Comenzamos nuestra visita a Inditex el día 6 de junio de 2008 a las 10,30 de la mañana. María, una de las directoras de Comunicación de Zara, nos estaba esperando. Nos explicó todo al detalle y pudimos preguntar a medida que se desarrollaba la visita no sólo a ella sino también a algunos empleados de Zara que amablemente nos explicaron algunos procesos.

Iniciamos la ruta por las oficinas centrales donde están todos los diseñadores, country managers y directores generales de Zara. Las instalaciones de Zara en la Coruña tienen unas dimensiones enormes y todos trabajan en un ambiente que parece relajante aunque estén delante de ordenadores que les envían información en tiempo real de lo que está pasando en cada tienda del mundo. Todo a su alrededor es blanco, con pocos muebles y espacioso, sin oficinas individuales. Esto permite el intercambio de información ya que la cercanía entre trabajadores facilita el movimiento de sillas con ruedas de una mesa a otra si quieren ver algo en los ordenadores de otros empleados. Los diseñadores ya están trabajando en las colecciones de la próxima temporada primavera - verano, no pudimos hacer fotos por el tema de la confidencialidad.

A través de las ventanas del edificio donde trabaja la mayoría de empleados se pueden ver las montañas y entra muchísima luz por las ventanas. El comentario general fue que era una oficina poco convencional, con un ambiente muy joven e informal. Además tienen el mar bastante cerca...

En la planta de abajo pudimos ver las tiendas piloto de Zara y Zara home, los escaparates, y la nueva tienda de Inditex (Uterqüe) que saldrá a la luz en verano. Todos pudimos entrar y ver los productos que nos gustaron bastante. Auguramos que tendrá también bastante éxito en la calle...Tendrá complementos de gama más alta a precios asequibles.

Por allí estaba Amancio Ortega trabajando con un equipo de empleados en una de las tiendas piloto. Parece ser que él está al tanto de todo, sabe qué colores se venden más, qué diseños hay para las nuevas colecciones, etc. Es, sin duda, un hombre que está al frente de su imperio. Según María es bastante cercano y le gusta trabajar en la sede de Inditex.

De allí pasamos a la fábrica y centro de logística. Nos sorprendió a todos ver el poco personal que trabajaba en la fábrica debido a la automatización de los procesos. En tres plantas tienen 500.000 metros cuadrados de instalaciones. Primero vimos cómo en un ordenador mueven las piezas de los patrones sobre la tela para poderla aprovechar al máximo. Desde allí envían la información a un ordenador conectado a una máquina que corta automáticamente las piezas. Varias capas de tela se colocan una sobre otra, se recubren por un plástico y se envasan al vacío para que una potente máquina con cuchilla comience el proceso de corte. María nos explicó que al sacar todo el aire  el bloque que forma la tela es tan duro como una tabla y las capas no se moverán permitiendo así un corte perfecto.

Estas piezas cortadas junto con todo lo necesario para el acabado de la prenda (botones, cremalleras, etc.), se envían a talleres cercanos a La Coruña (en Galicia y en Portugal) para que se cosan y cuando la prenda está completa es de nuevo enviada a las instalaciones de Zara. Este proceso suele tardar aproximadamente 48 horas.

Una vez que las prendas están preparadas, hay que plancharlas y pasar un control de calidad. Cada hora unas 7.000 prendas son procesadas en la fábrica. ¡Es impresionante la velocidad a la que trabajan!

Cada tienda recibe dos pedidos de prendas a la semana que salen de las instalaciones en la Coruña. Casi todo el sistema de envío es automático. En la Coruña reciben los pedidos que hace la encargada de la tienda por PDA. Ella conoce muy bien a su clientela y sabe qué colores, prendas, etc tendrán más éxito. En el centro de logística las prendas con percha ya preparadas cada una en su envoltorio de plástico se mueven por raíles que llevan un chip que las va dirigiendo a sus cajas correspondientes para hacer el envío. Las prendas finalmente van a unas cajas y se clasifican por país, ciudad y tienda. Pudimos ver prendas que iban a distintas partes del mundo como Madrid, México, Alemania o Dubái.

