Italian Business Culture….

What do you think about when you hear the name Italy?  Is it sandy beaches along the Mediterranean Coast?  Is it the Coliseum in Rome? Or is it the thought magnificent aromas coming from perfectly prepared food?  Well let me let you in on a little secret.  It is all of these plus much, much more.  Our class flew into Milan on Saturday May 8^th.  The first few days were busy trying to adjust to jet lag while working full days.  Don’t let this last sentence make it sound like it was terrible, but in fact the opposite.  The next weekend our class went to Rome, and saw many amazing sights.  However, my roommates Chris Price and Jon White decided to go to Zurich instead.  If you are a full blown lover of capitalism by all means you must see Zurich.  The banking industry coupled with the culture was amazing.  The train ride back to Milan was well worth the price of the train ticket.  We were able to get beautiful pictures trolling through the Alps.  This weekend we will be heading into Milan to tour and meet with the Lombardy government.  So, look for a blog post next week sometime.  Now on to the actual work in Italy

The working environment in Italy is quite different when compared with the U.S.  This is not a compare and contrast to determine a victor, but a simple evaluation to show how business is done in differently across cultures.  The first thing I found unique about Italy is the size of the companies.  The company I am currently working for has 59 employees, which in Italian terms is quite large.  There are many million dollar plus firms in Italy with only 5 employees.  So imagine the rate of return each employee is bringing into the company.  The U.S. environment feels that every facet of business is moving to large MNC’s.  So, thinking of this Italian ideal of small organizations takes a little while to conceptualize.

The next defining characteristic is that most Italian companies are family owned.  These people have a true sense of entrepreneurism.  They nurture their companies from the ground up, and the word acquisition is not even in the picture.   However growing up in the U.S. culture, all I think of is growing a business, and if the opportunity arises selling it to the highest bidder. 

The final cultural difference, I noticed, is the inability to start a company.  Now think about this for a minute.  Imagine you wanted to start a business, ok.  If you didn’t have the capital, what would you do to finance starting your company.……

You probably said get a loan from a bank or, if you had a really savvy idea, maybe you said get venture capitalists backing.  However, it isn’t like that inside the European Union.  This is due to regulations on tax reporting and venture capitalism is not allowed between nations inside the EU.  The banks also require much more information before they are willing to approve loans.  For me, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but just another way of conducting business. 

Jonathan Smith

Classmates to Friends

As this year comes to a close the MBAL program will be introducing its first graduates from the school of business. As we graduate, go on to new endeavors, and find a new career it is hard to not think about the time over the past two years that the ten of us have spent together. In typical programs other than school work students do not have the chance to come together on personal levels with their respectable classmates. Problem based learning has provided us a chance to understand each other’s different styles honing on each person’s abilities and allowing students to be cohesive.

Sure this type of collective agreement between classmates is fun, nothing prepared the class for the experience of a lifetime. The opportunity that the MBAL class received has inevitably led to more opportunities in life and a great understanding of the world we live in. Having traveled to Shanghai, China to learn about the culture, history, business ideals, and intern is an experience that we will never forget and will always carry with us. Not only did this trip revel the opportunity of a life time but it also helped spark closeness between classmates unseen before. Spending everyday with each other was fun and allowed us to coincide on issues in the future. We have a better understanding of peoples thinking due to this experience.  Greater friendships were made as a result that will last through the future and hopefully continue for a long period of time.

With graduation upon us it’s offered a chance to reflect on the program in which we enrolled upon two years ago. A new program centered on a new curriculum that was not traditional, were the least of my worries, instead how we would get to intertwine with others stood apart. The class has a mutual respect for each other and it has allowed us all to shine in our own way. This has shown us what our strengths and weaknesses are and will allow us to embrace or change them for the future.

Pessimistic or Objectiveness

As an athlete my leadership abilities have been honed ever since I entered high school. Having the ability to lead is a talent that many have yet to receive and some have a long way to achieving. I myself have had trouble switching my leadership styles into the business world as it can be interpreted controversially.

Because I have excelled in sports, I have always led by having the ability to show people what I am doing and given pessimistic or objective views. I have had to change this type of thinking because being a pessimist in business is not constructive to groups. A pessimist is someone that gives advice or leads by letting you know what your downfalls are and not what your strengths are. Instead this type of thinking does not transfer into the business community.

