Words of Wisdom from Chairman of Mexico's Largest Food Corporation

My MBA class recently had the privilege of hearing from Don Roberto Servitje, the Chairman of Grupo Bimbo, the fourth largest packaged foods company in the world (after Nestle, Kraft and Unilever).

His presentation focused on Ethical Leadership and was organized by our professor of Liderazgo y Manejo de Cambio (Leadership and Change Management). Mr. Servitje explained thatBimbo focuses on “la persona humana” – the human being…focusing on employees, competitors, consumers, stockholders, and vendors – all aspects of its work depends on people.  He spoke extensively about the importance of motivating staff and keeping employees (doing everything else to save money except laying off workers.)

Ethic Business Values
He addressed several important values that he holds and that Bimbo honors, including respect, a culture of growth, innovation, quality...but he emphasized INTEGRITY.  He likened integrity to being pregnant - you aren't a little or a lot pregnant - either you are are you aren't.  Therefore, integrity is key to all business decisions and you either have it and act upon it, or you don't.

Bimbo in the US Market...
Acquisitions in the US market, under the US-based company name, Bimbo Bakeries USA: George Weston Bakeries, originally a Canadian company, with brands such as Boboli (pizza), Thomas (English muffins), Arnold’s (breads), Entenmann’s (packaged pastries); Mrs. Baird’s Bakery (still has five plants in Texas); and most recently Sara Lee’s North American Fresh Bakery (Nov. 9, 2010).

From L to R: my professor, Dr. Jose Luis Rivas; the Dean of the Business Dept at ITAM, and Robert Servitje, Grupo Bimbo Chairma

Mexican Corporation Grupo Bimbo Chairman

Being Grateful and Sharing Traditions in Mexico City

Last night, Jeremy and I hosted an early Thanksgiving Dinner to celebrate this beautiful American holiday with new friends from the U.S., Mexico and Australia.  This holiday is especially important to us because it reminds us to appreciate all of the blessings we receive on a daily basis.  This year, I am especially grateful for my 2-year-old nephew, Alejandro's successful open heart surgery on Nov. 18th and his speedy recovery. I am also very grateful for this unique opportunity to live, study and serve Rotary and the community in Mexico City.

The menu included: Turkey legs roasted in mole (chile-cocoa sauce), Turkey (pavo) picadillo for tacos, homemade three-bread stuffing with poblano peppers, quesadillas with squash flower (flor de calabasa) and hongos (mushrooms) (all made by my live-in chef/husband Jeremy), cactus salad (ensalada de nopales), broccolli casarole (made by fellow Rotary scholar Rebecca), guacamole (made by fellow Rotary scholar Billy), a delicious vanilla cheesecake from a famous local bakery in Coyoacan (brought by fellow Rotary scholar Robert), and arroz con leche (made by yours truly).  It was a delicious and special Thanksgiving dinner in our new home!

Jeremy buying turkey (pavo) at the local market

Robert, Rebecca, Patrick, Emily, Vanessa, Rocio, Billy, & Rochelle

Spreading the Word on World Polio Day, Oct 24, 2010

In Mexico, October 24th was known as el Dia Munidal Contra la Polio --- World Polio Day.  To celebrate the near-erradication of Polio (it is endemic to only 4 countries now: Nigeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India), I gave a presentation to my MBA class about my role as a Rotary Goodwill Ambassador, the work Rotary has done to erradicate Polio in the world, and to ask for their support.  After the presentation, I passed around an "alcancia" (tin can to collect dinero) and handed out District 5790 pins to all 20+ of my classmates. Now, every once in a while, I will be happily surprised when I see a Texas-shaped pin on a pencil pouch or a backpack.

Expanding our family to include a Mexican Gatito!

Jeremy and I have been wanting a kitty for a long time, but were never able to have a cat in our previous apartment in DC.  As fate would have it, our dear neighbors, Emily, Rochelle and Jenny, brought home a sweet abandoned 3-week old back kitten who had an eye infection and hyperthermia.  They took him to the vet and kept him at their home for a few days nursing him back to health.  On Friday, we officially adopted him, naming him Guille (pronounced Ghee-zsay).  He is named after Guille, the little brother of famous comic strip character, Mafalda, in Argentina.  We love him and are happy to welcome him to the family!

Impromptu rock climbing with Kids from San Mateo Center

Thanks to my friend, Ricardo, a therapist at the Centro de Salud San Mateo in Tlaltenango, I spent Friday afternoon visiting the local community and hiking in the nearby woods with Thalia, 6 and Ingrid, 11.  Ingrid wanted to show me a beautiful view of the mountains, so we ended up climbing  up a rocky steep incline about 30 feet high. These kids are amazing and very in touch with the environment. We greeted the forest upon entry and thanked it as we left. The plan is for me to come back a few times while I am in Mexico City to give yoga classes to the kids.

30th Birthday in Playa del Carmen with good friends from DC!

I was happy to celebrate my 30th birthday in Playa del Carmen with my husband (who I had not seen in 2 months due to his work in Ohio), my brother, sister-in-law, 2-year-old nephew, and my good friends, Anya and Will, from DC (they surprised me and met me at the airport in Cancun).  It was a great way to bring in my 30s!

It's raining butterflies

I had an amazing trip to the state of Michoacan this past weekend.  We had a long weekend with Monday and Tuesday off due to the Day of the Dead (All Saints and All Souls Days Nov 1 and 2).

Highlights includes:
---Visiting El Rosario Butterfly Sancturary in the forest  (the Monarchs come every year from Canada and stay for the winter: Nov-March)
---Staying at a beautiful ranch with a fireplace in our room and daily breakfast on the terrace
---Climbing and walking up the mountain in the early morning
---Doing yoga on the hill top at sunrise
---Visiting the Pantheon (cemetary) with graves adorned with Marigolds, candles, and food for Dia de los Muertos, on the island of Janitzo, across the lake from Patzcuaro
---Visiting the Dos Estrellas mine that ran until the 60s.  Mexican miners drilled for gold and silver and were expected to only live 10-15 years after beginning work in the Mine
---Staying at a campsite in a German triangle chaped wooden cabin overlooking the lake