Las prendas que van dobladas llevan otro proceso. Unos empleados pasan un lector de código de barras y según el código, la prenda va ya a la caja correspondiente de la tienda que la ha pedido. En cada caja que va a una determinada tienda se ponen automáticamente todas las prendas correspondientes al pedido. ¡Parecía que las prendas "volaban" por la cinta transportadora!

Las cajas se transportan de manera que las que van a la misma ciudad y tienda irán en el mismo camión. Los camiones están preparados para llevarse las cajas dos veces a la semana. Fuera de Europa la mercancía se suministra por avión. Ellos trabajan con Air France y DHL y suelen usar el aeropuerto de Santiago de Compostela.

Nos pareció divertido que los empleados de cada equipo en el centro de logística llevan camisetas del mismo color para identificarse, además estaban sentados juntos en el comedor a la hora de la comida. El ambiente allí parece distendido y agradable a pesar del ritmo de trabajo que llevan a diario...

Al final de la visita nos fuimos todos a comer a un restaurante en el centro de la Coruña. Marisco, pescado, empanada, vinito Albariño...qué bueno! Hemos hecho una visita increíble a uno de los centros de logística más famosos del mundo.

We are pleased to announce the diversity conference that will take place next Thursday 12th June at 19.30 hrs in Maria de Molina A-205. The conference will be hosted by Nieves Delgado, VP of Sales at IBM and she will be talking about today's diversity issues in the society and business environments.

Bio of the Speaker:

Nieves Delgado López started working at IBM in 1988, where she held several posts as Sales Responsible for small and medium enterprices in the area of Personal Systems (PCD) of IBM EMEA. She was also Director of the Personal Systems area for Spain and Portugal. Nowadays, Nieves is Vice-President of the Systems Division at IBM in Spain, Portugal, Greece, Israel and Turkey. She graduated in Economics.

We look forward to seeing you next week!

 The program would be the following:

5th of June, leaving IE at 15:00 Madrid - A Coruña. Arrival in A Coruña at around 22:00. Dinner near by the hotel and walk around the city.

6th of June, 09:30 trip to Inditex. Visit until 13:00. Lunch in the city.

6^th of June, trip back to Madrid in the afternoon. The alternative is to go back to Madrid on the 7^th of June in the afternoon.

Inditex only allows a group of 20 people for the visit; therefore we have opened a doodle link (first come, first served). Sorry, but the group is already closed.

Once we know who is coming, we will send another doodle link for you to vote when you prefer to come back to Madrid. We will let you know the final decision ASAP in case you are not interested.  

Last week, on March 5th, IE Women in Business Club (IE WIB) organized, in collaboration with IE Finance Club, IE Net Impact Chapter and Club de Emprendedores Colombianos, a conference on Microfinance.

The conference started with a financial course on microfinance institutions, their target (self-employed poor, especially women, who have little or no access to formal credit), risks, assets and empowerment, conducted by Prof. Gutiérrez.

Marcela Torres Córdoba, IMBA08, Vice-President of IE Net Impact Chapter and of Club de Emprendedores Colombianos, illustrated the key concepts with her own microcredits project in Colombia.

Please, visit IE WIB Blog to read the article on this event and post any comments.

IE Women in Business in cooperation with the IE Finance, IE Net Impact Chapter and Colombian Entrepreneurs Clubs are delighted to invite you to the conference: "MICROFINANCE. The world of microloans: a women's world".

Microfinance refers to the supply of small amount loans, savings, and other financial and non-financial services to low income people. Microfinance programs have generally targeted poor women. It is an activity that has grown above the average of the industry and we invite you to find out about its origins, development and the reasoning behind the target segment and its high performance indicators.

Speakers:
Tomás Gutiérrez Pérez, Professor of Finance at IE Business School. Tomás will tell us about the history and background of the Grameen Bank, founded by Muhammad Yunus. He will explain why this is a women's world, the evolution of microloans and the future of Microfinance.

Marcela Torres, IMBA 2008 Student. A practical example. Marcela has done extensive research in this field and has launched a project in Colombia. She will tell us about her experience and how she has contributed to help women building successful businesses in Colombia.

When: Wednesday 5th March 2008
Venue: Aula Magna (María de Molina, 11)
Time: 6.30 pm (duration: 1.5 hours)
The conference will be held in English.

