, Distinguished Professor at Tecnológico de Monterrey, who reflected on trust as a driving force for change in family business.

The Global Family Business Summit 2025 was held to celebrate the SPGC's 20th anniversary and EGADE Business School's 30th anniversary.

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EGADE Faculty Recognized in the 2024–2025 Professors Classification at Tecnológico de Monterrey

Submitted by jose.paz on Sat, 05/17/2025 - 11:46

Five faculty members were honored for their academic contributions and research commitment.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

As part of the celebration of the Professors' Day, five members of the EGADE Business School faculty were recognized in the 2024–2025 Professors Classification call of Tecnológico de Monterrey, an institutional recognition of academic talent and trajectory.

Iván Adolfo Valdovinos Hernández and Ricardo Murcio Rodríguez were recognized in the Professor classification, while José Antonio Núñez Mora, Isaac Lemus Aguilar, and Boyd Derek Cohen were recognized in the Research-Oriented Professor classification.

“Their work enriches our academic community and strengthens our school’s leadership in business education in Mexico, Latin America, and worldwide,” said Ernesto Amorós, Associate Dean of Faculty and Research at EGADE Business School.

This edition also highlighted the contributions of Professor Lucila Osorio Andrade and Professor Alfonso Ávila Robinson in their roles as EGADE Business School’s Faculty Classification representatives, as well as the Evaluation Committee of the Business School, for their dedication and commitment to this process, Amorós added.

This achievement reaffirms EGADE's commitment to academic excellence and developing conscious, innovative, and globally minded leaders.

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EGADE Business School Strengthens Global Academic Collaboration With EGAAC

Submitted by jose.paz on Tue, 05/13/2025 - 18:12
EGADE Global Academic Advisory Council

The EGADE Global Academic Advisory Council brings distinguished leaders in business education to support the school’s academic development and internationalization strategy.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

EGADE Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey is pleased to have its EGADE Global Academic Advisory Council (EGAAC), a strategic body composed of prominent academic leaders from world-class business schools.

The council is designed to support EGADE’s global academic collaboration and partnership strategy and to provide the dean and leadership team with insights, guidance, and support concerning the school’s academic development, particularly in relation to EGADE’s internationalization strategy.

The EGAAC contributes to the school’s strategic development by offering valued insights from its members in several key areas. These include global business education dynamics such as context, emerging trends, threats, and opportunities; best practices for attracting top international students and faculty; and developments in education innovation, especially around adopting disruptive technologies, including AI and AGI.

The council also fosters deeper engagement in global academic partnerships, including initiatives for faculty collaboration, student mobility, joint research, and strategic outreach.

Additionally, it facilitates peer-to-peer communication between EGADE’s leadership and their counterparts at member institutions to promote the exchange of best practices across all areas of impact.

“The EGADE Global Academic Advisory Council reflects our commitment to building bridges with the world’s top minds in business education,” said Horacio Arredondo, Dean of EGADE Business School. “We are honored to engage with academic leaders who recognize the relevance of our purpose: to rethink the future of business in order to drive sustainable development in Latin America.”

Members of the EGAAC are appointed for a three-year renewable term and were invited based on their exceptional leadership, extensive experience in business education and innovation, and prior engagement with Tecnológico de Monterrey or EGADE Business School.

EGAAC members:

  • David Bach, President & Nestlé Professor of Strategy & Political Economy, IMD, Switzerland
  • Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou, Dean, Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University; Richard P. Simmons Professor of Finance
  • Lourdes Casanova, Gail and Rob Cañizares Director, Emerging Markets Institute, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
  • Camino de Paz, Assistant Dean of Global Programs, Yale School of Management, Yale University
  • Catherine Duggan, Director, Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town (UCT)
  • Michael Fung, Director, Institute for the Future of Education (IFE), Tecnológico de Monterrey; Board Director, SkillsFuture Singapore
  • Leila Guerra, Associate Provost for Digital Lifelong Learning and Vice Dean (Education), Imperial College Business School
  • Jikyeong Kang, President and Dean, Asian Institute of Management (AIM); MVP Chair in Marketing
  • Wilfred Mijnhardt, Policy Director General, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University; Honorary Professor at Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University
  • Horacio Arredondo, Dean, EGADE Business School, Tecnológico de Monterrey

