IBCP - Click Here to Download Syllabus for 2009

International Business Certificate Program - 2009

*Richmond, VIRGINIA USA***

Draft – July 9, 2009
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business
Offered in Cooperation with the VCU Foundation

And Co-Sponsored by the following affiliates

Chesterfield County Department of Economic Development
City of Richmond Office of Economic Development/Office of Minority Business Enterprise
Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce
Greater Richmond Partnership
Greater Richmond Technology Council
Hanover County Department of Economic Development
Henrico County Economic Development Authority
Port of Richmond
Society of International Business Fellows
US Department of Commerce-Virginia Export Assistance Center
Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce
Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Virginia Department of Business Assistance
Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Virginia International Business Council (formerly Richmond Export Import Club)
World Affairs Council of Greater Richmond

Course Facilitators:

Dr. Van R. WOOD, VCU (804.519.2022) VRWOOD@VCU.EDU
George L. Hiller, J.D., VCU (804.387.0987) GLHILLER@VCU.EDU
McKenzie Yu Wang, IBCP 2008 Assistant (804.828.9425) PMGRAD@VCU.EDU

Fall Semester 2009
September 8 – November 17, 2008
Tuesday, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Learning Resources (recommended readings)

The Post American World, by Fareed Zakaria, (W.W. Norton & Co., New York, 2008).

The Way We’ll Be – The Transformation of the American Dream, by John Zogby (Random House 2008).

The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century, by Thomas Friedman (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005)

The Lexus and the Olive Tree-Understanding Globalization, by Thomas L. Friedman (Anchor Books, 2000) – Optional Reading – students buy on Amazon.com

India Unbound-The Social and Economic Revolution from Independence to the Global Information Age, by Gurcharan Das (Anchor Books, 2002) – Optional Reading

In Spite of the Gods: Strange Rise of Modern India,Edward Luce (Double Day, 2008) – Optional Reading

China Now: Doing Business in the World’s Most Dynamic Market, N. Mark Lam, John L. Graham (McGraw-Hill, 2008)

The Rise of the Creative Class and How It’s Transforming Work, Leisure, Community and Everyday Life, by Richard Florida (Basic Books, 2002) – Optional Reading

The Flight of the Creative Class: The New Global Competition for Talent, by Richard Florida (Collins, 2008)

The Marketing Plan Handbook (2nd Ed.), by Marian Burk Wood (Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005)

Program Project Details and Marketing Plan – to be provided in class
Class Related Materials – to be provided in class each week

Program Requirements

Certification Participants: Develop, Undertake and Complete an IBCP 2009 Project

VCU Graduate Students: Develop, Undertake and Complete an IBCP 2009 Project, and Final Exam (75% and 25% respectively)

PARKING: On-street parking is available on a “first-come, first-served” basis. Participants may also use the VCU Parking Deck at 100 South Jefferson Street.

The fee for parking in the decks is $5.

Information on parking at other class venues will be provided through the semester.

VCU International Business Certificate Program 2009

Week 1

Why International Business?

VCU Snead Hall, 301 West Main St, (Corner of Main & Belvidere). Room E2214

September 8, 2009

Program - Global Business Perspectives

1, Welcome – Dr. David Urban – Interim Dean, VCU School of Business

2, Introduction of Program Participants – Name, Company Affiliation, VCU Graduate Students, etc.

3, Program Leadership

Dr. Van R. Wood – Professor of International Marketing and Philip Morris Endowed Chair in International Business, School of Business, Virginia Commonwealth University
Mr. George L. Hiller, J.D., Adjunct Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University

4, Goals/Objectives and Assignments of International Business Certificate Program (IBCP) – 2005

International perspective on business – strategic as well as tactical
Wide variety of means and methods to go global
Introduction to people and resources in Greater Richmond
Understanding major ways international transactions differ from domestic
Discussion of “VCU in the International Arena” projects
Program readings, assignments and requirements

5, Keynote Speaker

Bruce V. Thomas – Senior Vice President, Meadwestvaco, Inc. (MWV)

Capitalizing on Opportunities Both From and In the Fastest Growing Regions in the World
The opportunity and the challenges faced in international business
Highlights of MWV’s involvement and rationale for international business

