Experts from London Stock Exchange Group and EGADE Business School share their vision of the role of the Data Scientist, within the EGADE Future Forum webinar series.

By ASTRAYA RODRÍGUEZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

The impact of data analytics on strategic organizational decisions is becoming increasingly dominant.

The Cloud, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Deep Learning, to mention a few, are disruptive technologies that are here to stay, and, according to Erick Caballero, Commercial Director at London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), their development will become even more exponential over the next few months.

According to a study conducted by his firm, 40% of organizations are considering doubling their investment in the areas of data science and artificial intelligence, the expert explained during the webinar “Intelligence in the digital era” of the EGADE Future Forum series.

Moreover, Jacob Escobar, Director of the Master in Business Analytics, EGADE Business School, commented that the role of the Data Scientist has also evolved and become a crucial strategic piece for driving the accomplishment of key business objectives.

The Data Scientist community, Caballero added, has grown 260% in the past two years, reflecting the relevance it has gained in organizations.

“The greatest challenges for this community were the available technology, finding talent and the lack of investment for these projects. Today everything has changed; the pandemic has been a catalyst for this area. We are witnessing developments that weren’t expected for another five to ten years, reduced to months owing to the urgent need for virtualization,” he said.

Technology is already here, and human intervention is indispensable, Caballero considered.

“Human creativity and strategic capacity are extremely difficult to program. An analytic, leading and multidisciplinary profile is crucial for data interpretation and strategy creation,” he assured.

Both experts agree that the COVID-19 crisis will continue to accelerate the implementation of disruptive technologies in organizations, growing the need for competent leaders with a comprehensive vision that combines strategy and technology.

Listen to the complete chat here.

The book, launched by publisher Editorial Digital del Tecnológico de Monterrey, can be found on Amazon, Apple Books, and Google Play.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Alex Iván Suárez Regalado, a student from the EGADE - UNC Charlotte MBA in Global Business & Strategy program, published a new book on the state-of-the-art of Lean philosophy, which is now available on diverse digital platforms.

The book, titled Estrategia y operaciones esbeltas. Camino directo a la sobrevivencia y desarrollo de nuestras empresas, was coauthored with Alberto Eugenio Novau Dalmau and launched by the university’s own publisher, Editorial Digital del Tecnológico de Monterrey.

This work focuses on the conceptualization of a Lean Manufacturing implementation model, structured on the basis of the Toyota production system.

“The proposal is to appreciate the Lean philosophy as a key strategy for operational development and enhancement aimed at maximizing overall organizational effectiveness orientated towards the principle of perfection,” Suárez Regalado affirmed.

The coauthors have experience in the industry and in the area of theoretical knowledge, as well as an extensive background in global enterprises in Latin America.

With this work, they seek to provide crucial knowledge and support to facilitate the satisfactory implementation of lean thinking through a logical, simple, and straightforward methodology comprised of six stages: Customer/Market, Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, Planning, Leadership, and Talent Engagement.

Apart from containing technical concepts for large companies, the book provides support for Latin American SMEs, as well as business people, entrepreneurs, senior management, administrative employees, operators, and all personnel interested in achieving progress within their work environment.

“Since companies initially define strategies and then follow transformative synergies applied to both the administrative and service levels, the need has emerged to contemplate lean thinking as the most promising philosophy for adopting a strategic guideline towards the growth of competitiveness and profitability.

“Endeavoring to manage lean operations at every level by means of a reduction or elimination of all the activities that do not add value to the product or service from the perspective of the end consumer is an executive priority. This will set our operations apart with lower costs, generate a strategic advantage for competing successfully in an increasingly demanding, globalized evolutionary setting, and, above all, allow us to assure the survival and sustained growth of our companies into the future,” Suárez Regalado explained.

The EGADE Business School student commented that the methodology presented in the book has been shared within Tec de Monterrey’s Lean certification program, implemented in the paint and automotive industries, and won recognitions, such as the CLAUT Prize 2016 from the Nuevo León Automotive Cluster.