The council meets twice a year—in May and November—in a hybrid format. Between meetings, EGAAC members participate in thematic sessions with EGADE’s leadership team to share best practices in digital transformation, faculty development, and strategic outreach, further reinforcing EGADE’s position as a globally connected institution in business education.

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EGADE gathers global leaders at the 27th GNAM Deans & Directors Meeting

Submitted by jose.paz on Mon, 05/12/2025 - 16:56
EGADE reúne a líderes globales en la 27th GNAM Deans & Directors Meeting

Deans and directors from leading business schools worldwide share ideas on geopolitics, AI, sustainability, and the future of business education.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

EGADE Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey hosted the 27th Deans & Directors Meeting of the Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM) from May 8 to 10 in Monterrey, as part of its 30th anniversary celebration.

The meeting brought together deans and directors from 28 of the 33 member schools in this international network to discuss business education's significant challenges and opportunities in a changing global landscape.

Horacio Arredondo, Dean of EGADE Business School, and Jörg Rocholl, President of ESMT Berlin and Chair of the GNAM Steering Committee, delivered the welcome remarks.

“This network has been a true catalyst for our internationalization efforts. We are honored to welcome our global colleagues and friends in such a special year for EGADE. From Mexico, we connect with the world to rethink the future of business and its impact on sustainable development in Latin America,” stated Arredondo.

The program included strategic presentations by senior leaders of Tecnológico de Monterrey. Ignacio de la Vega, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Faculty and Internationalization, gave the inaugural keynote and shared the institutional vision in “Tecnológico de Monterrey Towards 2030”; Rafaela Diegoli, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, presented “Redefining Education: The Tec21 Experience”; Feniosky Peña, Vice President for Research, discussed the “Overview Tec Research Model”; and Carles Abarca, Vice President for Digital Transformation, spoke about “Adoption, Impact & Learnings of AI at Tecnológico de Monterrey.”

The agenda included strategic topics such as the geopolitical and economic context, the role of artificial intelligence in higher education, and sustainability in the future of business.

Roberto Durán, research professor at the School of Government and Public Transformation at Tecnológico de Monterrey, delivered the keynote “Geopolitical Context: North America’s Shifting Geopolitical and Economic Landscape: The Mexican Perspective”, where he described the U.S. and Mexican economies as “inseparable—like scrambled eggs.”

“A new bilateral agenda is prioritizing geopolitics over trade. If Mexico strengthens border security and immigration controls, geopolitical risk will decrease, and economic integration could deepen,” Durán explained.

Virtually, Aleksandra Przegalińska, Vice-Rector for Innovation and AI at Kozminski University, shared an overview of the EUonAIR alliance, focused on AI-powered innovation for a sustainable future.

The meeting also featured the panel “Geopolitical & Economic Context: GNAM Deans’ Perspectives,” moderated by Stefano Caselli, Dean of SDA Bocconi School of Management. Participants included Kerwin Kofi Charles, Indra K. Nooyi Dean at Yale School of Management; Luiz Brito, Dean of FGV EAESP; Catherine Duggan, Director of the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business; and Kai-Lung Hui, Acting Dean of HKUST Business School.

From various global perspectives, the deans agreed on the need to continue transforming business education in the face of volatility. Duggan proposed training students to operate under institutional risk: “We must prepare our students for scenarios like a sudden 20% currency devaluation.”

Charles added, “GNAM can help us build a resilient community to face global challenges. There are things we must do—regardless of who criticizes or promotes them—because they are the right thing to do.”