Goals of the Session

Understand the goals and requirements of the course

Become familiar with the role of international business in the 21st Century

Meet fellow students and begin networking

Week 2

Finding International Business Information: Evaluating Foreign Markets
VCU Cabell Library, 901 Park Avenue, 3rd Floor Classroom/Lab

September 15, 2009

Program

1, Opportunities and Threats In the International Business Arena - Situation Analysis:

Identifying, Assessing and Prioritizing Markets
Dr. Van Wood - Philip Morris Chair in International Business, VCU

2, Introduction - Technology & Globalization

Dan Ream - Associate Professor and Head of Instruction and Outreach Services, VCU

Focus on using the internet to research international business information; Including but not limited to:

Trade and employment laws
Economic and labor statistics
US and foreign government import/export regulations
Economic and political climate

Locating news and business journal resources in countries all over the world; Appropriate web links will be provided

3, Basics of Starting a Small Business (Implications for Importing and Exporting from Virginia)

Kathryn L. Dolan, Procurement Assistance & Business Services Manager, Business Information Services, Virginia Department of Business Assistance (VDBA)

Goals of the Session

Understand the drivers of international development and economic growth (and thus international business opportunities)

Understand the range and depth of information available on the web applicable to international business.

Gain skills in accessing specific resources involved in key areas of international business

Understand the realities of starting a business in Virginia.

Week 3

International Trade

Assessing Readiness and Identifying Potential Markets

VCU Snead Hall, 301 West Main St, (Corner of Main & Belvidere). Room E2214

September 22, 2009

Discussion: Current Events

Program

Issues in Developing an International Business – Successful Experiences

Tricia Woodson – Founder and President, Baby Fanatic, Inc.
Mark Buss – President, MB Consulting

The International Marketing Plan and Class Assignment

Dr. Van Wood – VCU Philip Morris Endowed Chair in International Business

Goals of the Session

Become familiar with the first component of an international marketing plan, the situation analysis, for use on class assignment and their own company’s situation

Gain insights into different approaches for exploiting an international business opportunity in practice

Learn from actual case studies.

Week 4

International Transportation and Distribution Strategies:

Building Blocks for Trade – Part I

VCU Snead Hall, 301 West Main St, (Corner of Main & Belvidere). Room E2214

September 29, 2009

Program

Shipping Your Goods: The Export/Import Process

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

Incoterms – What are they? Why are they used? How should they be applied?
Product Classification – Basic and Application for Import and Export

Exercise – each person brings in a product or a spec sheet – groups will attempt to classify 3-4 products from the group

Governmental Regulations
US Government Regulations – Export

Export Control
Advance Shipment Manifest Requirements

US Government Regulation – Import

U.S. Customs role and function
Post-9/11 considerations

NAFTA Considerations
What it is and why it is important
How product classification affects origination qualification
NAFTA exercise using products already classified above
Documentation Required for International Shipping
Export Documents Required – examples and handouts
Import Documents Required
Roles of Freight Forwarders and Customhouse Brokers
Modes of International Transportation
Trucking, Ocean Freight, Air Freight
Strategic Business Consideration
Choosing Service Providers
Import – Foreign Sourcing, Landed Cost Worksheet
Export – Quoting Effectively, Figuring All Cost Factors
NAFTA Considerations

Goals of the Session

Shipping basics
Appreciate the breadth and magnitude of details of international logistics in multinational and integrated carried
Become familiar with the trade service provider who will help company meet its logistics needs
Identify key success factors for effective logistics

Week 5

Tour: Port of Richmond

International Transportation and Distribution Strategies:

Building Blocks for Trade – Part II

Port of Richmond, 5000 Deepwater Terminal Road (6:00-7:00 pm)

Philip Morris USA Lecture Hall 4201 Commerce Road (7:15-9:00 pm)
(Hosted by Mr. David Clark – Philip Morris USA)

October 6, 2009

Program

Introduction and tour of the Port of Richmond

Mr. Jim Bailey – General Manager, Federal Marine Terminals, Port of Richmond

Program – continuation of Week 4

Models of International Transport: Trucking Freight, Ocean Freight, and Air Freight
Strategic Business Considerations: Choosing Service Provider, Import, Export, NAFTA

