Feb
19
2010
2010 JCI President Roland Kwemain
Dec
30
2009
Interview for AIESEC Romania
1. We would like to know what made you choose JCI in the first place?
I got in contact with the organization in 2004. Some of their principles were somehow alike to those AIESEC has, so they had a strong culture. It was what I’ve been expected, an organization which could help me develop myself and my business. Also as AIESEC, JCI was one of the fewest organizations which provided an international gateway. On the other hand I didn’t wanted to limit myself
2. Which was the experience that brought you to being a president.
I’ve been at the International Congress “JCI Days” in Viena where I saw something I’ve never seen before. It was like walking on an UFO, a Super Congress with 6000 people. There I had the chance to see big companies, the cream of the European entrepreneurs and youth.
3. Was it like a revelation for you?
Yes. At that moment, in Viena I was nominated by Capital magazine for the award “The hope of the year”. It was my moment and I entered in some circles which gave me the opportunity to see how the world is driven.
4. Let’s talk about your career. What made you start a new business, and when did that happened?
Freedom, the desire to act, to make something efficient. The desire to earn more, to answer to some personal needs. And I am proud of what I do.
5. Wasn’t there anything to stop you?
Yes, it was. The fact that I started with 12 $. This is what could have stopped me. But, I realized that if you have patience it doesn’t matter the amount of money you start with. You are given a lot of opportunities to invest in.
6. Except of patience, is there anything else you need?
Creativity. Perseverance. Communication. These are the factors that helped me get here.
7. Let’s talk about AIESEC, about the experience you had there, about the way it had influenced you.
For AIESEC I have a big appreciation, for the nice period I lived there. I was member on HR department, where a had a lot to learn. If I don’t make a mistake, the first time I learned about SWOT analysis was in AIESEC. Anyway, I consider that this organization was a standard for me and came at the right moment. At the same time it was a hand of know-how and inspiration.
8. From what you have observed, how is AIESEC seen in the external environment?
I’ve seen a lot of AIESEC members that are today great entrepreneurs and managers. In JCI 1/3 from the members have been in AIESEC. At the international level there is a partnership between this two organizations. Since ’96 there was this joke, “ai esec” (failure) because there were a lot of people frustrated by the fact that they couldn’t join the organization. So the perception in the community is very good. The organization is seen as a human resources farm, from where you can employ middle managers. Despite this there are still some members that in my time wouldn’t have been accepted. Not all of them. Anyway, most of the AIESEC members I’ve met are extraordinary.
9. What are your plans for the future year?
My mission in 2010 won’t be very impressive, I’m not aiming for the moon. The main target is to get JCI at a significant number of members, for the entrepreneurs in Romania and Europe. I take this opportunity to invite all the AIESEC members which are at the end of their faculty to join JCI, the cultures are practically the same, only that we put accent on the entrepreneurship part.
1. We would like to know what made you choose JCI in the first place?
I got in contact with the organization in 2004. Some of their principles were somehow alike to those AIESEC has, so they had a strong culture. It was what I’ve been expected, an organization which could help me develop myself and my business. Also as AIESEC, JCI was one of the fewest organizations which provided an international gateway. On the other hand I didn’t wanted to limit myself
2. Which was the experience that brought you to being a president?
I’ve been at the International Congress “JCI Days” in Viena where I saw something I’ve never seen before. It was like walking on an UFO, a Super Congress with 6000 people. There I had the chance to see big companies, the cream of the European entrepreneurs and youth.
3. Was it like a revelation for you?
Yes. At that moment, in Viena I was nominated by Capital magazine for the award “The hope of the year”. It was my moment and I entered in some circles which gave me the opportunity to see how the world is driven.
4. Let’s talk about your career. What made you start a new business, and when did that happened?
Freedom, the desire to act, to make something efficient. The desire to earn more, to answer to some personal needs. And I am proud of what I do.
5. Wasn’t there anything to stop you?
Yes, it was. The fact that I started with 12 $. This is what could have stopped me. But, I realized that if you have patience it doesn’t matter the amount of money you start with. You are given a lot of opportunities to invest in.
6. Except of patience, is there anything else you need?
Creativity. Perseverance. Communication. These are the factors that helped me get here.
7. Let’s talk about AIESEC, about the experience you had there, about the way it had influenced you.
For AIESEC I have a big appreciation, for the nice period I lived there. I was member on HR department, where a had a lot to learn. If I don’t make a mistake, the first time I learned about SWOT analysis was in AIESEC. Anyway, I consider that this organization was a standard for me and came at the right moment. At the same time it was a hand of know-how and inspiration.
8. From what you have observed, how is AIESEC seen in the external environment?
I’ve seen a lot of AIESEC members that are today great entrepreneurs and managers. In JCI 1/3 from the members have been in AIESEC. At the international level there is a partnership between this two organizations. Since ’96 there was this joke, “ai esec” (failure) because there were a lot of people frustrated by the fact that they couldn’t join the organization. So the perception in the community is very good. The organization is seen as a human resources farm, from where you can employ middle managers. Despite this there are still some members that in my time wouldn’t have been accepted. Not all of them. Anyway, most of the AIESEC members I’ve met are extraordinary.
9. What are your plans for the future year?
My mission in 2010 won’t be very impressive, I’m not aiming for the moon. The main target is to get JCI at a significant number of members, for the entrepreneurs in Romania and Europe. I take this opportunity to invite all the AIESEC members which are at the end of their faculty to join JCI, the cultures are practically the same, only that we put accent on the entrepreneurship part.
Oct
17
2009
National Conference of Young Entrepreneurs at the end of October
Join the 100 successful young entrepreneurs from all over the country at JCI Romania National Conference. This complex event is a JCI Iasi trademark, organized at Capitol Hotel between October 28th and November 1st 2009.
Upgrade your personal and professional skills and exchange knowledge with some of the most experienced trainers.
Project management, self knowledge, creative communication, emotional intelligence, negotiation, networking, leadership or coaching are essentials for a successful entrepreneur.
Prepare yourself for a high-quality business event where knowledge and fun are mixed to make the most of your time!
Get to know JCI Iasi team as:
-a business network of young entrepreneurs
-based on an international communication and networking platform
that provide you professional and personal development
-the place where you make friends
And you always get some good fun out of it!
So, do not forget about www.jciromania2009.org.