Hui raised concerns about the decline in academic mobility to Asia and emphasized the need to foster global exchanges as a countermeasure to academic isolation. He also highlighted the common challenge of ageing populations in developed countries and the potential role of younger regions such as Africa and the Middle East.

Attendees toured key spaces at the Monterrey campus, including Expedition FEMSA, the Innovation District, Mostla Lab, and the Rector’s Mural.

A lunch was hosted by EGADE MBA students who had participated in GNAM programs, providing an opportunity for dialogue with deans and directors.

On the final day, academic leaders discussed the future of GNAM and upcoming collaborative initiatives.

GNAM was founded in 2012 by an initial group of 12 schools, including EGADE Business School. Today, the network comprises 33 member institutions, connecting students, faculty, and alumni worldwide to foster innovation and deepen the understanding of shared global challenges.

With this meeting, EGADE Business School reaffirms its role as a global leader in business education and its commitment to academic innovation and international collaboration.

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Second Edition of the National Logistics Indicators Study Presented

Submitted by jose.paz on Fri, 05/09/2025 - 09:43
Presentan segunda edición del Estudio Nacional de Indicadores Logísticos

The analysis reveals a historic reduction in logistics costs and the incorporation of key metrics to strengthen the sector's competitiveness in Mexico.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Logistics competitiveness in Mexico took a significant step forward with the presentation of the second edition of the National Logistics Indicators Study, an initiative led by #SoyLogístico Asociación, Logística de México (LDM), and EGADE Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey.

The study was officially presented on May 7 in Mexico City, bringing together sector leaders to share key findings and identify opportunities for improving supply chain performance.

Participants included Eric Porras, National Director of MBA Programs at EGADE Business School; Virgilio Paniagua, Chairman of the Board at #SoyLogístico Asociación; and José Ambe, CEO of LDM.

“The National Logistics Indicators Study reaffirms our belief that through rigorous measurement and the adoption of best practices, it is possible to transform logistics performance in Mexico. This effort aims not only to diagnose challenges but also to spark strategic actions that strengthen the sector’s competitiveness in the face of current and future demands,” said Porras during the presentation.

Aimed at enhancing logistics competitiveness in Mexico, the second edition of the study analyzes key performance indicators across service, procurement, transportation, and finance. Data covers the years 2022 and 2023. This year’s edition included 51 participating companies, compared to 100 in the first edition.

Among the key findings, Mexico reduced its logistics cost to 8.5% of sales, significantly improving from the 9.8% reported the previous year. Operational efficiency also improved, with the Fill Rate indicator rising from 91% to 97%. Progress was recorded in the Perfect Order Rate, particularly in sectors such as automotive, construction, and logistics services, approaching the optimal value of 93% or higher.

However, the study also highlights important areas for improvement: only 16% of companies measure their logistics carbon footprint, underscoring the urgent need to incorporate sustainability as a core component of sector strategies.

The presentation also addressed warehouse utilization, recommending levels below 90% to avoid inefficiencies; the growing trend toward warehouse outsourcing; the importance of improving forecast accuracy; and the need to reduce logistics staff turnover, directly impacting operational continuity.

This year, the study introduced four new key indicators: forecast accuracy, warehouse outsourcing, logistics carbon footprint measurement, and logistics payroll costs—enabling a more comprehensive evaluation of the state of supply chains in Mexico.

The analysis was based on an online survey targeting companies across diverse industries, including members of #SoyLogístico Asociación, LDM business partners, and EGADE Business School.

Through this collaborative effort, EGADE Business School reaffirms its commitment to advancing the logistics sector in Mexico, promoting rigorous analysis, disseminating best practices, and training executives to lead more resilient, agile, and sustainable supply chains.

The 2023 National Logistics Indicators Study is available at ibso.mx/indicadores/, where an interactive dashboard allows users to explore the data in detail.