As an alternative I need to reevaluate and revamp my leadership style, as I have done slowly over the past two years, into a full blown objective type of leadership. This type of leader is one who sees the best and the worst of each situation, outlines the main points, and offers solutions to these problems.  This is the type of leader that I am becoming but am a long way from achieving.

I still have my downfalls and am willing to admit that and it’s because I am a pessimist when it comes to athletics and business. This way of thinking has been chiseled into my brain for my entire life and changing this has not been an easy process. A major motivator though is that I want people to understand that they are doing great and even though I may point out something wrong it doesn’t supersede the 10 things that they did better. As I continue my evolution from an education world and athletics based world into the business world, I have focused my energies on becoming even better at being optimistic in every aspect of life and work, continually re assessing myself to better my performance, so that others around me may benefit.

Athletics vs Business or is it Athletics and Business

Over the past century student athletes have been ridiculed in division-1 as students who are just there to play sports rather than learn anything applicable to life. Coaches have been burned at the stake for allowing players to play when they are ineligible or to work out some agreement with teachers so that their star player can play in the bowl game. But really is this synonymous with all student athletes?

I was once told that the best student to hire right out of college was an athlete. They are typically the most mature of all students because they have lived their life trying to juggle two very important aspects to their lives. Education on top of sports, can and will make someone’s life miserable if they don’t see that the best things to this are the lessons you learn. Student athletes have to be on time to every meeting, every practice, and be respectful to coaches.

As a student athlete the first thing people talk to me about is the sport in which I played, but rather how impressed they are that I was able to complete a great deal of internships all the while playing sports. Spending an entire summer in Shanghai, China never ceases to amaze people.

The opportunities that exist for me as a student athlete are enormous in my view. A student athlete possesses numerous abilities that typical students do not learn. Leading, punctual, motivated are just some of the qualifications that cannot be taught to typical college students. I have always believed that student athletes have the ability to learn just about anything and in my case I believe I do. I believe that I can adapt to anything that is thrown at me and for this I am an opportunity for an employer.

Endeavoring into Responsibility

Am I the type of person for your company? Am I the type of person that you want to hire? What certain abilities does one that works for your company need to have to work well with coworkers and most of their entire boss. These are all questions that typically a student would ask, when interviewing with a prospective employer. But are those really the questions you want to ask? Because I know that for me they are not and in fact I would like to ask more personal and informative questions in the first interview.  For me, what interests me more about a company are two very important questions.

The most important of these is what is work like in your company? I believe that I have the ability to do just about anything and am able to adapt myself, learning very quickly to take on the position that I need to, to fulfill the needs of the job. I am an ideal candidate for an employer because no matter what the work. Possessing the ability to learn on the fly is something that a lot of people do not have and happily for myself I believe I have always possessed this ability. Within a short period of time I am able to learn mechanics, how engines work, how to prepare and paint with automotive paints. On this topic of automotive paint, I learned the differences in the science behind dissimilar forms of paints. These are just a few of the things that when interested I have learned about very quickly.

Secondly, my next most important question that really emphasizes who I am is the question of responsibility. I flourish in the ability to lead and love the responsibility that comes with certain positions. Many will stray away from this due to one being a new employee but I take it as a challenge and love it.

The most endeavoring part about me though is that I want to challenge myself everyday to do better and within a company to better them also. I am a model candidate for anyone willing to rely on a new hire would benefit greatly from my work.

-Dominick Iacovone

Looking back

As the school year comes to a close I find myself looking back at what I have learned.  The graduate program has been frustrating at times, but it has also taught me far much more in these two short years than I could possibly have learned at another school.

I tend to just jump into things when presented with a problem before I begin any research or come to conclusions.  This personality trait has been strengthened in this program.  As I have discussed before, problem based learning has improved my ability to recognize problems and determine appropriate solutions.

I have learned a lot more about social media as well; I still find that I am reluctant to completely embrace this forum.  I will probably continue with Facebook and LinkedIn, but with little or no change in my usage.  On the other hand, Twitter and Blogs will probably go away from my daily usage.  Although both of these are interesting and I find that I have become more informed, I am not certain that I will have the time and inclination to continue the use when I have begun a new career.  However, I could be completely wrong on this assumption, particularly since I have changed my career focus recently to corporate communications.  This change in focus will better align my strengths and natural tendencies with the opportunities available.

