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Erasmus MBA______________________________________
Ask RSM students or graduates why they decided to do an MBA, and quite a few of them will tell you that the main reason (was) that they want(ed) to start their own business but lack(ed) a management background. One alumnus who has started his own management consultancy right after his MBA is now very busy in his fine new office in the Rotterdam Brainpark: Kobi Kurtz, MBA '92.
Kurtz Marketing & Management
"Kurtz marketing & Management provides marketing consultancy services to international high-tech
companies" states the glossy brochure, but Kobi adds:
"we find ourselves more and more in the non-technical area, like for instance for one of our clients, a manufacturer in Israel, we are looking for opportunities in Europe. That is basically what we do: business development for companies based in Israel, India, the US, etc. that wish to penetrate the European market. And we provide services to Dutch industrial companies that want to enhance their presence in the non-European
market".
Starting his own company was a natural thing to do for Kobi. Having worked in the same field of business in companies for a number of years, Kobi felt it was time for a change. The MBA gave him the last push towards setting up his own business.
Kobi says: "I have grown towards this for years while I was working in other companies. It was not difficult to start in the sense that I was sure about what I was doing. This is exactly what I feel i must be doing. I am shooting in many directions. Actually I already started it as an MBA student, by doing consultancy projects. How to find your first customer is of course the hardest thing. Your second customer is easier to attract because you can show him what you have achieved so
far."
One interesting aspect about Kurtz Marketing & Management (KMM) is that the firm has strong links with RSM students and graduates. RSM students are developing new business opportunities based on their personal resources. Kurtz Marketing & Management is one of RSM's top recruiters! It is not Kobi's ambition to have man employees in future but develop more towards partnership.
Currently, Kobi is actively developing business in China. He made a trip to China with his client, Enraf Nonius, a department from Delft Instruments. His first contact in China went through a Chinese MBA student who put him into contact with a Chinese company. This company developed a market analysis for the product of Enraf (instrumentation in the petro-chemical industry). Their trip was highly successful. They met end-users and joint venture candidates for production as well as distribution purposes. It was a rewarding experience Kobi says:
"the holistic point of view of the Chinese is very attractive. I was a bit impatient in the beginning, but we stayed in our hotel the first days to establish a relationship with the Chinese partners. We have adjusted our expectations to the realities the Chinese are living in and that works very well. I was surprised by their efficiency in the way they operate, really
outstanding."
With his roots in Israel, it is only logical that Kobi is also developing firm contacts in his home country.
"Israel is a thriving and vibrant high-tech country", Kobi says,
"people have to have the drive to survive in that part of the world. And with so many Russian scientist who have moved to Israel, the climate for new developments in the high-tech area is becoming more interesting each
day." A recent article in a major Israeli newspaper generated ten serious contacts, which proves KMM's successful approach!
Maud Notten, editor
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