On September 21st, the GSOM SPbU community met at “Mikhailovskaya Dacha” campus. Businessmen, representatives of GSOM SPbU coorporate partners , alumni, students, faculty and staff gathered together to discuss the challanges of business in the future.

 

During the day, four panel sessions took place, a  a partner session with VTB Bank, an open lecture by Claudio Cavicioli, CEO of L'Oréal in Russia, presentation of a new joint project of SPbU and MegaFon — the first 5G digital laboratory in Russia, “Tell your story” — section where alumni presented their stories, master classes and coaching sessions.

The day began with a partner session with VTB Bank, with the participation of Olga K. Dergunova, Deputy President and Chairman of the Management Board, VTB Bank(PJSC), and Director of GSOM SPbU. As part of the session, Olga Dergunova and Alexander Galkin, Senior Analyst at VTB Bank’s Digital Transformation Department, spoke about the launch of a pilot project of consulting in Virtual reality at the bank’s offices. Guests were able to test the new service. 

 

 

After that, Yuri Lobyntsev, Сo-founder at Cindicator, Evgenia Smorodnikova Co-founder at Welltory Inc, Alexander Egorov, Co-founder at Reksoft, Ozon and Dmitry Falaleev, Founder, U Skillz, discussed entrepreneurial thinking as a skill. The speakers pointed out the main qualities of the entrepreneur: the desire for new achievements and non-standard tasks, a sense of freedom in decision-making and constant movement in working process. Also participants in the discussion noted that entrepreneurship is associated with permanent stress, and that care for the health and well-being of those involved should be an important part of everyday routine.

At the same time the block of presentations “Tell your story” was held. GSOM SPbU alumni and young business representatives shared stories of failures that they faced on the path to their success. As a bonus, professional coaches conducted training sessions aimed at helping participants to see opportunities in obstacles and learn not to give in to difficulties.

The central panel session of the day was devoted to the implementation of the principles of sustainable development at all stages of company management. The participants were: Valentina Vatrak, Director of Corporate Development and Human Resources at MegaFon, Anton Kosach, BCG partner, Natalya Poppel, Head of CSR and Brand Management at Severstal, Evgeny Schwartz, Doctor of Geography, Honored Ecologist of the Russian Federation, Leading Scientific Member of the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Independent Director - Member of the Board of Directors of MMC Norilsk Nickel, Irina Bakhtina, Vice President for Sustainable Development, UNILEVER, Irina Efremova-Gart, Head of Division Corporate citizenship, IBM Russia / CIS, Konstantin Mashkovich, Senior manager of the Department of Ecology, Department of Industrial Safety, Labor Protection and the Environment, MMC Norilsk Nickel. Summing up, the Moderator of the panel session, Yury Blagov, Associate Professor, Department of Strategic and International Management, GSOM SPbU, noted that in environmental issues and sustainable development, corporations should not compete with each other, but collaborate, and thtn the efforts of companies can help to avoid environmental disaster.

 

 

 

 

At GSOM Family Day, the first in Russia 5G digital laboratory with a fifth generation test area equipped for student learning was opened. Throughout the day, there were guided tours for guests to the 5G Laboratory. <5G_Dream_Lab> is a joint project of SPbU and MegaFon. A new educational program will be based in the laboratory: SPbU students and recent graduates will be taught to create products in 5G. Find out more about this project here: http://5gdreamlab.spbu.ru/. 

Mathematicians and future developers were able to attend an open lecture by Frederick Vanoscuyze, Director of Technical Innovation and Infrastructure at MegaFon. The lecture was devoted to 5G technology, new products that can be created using it and how this technology can change the world. 

In addition, during the forum, the future of the IT industry, modern approaches in urban studies, cross-cultural management and leadership programs were discussed. The evening ended with a performance of artists and a festive buffet reception. In total, more than 600 guests attended this year's GSOM Family Day. The business program was attended by 45 speakers. 

The event’s information partner was Expert North West magazine. The official partner of the event was BCG. GSOM Family Day was also supported by: Veeam Software, P&G, MegaFon, L'Oreal, Mars, Danone, Coca-Cola HBC, Alpina Publisher, Bolt, Euromed, Rosokhrana, Barley Bros (Baltic), Grondard, Bar Bureau, Robata Bar, Bar Sidreria. 

The next GSOM Family Day will be held in September 2020.