I also feel that my experiences at the University of Charleston have led to my long term goal of being a counselor and support system for others.  While I am continuing to grow and mature in my own life and career, I will be able to assist my company in finding, developing, and keeping young talent.  This goal has only recently become clear with some of the various exercises completed this semester.  When creating a vision board I discovered that the majority of the items focused in on more personal views and objectives.  Also, the types of blogs and informational sources that I follow in my personal time focus on personal growth and productivity.

In conclusion, I have found items and topics that I will take away from this semester and others that I will leave behind.  However, the entire process has been informative and I will be able to continue my growth and achieve any goals that I set for myself now and in the future.

-Jennifer Drake

Picture from Ms Ladyred on Flickr.

My Choice

Currently more and more people are spending the time with computer much more than ever, think about 20 years old, only few people knew how to operate with computer. Beside this, the internet network was invented and implied to people’s life about 10 years. Within the short period of 10 years, this sort of media has been developing so fast, in fact I realize that more people has to work with internet network.

Previous as the discussion about social media that gives either company or individuals a lot of opportunities to show their life and present the lifestyle they have. Obviously I am sure the company website is must to have nowadays when company is trying to positioning in market. The website is their media to show company’s style, of course there are more and more social sites such as face book, twitter and linked-in. they are very efficient way and place to show company or individuals. Of course, there is success!!!

 The choice people take that determine the people’s fate; base on the valuable media of internet network, I will take my choice to work with internet. Either the way to do business or show myself in the public, the internet media is the first I certainly choose; however back to the point of choice, I would love to say that opening up an online shop by using social media as the tool of public relation. By doing business via internet network, it is a bit different than regular business such as a physical store open up in mall, instead my choice is operating business via internet. And I have got several tools to utilize for product/service showcase in public; here is my choices and general plan.

1. Register a online shop and get it set up. Register all terms of legal consequence through the sites.
2. Logged back to different social network sites for public the news for e-shop open up.
3. Decorating my e-shop and allocate products, pricing and prepare the terms of shipment.
4. Share different stories about what I am busy for the moment as presenting a lifestyle.
5. Ongoing release the latest new as publishing soft advertisement in social network sites.

 

As result of all mentioned above, this is just an idea to see how my choice is taking into account, and my choice is focusing on the internet world; as lifestyle I can easily publish notes or stories into webpage, and internet has no barriers of country or culture, even with language.

I believe my choice is the trend of world life, among countries will have to rely on the internet network to connect each other, internet or talking deeper with social media; it will become a very strong powerful tool to show personal life and doing business, people are connection each other close and life is getting easier with it, I choose to dig into this field and spend time on it as enjoy my life as well. Enjoy life while is doing business via social media, and let all people around world know me and my life. My choice is taking social media and social media chooses me to work with it.

Hard time in China-Drought in Yunnan，China

Recently we have heard lot news about the drought in Yunnan province of China; people are suffering the drought and lack of drinking water. Chinese government has set up the special project to support people. In fact a huge number of loss that happened with this drought, from economic perspective, there must be huge badly impact of drought in Yunnan. However there are still some exceptions from it, which is quite different than logical thinking.

The tourism is still hot in YUNNAN

　　Yunnan is a beautiful land, people of Yunnan have typical character of simple and honest and the countless beautiful scenes that attract visitors stop by from all directions.

Here is the story from two travelers in Yunnan-Kunming: those two travelers are planning to land in Yunnan from Beijing and Shenzhen. They also have missions to take report to their own blog release; On the road to city center from airport, the lush trees and cherry blossoms are having in full bloom on both sides, which really surprise them. Is this the worst drought areas in Yunnan ? they were told, people’s basic are not affected on living in the city, residential electricity, water is staying usual, food and vegetable supply are staying stability, there is no noticeable fluctuations in prices of commodity, Kunming is completed Zhangjiu River water diversion project as early years, that ensure people lives for 20 years without any issue of water.

After arrive a four-star hotel in the city, they found a room here that still remained tense, there was only one standard room left, other stared hotel is almost filled. The prices are somehow higher year over year; a standard room price rate has increase to 400 instead of 360 from a year ago. From the more serious drought area- Kunming Shilin County, here for World Natural Heritage “Stone Forest” as known to the world. In this scenic entrance, there was a long waiting line to queue for “stone forest”, touring buses were coming and leave. Staff of  Stone Forest said that, the number of tourists reached 55 million people from January to March 22nd, it has not only not reduced, according to the same period in previous years, there was a slight increase. The entrance fee of Stone Forest had price increase, from 140 RMB per person up to 175RBM per person. Most of scenic area was not affected by the badly drought up to date.

