Olivier Cantet (E87), President of ESSEC Alumni: “Collective intelligence can help overcome this crisis”

Olivier Cantet (E87), President of ESSEC Alumni, sent an e-mail to the members of the ESSEC community to show how the association is taking action to deal with the COVID-19 crisis. Here is his message, in case you missed it !

“Dear Alumni,

In light of the exponential spread of COVID-19, I wanted to contact you to share several major pieces of information.

We have asked all Group Managers in France to cancel, postpone or host online any events originally scheduled until end of April. I am grateful for how quickly they responded to this request.

We also invite Chapter Presidents abroad to consider international data and the local situation in order to postpone their events or contact the international team to access solutions that will enable you to meet your commitments virtually.

In addition, we encourage the whole community to avoid non-essential travel or gatherings in both private and professional capacity. We have a role to be responsible by accelerating awareness and solidarity actions.

We are also taking this opportunity to send you an article by data cruncher Tomas Pueyo, already viewed 32 million times and translated into French by our alumnus François Courtin (E10). Based on statistical data, he anticipates the pandemic will grow exponentially. Thus, social distancing measures have become imperative.

Furthermore, the School’s CEO Vincenzo Vinzi, announced the indefinite closure of the Cergy and La Défense locations as from Monday, as well as the implementation of a remote education plan. The Rabat and Singapore campuses will soon share their action plans.

Collective intelligence can help overcome this health and economic crisis. Let's share our questions and needs, our experiences, as well as our multiple initiatives.

To get started now, you can post your suggestions and testimonials on the ESSEC Alumni website: create your account and join this dedicated forum. Many of you in Asia have gone through the hardships we are going through in Europe. You have probably implemented good practices in your company. Please share these simple, quick and relevant solutions that have arisen from this unprecedented case of force majeure.

By connecting ESSEC talents and personalities from all over the world, I believe we will be able have a concrete impact in the coming weeks.

My dear friends, take care of yourselves and your loved ones, and let's stand as one against this pandemic.

Kind regards,

Olivier Cantet

ESSEC Alumni President”