Suárez Regalado earned a B.Sc. in Industrial and Systems Engineering at Universidad de Montemorelos and a Master’s in Quality Systems and Productivity at Tec de Monterrey. He is a certified Lean expert and has work experience in the higher education, health, automotive, mining, and government sectors, among others. He has co-authored chapters in several books and collaborated as an author on articles related to operations and the supply chain.

His new book is available on Amazon, Apple Books, and Google Play.

The Director of Tec de Monterrey’s Center for the Future of Cities has faith in Mexicans’ solidarity, joint responsibility, empathy and unity to overcome the challenges the country is currently facing.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

The Mexico of today faces several challenges but has the wherewithal to overcome them, considered Enrique de la Madrid, Director of the Center for the Future of Cities of Tecnológico de Monterrey.

In his conference “Mexico before the world and its conjuncture: What are we Mexicans going to do?”, the ex-Minister for Tourism, political analyst and speaker talked about the digital economy, the five crises that, in his opinion, Mexico is facing, and the need to build a more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable country for everyone.

De la Madrid said that today, beyond the constant changes, we are experiencing a profound change of era, marked largely by a collaboration-based economy.

“Platforms such as Facebook, which does not produce content; Airbnb, which does not own accommodation; or Uber, which does not have any vehicles or its own drivers, have grown exponentially, capitalizing on the work of others and collaborating with them,” he commented.

The speaker explained to Executive Education program participants and community members of EGADE Business School, Guadalajara, that the arrival of the pandemic accelerated digitalization.

“E-commerce, telework, telemedicine, and online education have all grown exponentially. Many people have been using digital processes with which they were previously unfamiliar,” he commented.

In this global context, he explained, the Mexico of today is facing five crises:

• A profound economic crisis: “In 2020, the economy suffered an annual contraction of 8.3%.”
• A social crisis that translates into greater poverty: “During the pandemic, the population who cannot afford the basic food basket grew from 36 to 45 percent.”
• A health crisis: “There have been 1.7 million cases of COVID-19 in Mexico and 150 thousand deaths, according to official reports, although the latter figure is estimated to be closer to 500 thousand.”
• A crisis in public security and rule of law: “The presence of the military has doubled, but so has the number of homicides. And Mexico is ranked 104th out of 128 countries in the World Justice Project Global Rule of Law Index 2020.”
• A governance crisis: “The federal government and many local governments have different visions. There is a lack of proper coordination between citizens and the government.”

According to De la Madrid, Mexico can overcome its challenges on the basis of its macroeconomic stability and entry into the global economy, as well as its demographic dividend, geographic position, and energy resources.

To achieve this, he said, Mexicans need to define a course towards the construction of a more inclusive, sustainable country that makes better use of technological progress.

“The only way out of this is through solidarity, joint responsibility, empathy, and unity. Without the minimum consensus, we’re doomed to failure. We must defend the values in which we believe, such as democracy, freedom, inclusion, and the search for truth,” he stated.

The complete conference given by De la Madrid can be viewed here.

José Tam, Vice-President of Digital Transformation at Softtek, and Raúl Montalvo, Director of EGADE Business School at Guadalajara site, participate in a webinar from the EGADE Future Forum series.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

“It doesn’t matter which strategic plan we have, it needs to be updated now,” urged José Tam, Vice-President of Digital Transformation at Softtek.

The executive warned during the webinar “Digital transformation in business”, from the EGADE Future Forum series, that the health measures to prevent COVID-19 from spreading have left permanent changes that will force companies to reset their strategies.

“The whole concept of the Low Touch Economy is something we have learned, because we, as individuals, consumers and executives, have changed our behavior, our way of buying, our way of interacting, and even the criteria we use for decision making,” he said.

Tam pointed out that in these times of pandemic, customers have learned that technology can be an ally.

“They are getting very used to self-service, to having digital channels available, in order to live their lives at home, with little interaction, endeavoring to protect their health as much as possible, and that’s why they are enthusiastic and willing to experience new business models,” he indicated.

