Series of talks with high-level executives

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On November 13th and 14th, 2019, the international crew of the “IBM” (International Business Management) master's program attended a series of talks with high-level executives in two different countries, Slovenia and Italy. The excursion was led by FH-Prof. Dr. Dietmar Sternad and Mag. Katarina Gutownig Fürst, Senior Lecturer for Slovene Language.

The trip started off with a talk on one of the most recognised clothing companies in in South East Europe, Sportina Group, with headquarters located in Slovenia, where the students had the opportunity of sharing a coffee and having a very detailed chat with Miha Drganec, Ines Naka and Miha Rozman, Chief Sales Marketing Officer, Chief Operations Officer and Chief Controlling Officer, respectively. The students had a series of particular questions regarding business challenges, marketing and the development of the business in the region, which were discussed during the visit. After seeing Sportina´s yearly collection, the “IBM team” moved on to their second destination in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
In Ljubljana, IBM students met with representatives from the global technology company IBM, where they had a private conversation with technology experts in matters of artificial intelligence, the future of technology in business, and how IBM is constantly interested in the development of their own people. The hosts were high-level members of the company´s management in Slovenia and the CEE/SEE region, Nevenka Oštarjaš (HR Workforce Partner CEE), Ram Dušić Hren (Solutions IT Architect),  Matej Lavrič (Strategic Programs and Services Development Leader), Peter Geršak (CTO for SEE) and Maja Stopajnik (COO and CFO of IBM Slovenia).

Typical meals and walking tours were not missing during the trip, and the night was spent in Piran, at the beautiful coastline of Slovenia, with wonderful views and amazing landscape, where students had the opportunity of enjoying the night and dinner in this magnificent corner of the world.
During the second day, the students visited Wärtsilä in Trieste, Italy. The company is a global leader in power solutions for the marine and energy markets. Everyone had the chance to take a close look at the production processes. The presentation was led by Carlo Pestelli (R&D Manager) and Pietro Zancai (GM Strategic Purchasing), who were both very passionate about their the subjects and shared detailed explanations of their own views of the company.

The trip was concluded with a trip to Generali Group, located in the heart of the city of Trieste, in a beautiful location full of history, in which we had close conversation with Alessandro Cicuttin (Human Resources Manager), who provided the students with a wider panorama of the values and vision of the company, followed by Andrea Mazzetti (Head of Historical Archives), who together with Silvia Stener led an outstanding tour through the building, showing and explaining the history behind it.

Time is never enough when surrounded by inspiring companies led by high level professionals, aside to beautiful landscapes. Thank you for all of those involved in the journey, colleagues and leaders who devoted time to nourish the IBM professional experience.

Chris Annette Pineda Aguirre