KIBC Hosts EMA CBC Coffee Station to Share Business Thinking and
Build Industry Connection
June 27, 2025 | Auckland, New Zealand
On a rainy winter morning in Auckland, the energy inside Level 17 of
the PwC Tower was anything but grey. Kingston International Business
College (KIBC) proudly hosted the EMA CBC Coffee Station, bringing
together a diverse group of CBC members, business professionals, and
education leaders for a morning of stimulating conversation,
cognitive reflection, and collaborative exchange.
Held in partnership with the EMA CBC Business Centre, the event
focused on how education and industry can collaborate to shape a
dynamic and future-ready workforce for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Exploring Cognitive Strategy in Business
The morning featured a keynote by Dr. Bo Lin, KIBC’s Academic
Director, who invited the audience to think differently about how
decisions are made in business environments. Drawing from behavioural
economics, Dr. Lin unpacked two powerful psychological models:
The Anchoring Effect: How initial information disproportionately influences decisions—highlighting the need for leaders to challenge first impressions and revisit underlying assumptions.
The Birdcage Effect: A metaphor illustrating how mental models and perceived value can trap individuals in comfort zones—encouraging businesses to break free from path dependence.
These ideas resonated with attendees and sparked dialogue around
strategy, creativity, and cognitive clarity in leadership. It was a
timely reminder that better business thinking begins with better
thinking.
A Morning of Purposeful Exchange
Throughout the session, guests had the opportunity to:
Gain deeper insight into KIBC’s mission to empower international talent and prepare students for success in New Zealand’s vibrant business landscape
Discuss workforce development, internship pathways, and collaborative initiatives between industry and education
Engage with CBC members and peers in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that encouraged idea sharing and new partnerships
Expand professional networks by inviting colleagues and friends to join the conversation
Coffee, conversation, and cognitive breakthroughs—this event was
just one example of how KIBC continues to connect knowledge with industry, creating deeper, more meaningful impact. Stay tuned for
more events in our ongoing series.
