SME Connector | Scaling-up Strategies for SMEs in China

Dr Shameen Prashantham is a Professor of International Business and Strategy, and Associate Dean (MBA), at China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) in Shanghai, China. Prior to joining CEIBS, he taught at Nottingham University Business School (NUBS) China and the University of Glasgow. He pursued doctoral and post-doctoral research at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Scotland. Prof. Prashantham is best known for his work at intersection of global strategy and entrepreneurship on partnering between large multinationals and startups, and is currently focused on partnerships that contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His latest book is Gorillas Can Dance: Lessons from Microsoft and Other Corporations on Partnering with Startups Wiley, 2022). 

Robin was first introduced to reclaimed wood while helping a friend renovate their home in Brazil.  After being inspired by the natural beauty and imaginative, unique pieces from salvaged wood, Robin moved to China to turn his passion into a business.

Now after 20 years as a bespoke wood flooring maker, Robin hasn’t looked back. “Creating a wood flooring company was a path I never intended. I never imagined I would be hunting all over the world for used Hungarian railroad cars, or huge wine barrels from vineyards in France and abandoned piles of wood from ancient Asian temples in the quest for one-of-a-kind reclaimed wood that we hand-craft into flooring or cladding. I just love the character of reclaimed wood, the history and the fascinating stories worth retelling.” Indeed, if every one of imondi’s reclaimed floors tell a story, Robin enjoys being the globe-trotting detective who unearths it.

British-owned, Shanghai-based with in-house design and production facilities in Rudong, China, imondi has emerged as a full-solution partner for some of the world’s leading designers & architects, particularly those with an eye to innovation and sustainability.

imondi has supplied installations in award-winning hotels in 30 countries around the world, working with Hyatt, Four Seasons and Naked Hotel Group.  In 2014 imondi was Architizer Award Winner, Category: Products + Sustainability in New York.  In 2019 imondi was United Nations Award-winner for “the company with the most positive impact on the environment in China”.

We like to say “imondi tells a story in every piece of wood”

In 2021, Curt joined as a Managing Partner of Ventech China, together with Eric Huet and James Jin, they lead Ventech China investing in Consumer Markets, Fin-tech and Big Data, focusing on the fast-growing Chinese Consumer Class.

Since joining Coca-Cola USA in 1983, Curt has served a wide range of executive positions in the USA and a number of ASEAN countries. Curt was President of The Coca-Cola Greater China, Korea & Mongolia Business Unit (TCCC GC & K BU) starting in 2016. Curt has been named to the Forbes Top Ten influential leaders list in the Middle East for six consecutive years. In 2012, his MENA Business Unit was awarded The Woodruff Cup, an award recognizing top company performance.

Curt sits on the Board of the Indiana University Foundation and Kelley Business School Dean’s Advisory Council and was recently awarded the Indiana University Distinguished Alumni Service Award recognizing Indiana’s top alumni accomplishments in their field of endeavor.

Curt holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Indiana University Kelley School. He is a graduate of the Executive Development Programs at Stanford University and the Wharton School.

As Managing Partner of The Orangeblowfish, Natalie develops and leads the Agency’s strategic vision, operational management, staff development, global expansion… basically whatever it takes to move our Agency forward! By way of introduction, The Orangeblowfish is an independent award-winning creative agency with teams in China, North America, UK and Australia. The Orangeblowfish unleashes the power of creativity by leveraging storytelling, art, space and technology to get our client’s brands talked about. Some of the Agency’s clientele includes Fortune 500 companies and start-ups across industries such as F&B, hotel and travel, retail, luxury, fashion, corporate/B2B and more.

Natalie delivers effective business, creative and branding solutions for Fortune 500 and start-ups, on a global scale whilst also advising companies on how to better optimize resources, to achieve their business goals.

Natalie is also a big believer in getting involved with industry and community-based initiatives. Natalie has been invited to judge on a number of industry events such and served as Co-Chair for the Marketing Committee (American Chamber of Commerce, Shanghai), Head of Speakers for TEDxShanghaiWomen, Committee Member for SME Committee (Australian Chamber of Commerce, Shanghai), is also an active mentor volunteer for Shanghai Mentor Walks and sits on the board of UNSW Alumni Advisory Committee.

Jonathan Chapon is China General Manager and Global Chief Marketing Officer of Abacare Born and raised in France, he has spent most of his professional career in China. After graduating from a business school in France, he first came to China as an international student in 2007 and later joined Abacare where he has worked for 13 years One of the leading international insurance brokers, Abacare has for 25 years advised on and delivered custom solutions for companies and individuals in medical, life, and general insurance Jonathan is specialized in health insurance, and has advised many individual and companies in China, from large corporations to SMEs, helping them establish or optimize their employee benefits.