REF

Our REF Bolivia Community recently held its annual All Member Meeting, where 130 Members from Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, and La Paz gathered in Cochabamba for an event that combined learning, laughter, and valuable connections. Shoutout to the facilitators and REF Community Members Jose Jorge “JJ” Saavedra and Aldana Fernández de Córdova for their insightful contributions. Congratulations to Carlos Kempff, REF Partner in Santa Cruz & Cochabamba, as well as Andres Moreno and Carolina Llobet Navajas, Partners in La Paz, for fostering connections among members from different cities.

This month’s book recommendation is The Power of CEO Guiding Principles by REF Orange County Partner Ric Franzi. Ric has connected with some of the most innovative and creative leaders in small and mid-sized firms, gathering a wealth of insights and inspiration. His book helps executives understand the critical role their own guiding principles play in their firm's success. Discover REF’s Community: https://ref.global

To effectively leverage your relationships with your network or team, your connections need to be genuine rather than superficial. The louder the emotion, the more likely it is that contagion will occur… and vulnerability is one of our loudest emotions. We’re hardwired to notice it.” — Amit Goldenberg, Harvard Psychology Professor. 🚀At REF, we are authentic leaders who show ourselves as we are. Learn more: https://ref.global

In today's interconnected world, your brand extends far beyond logos and slogans. It’s the trust, reputation, and impact you leave behind in every interaction. Whether you're leading a team, running a business, or building your personal brand, remember that every action, every decision, and every word contributes to the story others tell about you. How are you shaping your brand narrative when you're not around? At REF, you are connected with other leaders and experts you can rely on for their values, capabilities, and experience in navigating challenging and strategic situations. Learn more about: https://ref.global/

🎉 Happy 20th Anniversary to the founding Forum of REF Guayaquil! We proudly celebrate the Members who started this group, those who joined along the way, and those who are now closely following in the footsteps of REF. Today, REF accelerates the personal and professional evolution of over 150 Members in Guayaquil, who are leaders in many of Ecuador’s top companies. Thank you to Rodolfo A. Baquerizo, our Partner in Guayaquil, and all of the Members in the city, for being a fundamental part of our history and our future.

In an environment where leadership can often feel lonely, at REF Spain, we have created a space that goes beyond mere advisory services. REF is where leaders from various industries forge deep and meaningful connections, strengthening leadership through community; a place where we share challenges and support each other. We would like to thank our Members, Ignacio Acha García-Noblejas, COO of RetailCo - Banco Santander; Juan Font Valle, Managing Partner of The International Business Hub; Raquel Ponce Martín, Art Gallerist and Director of Galería Ponce+Robles; Nancy Villanueva García, CEO of Iberia & Middle East at Interbrand; Humphrey White, Partner & CEO of Knight Frank Spain; Manuel Soriano, CEO & Founding Partner of W Executive España; Noemi Boza, CEO of Mas Cuota and Canal CEO; Jorge Gonzalez-Iglesias Baeza, Entrepreneur, CEO & Co-Founder of gibobs allbanks, for their participation and for sharing their experiences with us. Your commitment and leadership are an inspiration to our entire Community! -- En un entorno donde el liderazgo a menudo puede sentirse solitario, en REF España hemos creado un espacio que va más allá de los simples servicios de asesoría. REF es donde líderes de diversas industrias forjan conexiones profundas y significativas, fortaleciendo el liderazgo a través de la comunidad; un lugar donde compartimos desafíos y nos apoyamos mutuamente. Queremos agradecer a nuestros Miembros Ignacio Acha García-Noblejas, COO de RetailCo - Banco Santander; Juan Font Valle, Managing Partner de The International Business Hub; Raquel Ponce Martín, Galerista de Arte y Directora en Galería Ponce+Robles; Nancy Villanueva García, CEO Iberia & Middle East en Interbrand; Humphrey White, Partner y CEO de Knight Frank Spain; Manuel Soriano, CEO y Socio Fundador de W Executive España; Noemi Boza, CEO de Mas Cuota y Canal CEO; Jorge Gonzalez-Iglesias Baeza, Emprendedor, CEO y Co-Fundador de gibobs allbanks, por su participación y por compartir sus experiencias con nosotros. ¡Su compromiso y liderazgo son una inspiración para nuestra Comunidad!

The REF Community in Lima recently held its All Members Meeting 2024, an event that brought together over 350 REF Members with the primary goal of strengthening the concept of authentic connections. Our guest speakers, Keith Ferrazzi, NYT best-selling author, and Ronen Olshansky, CEO of Connected Success, shared strategies and mindsets for deepening relationships and creating authentic connections that foster genuine leadership. A special shoutout to REF Lima Partner Manolo Vega, REF Global CEO Julio Noriega, and the team that organized this event. We also extend our gratitude to the sponsors for their support: EFG International, Claro Empresas Perú, Audi Perú, Visa, Catalyst Peru | Team Building Solutions, AFP Integra , The HEINEKEN Company, Diageo, and Johnnie Walker.

The power of a committed and united team is unmatched. Together, great challenges can be overcome and significant achievements can be reached. At REF, each Forum is a "dream team" of business leaders from diverse industries and exceptional backgrounds. This diversity of perspectives helps members make better decisions in both business and personal matters. Learn more about us: https://ref.global/

This graphic is a representation of what strategy—both internal and external—means for a company. 🚀 Here are some questions your team should ask for each area: A: How big and sustainable are our advantages? Are they based on distinctive capabilities? B: Are we delivering effectively in the area of parity? C: How can we counter our competitors’ advantages? E: How much opportunity for growth exists in the white space? D, F or G: What value the company or its competitors create that customers don’t need? As a REF Member, you tap into the Collective Intelligence of your peers to make better strategic decisions. Learn more: https://ref.global

Congratulations to Celio Valcanaia & Alonso José Torres, REF Partners Santa Catarina, for the successful ExpoGestão event! As one of Brazil's largest annual events in management, innovation, and leadership, ExpoGestão in Joinville, Santa Catarina, gathers professionals, leaders, and experts to discuss trends and share insights on management, entrepreneurship, and organizational development. As one of the guest speakers, REF San Diego Partner Mike Richardson presented a 5-Level Reset to guide the journey of developing an Intelligence Advantage. The event also offered exclusive activities for REF Santa Catarina Members. Learn more about REF: https://ref.global