Europe plays a significant role in the international political and economic spheres. Despite the tremendous impact of Europe’s debt crisis on the economic, social and political lives of European countries, the economic and trade exchanges between China and Europe continue to prosper.
The past year saw an important milestone, with trade turnover between China and Europe breaking USD 500 billion for the first time. China’s outward investment to Europe grew rapidly as Chinese enterprises accelerate their pace of going global. The economies of China and Europe are entirely different in terms of their stages of development, industry structures, problems to be solved and guiding ideologies. What can Chinese enterprises do to establish a strong presence in Europe?
INSEAD and CEIBS have jointly launched the Programme successfully Expanding Opportunities: Doing Business in Europe, casting light on Europe, while reflecting on the experience and lessons drawn from China-Europe trade activities with China’s top executives.
Key Benefits
During this course participants will gain:
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Fast track understanding of the unique European business and cultural environments
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In-depth appreciation of the day-to-day challenges of building and running a business in Europe
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The ability to identify the potential pitfalls of cross-cultural misunderstandings
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Greater understanding of how to manage labour unions and how to get the best out of a European workforce
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Vital, up-to-date insights into macro-economic issues in Europe and the knowledge to define your company’s European strategies
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Concrete insights into marketing, distribution channels and customers
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Techniques to be effective in communicating and negotiating with European counterparts
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Opportunities to share experiences and build strong connections with other senior executives focused on Europe
Featured Articles
CEIBS And INSEAD Help Chinese Enterprises Expand Into Europe
(Business Because – 21 March 2012)
INSEAD and CEIBS, a business school in China, are partnering up to offer Chinese entrepreneurs practical advice and first-hand knowledge of the European market, especially in the traditionally tricky area of branding. Some Chinese enterprises have been burned badly in the European market, but INSEAD and CEIBS have gathered a some success stories to share their insights. Click here to read the article.
Programme partner

The objective is to provide Chinese executives with the knowledge and skills needed to establish and run successful businesses in Europe. This programme provides the macro-level information necessary for making strategic decisions while also being practical and hands-on in its approach to the daily needs of business. The topics and methods are tailored to active executives with specific business needs and the schedule includes time for those with similar focus to explore those topics in-depth with local European experts.
Programme coverage
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Understanding the European business environment
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The challenges of expanding a business in Europe
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Government and business: navigating the European regulatory environment
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Marketing strategies for Europe: attracting your customer
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Dealing with employment practices and labour unions in Europe
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Bridging cultural differences in business
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Success lessons from family founded German companies (Mittelstand)
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Organisational design for innovation
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Acquisitions and corporate alliances in Europe
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Managing the internationalisation process
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Leveraging Europe to build the global enterprise
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Business visits
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Success cases of Chinese companies in Europe
Programme partner

The programme is designed for executives of companies entering or expanding in the European market whether organically or through M&A. The participants’ positions may include president, general manager, owner, head of international strategy, head of strategy, etc. English proficiency is not essential as the programme will have simultaneous translation.
Programme partner

Studying at CEIBS has been a wonderful experience, and the course has offered many feasible suggestions on how Chinese businesses can establish their presence in the European market. The programme isn’t just a “class”, but rather a forum for interaction and the exchange of information. This course is a great opportunity for professionals seeking business opportunities in Europe.
Michael Liang
Senior Vice President
Houlihan Lokey
This highly interactive programme offers straightforward but penetrating analysis of the challenges Chinese enterprises face when operating in Europe, such as problems of cultural differences, exchange of ideas, politics, branding and M&A, while also providing practical solutions to address these issues.
Deng Tao
General Manager
LiuGong Machinery Europe
Although I felt I knew a lot about Europe beforehand, this programme has given me a more systematic and comprehensive base of understanding. In addition, it presents both macro theories and individual business cases, enabling us to explore their theoretical foundations while conducting practical analysis. I’m confident that this learning experience will benefit my career in the future.
Zhang Yingshun
Vice General Manager
Kuka Home Co Ltd
Programme partner

Great minds don’t think alike
INSEAD’s professors represent many cultures, disciplines, and perspectives. Led by acknowledged world experts in their own particular fields, programme faculty remain intimately close to business and most are engaged in cross-disciplinary research.*
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Nandani Lynton
Programme Director
Adjunct Professor of Management, CEIBS
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Luo Xiaowei Rose
Programme Director
Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise
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Laurence Capron
Professor of Strategy
The Paul Desmarais Chaired Professor of Partnership and Active Ownership
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Pierre Chandon
Professor of Marketing
The L'Oréal Chaired Professor of Marketing - Innovation and Creativity
Director, INSEAD Social Sciences Research Centre
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Stephen Chick
Professor of Technology and Operations Management
The Novartis Chaired Professor of Healthcare Management
Academic Director, Healthcare Management Initiative
Chair, Technology and Operations Management
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Paul A. L. Evans
Emeritus Professor of Organisational Behaviour
The Shell Chair of Human Resources and Organisational Development, Emeritus
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Jonathan Story
Emeritus Professor of International Political Economy
The Shell Fellow in Economic Transformation, Emeritus
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*programme faculty may change
Programme partner

Dates & Fees
| Dates |
Length |
Location |
Tuition Fees* |
| 30 Jun 2013 to 06 Jul 2013 |
6 days |
Fontainebleau |
128,000
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Note: The programme calendar is subject to change for reasons beyond INSEAD's control.
* The cost of the programme includes tuition, the fee for translation and interpretation, teaching materials, and board and accommodation in France. Round trip airfare to France and visa fees are not included. The full fee must be paid no later than 15 days before the start of the programme. Applications made within 15 days of the start of a programme require immediate payment.
Cancellations
Any cancellation made 15 days or more prior to the programme start date is eligible for a full refund of programme fees paid. However, the expenses arising therefrom shall be for the account of the applicant or his/her employer. Any cancellation made less than 15 days prior to the programme start date shall be subject to a fee of 20 percent of total programme fees. After the programme starts, no fees shall be refunded for participants who withdraw from the programme for any reason.
Programme partner