40% of Lehman Brothers belongs to its employees; that is the reason why they always want to hire the best talent. They have a strong culture in which they appreciate difference and diversity.

Working in Investment Banking must be your personal choice, but if you want to try, they will be more than willing to help you.

With programs such as ENCORE, and a variety of mentoring opportunities, they are sure to recruit and retain the best talent.

If you would like to learn more about this event CLICK HERE to go to the Diversity Blog. On February 1st, Dalina Leonor published an interesting post about it.

You are cordially invited to attend

Representatives from the Capital Markets and the Investment Banking Divisions will be hosting a panel and networking function exploring career opportunities for Women in the Investment Banking industry. (Lehman Brothers is a bulge bracket bank truly concerned about 'women diversity'.)

Four representatives from Lehman Brothers offices in London and Madrid will host this networking event. It is a unique opportunity to discuss women's careers in banking, and to talk with some of the female professionals already working in the investment banking sector.

We will discuss issues such as:
- What is it like to work in the investment banking sector?
- Work/Life balance issues
- Opportunities for women executives

Date: Thursday, 31st January
Venue: Aula Magna
(Business Attire is required)

Time: 5.00 – 7.00pm
5.00-6.00 pm presentation + Q&A
6.00-7.00 pm: networking cocktail

PLEASE RSVP BY DATE TO: wib@ie.edu

Professor Puyol introduced Ms. Charmaine Eggberry, RIM's VP and Managing Director for EMEA, with some demographic data. In 10 years time, the labour force landscape in Spain will be very different:

- More young employees
- More immigrants (qualified and non qualified)
- OIder workers working more years
- More women...

Despite her optimism, Ms. Eggberry put an alarming data on the table; 6 years ago 20% of people joining technological positions were women, nowadays only 7%! But there are things a responsible company can do: Blackberrywomentechnologyaward.com

On the other hand, “to manage a company with a 20% growth every three months, globally” is not easy but a wise combination of intellect and passion along with focus, focus, focus can help... If you would like to discuss this Top Executive's innovative ideas, go to the Diversity blog where Paula Álvarez has published a post on January 23.

Dear all,

The IE Women in Business Club is delighted to forward you the invitation from IE MET for the Conference “IT & WOMEN BUSINESS LEADERS” that will take place tomorrow at our School. Please, follow the instructions to register.

MET is a training program designed to encourage high potential women to enhance their business leadership skills through communication and academic inquiry.

The Conference will be held in English.

"IT & WOMEN BUSINESS LEADERS"

The event will take place TOMORROW, Tuesday, 22nd January at 18.30h. AULA MAGNA

Speaker: Ms. Charmaine Eggberry, RIM's VP and Managing Director for EMEA, will talk about challenges in high growth technology-driven business that frequently transcend gender, role and industry. Her intervention will be followed by questions from the audience.

R.S.V.P. / Previous reservation by email required :
ENVIAR EMAIL / SEND EMAIL TO met@ie.edu

Cara a cara con el headhunter. Un caso real
Objetivos: La sesión girará en torno al análisis de dos entrevistas reales grabadas con anterioridad. Dichas entrevistas serán la base del debate entre el Director de Recursos Humanos, el Headhunter y el Director de Carreras Profesionales del IE. Nuestros expertos diseccionarán las entrevistas con el objetivo de resaltar los aspectos positivos y negativos que se producen en el desarrollo de las mismas. Es una oportunidad única de asistir como espectador y no como protagonista a uno de los momentos más decisivos en la Gestión del Cambio en la Carrera Profesional.
Ponentes : D. Francisco Cerdá, Director de Carreras Profesionales del IE Business School. Contaremos, asimismo, con directores de recursos humanos de algunas de las empresas más relevantes en nuestro país. Introducirá y moderará la sesión Dª Lucía Crespo, MBAP 2005 por el IE Business School, coordinadora del IE Women in Business (IEWIB) de la Asociación de Antiguos Alumnos del IE.