He went on to explain that companies have learned to use more data and recognized the importance of capitalizing on the technology they have on hand.

“We have the opportunity to start over with a clean slate. A change in attitude requires a change in mentality, and, today, this is the greatest challenge companies face,” he stated.

Raúl Montalvo, Director of EGADE Business School at Guadalajara site, moderated the webinar which can be viewed in full here.

The President of the Mexican Business Coordinating Council (CCE) and graduate of EGADE Business School has been recognized by the world’s largest business school accreditation agency for his extensive career and inspiring work generating a positive impact on society.

By INSTITUTIONAL COMMUNICATION | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Carlos Salazar Lomelín, President of the Mexican Business Coordinating Council (CCE), was recognized in 2021 as one of the 25 Influential Leaders of the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), the world’s largest business school accreditation body.

This annual distinction is only awarded to outstanding graduates of the more than 870 AACSB-accredited institutions around the world whose inspiring work serves as a model for the next generation of business leaders.

Salazar Lomelín, who is also Chairman of the Board of the Undergraduate Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey, receives this recognition as a graduate of EGADE Business School and due to his extensive business, civic and academic career generating a positive impact on society.

“Carlos is a responsible business leader with a global vision and strong civic sense, deeply committed to training the future leaders that the transformation of Mexico and the world requires. It is an honor and a privilege to have extraordinary graduates like him in our community, who inspire us to be part of the solution to the great challenges we face, both in organizations and in our communities,” said Osmar Zavaleta Vázquez, interim Dean of EGADE Business School.

Caryn L. Beck-Dudley, AACSB Chairperson and CEO, added, “Carlos has inspired the world and is using business education to make a positive impact on society; our association is pleased to recognize him in the Class of 2021 Influential Leaders.”

In this respect, Salazar Lomelín stated: “It was a great surprise to find out about this recognition. As I always say, such awards seem undeserved since I don't act alone; whatever one achieves is the fruit of the work and dedication of many. I have surely received more from life than I deserve, so, in response, I must always follow the path of values, solidarity and the social dimension and share with the new generations."

Salazar Lomelín has extensive experience in the private sector, academia and social organizations.

Highlights of his career include being with FEMSA from 1973 to 2019, where he held various senior management positions in different subsidiaries, including CEO of Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma and CEO of Coca-Cola FEMSA.

He was also CEO of FEMSA from January 2014 to December 2017, where he promoted the growth of the commerce, health and fuel divisions. During his tenure, the company grew to have approximately 300,000 employees in 11 countries.

In January 2019, he was elected President of the CCE, taking office in February of that same year. Under his leadership, the body has launched key initiatives, such as the decalogue “The social dimension of companies”; a proposal to reform the Mexican Pension System; a call for a National Agreement to face the health contingency generated by the coronavirus in Mexico; and the creation of Agenda 2030 Working Groups in alliance with the Mexico Global Compact and the Office of the Presidency of the Republic.

Salazar Lomelín has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics (1973) and a EGADE Master's in Administration (1989) from Tecnológico de Monterrey, where he has been a Professor of Economics for more than 40 years.

Within the institution, in addition to Chairing the Board of the Undergraduate Business School, he has also played a key role in promoting Leaders of Tomorrow, a social impact program for training transformative leaders, focused on academically outstanding young people who require 100% financial support to complete their undergraduate degree at Tec.

The Class of 2021 Influential Leaders of AACSB comprises 25 graduates of 25 AACSB-accredited business schools in 15 countries, who share their passion and dedication to lead and innovate in their industries and impact their communities.

EGADE Business School has AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA accreditations, the “triple crown,” the highest recognition that a business school can obtain at an international level and that only 1% of the world’s business schools in the world can boast.

Learn more about the career and impact of Salazar Lomelín here.

Learn more about the AACSB recognition and the full list of 2021 winners here.

