Fudan University School of Management

Maintain the Competitive Advantage through Continuous Innovation
In a recent open class, Professor Zeng Chenghua from Fudan University School of Management explained the underlying logic of Apple's innovation strategy. Steve Jobs had the audacity to launch a series of disruptive products, streamlined the product portfolio at the right moment, and proposed the Digital Hub Strategy in 2001. Then his successor Tim Cook realized in time the necessity to diversify the revenue streams beyond smartphones and launched a series of wearable products and APP-based services. The combination of durable products and consumables greatly increased repeat purchases from the customers. Professor Zeng pointed out that an enterprise needs to iFACT (Integrate, Focus, Accumulate, Complement, and Transfer), so as to maintain its competitive advantage.
Next, the Executive Director of Fudan MBA Program, Professor Feng Tianjun shed light upon numerous contributions to the society made by alumni of the Fudan MBA program, which has been devoted to cultivating business and society leaders based on the value of “iLead”: innovation, Love, Excellence, Aspiration, and Diversity. Professor Feng emphasized that the program will continue to build a cohesive platform for lifelong growth of the MBA students, the essence of is summarized with the "VALUE" oriented system: Vision, Academia, Leadership, University and Experience.
Then Mr. Sun Long, the Executive Director of the Fudan International MBA Program explained in detail the application process and the various categories of scholarship offered by Fudan MBA, including 100% tuition fee of GMAT scholarship, "Xing Quan" Belt and Road Scholarship, etc..

Be open-minded and embrace the new world—by Chen Ning, alumni of the Washington University-Fudan University Executive MBA program

These two years have passed so fast to Chen Ning, who has lived a really fulfilling life. As Chen Ning knows, the Washington University-Fudan University Executive MBA program has almost the strongest academic atmosphere among all the programs of this kind, which means the pressure here is high. “Each course has homework and reading tasks to finish. It really takes time to do it well. I haven't experienced such fulfilling life for seven or eight years.” Chen Ning said. But the two years of academic studies have also brought him rapid growth, profoundly changing his way of thinking, working style, and even his lifestyle.

From pushing kids to being self-motivated and setting a good example

After graduating from university in 2002, Chen Ning has been engaged in the work of finance in foreign-funded enterprises. He started to think about studying for an MBA degree 10 years ago. But he chose to postpone the plan because at that time because he was developing his career fast so it was better for him to seize opportunities and focus on work. Later, Chen Ning's career developed to a certain level. And his son and daughter were born. He spent almost all his spare time on his children's education. Every day, his main task after work is tutoring his daughter on her homework at elementary school.

One of the reasons Chen Ning chose to further study was to set a good example to his children. “As parents, we cannot push our kids to study if we don't study ourselves.” Chen Ning said, “I want to influence my daughter by showing how hardworking I am. She will be motivated and study on her own initiative.” In the past, Chen Ning had to push her daughter to study but now they study together. “We do our own homework together.” It proves that studying together with children is a better education way.

Comprehensively improve the knowledge structure across disciplines

“In those years I met new businesses and new things in the work, but they were all limited to work experience in foreign companies. The whole business world had profound changes. The political and economic environment was changing. New technology and new business models emerged. There were many things that I didn't know and had never experienced.” So, Chen Ning was looking for an opportunity to catch up with the development of the new era. In addition, as Chen Ning sought further advancement at the positions of finance, he needed a deeper understanding and insight from other business operations other than finance. “When you achieve a certain level of finance, you start to wonder how operations work and how supply chains work. You need to understand every stage of the whole process. Without the knowledge, you can't sit down with staff at a specific stage to discuss how to improve the asset values.” Chen Ning felt that though he could acquire certain knowledge in actual work, he still lacked systematic learning. “The more you dig into a profession, the more you need to get deeper general knowledge and have a bigger picture.”

Adopt a new perspective to understand familiar things

In the Washington University-Fudan University Executive MBA program, each course is taught by American professors while professors from Fudan University participate as co-teaching professors and teach Chinese practices and cases to help students deepen their understanding and insights into the Chinese economy. In these two years of studying, what impresses Chen Ning most is the way of thinking and speculative spirits of the professors. “In this era of information, every article seems to make sense but which one should we believe? So it is important to form our own opinions by establishing our own knowledge structure and combining external information. Combining social hotspots, those professors output their individual independent views and use their own methods to explain the social phenomenon.” said Chen Ning, who is really impressed and influenced by the ways of thinking.

Find a better self by sharing views with others

Communicating with students from all walks of life has opened up new worlds for Chen Ning. “For example, I didn't know much about the luxury industry before, nor did I pay attention to it, but the classmates working in luxury goods markets inspired me. He said, ‘Have you ever thought about the reason why a pair of shoes can be so expensive. There must be a reason.’ Indeed, everything that exists in this market must have its value. You can’t understand why it succeeds before you try to know them. If you start to learn about it, you will feel like opening a new world.”

The study in EMBA has inspired Chen Ning to try more possibilities. In a visit to Israel with the class 2019, Chen Ning got a deeper understanding of this country than before. “We went to a local university where students needed to study for two degrees. But different from Chinese students, students there were encouraged to choose majors unrelated. In this way, the integration and collision of different knowledge systems create innovation and more possibilities, which may be a major reason why Israel can become a place of innovation.”

