Noon@Nance Seminar Series for Marketing Professionals

The Monte Ahuja College of Business is presenting an ongoing series of lunchtime seminars entitled “Noon@Nance: A Look at Current Trends and Best Practices in Marketing.” Past topics have included Internet Marketing and Building your brand.

These free discussions and networking events are held at the Levin College of Urban Affairs, located at 1717 Euclid Avenue. Attendees are welcome to bring their lunches; refreshments will also be provided by the sponsors, the College’s Department of Marketing and the student chapter of the American Management Association.

Moderator Jim D’Orazio is a term instructor at Cleveland State’s College of Business and president of Practical Web Strategies. He teaches courses in internet marketing, marketing strategy and the business environment. His company works with small to mid-sized companies to develop effective internet business strategies.

Next Panel Discussion: February 21 - Sustainable Business Practices in a Global Economy

Students utilizing Study Abroad Opportunities

Dr. Thomas W. Whipple with students in London,2007.

The college of Business has seen an increase in its students choosing to study abroad. There is a strong commitment on the part of both the administration and faculty to increase global awareness and study abroad participation. A study abroad experience teaches students marketable skills that employers look for. Students gain an understanding of international business practices and learn to conduct research by another country’s standards. They also develop a greater multi-cultural awareness of others and international issues. Research programs provide students with the opportunity to connect with business leaders and to conduct projects that they would encounter in the work place.

Many students decide to participate in short term study abroad programs led by faculty. In fact, the Monte Ahuja College of Business is running the highest number of short term faculty-led programs at CSU this academic year. These programs focus on going abroad to conduct specific research assignments for Northeast Ohio companies. Dr. Thomas W. Whipple, Professor and Chair of the Department of  Marketing annually organizes a short term program that takes students to Buckinghamshire New University in England. They spend two weeks in May conducting research in London. Students are divided into teams and independently collect information, set appointments, and administer surveys to fulfill the individual research needs of Cleveland-based companies. The program earns the students four credit hours in Marketing 440 or 640. Marketing students also recently visited France. (See “CSU Students Visit Four Companies in France” )

Dr. Whipple also leads a short term program in Germany during spring break. The program is conducted through a partnership with the Berufsakademie Heidenheim and earns the students three credit hours for International Business 491 or Marketing 491. Students are able to visit renowned companies in Heidenheim, Munich, and Berlin. This company tour gives students hands on experience and a global view of how European businesses are run. Students also spend time at Berufsakademie Heidenheim, providing them the opportunity to interact with German students.

Professor Misra, Professor and Chair of the Computer Science Department, is  involved in a new global business certificate program that involves . students working with students from Chile and Germany. The program lasts from January through May 2008, and will be held in all three countries at different times. Students will communicate with each other through interactive video, and will meet on April 24 in Chile to present their finished projects. The goal of the program is to have students working in multinational teams to complete real projects for organizations. The program is being sponsored by Nordson Corporation, Vita- Mix, and Swagelock. Part of the travel costs for CSU students has been covered by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

There are other short term study abroad programs that CSU students can participate in to gain international research experience. In addition to short term programs, the College of Business has semester or year long exchange programs with our partner universities in Chile, France, Germany, Spain, and Sweden that allow students to study abroad while only paying their CSU tuition. Business students can also design their own study abroad program. For more information on short and long term study abroad programs, students can visit the Global Business Center in BU 327, or the Center for International Services and Programs located on the 11th floor of the Keith Building.

Does your Company Need Free Market Research?

The Monte Ahuja College of Business is currently seeking project proposals for next year’s study tours. Companies looking to benefit from free research in England that focuses on real- life issues facing Cleveland area companies can contact Dr. Thomas Whipple at t.whipple@csohio.edu.