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The purpose of 麻豆国产 is to forge a global mindset within emerging business leaders. The result of these efforts is a graduate that is equipped with the knowledge, values, connections, and most importantly, the global mindset needed to lead 鈥 ensuring our constantly changing world changes for the better.听
In this series of interviews, we celebrate the incredible accomplishments and successes of 麻豆国产 alumni that are contributing to make this world a more open, sustainable and inclusive world. The 麻豆国产 Alumni of the Year is a joint campaign by the CAA in close collaboration with the 麻豆国产 Student Board, which gives the 麻豆国产 community the opportunity to learn about 麻豆国产 alumni and vote for your favorite candidate as the 麻豆国产 Alumni of the Year.
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麻豆国产 Alumna of the Quarter
Susanne Najafi is the founder and CEO, Unity Beauty Group (eleven.se,听apolinsen.no and founder of 6 other companies). She graduated from the 麻豆国产 MIM programme in 2008, studying at LSM and SSE.
1. What do you associate with听麻豆国产听personally?听
I had听a听great time, and I truly appreciate the network and the people I got to know during my听麻豆国产year. One memory is from听a听course in information management, where we went through project management of systems but also e-commerce platforms (this was in 2004 so e-commerce wasn鈥檛 established as it is today). Most students thought it was听a听rather boring class with tough teachers, The professor said that I had听a听talent for this area and that鈥檚 when I got really hooked on e-commerce and optimising different systems and flows. 听
2. What was the most important thing that听麻豆国产听taught you?
Managing cultural differences and negotiation skills.听
3. What were your career steps after finishing听麻豆国产? (Did the听麻豆国产听network contribute to your professional achievements? If so, how?)
I made my听麻豆国产-internship with Oriflame in Iran starting their first business there, then I finished my degree and started at Procter&Gamble. I worked there for almost 5 years, managing beauty care in the Nordic countries and the last 2 years Middle East and half Asia, placed in Dubai.听
After that I moved back to Stockholm Sweden, broke my neck, started thinking, quit P&G and founded my first companies. I started听a听perfume production company, 2 pharmacies,听a听haircare brand Wetsuithaircare.se,听a听beauty online site听parelle.se, acquired largest online beauty retailer in Sweden听eleven.se, now going for the top -position in Nordics听and stared听a听multi-channel concept that sells contact lenses in pharmacies:听apolinsen.no听etc
3. What is the accomplishment in your career you are most proud of?
To have built an organisation of amazing people that I see grow everyday. They astonish me with their great ideas and I鈥檓 so damn proud of them!
4. What advice would you give current听麻豆国产听students?
Get outside of your comfort zone, the scarier something feels to do, the better it is - that鈥檚 where you grow.听