Lugar: IE Business School. Aula Magna. María de Molina, 11 Madrid
Fecha: Martes, 27 de noviembre de 2007. 19:30 horas.
Fecha límite inscripción: Martes, 27 de noviembre de 2007. Para inscribirte envía un mail a:met@ie.edu

Con esta quinta sesión el IE Women in Business (IEWIB) da continuidad al ciclo de encuentros para la reflexión y el debate sobre la Gestión del Cambio Profesional. Estos encuentros recorren todo el "ciclo de vida" del proceso de cambio desde la decisión, hasta la consecución del objetivo profesional. El ciclo de conferencias combina talleres prácticos con experiencias de primera mano de directivas y directivos del máximo nivel, profesionales de diferentes sectores.
Después de la sesión, se servirá un cocktail.

Puedes encontrar más información sobre este ciclo de conferencias en:http://alumni.ie.edu/usr/aulas/aula.asp?aula=Mujeres&seccion=ACTIVIDADES&pastilla=clubes

Dear WIB members,
On June 29th around 6pm (Friday), EPWN presidents from around Europe will be at Instituto de Empresa for a networking reception. These are 20 women who hold senior positions wihin their organizations throughout Europe and could help you in your future job search whether in Spain, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, England, Sweden, etc....please find the presidents and local city networks at http://www.europeanpwn.net/city-networks/
All WIB members have been invited to come network and get to know these women. We would like to get an idea of how many people would be interested in attending this event. Please send us a quick email to wib@ie.edu to confirm your interest.
Thanks & regards,

Spanish version below

Estimadas miembros del Club de Mujeres
El viernes 29 de Junio alrededor de las 6.00 pm, Presidentes Europeos de EPWN visitarán Instituto de Empresa para una evento de networking. Contaremos con la participación de 20 mujeres con altos cargos dentro de organizaciones y empresas alrededor de Europa. Estarán aquí para ayudarte en la búsqueda de tu futuro empleo en los siguientes países: España, Francia, Países Bajos, Bélgica, Dinamarca, Italia, Reino Unido, Suecia... etc. En la página de EPWN puedes encontrar una lista de los presidentes y sus networks locales en cada ciudad. http://www.europeanpwn.net/city-networks/
Todos los miembros del Club de Mujeres estais invitadas para conocer y hacer networking con estas ejecutivas. Nos gustaría saber cuanta gente estaría interesada en atender al evento, así que envíanos un mail a wib@ie.edu para confirmar tu interes.
Muchas gracias
Saludos

Find enclosed the summary regarding the conference offered by Sonia Fernandez, Managing Director of Match.com. Due to the exams many of you could not do it. You can read this and take notes...

Dalina, Mary Margaret and Marion, coordinators of IE’s Women in Business Club (WIB) along with Juan Diaz-Andreu, our IT and Entrepreneurship professor, organized this event with Sonia Fernandez, the author of “Dos Grados: Networking, cultiva tu red virtual de contactos.” A great book that describes the best practices of the art and ability that every manager who wants to reach top positions should be an expert on.

Professor Juan introduced Sonia and referred to the article of Herminia Ibarra, OB professor at Insead, who points out three types of networks that are equally important for business: operational, personal and strategic. The first two relate to daily work and personal life contacts, while the last one relates to those contacts that allow you to continue to develop professionally. They require an extra effort but, “these are the networks that people often use when they want to make a career move”.

As an experienced MBA from Standford University, Sonia Fernandez started her conference with an incontestable statistic: only 20% of job offers are advertised in the press, internet or other media. This means that 80% are managed some other way. She also discussed culture differences. For some cultures, using personal networks to get things is perceived negatively, but for other cultures it is clearly the way to go.

But do you really need to build such networks? Even though you are clever, experienced, and hold a master degree from a prestigious international school? YES YOU HAVE TO.

Sonia explained the importance of “connectivity” and “social capital,” two basic terms coined when talking about networking. She also explained the well-known concept “Six degrees of separation.” She decided to call her book “Two Degrees” or “Dos Grados”, revealing the further revolution that the internet has brought to personal and professional relationships. We are even more closely connected than ever before.

Based on Sonia’s opinion, it is difficult to keep more than 250 contacts or people who would return your phone call if you left them a message. It does not have to be so difficult to:

1. Manage to have a lunch from time to time with someone that can be the touchstone of your strategic network.

2. Try to put people in touch who you know would benefit from knowing each other.

3. Keep an agenda!

4. Attend conferences and other activities.

5. Do not use the network only when you need it.

Therefore, suggestions are to:

1. Build up your networking diagram: Build a list of the contacts with name and surname who would return your phone calls.

