October 31, 2007
Seminar series focuses on international business
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Anyone with an interest in global business can take advantage of an upcoming seminar series at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Accountants, attorneys, economic developers, bankers, entrepreneurs, financial planners, freighters, manufacturers and others will want to check out the four-day State of Illinois Certificate in International Business and Certified Global Business Professional Series. The event is coming to the Southern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center at SIUC Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 6-7. It runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day at the University's Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, located at 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road in Carbondale.
Participants will learn:
• How to research foreign markets and develop an international marketing plan
• Critical considerations to remember when developing an international supply chain
• Current global economic and business trends and how they impact business planning
• International finance and pricing options
• Employee selection and other human resource issues relative to international trade
• Foreign exchange rates and methods for lowering the exchange rate risk
• How differing American and international laws impact business overseas
• The impact culture, customs and traditions have on international business
"As the programs of the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network initiate and develop our client services portfolio by adding assistance in international trade, we increase the value of our technical assistance," said Robyn Laur Russell, who was recently named director of Business Development and International Trade at SIUC. "Every entrepreneur in Southern Illinois needs to become knowledgeable in international business. We all need to begin thinking and working toward entering the global marketplace. One successful infusion for businesses in a rural based economy is the ability to expand into additional markets. We have so much to learn and so much potential to grow!"
Those registering by Nov. 15 pay the early registration price of $495, while the cost increases to $550 for those signing up Nov. 16-22. The cost includes all instruction, course materials, handouts and daily continental breakfast and lunch. It also includes the course text, "The Global Entrepreneur: Taking Your Business International" by instructor James Foley.
Foley, with more than 20 years experience, is an expert trainer in the field of international sales and marketing, Laur Russell said. Foley is director of the International and NAFTA Trade Centers at Bradley University in Peoria. He previously worked throughout Europe in international business.
The Southern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center, a component of the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network, is the event sponsor in keeping with its vision of assisting businesses with "Connecting Locally, Thinking Globally".
Online registration is accessible at www.southernillinois.biz and credit card payment is available. For more information about the program, the Southern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center or the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network and the services it provides, call 618/536-2424 or check the Web site at www.growsi.com.