It is Monday and for the most part we are now back in Edmonton after a long 48 hours of travel. We have left the old continent for the new only to arrive home to discover that snow in May isn't as preposterous as we had believed. All the more, it is a great incentive to look back on the past two weeks and reflect on the fun, education, and experience the class gained by seeing Europe through the lens of family business.
We lost about half the students that came over to additional travel: to France, Spain, Greece, Poland and other destinations where students from across the globe come to see the world and learn about themselves in the process. The other half - which would include me - will be back to work on Tuesday. For those who are still on the road I know that they will already have some advantage as they have gained a new appreciation for Europe's history and the subtle importance that family business plays in all economies. It may not get them a cheaper hostel, but they will likely have a deeper respect for the family who has been running it for the past four generations.
It was really great also bringing the big green "A" with us through Europe. It must have seemed strange to everyone at the beginning, but based upon the customs officers, priests and security guards I had to explain the purpose of the "A" to, it wasn't too bad. I hope we can incorporate the "A" in future publications too - it will show the world that Alberta is a global business school.
When I am asked about the top five things I will remember about the trip, I struggle to come up with a comprehensive list. I listened to people talk about BMW and Merck, about Strassbourg and Munich, about the European Business School or the European Central Bank, the river tours and castles and breweries and put them all down as considerations. But in the end I think like most great experiences it doesn't come down to just the "what" but the "who". I think about what made this trip and I'd say it was the students and the professors who came with me.
Thank you all (and apologies on spelling): Isaac, Alex, Melissa, Chad, Neethanut, Ani, Mark, Chris, Zophia and Kathlin, Luke and Ali, Barb, Roshanne, Mahdoo (Lao san ai!) and Clay from Fort McMurray, Ross and Mohamed, Bryan, Ha and Adam-o!, Aarbhi and Adria, Gugandeep and Skylar, Sikandar, Chantel and Steve (who is off to London with the best job ever) and my roommate Doug. I squeeze you all in to my top 5 which beats every other list I can think of. That said, I remind you all of the blackmail pictures I have on you (and you on me) - let's not see any of that on Facebook. On the other hand, it's those same experiences that would probably make the next top 5...
Thank you all who have followed along as well and thank you to the National Post for being so kind to promote the University of Alberta European Family Business Tour. And a special thank you to Dr. Peter Jaskiewicz and Dr. Lloyd Steier for escorting our class through the backroads and sidetours of family business. We very much appreciate your patience and your thoughtfulness.
Signing off .....Mike
We lost about half the students that came over to additional travel: to France, Spain, Greece, Poland and other destinations where students from across the globe come to see the world and learn about themselves in the process. The other half - which would include me - will be back to work on Tuesday. For those who are still on the road I know that they will already have some advantage as they have gained a new appreciation for Europe's history and the subtle importance that family business plays in all economies. It may not get them a cheaper hostel, but they will likely have a deeper respect for the family who has been running it for the past four generations.
It was really great also bringing the big green "A" with us through Europe. It must have seemed strange to everyone at the beginning, but based upon the customs officers, priests and security guards I had to explain the purpose of the "A" to, it wasn't too bad. I hope we can incorporate the "A" in future publications too - it will show the world that Alberta is a global business school.When I am asked about the top five things I will remember about the trip, I struggle to come up with a comprehensive list. I listened to people talk about BMW and Merck, about Strassbourg and Munich, about the European Business School or the European Central Bank, the river tours and castles and breweries and put them all down as considerations. But in the end I think like most great experiences it doesn't come down to just the "what" but the "who". I think about what made this trip and I'd say it was the students and the professors who came with me.
Thank you all (and apologies on spelling): Isaac, Alex, Melissa, Chad, Neethanut, Ani, Mark, Chris, Zophia and Kathlin, Luke and Ali, Barb, Roshanne, Mahdoo (Lao san ai!) and Clay from Fort McMurray, Ross and Mohamed, Bryan, Ha and Adam-o!, Aarbhi and Adria, Gugandeep and Skylar, Sikandar, Chantel and Steve (who is off to London with the best job ever) and my roommate Doug. I squeeze you all in to my top 5 which beats every other list I can think of. That said, I remind you all of the blackmail pictures I have on you (and you on me) - let's not see any of that on Facebook. On the other hand, it's those same experiences that would probably make the next top 5...
Thank you all who have followed along as well and thank you to the National Post for being so kind to promote the University of Alberta European Family Business Tour. And a special thank you to Dr. Peter Jaskiewicz and Dr. Lloyd Steier for escorting our class through the backroads and sidetours of family business. We very much appreciate your patience and your thoughtfulness.
Signing off .....Mike