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

Goals of the Session

Continuation of Mr. Hank Selby’s session

Learn about international operations of the Port of Richmond

Week 6

October 13, 2009

61th Virginia Annual Conference on World Trade

Dulles Westfields Marriott, Virginia

Oct. 14 (Wednesday) – Oct. 15 (Thursday) 2009

No class will be held in Richmond this week. Students are encouraged to attend the Virginia Conference on World Trade – October 14th & 15th. More details on the conference will be provided early in the semester.

http://www.vacwt.org/

Week 7

Entrepreneurship and New Product/Service Development in the Global Business Arena

VCU Snead Hall, 301 West Main St, (Corner of Main & Belvidere). Room E2214

October 20, 2009

Program – Note: Draft/Outline of Projects Due

Global Entrepreneurship and the “Born Global” concept.
Dr. Matt Rutherford – Associate Professor of Management – VCU School of Business

     New Product/Service Development in the Global Business Arena.
    Dr. Frank Franzak – Associate Professor of Marketing – VCU School of Business



Goals of the Session

Understand basics of entrepreneurship in the international business environment
Understand the new product/service model as it applies to international business
Know what information to seek is needed to be a success international entrepreneur
Know what information is seek when assessing the viability of a new product or service aimed at international markets.

Week 8

Key Legal Issues for International Businesses

VCU Snead Hall, 301 West Main St, (Corner of Main & Belvidere). Room E2214

October 27, 2009

Program

Legal Issues in International Business Operations

Speaker: J.R. Smith, Esq., Hunton & Williams, LLC

Goals of the Session

Gain an appreciation for the key legal issues involved in cross-border transactions

Understand the different kinds of intellectual property, the fragmented system of global protection, and the importance of protecting intellectual property in international transactions

Learn key issues and foreign regulations on contracts with agents and distributors

Become familiar with US laws that regulate your commercial activity abroad

Week 9

Economic Development and International Promotion Resources

Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Riverfront Tower West, 20th floor

November 3, 2009

Discussion: Current events

Program

Virginia Economic Development Partnership

Paul Grossman – Director, International Trade and Investment
Terri Noll - Client Services Manager - International Trade

US Department of Commerce

Eric McDonald - Director, U.S. Export Assistance Center Arlington, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University – School of World Studies

Dr. Patricia Cummins (PhD) – Professor of World Studies

Goals of the Session

Know the international business resources available to firms and entrepreneurs through Virginia and U.S. agencies
Understand both “exporting from” and “investing in” Virginia strategies
Gain an understanding of key political, economic, social, and cultural factors regarding doing business overseas and how to incorporate them into an effective strategy
Gain in-depth insights into the meaning and significance of “cultural inventory” as it relates to the global business environment.

Week 10

International Trade Banking

BB&T Building, 8th Floor Boardroom, 823 East Main St.

November 10, 2009

Program

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

Goals of the Session

Have a basic understanding of the principal international banking products used for payments of imports and exports

Receive detailed instruction on letters of credit including the flow of money, documents, and merchandise

Learn about export financing options, both short and medium term

Learn how a bank evaluates credit risk for both import and export transactions

Receive a briefing on the international balance of payments system and mechanics of buying/selling foreign exchange

Week 11

International Entrepreneurs
International Marketing of Services

VCU Snead Hall, 301 West Main St, (Corner of Main & Belvidere). Room E2214

November 17, 2009

Program

Dorothy Erlanger - President, Erlanger Inc.

Goals of the Session

Have a better understanding of the market for services outside the US

Gain an understanding of unique challenge of marketing services outside the US

Be able to differentiate and work with marketing of services versus marketing of products

Discuss opportunities for entrepreneurs to enter the international marketplace

Gain a better understanding of challenges and opportunities for international entrepreneurs

Learn practical advice in setting up an international business from a local company

Week 12

A Global Perspective from a Richmond Multinational Corp.
Awarding of Certificates
Universal Corporation, Headquarters, 1501 North Hamilton Street

November 24, 2009

Program

Review of Course - Dr. Van Wood and Mr. George Hiller, VCU

Keynote Speaker – Mr. George Freeman, Universal Corporation

3. Presentation of Certificates - Dr. Van Wood and Mr. George Hiller

4. Course Evaluation

Goals of the Session


            By the end of this session, participants will:

Appreciate the interrelation of all topics covered in the course

Be prepared to evaluate their organizations’ next steps

Strengthen and expand their networks of contacts

Obtain their “well-deserved” Certificates of Achievement