International Business Certificate Program __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

Registration Affiliate Corporate Syllabus

May 2008

Virginia Commonwealth University’s International Business Certificate Program Enters 11^th Year: Over 325 Individuals Educated To-date in Global Commerce

      Today, the United States is the economic wonder of the world.  With approximately 5% of the world’s population, it produces and consumes 25% of global output. This of course means that 95% of the world’s population lives outside the US and 75% of the world’s productivity takes place outside its borders.  These latter two percentages are expected to continue to rise and because of this many believe the vast majority of future business prospects and growth lies outside the US. These realities are drivers of the current economic, political and social phenomenon known as “globalization” which represents both opportunities and challenges for each of us.

      Virginia Commonwealth University is proactively addressing the opportunities and challenges brought on by globalization with its once a year international business certificate program that educates those interested in exporting, importing, international sourcing and a myriad of other topics related to doing business in the global arena.

      In the fall of 1997, Dr. Eugene Trani (President of Virginia Commonwealth University), then Chairman of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, selected international commerce as a focus of his chairmanship. As part of this focus he asked Dr. Van R. Wood (VCU Professor of International Marketing and Philip Morris Chair in International Business) to help develop a program highlighting the dimensions of international business that entrepreneurs or managers would have to know when doing business around the world.  From this, the VCU International Business Certificate Program (IBCP) was created.   Now in its eleventh year, the VCU - IBCP has certified and educated over 300 individuals from Richmond and Central Virginia in the nuances and complexities of international business. 

      The IBCP gives participants a practical, broad-based view of what it takes to be successful in international business, focusing on getting products and services developed, financed, transported, promoted and paid for in international markets. Likewise, it explores sourcing from overseas and importing into the U.S.  It also covers the realities of “globalization” and what it means to our society now and in the future. 

      Each session presents in-depth coverage of specific topics taught by experts and recognized leaders in the international business community. Sessions cover global business analysis, global logistics services, marketing and managing in foreign countries, international law and contracts, state and federal global business assistance agencies, international banking and other relevant topics. Because of its broad appeal, past participants in the program have come from a variety of backgrounds including sales, accounting and taxation, finance and banking, information systems, human resource management, transportation, education, engineering, public agencies and many other professional fields.

      The VCU IBC Program take place over twelve weeks, beginning this year on September 3rd and ending November 26th 2008.  Participants meet one evening a week from 6:00–9:00 p.m (on Wednesdays). Sessions are held at various locations throughout the community including the Port of Richmond, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Universal Corporation, Philip Morris USA, BB&T, Troutman Sanders - LLC, and Virginia Commonwealth University. Each participant receives a Certificate of Completion in International Business from VCU at the end of the program.  Class size is limited to 40 to ensure individual attention, and participants are selected such that a class network of business owners, entrepreneurs, managers, public agency personnel and advanced students is created.

      If you desire additional information or have an interest in joining this year’s IBC Program and receiving this education, please contact Dr. Van R. Wood, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Business, Snead Hall, School of Business
301 W. Main Street, Box 844000, Richmond, VA 23284-4000, (O) 804.828.1746, (F) 804.828.8884, e-mail: vrwood@vcu.edu.

Addition Comments can be obtained from the following individuals who have either taken the VCU - IBC Program or taught in it. 

VCU IBC Program Speakers

Andrew J. Kohut – CEI, Chesapeake Corporation – Tel: 804.697.1152

Hank Selby – President, Global Trade and Logistic Services, Inc. Cell: 804.389.1146

William J. Benos, Esq. - Partner, Williams Mullen L.L.C – Tel: 804.643.1991

Anne Grey - Director, U.S. Export Assistance Center Arlington, VA -                         Tel:  703.235.0327   Cell: 202.409.2108

Wendy Dahl - Vice President for International Services, BB&T, Richmond                   Tel: 804.787.1079

Dorothy Erlanger - President, Erlanger Inc, Tel: 804.749.4100 

Greg Wingfield - President, Greater Richmond Partnership. Tel: 804.643.3227

Paul Grossman – Director, International Trade and Investment, Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Tel: 804.545.5752

Dr. Pamela Kiecker – Head of Research, Royall & Company (Professor of Marketing and Former Chair, Department of Marketing and Business Law, School of Business, Virginia Commonwealth University)- Tel: 804.741.6337 

Dan Ream - Associate Professor and Head of Instruction and Outreach Services, VCU – Tel: 804.828.6545

VCU IBC Program Former Students

Tricia Woodson – Founder and President, Baby Fanatic, Inc. Tel: 804.833.3131 (Ms. Woodson is also a speaker in the program, and is doing business, importing from China and Vietnam)

Jim Bailey – General Manager, Federal Marine Terminals, Port of Richmond                Tel: 804.646.7000

Wayne Sine – Director of Corporate Taxation – Southern States Cooperative.             Tel: 804.281.1000

Nat Ganesh – President – SevHilss Sigma Excellence LLC. Tel: 804.503.0205

Why IBCP?

Fred James, Visual Aids Electronics in Richmond, VA
“The final presentation at the law firm was helpful in conveying the complexity of international legal issues, as well as the necessity of understanding them. The cultural sensitivity presentation was enjoyable because it challenged the student to understand the importance of getting to know his or her target market on a variety of levels. The library presentation was invaluable for completing the marketing plan.”

Tim Grollimund, Vice President, Telephos, Inc.
“The Program gives a great overview and provides ample opportunity for contacts and sources for research. I was pleased with all the speakers. They all presented information I did not know or points of view I need to take into consideration.”

Coen Pfaf, International Exchange Student from the Netherlands:
"I think it is great that the some classes are held at various sites, mostly at the speaker's companies. Also, I liked the practical examples each speaker provided in the sessions."

Doug Clark, Vice President for Enrollment Management at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, VA
“Overall, I think the course provides a great overview of International Business from qualified professionals with diverse perspectives.”

George Stamper, Product Engineer, Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex
“This is a unique opportunity to learn from seasoned globalists as well as an introduction to all of the resources that are available through universities, governments, corporate service providers and business clubs.”

Maggie Ellis Bland, District Manager, Hershey Chocolate Corp.
“The course was very useful, realistic, and interesting. Having different speakers each week made the course particularly interesting.”

Michael B. Gunlicks, LL.M – Attorney/Gunlicks Law, L.C.
“The program is incomparable in providing a thorough and broad analysis and discussion of international business opportunities in the greater Richmond metro area, and in providing information and access with regards to contacts active in international business.”