Get a Valuable Professional Experience
Working on a “Team-Based” Project focusing on International Business (while earning 3 credits)
May 24th to June 30th

This elective course will focus on Globalization Market Analysis and Application and will require enrolled students to – 1) grasp the basics of global marketing strategy and implementation and 2) prepare an internationally focused market research proposal and 3) develop a strategically focused report for a “real world – client” company facing both opportunities and challenges in the global business arena.  Students will typically work in teams of 3-5 members and will basically undertake a “consulting” study that provides answers to a client’s questions.  Companies and/or organizations cooperating in this course will be designated by Dr. Wood and Professor Pearce. 

This course is intended to give participating students an opportunity to experience the issues confronting business in today’s global business environment and the decisions that have to be made by managers or entrepreneurs competing in the international marketplace.  It is also intended to be flexible in timing and respond to enrolled students’ needs with respect to their schedules.   While this course has required team and deliverable meetings, this schedule is not “set in stone” and thus this course will not conflict with any other courses that interested students may be thinking of taking this summer 2021. 

As such, the course will allow student teams flexibility in the time needed to complete their assigned project that is the core of this course (all projects must be completed and presented in both report format – hard copy and electronic copy - and verbally to their “client”, no later than the later part of June 2021). During the first “formal” class meeting (yet to be scheduled, but anticipated to be one evening session during the period May 24 to May 28, 2021) all students will meet with Dr. Wood as a class for – 1) discussion on global marketing strategy and 2) to hear from their respective “clients” (prior to this week, teams will be formed, team projects will be assigned and the company representatives that will be the “clients” of each team will be established).

Following this “formal” class meeting, students will work independently (again, in teams) on their assigned projects, with their assigned company “client” and will interact with Dr. Wood mostly by e-mail, Black Board, Zoom or in-person consultations (if safe to do so, given the COVID pandemic). Again, the class is constructed to be flexible in term of schedule, yet also to mirror a “real world” team-based, client focused, consulting project. Final grades are based on – 1) team written report (50%), 2) team verbal presentation to the “client” (50%).

This is a hands-on, action-oriented course that will give participating students a chance to research and propose meaningful recommendations to the organizations, manager(s) or entrepreneurs with whom they will be collaborating. In the past, students have not only gained valuable experience, and an excellent line on their resumes from this undertaking, but some students in the class have been hired by the participating company for which they “consulted.”

Those interested should contact Dr. Van R. Wood (cell – 804 – 519 - 2022) or e-mail – vrwood@vcu.edu (please send a short note of why you are interested in this course and attach a copy of your resume). 
 
Enrollment is limited and is by permission only, from Dr. Van R. Wood.