Reflections on Two Decades in China with CEIBS Alum Vanessa Alcala Gros | CAIC Unscripted

From CEIBS MBA to Building Businesses Across Thailand & China: Pornpetcharee New | CAIC Unscripted

What does it take to build a business across borders in Asia? 🌏 In this episode of CAIC Unscripted, host Jeff Pi (CEIBS MBA 2009) sits down with Pornpetcharee “New” Nirachatsuwan (CEIBS MBA 2019), Managing Director of U.A.N One HR and Thai Reli Company Limited, to explore her journey from Thailand to Shanghai—and how she helps Chinese companies successfully expand into Southeast Asia. From falling in love with Shanghai to launching multiple businesses, New shares real insights into entrepreneurship, HR strategy, and cross-cultural business between China and Thailand. In this episode, you’ll learn: • How Chinese companies expand into Thailand (and common mistakes to avoid)  • The importance of “guanxi”, trust, and relationships in Asian business  • Cultural differences between Thai and Chinese workplaces  • How to build a business from 0 to 1 in a new market  • Lessons from working at Eli Lilly and transitioning into entrepreneurship  • What it’s like to revive and grow a family business  • The mindset shift from entrepreneur to leader  • Why being “kind to yourself” is critical for long-term success   Key topics covered: Thailand business environment, China–Thailand trade, HR outsourcing, recruitment strategies, entrepreneurship in Asia, CEIBS MBA experience, cross-cultural leadership, Southeast Asia market entry. About CAIC Unscripted Produced in collaboration with the CEIBS Alumni International Chapter (CAIC), CAIC Unscripted features candid conversations between CEIBS alumni—going beyond business to uncover personal stories, global perspectives, and the diverse experiences shaping today’s leaders. About CEIBS CEIBS is an internationally recognised business school co-founded by the European Union and the Chinese government. Learn more here: https://ceibs.edu [https://ceibs.edu]   👉 Follow CEIBS on social media for more daily content: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ceibs https://www.instagram.com/ceibs_official_site/ https://www.facebook.com/ceibschina/ https://x.com/ceibs

China, Dubai, and Working Across Cultures: CEIBS Alumna Jay Wong | CAIC Unscripted

The CAIC Unscripted podcast, produced in collaboration with the CEIBS Alumni International Chapter (CAIC), presents personal conversations between CEIBS alumni, looking beyond the world of business to explore the diverse stories, experiences, and insights of the school’s unique international community.  In this episode, Jay Wong, CEIBS MBA 2022 alumna and IMEA Strategy & Projects, Adhesive Technologies at German consumer brand and industrial solutions multinational Henkel, speaks with host and CEIBS MBA 2009 alumnus Jeff Pi about her international background, the importance of respect in the workplace, her time at CEIBS, cultural differences between China and her current home of Dubai, and more.  This episode of CAIC Unscripted was filmed in November 2025.  Listen to the audio version of CAIC Unscripted on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Learn more about CEIBS, an internationally recognised business school co-founded by the European Union and the Chinese government, here: https://ceibs.edu [https://ceibs.edu]   👉 Follow CEIBS on social media for more daily content: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ceibs https://www.instagram.com/ceibs_official_site/ https://www.facebook.com/ceibschina/ https://x.com/ceibs

Mathieu Tse’s Global Journey: Risk, Resilience & Entrepreneurship | CAIC Unscripted

From Asia to Latin America and now to Africa, Mathieu Tse’s unique personal and professional journey has brought him remarkable entrepreneurial success facilitating the daily payments that connect business owners in Africa with suppliers around the world.  The CAIC Unscripted podcast, produced in collaboration with the CEIBS Alumni International Chapter (CAIC), presents personal conversations between CEIBS alumni, looking beyond the world of business to explore the diverse stories, experiences, and insights of the school’s unique international community. Today Mathieu Tse, CEIBS MBA 2020 alumnus and Co-Founder of the companies REasy, Winko Solar and WingTech Solutions, speaks with host and CEIBS MBA 2009 alumnus Jeff Pi about moving from Hong Kong to French Guiana as a kid, how his unique childhood informed his attitude to risk as an entrepreneur, and the lessons that he wants to pass on to aspiring business leaders today.  Listen to the audio version of CAIC Unscripted on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Learn more about CEIBS, an internationally recognised business school co-founded by the European Union and the Chinese government, here: https://ceibs.edu [https://ceibs.edu]   👉 Follow CEIBS on social media for more daily content: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ceibs https://www.instagram.com/ceibs_official_site/ https://www.facebook.com/ceibschina/ https://x.com/ceibs

International Development, China & the South Africa Dream: CEIBS Alum Siya Dlova | CAIC Unscripted

Born and raised in South Africa, Siyamthanda (Siya) Dlova moved to Shanghai to pursue his MBA at CEIBS (China Europe International Business School). Five years later, he stands at the beginning of an exciting career in international development at the New Development Bank (NDB). In this episode of CAIC Unscripted, hosted by Jeff Pi (CEIBS MBA 2009 alum) and produced in collaboration with the CEIBS Alumni International Chapter (CAIC), Siya shares: • His inspiring journey from South Africa to China • What the “South African Dream” means to him • Lessons from studying an MBA in Shanghai • How to leverage networking and professional development • Opportunities for Africa-China business and collaboration • Career insights for aspiring professionals in international development The CAIC Unscripted podcast presents personal conversations between CEIBS alumni, looking beyond business to uncover stories, experiences, and insights from CEIBS’ diverse global community.  Listen to the audio version of CAIC Unscripted on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.  Learn more about CEIBS, an internationally recognized business school co-founded by the European Union and the Chinese government: https://ceibs.edu [https://ceibs.edu]   👉 Follow CEIBS on social media for more daily content: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ceibs https://www.instagram.com/ceibs_official_site/ https://www.facebook.com/ceibschina/ https://x.com/ceibs

Reflections on Two Decades in China with CEIBS Alum Vanessa Alcala Gros | CAIC Unscripted

After nearly twenty years in China working with retailer H&M, Vanessa Alcala Gros is now saying goodbye to the country that her and her family call home, a bittersweet moment that offers time for both excitement and reflection.  The CAIC Unscripted podcast, produced in collaboration with the CEIBS Alumni International Chapter (CAIC), presents personal conversations between CEIBS alumni, looking beyond the world of business to explore the diverse stories, experiences, and insights of the school’s unique international community. Today, CEIBS Global EMBA 2017 alumna Vanessa Alcala Gros speaks with host and CEIBS MBA 2009 alumnus Jeff Pi about food, family, and hobbies in China, as well as her upcoming departure and the lessons in leadership that she has learned over almost two decades in the country.  Learn more about CEIBS, an internationally recognised business school co-founded by the European Union and the Chinese government, here: https://ceibs.edu [https://ceibs.edu]   👉 Follow CEIBS on social media for more daily content: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ceibs https://www.instagram.com/ceibs_official_site https://www.facebook.com/ceibschina https://x.com/ceibs