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EGADE drives global dialogue on impact and sustainability at the 21st Annual Social Entrepreneurship Conference

Submitted by jose.paz on Mon, 05/05/2025 - 08:04
Annual Social Entrepreneurship Conference

The event, which brought together academics from over 20 countries in Mexico City, featured the presentation of more than 65 research papers.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

The 21st Annual Social Entrepreneurship Conference, organized by EGADE Business School of Tecnológico de Monterrey in collaboration with IMD, took place from April 24 to 26 in Mexico City.

Jill Kickul, Distinguished Professor in Social Entrepreneurship at EGADE Business School, and Sophie Bacq, Professor of Social Entrepreneurship and Coca-Cola Foundation Chair in Sustainable Development at IMD, co-directed the event. Both welcomed participants alongside José Ernesto Amorós, Associate Dean of Faculty and Research at EGADE Business School.

Bringing together researchers and professionals from more than 20 countries, the event presented over 65 academic papers, addressing key themes in social entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability, and impact.

Faculty members from EGADE Business School participated actively in the program: Felipe Symmes, Sascha Fürst, and Alysha Shivji served as session chairs and presented their research, while Jill Kickul and Rajiv Maher also shared their academic work with the international community.

The program included keynote sessions by Pablo Muñoz (Durham University), Andrea Prado (INCAE Business School), Anna Kim (McGill University), and Greg Van Kirk (Collaborative Changemaking Labs).

Other featured activities included the “Bridging the Divide Between Social Entrepreneurship Scholars and Practitioners” panel; the “Path to Co-Leadership” panel by Ashoka Mexico and the launch of its Ashoka 2025 Impact Report, and a documentary screening and workshop led by the Stanford Social Innovation Review en Español magazine.

During the closing session, the best research papers were recognized: Alessia Argiolas and Hans Rawhouser received the Bold Theoretical Contribution Best Paper Award for “Dealing With Uncertain Social Impact: Evidence From Mini-Grids,” and Katrina Brownell, Sönke Mestwerdt, and Jill Kickul received the Best Empirical Paper Award for “Pitch Perfect: Emotional Appeals and Lender Decision-Making in Social Entrepreneurship.”

With this edition of the Annual Social Entrepreneurship Conference, EGADE Business School strengthens its leadership as a global platform for connecting research and practice in social entrepreneurship.

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Territorio Negocios: Smart Factories — From Industry 4.0 to 5.0

Submitted by jose.paz on Fri, 05/02/2025 - 17:42

Isaac Lemus and Alejandro Fuentes discussed Industry 5.0's main benefits and challenges, such as implementing new technologies, sustainability, safety, and a focus on the human factor.

By ISABELLA CASTAÑEDA RODRÍGUEZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

The new wave of technology, known as Industry 5.0, involves integrating elements beyond the digital tools of Industry 4.0 and introduces new challenges for companies.

In episode 202 of Territorio Negocios, Isaac Lemus, professor at EGADE Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey, and Alejandro Fuentes, Director of Digitalization at Prolec Energy, discussed this topic. Eduardo Aguiñaga, National Director of Full-Time Programs at EGADE Business School, hosted the episode.

All three agreed that Industry 4.0 brought a technological, economic, and social transformation that led to new products and services. According to Lemus, some of them were artificial intelligencebiotechnology, and nanotechnology.

Implementing these new technologies has delivered benefits to him. "It has allowed us to greatly improve on-site efficiency, increase process output, and most importantly, improve conditions for our colleagues on the plant floor," he said.

Industry 5.0 builds on the same foundation as 4.0, but it stands out for integrating a focus on the human factor, sustainability, resilience, and personalization, emphasizing critical thinking and creativity.

Challenges for industries include understanding new technologies, the impact on materials use, and ensuring information security.

"Here, we are relying on artificial intelligence solutions that allow us to accelerate detection, identify customer needs for solution modelling, and shorten the time we spend with the client designing and agreeing on product specifications," said Fuentes.

Territorio Negocios' whole conversation is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube.

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