A businessman who graduated from EGADE Business School, Juan Francisco Beckmann Vidal is among five graduates that Tec de Monterrey honored this year for their extraordinary lives and careers with a humanistic outlook.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

Juan Francisco Beckmann Vidal, businessman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the José Cuervo Group and a graduate of EGADE Business School, was recognized with the EXATEC 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award.

With this award, Tecnológico de Monterrey honors alumni who, throughout their extraordinary lives and careers in different fields, have demonstrated a spirit of leadership with a humanistic outlook.

Beckmann Vidal graduated from the ITESM High School in 1960, from Tec as a Public Accountant in 1965 and from EGADE Business School with a Master’s in Business Administration in 1969.

He is recognized for transforming the tequila industry in Mexico, driving its presence in the world and being one of the greatest promoters of the designation of origin of the distillate.

In addition, he stands out for being a philanthropist committed to education, work, health, culture, sports and sustainable development.

"It is an honor to have studied high school, my undergraduate degree and a master's degree at Tecnológico de Monterrey, an excellent institution to which I have always been very proud to belong, where I have great friends and great memories," said Beckmann Vidal.

This year, the outstanding businessman was one of five graduates who received the 2021 EXATEC Lifetime Achievement Award, in a virtual ceremony held within the framework of the Tec's 2021 Board of Trustees Meeting.

From more than 300 nominations for the award, the graduates that this year complete the list of winners are: Jaime Lomelín Gavaldón (Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Industrial Engineering, 1985), swimmer; Elisa Guerra (Master’s in Education, 2008), educator; Eric Hágsater Gartenberg (Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Industrial Engineering, 1968), Chairman of Grupo Chinoin; and Gimena Peña Malcampo (Bachelor’s in Industrial and Systems Engineering, 1999), CEO of Pier2 Marketing.

The award ceremony was led by Rodolfo Rubio and Joaquín J. Lozano, Director of Alumni Relations. José Antonio Fernández, Chairman of the Board of Tecnológico de Monterrey, and David Garza, Rector and Executive President of Tec de Monterrey, gave congratulatory messages to the winning graduates.

The 2021 edition of EGADE U Week, the innovative Lifelong Learning initiative exclusively for EGADE Business School graduates, will take place from March 18 to 20 in online mode.

By INSTITUTIONAL COMMUNICATION | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

"Leadership starts in your mind," says Jacqueline Carter, International Partner and Director for North America of Potential Project, who over the past 10 years has focused on embedding mindfulness practices into daily corporate life.

The expert in mind training, leadership, and corporate culture will participate as a keynote speaker in the 2021 edition of EGADE U Week, the innovative Lifelong Learning initiative exclusively for EGADE Business School graduates, which will take place from March 18 to 20 in online mode, under the theme "Empowering the Leader's Mind".

Carter will provide the tools to help leaders focus on the core mind qualities they need to unlock their potential and of their organizations.

The co-author of The Mind of the Leader holds a Master of Science in Organizational Behaviour. Carter has over 20 years of experience supporting organizations through large scale change, and has held a wide range of leadership and consulting roles across a range of industries including Transportation, Oil and Gas, Insurance and Government.

With Potential Project, a global leader in mindfulness-based organizational and leadership development programs, Carter has helped companies such as Accenture, Cisco, LEGO, Microsoft and Unilever improve performance, innovation and resilience through the understanding and training of Managers and Executives minds.

In interview, Carter explains the important role that the mind plays in leading more effectively.

Why start with your mind to improve your leadership?

“We conducted a 2-year research study, to find the strategies for great leadership in the 21st century. We interviewed 250 C-suite executives from Microsoft, Google, McKinsey, LEGO and more, assessed 35,000 leaders and trawled through thousands of studies on leadership. One of our key findings was that leadership starts with yourself. More specifically, it starts in your mind.”

“By understanding how your mind works, you can lead yourself effectively. By understanding and leading yourself effectively, you can understand others and be able to lead them more effectively. And by understanding and leading others more effectively, you can understand and lead your organization more effectively—and by ‘more effectively’, we mean in a way that’s going to tap into your own and your people’s intrinsic motivations and sense of purpose.”

