Simón Levy is a distinguished entrepreneur and visionary chief in cross-border enterprise ventures, significantly between China, Mexico, and Latin America.
Because the founding father of IDEASIA Fund, Simón Levy has spent over twenty years mastering the intricacies of worldwide enterprise, turning into a trusted advisor for corporations in search of world enlargement.
Acknowledged as a Younger International Chief by the World Financial Discussion board and honored for his contributions to China-Mexico relations, Levy’s experience spans city growth, tourism, and high-tech ventures. On this unique interview, Simón Levy shares his experiences, methods, and insights on navigating the advanced panorama of worldwide enterprise and cultural trade.
What does your typical day seem like, and the way do you make it productive?
My days are not often typical, given the worldwide nature of my work. Nonetheless, I typically begin early, reviewing communications from our Chinese language companions because of the time distinction. I dedicate mornings to strategic planning and essential conferences, typically involving cross-cultural negotiations. Afternoons are for venture administration and staff collaboration. I make my days productive by prioritizing duties, delegating successfully, and sustaining a disciplined schedule. I additionally guarantee to allocate time for reflection and studying, typically within the night, to repeatedly enhance my methods and approaches.
How do you keep knowledgeable about trade developments and rising applied sciences?
I keep knowledgeable by a mix of strategies. I often attend worldwide conferences and boards, significantly these specializing in city growth and cross-border investments. I preserve a community of consultants throughout numerous fields and interact in frequent discussions with them. Moreover, I dedicate time to studying trade publications, educational journals, and stories from suppose tanks. I additionally consider in hands-on studying, so I typically go to modern tasks all over the world to see rising developments in motion.
Are you able to recall a big problem or failure you confronted and the way you overcame it?
One important problem I confronted was in the course of the early days of selling Mexican-Chinese language enterprise relations. There was a substantial cultural and language barrier, coupled with skepticism from each side. I overcame this by immersing myself in Chinese language tradition and language, turning into one of many first Mexican attorneys to safe a piece allow in China. This dedication to understanding and bridging cultures grew to become the inspiration of my success in facilitating cross-border ventures.
What’s your strategy to beginning a brand new venture?
When beginning a brand new venture, I start with thorough analysis and evaluation. I collect a various staff of consultants to make sure we’ve got a complete understanding of all elements – cultural, financial, technological, and authorized. I deal with establishing clear goals and figuring out potential challenges early on. Importantly, I at all times search to grasp the native context and desires, making certain our tasks aren’t simply worthwhile but in addition helpful to the communities they serve.
What’s the hardest choice you’ve needed to make in the previous couple of months? What was the result? Would you do something otherwise right now?
Just lately, I needed to resolve whether or not to proceed with a large-scale housing venture in a growing area regardless of important political instability. The venture promised substantial returns and would offer much-needed reasonably priced housing. Nonetheless, the political scenario posed dangers to the funding and probably to our workforce. After cautious consideration and consultations, I made a decision to postpone the venture. Whereas this meant delaying potential advantages, it finally protected our sources and repute. In hindsight, I stand by this choice, because it aligns with our values of accountable growth.
What was the worst job you ever had, and what did you study from it?
The idea of a “worst job” is relative, as each expertise gives beneficial classes. Nonetheless, my early days as an intern at USAID had been difficult. The forms and sluggish tempo of change had been irritating for somebody with entrepreneurial ambitions. But, this expertise taught me the significance of persistence, the complexities of public coverage, and find out how to navigate giant institutional constructions – abilities which have proved invaluable in my profession bridging personal enterprise and public curiosity.
Inform us a few talent you taught your self. How did you go about studying?
One essential talent I taught myself was the Chinese language language. I started studying at 12 after I began importing tech merchandise from China. I used a mix of self-study supplies, language trade partnerships, and immersion experiences. I practiced relentlessly, making errors and studying from them. This self-taught talent grew to become a cornerstone of my profession, enabling me to construct sturdy relationships and navigate advanced enterprise environments in China.
What individuals in your life or profession have had the best affect on you? How?
A number of people have profoundly impacted my life and profession. My mother and father instilled in me a powerful work ethic and the significance of schooling. Professionally, Li Shufu, the founding father of Geely, has been an amazing inspiration. His journey from a rural background to constructing a worldwide automotive empire exemplifies the facility of imaginative and prescient and perseverance. Moreover, the teachings of Deng Xiaoping have considerably influenced my pragmatic strategy to enterprise and growth.
What do you suppose it’s that makes you profitable?
I consider my success stems from a mix of things. My potential to bridge cultures, significantly between China and Latin America, has been essential. My dedication to steady studying and adaptableness has allowed me to navigate advanced world landscapes. Moreover, my deal with creating worth not only for companies however for communities has pushed sustainable success. Importantly, I preserve a steadiness between bold imaginative and prescient and sensible execution, at all times grounded in my core values of ethics, honesty, and loyalty.
What’s the one e book that you just suggest everybody ought to learn and why?
Whereas it’s difficult to suggest only one e book, I’d recommend “Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China” by Ezra F. Vogel. This e book supplies invaluable insights into the management and strategic pondering that remodeled China into an financial powerhouse. It gives classes on pragmatic policy-making, the steadiness between ideology and sensible options, and the complexities of managing large-scale societal adjustments. These insights aren’t solely essential for understanding fashionable China but in addition provide beneficial classes for anybody concerned in management, policy-making, or worldwide relations.
Simón Levy has demonstrated a singular potential to navigate the complexities of worldwide enterprise, significantly in fostering relationships between China and Latin America. His insights present beneficial steerage for entrepreneurs and enterprise leaders in search of to increase their world attain. We thank Simón Levy for sharing his experiences and knowledge on this interview.