Embrace the colorful world with an open mind

School of Management, Fudan University has provided Chen Ning with a strong academic atmosphere. In 2020, many courses had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but the project team still mobilized a lot of resources to provide students with a variety of lectures that covered social hotspots, history and humanities. “My world was really limited before I sought further study. Studying has created golden opportunities for me to know the outside world and think about more possibilities. It has also made me more confident.” In the past two years, Chen Ning has restarted exercising. “My family said that I look more refreshed and have changed the way of thinking. If you become more open-minded and try to embrace new possibilities without much hesitation, you will find how colorful and wonderful the world is.”

Overlooking the land of China（Chapter 10）
Welcome to China
Welcome to Shang Hai
Welcome to Fudan University School of Management

Overlooking the land of China（Chapter 9）
Welcome to China
Welcome to Shang Hai
Welcome to Fudan University School of Management

Overlooking the land of China（Chapter 8）
Welcome to China
Welcome to Shang Hai
Welcome to Fudan University School of Management

Fudan Management Insights Forum in Suzhou

July 23, 2021

On July 10, the "Fudan Management Insights Forum" was successfully held in Suzhou, with the theme of "Management Empowers Sci-tech Innovation". Fudan scholars, alumni entrepreneurs and leaders from sci-tech innovation (STI) industries were invited and discussed on how to enhance the innovation capability of enterprises and optimize the innovation ecology to create new framework of STI development. Xiongwen Lu, dean of FDSM, and Tianjun Feng, director of Fudan MBA Program and professor of Management Science, attended the forum.

At the beginning of the forum, Ling Cen, director of FDSM Sci-tech Innovation Office, introduced FDSM’s practice on STI strategy. Guided by the national strategy and trend of STI area, FDSM is committed to China’s STI management research and education, supporting the national strategy, and empowering enterprises and entrepreneurs to realize their value and social responsibility.

Then, Dean Lu pointed out in the forum that under the background of the Sino-U.S. trade conflict and the upgrade of industrial transformation, STI has become the strategic choice of the nation and the development direction of enterprises.

The core region of STI is the Yangtze River Delta, which not only has rich research resources, but also directly supports the transformation of research achievements with its strong manufacturing capacity. FDSM empowers STI via management, making STI and management as the twin engines of enterprise development, and promoting long-term sustainable development and continuous technological breakthrough and product innovation.

Under the strategy of "Management Empowers Sci-tech Innovation", FDSM starts from both research and talent cultivation, studying national industrial policies at the macro level and conducting research on the management of STI enterprises. In terms of talent cultivation, FDSM develops curriculums to train management talents for enterprises and provides an ecosystem for entrepreneurs. In the future, FDSM will continue to abide by the national strategy and enterprise practice in STI area, leading the development of STI enterprises and the innovation of STI management theories via academic research.

In Dean Lu’s view, Suzhou's advantage lies in its strong manufacturing capability and preeminent framework. The forefront framework allows STI enterprises to move in this region as to create industry agglomeration, bringing upstream and downstream industry supports and shaping a complete industrial chain. And this also reflects the government's foresight in long-term development. Suzhou has an obvious geographic advantage and a fast development in internationalization. However, Suzhou is still slightly lacking in research resources, talent recruitment and its vision in global development.

Feng Tianjun, Professor of Management Science and Director of Fudan MBA Program, gave a speech on "Operation and Value Creation of Sci-tech Innovation Enterprises". He took several STI companies as examples and emphasized that sci-tech innovation start-ups must have original black technology and be supported by excellent operation. "For STI start-ups, technology is the root and management is the soul." In his view, operations can help STI companies realize lean management, continuous improvement and sustainable value creation. He pointed out that the potential of STI companies should focus on STI per se, management capabilities of the company and entrepreneurs’ original aspiration. “Entrepreneurs should improve personal operation ability and empower their enterprises with management”, said Prof Feng in his conclusion.

Fudan-INDITEX Spain Immersion Program Donation Ceremony

July 21, 2021

Recently, a donation ceremony for the Fudan-INDITEX Spain Immersion Program was held at FDSM. Prof. Xiongwen Lu, dean of FDSM, Mr. Zengguo Yang, director of Fudan University Liaison and Development Office, Ms. Eva Serrano, president of INDITEX Greater China, and relevant staff and scholars from both organizations attended the ceremony. The donation ceremony was hosted by Prof. Tianjun Feng, director of FDSM MBA program.

Prof. Feng welcomed INDITEX on behalf of FDSM. He said “The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Today is Summer Solstice (Chinese: 夏至"), the 10th solar term of the year. On the Summer Solstice, daylight lasts the longest for the whole year in the northern hemisphere. It is a day full of hope and vitality. We welcome INDITEX to attend the ceremony at FDSM on this special day and help the development of FDSM’s MBA education." After that, Prof. Feng introduced the FDSM MBA programs and the background of Fudan-INDITEX Spain Immersion Program in detail.

