Intersearch World Wide Academy is celebrating its decennial year and
this special session was held at Frankurt. Started in 1999, the Academy has
come a long way in training and exchanging ideas for over a decade. This year
was a special as it marks the 10th anniversary and also
housed the largest number of participants from 14 countries.
Krithi Achia (Chennai, 2nd row from below, 2nd from right) and Spandan Mohanty (top row extreme left) were Intersearch India's participant in the 2014 Academy. This is the second time India is participating in the Academy. I talked to them about their experience.
Payal: How was the program?
Krithi: The program began with welcome drinks and informal introduction of all
the participants. We were also introduced to the Board members. There was a welcome note from Peter Waite and a formal
introduction of all the participants. The 3 instructors Andras Lipcsei (Hungary, 2nd row from top, 2nd from right), Micheal
Gross (Germany, row below Anras, white shirt, with glasses) and Micheal Coughlan (ireland, top row, second from right, blue shirt) took us through various nuances of search beginning
with an introduction to InterSearch World Wide – what is it and where it
goes. Our Vision, Mission, profile and statistics. The sessions included changing
market trends, Case study on Using Linkedin, sales promotions, marketing
actions, managing client relationships, SWOT analysis and so on. The sessions
were lively as every member had a lot to contribute to enhance best practice
sharing. We were divided into 3 groups and group tasks were assigned to be
followed with a presentation the next day. We also had 3 members who were
attending the academy for the 2nd time share their experience.
The day concluded with a team dinner in the city; a place to eat typical
German food with ale and beer.
Day 2 was very interactive. It began with presentations from the 3
groups followed by discussions. Individual marketing PPTs were completed and the program concluded with presentation of Graduation
Certificates.
The finale was a formal dinner with the board of Intersearch Worldwide on the
banks of river Rhine.
Spandan: "Diversity: the art of thinking independently together" said Malcolm Forbes, and we had a first hand experience of that in Frankfurt.
Located centrally at the Westin Grand Hotel in Frankfurt, with a lot of top banks in the vicinity, the academy was right at the centre of financial hustle bustle. I was proud to see our very own, State Bank of India there, in the midst of all the global banks.The academy was well managed by the three instructors where they made it more interactive in nature thereby encouraging more discussions and debates. Good practices in various participating countries were discussed and every member was enriched.
The case studies and role plays were fun and interactive and gave a real time feel. We had to sell a difficult Cross Border assignment, an easy cross border assignment and an assignment in troubled waters. Theory met practice and we could get a real time feel of the usual problems faced in such scenarios. Overall a very enriching experience and a great value add for our business.
We also had a first hand experience in visiting an authentic German restaurant and the food there.
Payal: What was the learning on Intranet which was the focus of a lot of discussion this year?
Krithi: The use of intranet was introduced and various aspects/platforms were shown which helps in cross border coordination. Case studies and role plays were enacted and it made the session more fun and had a real time feel. The open discussions helped all understand the process and work style of every country member.
Spandan: The Intersearch Intranet, intersearch.me, is one of the great initiatives by Intersearch to share and work on cross border assignments. With all features of a social network, this has added advantages of uploading important presentations and documents, different practice groups and client lists across the globe. The ISAR management shows the ongoing cross border assignments and the intranet has all the facts and figures to support our Global Business Development efforts.
Payal: How did you feel meeting so many fellow colleagues from different countries?
Krithi: Meeting fellow colleagues from different nationalities and diversities was a special feeling. Finally there was a face and personality to all the interactions we have had over intersearch.me.
Spandan: When geographical reach and diversity is one of your core strengths as a firm, the importance of an Academy grows manifold. This year's academy in Frankfurt was another step in this direction by Intersearch to bridge the experiences of all member countries and give a platform to researchers for idea exchange.
We started with an informal ice-breaking session and by the sheer diversity of nationals involved, this was a very different experience, especially for me. There were Germans, Belgians, Chinese, Polish, Ukranians, Colombian, Spanish, British, Brazilian, Middle East.
Payal: What was your biggest takeaway from this experience?
Krithi: A great platform to meet fellow colleagues from different countries.
Returned home with an enriching experience and 20 close friends. Looking forward to attend the academy again, this will
not only help in networking but enhancing best practice sharing.
Spandan: At the end of it, the biggest takeaway was
that we came back with 20 close friends across the World and that is the power
of Intersearch.
Our previous experience with the Academy can be read below: http://spearheadintersearch.blogspot.in/2011/04/intersearch-academy-program-2011-in.html
