About Me

Experienced in business development and account management with a demonstrated history of working in the telecommunications and energy industry.

Skilled in Business Development and Sales, Project Management, Team Leadership, Strategic Planning, Business Strategy.

Alex Lai, Z.

• Renewable Energy, Telecommunications
• Oxford MSc+MBA ’20-’22
• Oxford-Creat Scholar
• Experienced in Business Development, Consulting, Sales, Market Analysis

SMA Solar

Key Account Manager, United Kingdom

Following my previous journey in South America, I have determined to further cultivate my career within the Business Development sector, but this time with a greater level of proficiency and market acumen. I perceive Europe as one of the upcoming hubs of renewable energy in the world over the next decade, and I am eager to bear witness to this historic change. With this perspective in mind, I am delighted to be joining SMA, a market leader in the solar energy supply industry. My main focuses in this new role include:

First, my prior experience within the solar energy industry, where I will leverage my extensive knowledge from both the supplier side as well as the project and construction side to aid my clients in realising their goals.

Second, the skills and network I have gained from my MSc and MBA at Oxford University. During my studies, I conducted research in the field of renewable energy and established a vast network in the global supply chain, project investment and development within the solar industry. I aim to continue to foster and expand this network in my future career.

Third, sharing my expertise and insights on the renewable energy sector with a wider audience. I am passionate about passing on first-hand information and have therefore started my Green Workshop blog to facilitate this.

M2G Soluciones

Commercial Dir., Uruguay/UK

During the period of 2020 to 2022, I sought to challenge myself and broaden my perspective within the solar industry. I was involved with an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) company from its inception and took on the responsibility of managing solar projects from a commercial standpoint. This included conducting assessments of project investments based on my Oxford MBA education, overseeing all internal processes such as supply chain management, HR procurement, and commercial project management, as well as handling external activities such as bidding, opportunity management, contract negotiation, delivery and contract fulfilment, revenue collection, and more. For the first time in my career, I participated in the entire lifecycle of solar projects, which gave me a comprehensive understanding of commercial solar project management and the underlying business logic of the industry.

Working with M2G, a start-up company, not only allowed me to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and acquire relevant skills in the solar energy sector, but also provided me with valuable experience in running a business. This included seeking investment, persuasion, risk management, establishing teams, fostering supplier and customer relationships, and managing day-to-day operations.

Huawei

Key Account Manager, Chile

After completing my undergraduate studies, I embarked on my first full-time job with the aim of broadening my perspectives in business development, particularly with regards to different cultures. Starting as a newcomer in the solar energy industry proved to be a fortunate opportunity, as it opened various doors for me to further explore my interests in the renewable energy sector. The first two years of my career were immensely valuable for my professional growth, from building a new team and managing a group of 5 talented colleagues, to rapidly identifying key clients in a completely unfamiliar industry and establishing lasting relationships for business growth.

As I gained more familiarity with the renewable energy industry, I made a significant career decision to focus on enhancing my account management abilities and acquiring a broader understanding of conducting business. I became more involved in complex sales cycles for large-scale telecommunications and renewable energy projects and honed my skills in developing and managing business opportunities with a holistic perspective. I led the creation of a new business unit, guiding clients through a Proof of Concept (POC) for a technology transition project and successfully convincing all stakeholders of the advantages of an all-optical fibre fixed network for a local mobile operator. I directed the project team to support the client in evaluating the feasibility of the project, putting together an internal team, securing necessary resources, and building their capabilities. The project was a success and brought fast-speed networks to local households, aligning with my career goal of making a positive impact on the general public, similar to my contributions in the renewable energy sector.

MBA

This MBA program at Oxford Saïd has provided me with a wealth of knowledge and skills, not just in regards to being a successful business leader and entrepreneur, but also in terms of values and sustainable development concepts. The diverse student body at Oxford Saïd fostered a community of innovative thinking and meaningful discussions about the future of the business world, from which I greatly benefited.

· Oxford – Creat Graduate Full Scholarship

MSc in Latin American Studies

My deep interest in Latin America led me to choose the MSc in Latin American Studies at the Latin American Centre (LAC) at Oxford. With many years of experience in the region, I wanted to deepen my understanding and learn about it more systematically from different perspectives. LAC offered me a wide range of courses and seminars covering all of the topics that I was interested in.

· Dissertation: Renewable Energy Development and Policy Effectiveness in Latin America: A Panel Data Analysis; Awarded MSc with Merit.

Integrated Academic Minor of BA

The integrated academic program of my Bachelor’s degree at Tec de Monterrey in Mexico sparked my initial interest in pursuing a career in global business. During my time in Guadalajara, I studied a diverse range of subjects in Economics and Business, as well as Humanities and Arts, and, most importantly, formed lifelong friendships.

BA in Spanish

I received a BA in Spanish from SISU, with minors in business and humanities. The foundational courses I took during my undergraduate studies prepared me well for future challenges in the early stages of my career development.

· Thesis: A Simple Numeric Method Application: Spanish Plural Formation Analysis; Final GPA: 3.80/4.0

English

Spanish

Chinese Mandarin

Portuguese

Cantonese

Hokkien

German

Italian

Japanese