INDITEX’s donation aims to support the Fudan-INDITEX Spain Immersion Program. Dean Lu presented the donation certificate to INDITEX on behalf of FDSM. Then, Mr. Yang presented the donation souvenir to INDITEX.

Both parties expressed their expectation to further strengthen the cooperation between FDSM and INDITEX, hoping that the advantages of both sides will be complementary and mutually beneficial in the future, and wished this program to be carried out smoothly.

On behalf of INDITEX, Eva Serrano introduced that as one of the largest fashion retail groups in the world, the philosophy of INDITEX is to create value beyond profit. INDITEX believes that the progress of society requires the efforts of the whole, and education plays a crucial role. INDITEX is honoured to cooperate with FDSM, and hopes that this project will not only support students from FDSM to expand their global vision, but also use it as a bridge to promote the cooperation and exchange between Chinese and Western education and culture. At the same time, INDITEX will keep contributing to the social, economic, cultural and educational development of China.

On behalf of FDSM, Dean Lu expressed his gratitude to INDITEX’s donation. He stated that Fudan University was the first university in China to establish a modern business administration education system. After more than 30 years of development, FDSM has had extensive international exchanges and now presents a high standard and new image of Chinese management education in the international arena, educating management professionals with global vision. At the same time, Spain has many excellent enterprises, and INDITEX itself is a unique business cases. INDITEX supports this MBA Spain immersion program, which is the beginning of the friendship between the two organizations. FDSM is willing to be in collaboration with INDITEX and take this opportunity to focus and promote the cultivation of management elites, gearing up the sustainable development of management education.

Overlooking the land of China（Chapter 7）
Welcome to China
Welcome to Shang Hai
Welcome to Fudan University School of Management

Overlooking the land of China（Chapter 6）

FDSM hosted the online EMBA GNW 2021
June 23, 2021

The 2021 Fudan Global Network Week came to a successful end on June 19, 2021. As one of the hosting schools in this June’s Network Week, FDSM designed its own week-long program themed “Innovative China: towards sustainable growth”, and welcomed 52 students from 18 elite business schools in 22 countries and regions.

The participants are EMBA candidates of the GNAM member schools, including Oxford University, UC Berkeley, University of British Columbia, University of New South Wales, National University of Singapore, etc.. Majority of the participants are leaders and managers of multinational companies in various fields. This year, we also invited 6 students from FDSM to join the cohort.

At the opening ceremony, Director of IEC office, Ms. Stephanie Xu delivered a welcome speech on behalf of School of Management, Fudan University. She introduced the great changes of Fudan’s business education over the century and the rapid development of the School in recent years. She also mentioned that during the global epidemic, the school is more willing to work together with business leaders and talents to overcome the difficulties and make the greatest contributions to the human community.

The program tried its best to replicate the offline module by bringing students a highly-engaged learning and cultural experience virtually. This week-long experience emphasized on gaining exposure to both theoretical and practical knowledge of sustainable development in China. It covered a variation of popular topics on post Covid-19 economy, e-commerce operation in China, digitalization and big data implication as well as opportunities and challenges in China’s innovation and entrepreneurship Ecosystem. Senior executive from Pivotal also invited to give speeches on the enterprise’s digital evolution trilogy and China’s digital transformation in action, corporate transition via innovative technology, and business innovation and sustainability.

This cohort had to meet online due to the pandemic, yet the distance barrier did not cool down the students’ learning and networking enthusiasm. The participants joined the chat groups and connected prior to the course. Further, the program began with a daily networking activity, helping participants to break the ice of meeting virtually, and quickly motivated participants to connect personally. The program has received high praise from students, professors and guest speakers.

“My experience at the GNW Fudan 2021 was extraordinary. Like many things about China, my experience at Fudan eternally eclipsed my expectations. I am forever grateful to my university for the opportunity to have participated in the brilliant lectures delivered by the various lecturers, and the overall warmth shared by the program's administrative office.”

--- Student from Lagos Business School

“Thank you so much for this wonderful experience in Fudan University! Your warm welcome and hospitality, combined with a perfect organization, opened a week full of insights and inspiration. I’m deeply grateful for this learning experience!”

--- Student from University of Oxford Saïd Business School

“I have really enjoyed this class. it was a hard week getting up at 4am but the structure of the course is very successful in teaching about China's economy and its business environment.

Please continue to hold the tea/coffee network. It was great and encourage students to chat during the process.”

--- Student from University of Oxford Saïd Business School

“I really appreciate the condensed knowledge rich sessions delivered in a very short time by all the professors. The ice breaker pre class discussions were very good , gave us opportunity to bond boundaryless- :) I have made so many friends across the world which otherwise would have been hard to connect with. Reading materials were great as well.”

--- Student from University of New South Wales

The Global Network Week is a series of modules jointly presented by GNAM member schools for EMBA students. It is aimed at scaffolding localized business & management strategies and economy in diverse cultural contexts while helping EMBA students better establish professional network and building individual understandings in intercultural business awareness and global competency.

60 students from School of Management of Fudan University participated GNW programs hosted by other member schools, including IE Business School, Yale University School of Management, National University of Singapore and 10 other elite business schools and had a wonderful virtual experience.