All in all, Kunming is the capital of Yunnan province, local government has predicted one day that could be happening in Kunming, therefore a project has completed years ago and that could keep people living for 20years under disaster of drought. We want to ask a why the tourist is still hot there and there is impact from the drought, because the planning is implied before hand and well prepare for the future.

My next step

As a MBAL student, I have learned many knowledge concerning marketing and management in the university so far. For me, I seek to work in China on strategic management for a luxury brand organization after graduation.

     In recent years, China’s rapid economic development has greatly improved people’s lives, and people have a higher demand for their daily life, such as for luxury consumption. Due to the international financial crisis, the international luxury market appears weakness,  but it is rising to buck in China. Last year, Luxury consumption in China amounted to 9.4 billion U.S. dollars, the global share of 27.5%, as the world’s second largest consumer of luxury goods. According to Boston Consulting Group forecasts, by 2015, China will be more than 4.4 million affluent families, at that time, luxury consumption in China will account for 32% share of the world, China perhaps in 2015 will become the world’s largest luxury goods market. Thus, luxury market will be a sunrise industry in China.

     Moreover, I am also very interested in luxury goods, and I am actually familiar with many luxury brands, products. Interest is the best power. I would like to combine my interest and my knowledge that leads me to lock up my future development in strategic management of the luxury goods industry.

     In fact, China’s luxury goods industry is currently not standardized. There is not yet with a clear market, industry regulations, industry system, etc. For example, unlike other countries, a luxury in China is difficult to choose large shopping centers as sales channel, but on-line sale will become a major channel for luxury sales. China’s top shopping mall rents are very expensive, luxury in this business can be profitable, but the cost will be very high. Therefore, how to choose the market channel, how to make sale strategies, etc, which not only need an extensive research, but also a long goal, and a clear vision is necessary.  

     However, I do not believe that it is negative for my career. On the contrary, I think this is an opportunity. The person who seizes the opportunity will come to victory finally. I am willing to challenge. For example, I find that China’s rapid construction of high-speed rail will also have a tremendous impact on the layout of luxury brands in China. By 2020, China’s high-speed railway will be all over except for Xinjiang and Tibet between the various regions. The distance between cities will be shortened that will change the consumption habits of consumers in these areas. As a consequence, the selection of luxury and luxury sales channel will be enriched. Therefore, the  luxury industry can help me to practice my marketing and management knowledge and broaden my thinking. I can not wait to devote myself to the career.

Touches of the MBAL Program

With an undergraduate degree in Public Administration, I wish to broaden my knowledge and prepare myself for a career in Business and Leadership in general. A Masters in Business Administration and Leadership would give me a useful foundation in building my expertise in my chosen field. There is a lot of potential in the area of business and leadership in Liberia and although this sector is still in its infancy in Liberia, I would like to grow with the sector. Being young would enable me to start on the shop floor to exposure to the practical the application of business and leadership strategies.

The qualification in MBAL is not restricted to any particular sector but brings versatility to the concepts and principles of good leadership. As I grow in the MBAL program it would be useful for me to embark on other relevant studies which are being put in place by the wonderful MBAL faculty and staff, to augment my understanding of the subject.

It has been about six years since Liberia emerged from a debilitating civil war which saw the country suffering from a major brain drain as many of the country’s professionals sought refuge abroad. Already, there have been major investments in the country’s mining, agriculture and forestry sectors. Although the world economic downturn in recent times has delayed the operations of these businesses, the same sector should provide the impetus for economic recovery.

As a young woman, it is important for me to complete a graduate program in business for me to get into the private sector and be part of the team that will be instrumental in facilitating Liberia’s development. As large companies invest in Liberia, it is important for the country to have a large pool of well qualified personnel with sound business skills to translate investment into economic growth and development. It is my desire to be a part of the strategic team and gaining knowledge from the University of Charleston’s Graduate School of Business, in an environment with good business practice, would enable me contributes to the socio-economic development.   

By: Dekonti N. Morkonmana