Monday, September 20, 2010

Advancia Negocia - 1st day of French Business School, Paris.

Fortunate enough to have flown on the brand new "double-decker" Boeing A380, total passangers +-538 people on board. Landed at Paris - Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport at 6h10 Sunday morning same time-zone as RSA. We were welcomed by our French hosts (CCIP & French Consulate members) & were transported to Hotel Citea at Maison Alfort approx 15 mins from Paris CBD. On arrival, we were treated to a welcome breakfast and check-in was scheduled for 15h00 so we investigated the surroundings i.e. eateries, patisseries, le biere, etc. We established an indian cell-phone shop acorss the road as well as an indian supermarket right next to it - negotiations, negotiations (6 week stay, good prices, 34 people, bulk deal, Keith designated as chief negotiator). Further down the drag, we plonked down for a cold one & only then realised it was a Chinese bar with tote office, a tad bit better than the gay bar we happended to stumble across just minutes earlier, a visit which was short-lived, thanks to Albertyn for noticing the corny smiles.

Monday morning, making our way to line 8 approx 2mins walk from the hotel, we boarded on line 8 to Republique to catch a connecting line to Porte de Champerret where we were being hosted (travel time from hotel to business school approx 50 mins). On boarding the first train, Albertyn waltzing along rather smoothly, was caught smack-bang in the closing doors of the coach. Luckily one of our colleagues familiar with the train-line operation came to his rescue & the doors were forcefully opened to rescue him - needless to say, the average Frenchman was not amused. On arrival at Advancia Negocia, we were again treated to a welcome breakfast with our Business School hosts (croissants galore - was hoping for a greasy Wimpy farmhouse though, but equally pleased for a warm & hospitable welcome).

The day's lecture mainly comprised on International Marketing & Strategy presented by Monsieur Dan Denville who is exceptionally well qualified in his field of expertise which made for some interesting debate & discusssion. On completion of the day's seminar, we made our way to St-Michel, Notre Dame which was very interesting from an architectural, historical & cultural perspective. Needless to say, we happened to come across "happy-hour" at one of the local bars accompanied by Samir (ABI Sales & Marketing Manager) & Andriette Fourie (NEF Financial Manager). We bounced off 11 beers between the 4 of us at EUR42 (this during happy-hour "half-price")? Keith, given his indian mentality, managed to negotiate some free peanuts at least for the table so we didn't each have to order a pita for EUR7,50.

Kindly see attached photo's of the Notre Dame experience. Chat tomorrow.

Regards,
Albertyn & Keith.       

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