Wednesday, 07 March 2012 07:55

Editorial: The Dr. Pearson spirit Featured

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Monument of Dr. Pearson in Plaza Pedralbes Monument of Dr. Pearson in Plaza Pedralbes

Most of the people in Barcelona think that Dr. Pearson is just the name of the avenue where a famous business school is located. But Dr. Frederick Stark Pearson was a great american engineer who arrived in Barcelona in June 1911, just over one hundred years ago, and who in few years transformed the city and the country of Catalonia.

Pearson was born in 1861 at Lowell, Massachusetts, studied electrical engineering and went on to have an intensive professional career that spanned the world. From Boston, New York and other American cities, to Canada, Mexico and Brasil, he developed innovative projects and built electrical plants, tram networks and railways moved by this new energy source.

Once in London, he entered into a contact with a Catalan engineer named Carlos Montañes who convinced him to come to Barcelona and invest in the project of the electrification of Barcelona and Catalonia.

I looked at the whole exciting story of Dr. Pearson in the BcnIn blog.

I have also chosen to begin this editorial, my first for BcnIn, with that inspiring story due to its powerful symbolism. After one hundred years, Pearson's story still teaches us some important lessons.

The first lesson is that the power of an idea can transform the world; then it was electrical energy, now it is a great group of new techologies. One person -- Dr. Pearson, or you -- with a powerful idea, can transform an economy and a society.

Second, the power of the foreign-local parnership. Dr. Pearson and Carlos Montañes -- or you and your Catalan partner -- can create a great project in Barcelona. This city is a good place to carry out great projects.

The third lesson is that of talent atraction as the main asset for cities and countries. Innovative projects, new busines models and people able to put them in practice, is indeed the main lesson from Pearson and his friend Montañes.

BcnIn wants to help its members to identify good and profitable business oportunities. Those opportunities could mean an improved future for you, for the city's economy and for all of us.

Miquel Barcelo

President, BcnIn

Barcelona, February 2012

Read 1331 times Last modified on Tuesday, 17 April 2012 08:24
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