Xu Ming (SKEMA 2022): innovating in a sustainable world thanks to tailor-made training at SKEMA Business School

Why did you decide to go back to school by joining SKEMA Business School in 2021, when you had already acquired a wealth of professional experience?

Because of the changes brought about by the pandemic, I started to constantly reflect on my past learning experiences, my professional development and how I could create value in the future.

And then for me, learning is an ongoing process; it's part of my daily life. Going back to school was an opportunity for me to acquire more systematic and theoretical knowledge. During my career, I realised that much of the knowledge I had absorbed was fragmented. It was essential for me to take stock of my skills, and I felt it was the right time to go back to school.

How did you discover the French Grandes Écoles and why did you finally choose SKEMA?

Before choosing my school, I was already interested in entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable design. I had also participated in entrepreneurial projects connected with sustainable development. My aim was to learn more in this field.

Luckily, I discovered that SKEMA offered a programme in entrepreneurship and sustainable design, and I was amazed to find that it was the only one that combined entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable development.

Can you tell us more about the Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Design programme you completed at SKEMA?

This is a double degree, designed in partnership with SKEMA Business School and the Politecnico di Milano. The first semester is spent on the SKEMA Sophia Antipolis campus, and the second at the University of Milan.

This programme develops students' entrepreneurial thinking by using design methods to create, develop and launch new ideas. The programme covers a wide range of topics from business to sustainable design, like the circular economy, design thinking, etc.

The programme is very coherent, ranging from design methods to idea generation, implementation and business plan management, and so it is a closed loop. At the same time, there are very strong links between the programme and the practical side, with a lot of recent case studies. There is a strong emphasis on real-world problem-solving, combining theory and practice.

Why did you choose this programme, given that it attracts relatively few Chinese students each year?

My idea in studying this field was because I believe it will add a great deal of value in the future. As limited resources are exploited, sustainability will become the main differentiating factor for companies.

The programme is also very inclusive, offering opportunities to people like me, who don't have a background in sustainable design but come from the business world. This is rare. Innovation and sustainable development are topical trends, and the job prospects in this field are excellent, whether as an entrepreneur in sustainable industries, a business development manager, a product manager or a consultant.

What courses did you mainly take in this programme, and did they have an impact on your career?

The courses I particularly enjoyed included New Ventures and Business Plan, the Innovation Ecosystem, Life Cycle Analysis, Systemic Design, Design Thinking, Biomimicry and Design for Sustainability.

This specialised knowledge enabled me to land a successful job in France, and has enriched my professional profile. In my current job, I continue to apply the theories I learned.

Have you encountered any cultural or linguistic adaptation challenges while studying and working in France? How did you overcome them?

I must confess that, after three years in France, I'm still not fluent in French. Although my working language is English, I have experienced cultural conflicts in social interactions. The best advice I can give is not to over-interpret or over-think other people's intentions. Just concentrate on your own business. I'm still learning French.

Did your professional experience influence your studies at SKEMA?

Of course, when you already have professional experience, you approach problems more pragmatically and holistically, without getting bogged down in unrealistic ideas. This makes it easier to grasp the essentials when you combine theory and practice. What's more, once you've applied this knowledge, it becomes more in-depth and prompts you to reflect on past mistakes, enabling you to do better in the future.

As head of innovation projects at Pernod Ricard, what are your main responsibilities?

I work at Group headquarters on product innovation. I assist the Innovation Director on the global strategy and in identifying future opportunities to promote sustainable innovation. I also support innovation teams around the world in the development of new products. There are also cross-functional projects, like sustainable packaging design.

What advice would you give someone considering going back to school in the middle of their career?

Dare to explore different possibilities within yourself. Don't worry too much about the cost of an opportunity, because sometimes a training course is the best investment you can make. Life is full of surprises!

Interview conducted by Centre d'actualités SKEMA Business School, Suzhou, China.