Grupo Integral, May 2003 - now

Our consulting firm, Grupo Integral S.R.L. was created on the 16th of July 2003. All the serious stuff can be seen on the official Grupo Integral homepage. This page is dedicated to the fun stuff.

 

 
"The GI Thinker"

 The Grupo Integral logo was instrumental for the sensation of identity in our group. As many important ideas, it came to life on a napkin, when Osvaldo and I were sitting and playing around with G's and I's in a bar in La Paz, and suddenly recognized something that resembled Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker". The Bolivian designer, Mauricio Fajado developed the idea, and my sister Helle, also multimedia designer, perfected it.  

When necessary, the logo can be easily adapted to different events, which is very convenient. 



To the right is a picture of Osvaldo, Paloma and Paola doing the compulsory challa in the office.

 The next crucial step was to find office space. Although it is a bit expensive, we have never regretted moving into the Monrroy Vélez building on 21st street in San Miguel. A very convenient location, and after filling it with nice furniture, equipment, art, and plants it must be one of the nicest office spaces in the city.

The Grupo Integral Inauguration Party was held on the 12th of  September 2003 with the participation of many good friends and colleagues. 

 

 

 


Oscar, Lykke, Kristian, Osvaldo y Paloma


Carlos Machicado, Armando Salas, Manuel Arana,Jorge Asín, Armando Mendez


Horacio, José Luis, Eduardo, Alex, Milton,Maurico, Federico


Oscar and his family
We consider Grupo Integral a stepping stone for young researchers, so we don't expect them to hang around forever, even if would have liked to keep them. 

Paola Barrientos was the first junior researcher at Grupo Integral, and she was also the first one to leave, as she got a job offer in the government.

We held a farewell party for her in March of 2004. It started out seriously enough with speeches and the handing over of a engraved silver plate, but it quickly deteriorated into a delicious fight with water pistols. 



A month later we celebrated Osvaldo's Birthday together with almost all the Integralistas in Mongos.
In September of 2004 we made a Grupo Integral trip to Coroico. Osvaldo and Julia (visiting researcher from Germany) went first by bike, and the rest of us arrived the day after in mini-bus.

It was a great, relaxing weekend at the pool, in the game room, and walking in the forest together with the best of friends.

On the 5th of November 2004, we celebrated the conclusion of the first Grupo Integral course (Micro-econometrics applied to Public Policy).

Diplomas were handed over at a cocktail party in the offices.

 

Two new partners, Beatriz Muriel and Martin Vargas joined Grupo Integral just in time for the Christmas Party, which was held at Oscar's house with lots of food, games and Karaoke.

 

In April of 2005 we held a Grupo Integral Beer Tasting Barbecue. Natasha (7 years old) won by far, identifying correctly 5 out of 8 beers, while the rest only got 2 or 3 correct.

Here the girls are playing Twisters, while the guys are watching.

 



After a lot of practicing, we held the Grupo Integral Britannia Dart Chapionship at our favorite pub, Britannia, in July of 2005. 

Lykke and Osvaldo won, as they had practiced consistently every Thursday for many months. Paloma and Oscar got the second place and Gabriela and Karoline the third. The loosers (Paola and Kathryn) got to hand over medals and take photos.