2. Make networking a part of your daily routine and work in advance: Keep your CV in shape. If you are an entrepreneur, do not wait to polish your business plan the night before your unexpected appointment with your angel investor.

3. Do not look for excuses: “I am shy”: Everybody is shy! “I do not have time”: Make time!

4. Do not put anybody in uncomfortable situations: “You told me you would introduce me to…”

5. Do not get anxious: Professional life is a cycle. Sonia explained to us that in the late nineties, during the dotcom crash, many people became unemployed, and those who got a job first were probably those who managed to keep calm. Do not worry that your friends get a job before you. It is irrelevant!

6. Do not forget the person who helped you: even though you most likely did not get the job through him or her.

7. Do not promise what you cannot do.

8. Do not make someone feel unimportant.

9. Take a risk! Meet new people. In some cultures people usually ask, “Who is going? Nobody I know? Then I do not want to go…” NO!! It is better if you do not know anybody, you will meet new people. Besides, many people are there in the same situation; they do not know anybody either.

10. Develop your hobbies and join associations related to your interests: If none exist, create them!

11. Be a host!: Be a connector and share different networks.

12. Request advice from people you admire.

13. Give first, you will receive later.

Juan finished this brilliant exposition with a very practical wrap up:

Accept your imperious need of networking.
Relocate your time.
Read the book and follow the instructions… if she asks you to close the book and draw your social diagram, Do it!
Invest and get used to not getting a return from anyone.
Be special, a hand written letter can make the difference.
Do not ask for job but for advice… the business world is full of egos.
Join the Alumni Association and be active. Join other Associations such as the “Ryder Club”.
Yes, we know that Sonia and Juan said only obvious things, but among their “dos” and “do not’s,” all the attendees agreed they had found at least ten ways to improve their network."

Following students' requests, we are delighted to invite you to our next conference focused on: "how to do effective networking in the business environment." For this conference, we have invited Sonia Fernández, Country Manager of Match.com Spain.
AGENDA
19.00 - 19.05 Objective of today's event by WIB Members.
19.05 - 19.20 Introduction and presentation of Sonia Fernández, GM Match.com by Juan Diaz-Andreu, Professor at IE
19.20 - 20.00 Sonia Fernandez Networking Presentation and Dos Grados book introduction 20.00 - 20.45 Q&A

ROOM S-001 (Serrano 105).
Conference will be done in English
If you wish to register, please send an email to wib@ie.edu.

SPEAKER BACKGROUND
Before joining Match.com, Sonia worked in the strategy group of Prisacom (Internet division of media group Prisa). Prior to that, she was one of the founders of MercadoLibre (Internet auction site), starting its operations in Spain in January 2000. Sonia’s background is in investment banking, where she worked in the Corporate Finance group of Lehman Brothers in both London and New York. She is also experienced in private equity, having worked at 3i in Spain. Sonia earned a BA in Business from ICADE (Spain) and an MBA from Stanford University. She has published a book about networking called, “Dos grados networking: cultiva tu red virtual de contactos” and is currently the President of the Stanford Alumni Association in Spain, as well as a member of the International Women Forum. Sonia is married and has a daughter.

Dear all,

It is a pleasure to invite you to the third conference organized with highly prestigious speakers within the ie Mentor program in the framework of LiderA.

The conference will take place on March 22nd on the theme "Can an executive career be planned?"

Objectives: The conference will debate some of the issues faced in an executive career including what skills are needed to grow within a company to management positions and if there are differences between the needs and ambition of women and men. We will also address the need for mobility in global organizations, managing families and personal lives and discuss other topics that are part of the choices one has to make to successfully reach the top of organizations. An open debate will follow the presentation of the speaker.

Speaker: Ms. Isabel Linares, President of the Sanitas Foundation, member of Sanitas’ Board of Directors and member of IHI Danmark Board of Directors.

Place: Instituto de Empresa. Aula Magna. María de Molina, 11. Madrid
Date: Thursday, March 22nd 2007. From 19:30h to 21:00h.
Registration until: TODAY!!! Friday, March 16th 2007.

Seats are limited; please confirm your attendance to Corinne.Huber@ie.edu
The conference will be held in English.

