For 10 years, the IBA has shared new knowledge about China

The auditorium was full this week when the IBA International Business Academy in Kolding hosted the China Business Forum. Participants gathered to celebrate the event’s tenth anniversary, having first been held at the IBA in 2016.

The initiative is led by the IBA Confucius Institute, which offers Chinese language courses, study trips to Shanghai, cultural exchange programmes, and business networking opportunities.

“We are proud that more than 150 participants, representing over 80 different companies and organisations, have registered for the China Business Forum and filled this auditorium to capacity. The strong support clearly reflects the growing interest in China and confirms that the work we carry out here at the IBA is both important and meaningful,” said the IBA’s Rector, Carsten Vikkelsøe, in his welcome speech.

The China Business Forum focuses sharply — and relevantly — on the crucial role China plays in the global economy. Participants also left this year’s forum with new knowledge and inspiration, thanks to insightful presentations from China analyst Christina Boutrup, the Confederation of Danish Industry’s China expert Peter Bøgh Hansen, Professor Mette Thunø from Aarhus University, and Hao Yin, CEO of TEGnology.

Among other things, Christina Boutrup spoke about why it is important to be first to market with new products. Very often, the company in first place sets the direction and standards for an entire industry. As a result, this is a position the Chinese are fiercely determined to secure. They achieve this by launching new products at lightning speed, knowing they can always continue to develop and refine them later on.

“In China, they do not have all the answers from the outset either. However, in their approach to innovation, they focus on the old saying about constantly looking for new stepping stones until the river has been crossed. They do not wait to take the first step until the entire route has been planned. It is an approach we in Europe could certainly learn from,” she explains.