USC IBEAR Business Class USC Marshall IBEAR MBA Program

Cecilia Chan is the Managing Director of a Manhattan-based private equity firm, Octonovem. In over 30 years as an investor, she has honed a style that focuses beyond the bottom line, to assess success by including a project’s effects on its community and the world. “Asset-light” companies, such as content creators, travel companies and products like perfume are included in her portfolio. Her “Doing good” maxim is supported by spending 80% of her time on business projects and 20% of her time on charitable projects.

Cairn Spring Mills is a company that surprisingly is growing during the pandemic. The company is a varietal flour mill that produces a high quality locally sourced product. While other companies have been strapped by failing consumer demand and disrupted supply chains, Cairn Spring has increased sales by changing their business model - pivoting from being a strictly commercial wholesale outfit to being a nimble retail business.

CEO Kevin Morse said "I think a bubble has been broken. I was talking to one of our advisors who's a former venture capitalist and she called this a macro-shock event which is drastically changing consumer behavior.
In this episode of Business Class, we continue to explore how companies are adjusting and working to survive the sudden economic shifts of the pandemic.

Interview recorded over the web on May 12, 2020

The #Covid-19 virus is changing accepted business norms around the globe. In this episode of Business Class, we spoke with #MarcusLu as he sheltered-in-place at his home in #China. With deep insight into business in China, Marcus described how the virus is changing long accepted patterns of how business is conducted. “We realize and are starting to accept the fact that doing business can be easier,” he noted, while saying that, for the first time, important business meetings are being conducted virtually.
In an interview with Dick Drobnick, Director of the #USC #IBEARMBA program, Marcus takes us through how he initially learned about the crisis coming out of Wuhan. We hear the firsthand story of lockdown in China, with grocery stores cleaned out in hours of panic buying. We also hear how the country adapted and local governments quickly adjusted to make sure goods and services were available. Looking at the big picture, he explained that GDP growth in 2020 is probably out of the question and to have the economy not shrink in 2020 would be a major success.

Marcus Lu is a 2003 graduate of the USC IBEAR MBA Program.

He is the former Head of Commodities for #Mercuria and is now pursuing entrepreneurial projects in the energy sector.

Interviewed by Dick Drobnick via the web on April 15, 2020.

In this episode of #BusinessClass, we return to Thailand for an #MBA review of the business skills needed to face this financial crisis. We spoke with PJ Van Hecke, a 2018 graduate of the #USCIBEARMBA program. PJ used his time in the program to shift from a global career in maritime engineering to the entrepreneurial side of book publishing. He is now a Co-Founder in #Bangkok-based #TheReadingRoom.

In conversation with IBEAR MBA Director Dick Drobnick,, PJ lays out the core MBA skills he worked to master. He goes on to describe how these skills helped guide his new venture through the uncharted waters of a global #pandemic.

Pieter-Jan Van Hecke is a 2018 graduate of the IBEAR MBA program.

Interview recorded on April 16, 2020

Interview conducted by Dick Drobnick, Director IBEAR MBA Program

The moment the St. Patrick’s Day Parade was cancelled, Janet Lightner - General Manager of Boundary Bay Brewery - knew they were in trouble. In this episode of Business Class, we move to the Microeconomic impact of the pandemic and go to the craft brewery nexus of Bellingham, Washington, to explore how the virus has upended the business model of a classic brew pub.
Boundary Bay, 25 years old, is a pioneer craft brewery that has built a brand on its constant interaction with its customers and community. As the virus spread and shut down orders were given, Janet said she and her staff began to, ”pivot, pivot, pivot - like a ballerina doing pirouettes.”
No restaurant. No catering. No brew pub. We hear how Janet and her partner, made tough decisions, rearranged staff, created an instant ‘To Go’ business and managed through creative hard work, to keep their business vital, and not to be taken down by 300 pounds of corned beef.

Interview recorded on May 13, 2020.

To maintain social distancing this interview was recorded over the web.

In this episode of #BusinessClass, we look at how the #Covid-19 pandemic is affecting the ASEAN nations, particularly #Thailand. We turn to #Dr.NarongchaiAkaransee, a former Thai government minister with extensive business knowledge.
Dr. Narongchai explains Thailand’s successful approach to control of the Covid-19 virus. In comparing the government’s reaction to the #CovidCrisis vs. the 2008 financial crisis, he explains how the Thai government decided to distribute wages to 20 million people for three months because, “This time they lost their job because of a government order.”
In conversation with #USC’s #DickDrobnick, the two explore the economic effects of the virus coupled with strong governmental controls, “Big control. Very big impact.” They also discuss how Thailand’s bond market and major economic sectors are faring. Dr. Narongchai notes that the virus will hinder economic growth for both auto parts and tourism, “We have been relying so much on #tourism. Last year, tourists arrivals were 40 million.”

Dr. Narongchai Akaransee Ph.D, is the Chairman of MFC Asset Management Public Co, Chairman of Ananda Group, Chairman of #Seranee Group, and Board Member of AIA Group. Dr. Narongchai has served as Thailand’s Minister of Energy and Minister of Commerce, Director of National Economic and Social Development Board, and as a Member of Monetary Policy Committee of the #BankofThailand.

Interview recorded on April 30, 2020

To maintain social distancing the interview was recorded via the web.

Interview by Dick Drobnick, Director – #USCIBEARMBA Program