Download fileTO READ THE SPEAKER´S CV

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When: February 28th 19:00 – 21:30 (wine reception to follow)
Where: Hotel “Rafael Hoteles - Ventas”
C/ Alcalá 256
Who/ What: A Discussion with María Calvo, Country Manager, eBay Spain International

Cuando: 28 Febrero 19:00 – 21:30 (recepción con vino)
Donde: Hotel “Rafael Hoteles - Ventas”
C/ Alcalá 256
Ponente: Charla con María Calvo, Country Manager, eBay Spain International

Please join us for a presentation and dialogue with María Calvo, Country Manager of eBay Spain Int, an ONLINE AUCTION SITE WITH PRESENCE AROUND THE WORLD.

María Calvo (Hueca, 1965Has been the Country Manager of Ebay Spain for six years, Ebay is the auction site where millions of people get meet daily to buy and sell all types of products while taking advantage of multiple options and big opportunities. She will speak on how, in a changing world and in a company where women hold more managerial responsibility now more than ever, mobile technology helps to achieve a better work/life balance.

There is an entrance fee of 5 Eur for IE Students.

PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE AT WIB@IE.EDU
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Únete a nosotros, en la conferencia magistral y charla en la que nos acompañará la Directora General de eBay en España, María Calvo.

María Calvo (Hueca, 1965 es Country Manager of Ebay Spain durante seis años, Ebay la página de subastas donde millones de personas se encuentran cada día para comprar y vender todo tipo de productos aprovechándose de las opciones múltiples y grandes oportunidades. Se hablará de como en un mundo que cambia constantemente y en una compañía donde las mujeres tienen mayor responsabilidad como gerentes, la tecnología móvil contribuye a mejorar el balance entre la vida personal y profesional.

Entrada de 5 Eur para estudiantes de IE

POR FAVOR CONFIRMA TU ASISTENCIA EN WIB@IE.EDU

The WoMen in Business Club is organising our next event around the theme of wine. We are offering you a wine tasting event comparing the two most popular Spanish' Denomination of Origin : Rioja vs Ribera del Duero.
The date Wednesday 21st February 2007. The event will start around 19.30 hrs and will last for 1.30 hrs.
The price will be around 30 Euros per person. This includes the following:

El Club WoMen in Business está organizando nuestro próximo evento sobre el vino español. Os ofrecemos una cata de vinos comparando dos de las Denominaciones de Origne más populares en España: Rioja vs Ribera del Duero
La fecha será el próximo Miercoles 21 de Febrero de 2007.El evento empezará sobre las 19.30 hrs y tendrá una duración de 1.30 hrs.
El precio estará alrededor de 30 euros por persona e incluye el siguiente programa:

Wine Tasting RIOJA vs. RIBERA DEL DUERO with the following programme:
- Principles and Sensorial Analysis. Methodology of the of the wine tasting
- Red wines and its elaboration
- Parallel tasting of young wines, breeding wines, reservas and grandes reservas from both Denomination of Origin.
(8 wines in total)
- Visual Phase.
- Aromas: Primary, Secondary and Terciary
- Tasting sensations: evaluation and equilibrium.
- Smell and its duration.
- General Characteristics of Rioja and Ribera del Duero.
More details on wine tasting can be found in http://www.baconia.com/
Please confirm if you would like to attend this event by Monday 19th February at wib@ie.edu Payment can be done until 15.00 hrs on Monday to Dalina Leonor (Section 1)

RIOJA vs. RIBERA DEL DUERO:
- Principios del Análisis Sensorial. Metodología de la cata de vinos tranquilos.
- Vinos tintos. Elaboración de vinos tintos.
- Cata en paralelo de vinos jóvenes, crianzas, reservas y grandes reservas de ambas denominaciones de Origen. 8 en total.
- Fase visual.
- Aromas: Primarios, secundarios y terciarios.
- Sensaciones gustativas: Su evaluación y equilibrio.
- Vía retronasal y persistencia.
- Características generales de Rioja y de Ribera del Duero.
Puedes encontrar más información en http://www.baconia.com/
Si estás interesado/a, por favor confirma tu asistencia en wib@ie.edu antes del Lunes 19 de Febrero:
El pago puedes realizarlo hasta el lunes 19 a las 15.00 hrs a Dalina Leonor (Seccion 1 - IMBA)