“If you’re able to do that—and we have witnessed that with practice and persistence, anyone can—you’ll have a more engaged and productive workforce. And perhaps more importantly, you’ll be part of creating more happiness, stronger human connectedness, and better social cohesion within and beyond your organization.”

What are the core “mind” qualities you mention that leaders need to train, and why?

“Our research found that three key mental qualities stand out in great leaders: mindfulness, selflessness and compassion.”

“Mindfulness provides leaders with a stellar focus on the task at hand enabling high productivity. But equally, it provides an ability to be truly present with people, clients and stakeholders. Presence in leadership creates better connectedness and loyalty and enables the qualities of selflessness and compassion.”

“Selflessness is the opposite of ego-centeredness. A selfless leader is more concerned with the interest and needs of his or her people, organization and society at large, than of his or her own needs and desires. Selflessness increases engagement and creativity.”

“A compassionate leader has the wellbeing and happiness of his or her people in mind and always looks for way of improving it. People with compassionate leaders know that they have their back and as a result, trust and cohesion thrives.”

“In addition to our own research, a growing body of scientific evidence corroborates that these three qualities make for leadership that enables better organizational performance, health, social cohesion, and trust.”

Do you have any examples of what these qualities look like in action?

“A mindful leader is present with people. They refrain from multitasking and do not check their phone when speaking with you. They are able to cut through the clutter of daily challenges and have mental space for creative thinking.”

“A selfless leader is one who praises the team for successes and takes responsibility for setbacks. They speak in terms of ‘we’, ‘you’ and ‘us’ as opposed to ‘I’, ‘me’ and ‘mine’. They notice the contributions of people in their organizations and take time to express gratitude.”

“A compassionate leader is one who seeks to be of benefit to others. They ask questions like ‘what can I do to help you today?’ They also do not hold back from giving tough feedback towards helping someone else realize more of their potential. They are also willing to make tough but wise decisions about people and are sure to execute with extreme care and kindness.”

More information about EGADE U Week 2021, here.

La Cosita Chula, a platform co-founded by a Full-Time MBA in Innovation & Entrepreneurship alumna, wins second place in the third edition of the program.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

In its third edition, Emergente, the Citibanamex Social Commitment and Impact Hub Ciudad de México program to foment and support the best social entrepreneurship projects in the creative industries, awarded a prize to La Cosita Chula, a platform that promotes the Mexican artisan industry, co-founded by EGADE alumna Mónica Camacho.

The enterprise created by the Full-Time MBA in Innovation & Entrepreneurship graduate and her colleague Alfredo Fonseca won second place and a monetary prize of 75 thousand pesos of non-refundable seed capital to drive its growth.

“Creativity is inherent to the Mexican personality; using it to make a difference is our responsibility. It gives us great pride to be recognized as among the most creative entrepreneurship projects that are changing Mexico,” Camacho said.

Estos son los ganadores de la tercera edición de Emergente, el programa de impulso a emprendimientos creativos de Impact Hub y @CitibanamexCS ¡Felicidades! pic.twitter.com/gUT4vouUlB

— ImpactHubCDMX (@ImpactHubCDMX) January 30, 2021

La Cosita Chula is a platform that develops the artisan industry, working with over 100 artisans in the Mexican states of Nayarit, Oaxaca, Jalisco, Michoacán, Puebla, Tlaxcala, and Chiapas, by means of inclusive workplace practices and social impact strategies, combining innovation with everyday objects.

For the third edition of the Emergente program, more than 400 projects were received and six regional boot camps and two per category were held, from which the 10 finalists were selected, based on their business model, social impact, and creativity.

Subsequently, the finalists were given the opportunity to present their work on the Emergente Online Bazar and, on January 29, to appear before an expert jury, who selected the three winners.

The entrepreneurship projects that won first, second and third places were Nashun, La Cosita Chula, and Kuil Ecolápiz, respectively.