Doing Business in Europe: A Comprehensive Guide

Béatrice Collin is a Professor of International Strategy and Management at ESCP Europe and also lectures in Master Programs at the University of Paris II. She served as a visiting faculty member at Cornell University’s ILR School from January to July 2007. Her research focuses on management processes in international companies, particularly how cultural diversity can be leveraged as a competitive advantage in global markets. She emphasizes that the increasing diversity of the business environment and workplace is a critical factor for all organizations, large or small. Skillfully managing this diversity can provide firms with valuable strategic and organizational assets, enabling them to compete effectively and enhance their overall effectiveness. International companies, which have developed innovative management processes through their global expansion, offer valuable insights into this topic. Béatrice has worked with major companies such as Arcelor-Mittal, L’Oreal, Credit Agricole, and Carrefour, as well as mid-sized firms that have successfully expanded internationally. In recent years, she has designed and led executive education seminars for European companies to prepare their future leaders to manage in global and culturally diverse settings. Béatrice's educational background includes management, political science, and international economics from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris. She has held research fellowships at Cornell and City University Business School in London. She is an active member and reviewer for the Academy of Management and a founding member of EURAM (European Academy of Management).

Florence Pinot de Villechenon is an Associate Professor at ESCP Europe's Paris campus, holding degrees from the Universidad de Buenos Aires and Université de Paris IV – Sorbonne, along with a Doctorate in "Sociétés occidentales – option Histoire" from Université de Paris VII. Since 1993, she has served as the Academic Coordinator for Latin America at ESCP Europe. Her teaching focuses on Hispanic civilization, the business environment in Latin America, international relations, and strategies for cooperation between the EU and Latin America. Professor Pinot conducts research on EU policies towards Latin America, strategies for international cooperation with emerging countries, and cultural project management, including international exhibitions. She has led the CERALE research center (Centre d’Études et de Recherche Amérique latine Europe) since 2001, with a current research focus on European investment in Latin America. Additionally, she acts as a consultant for the French Foreign Office and the Ministry of Higher Education, promoting academic cooperation with Latin America. She is actively involved in several organizations, including the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in France and the Mexican Economic Chamber in France, and participated as a board member in ExpoFrance 2025. Within the Foro Académico Permanente UE-CELAC, she coordinates the "University-Society" task force. She has also been a member of the Technical Committee of OBREALE (Observatorio de las Relaciones América Latina Europa) in Biarritz and has taught at the Institut des Hautes Études d’Amérique latine.