Global Business Project

• What is CIBER?• What is the Global Business Project/GBP?

What is CIBER?

Center for

International

Business

Education and

Research

33 Federally-funded centers in the U.S. Activities designed to:

• Provide a rich array of international experiences to students

• Contribute to our community’s understanding of international affairs

Initiatives on the following themes:• Government Policy• Emerging Markets• Global Entrepreneurship• Sustainability

What is GBP?

Global

Business

Project

Consortium of 12 CIBER schoolsProvides hands-on international consulting

projects for MBA students• Partner with international universities• Work with various kinds of companies

(multinational, local, etc.)• Collaborate with students from across

the country (and maybe overseas)A 3-credit course – BUSI698

Develop and applycross-cultural communicationforeign language and virtual teaming skills

while working on real projects forreal companies.

CIBER GBP Consortium Members

•Columbia University •University of Connecticut •Duke University •George Washington University •Purdue University •San Diego State University •Temple University•University of Maryland •University of Miami •University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill •University of Pittsburgh •University of Wisconsin-Madison

Countries of CIBER GBP Program

Dynamics of CIBER Consulting Projects› Clients may be U.S. or foreign company› Experience the impact language and culture have on doing

business abroad› Team members are MBAs at CIBER partner schools› Training on TEAM Focus consulting models› Virtual team meetings

Particulars of CIBER GBP Program› International Partners in most countries› Teams comprise mix of students› Language learning is required› Mandatory Kick Off weekend in DC and

Hub City weekend in host country› Two weeks in host country for consulting project› Final deliverables› Final grade assigned by Smith School faculty of record

GBP Timeline› Nov 15, 2011 Student application due at:

www.gbp-ciber.unc.edu› Dec 10, 2011 Notification of Student selection and team › Dec 15, 2011 Student commitment and deposit due ($500)› Jan 15, 2012 Balance of student fee due ($1,000) › Mar 9-11, 2012 GBP Kick-off Weekend in Washington, DC› May 18-20, 2012 Hub City Weekend in host country› May 21-Jun 1, 2012 Consulting work in host country› Jan– May, 2012 Independent Language Learning

Kickoff WeekendMarch 9-11 • Washington, DC

Meet team members, faculty advisors and company representatives

In-countryLast two weeks in May

GBP Finances

Fixed Costs›Program Fee: $ 1,500›Study Abroad Fee: $ 250›Tuition for a 3 credit course $ 4,275 (or $5,085)

Variable Costs›International Airfare to Host Country ~$1,500›Some in-country meals ~$ 250

TOTAL = ~$7,775 (or $8,585)

Expectations

Students can expect to…

Work hard (it is a 3 credit course)

Face uncertainty and ambiguity

Gain real-life experience

Experience the challenges (and opportunities) of being a member of a diverse team

Encounter variability across projects

HAVE FUN!

CIBER expects students to…

Work hard

Represent the Smith School in the best possible fashion

Share their experiences (blog)

Be an ambassador for GBP in the future

HAVE FUN!

Don’t take our word for it…

CIBER projects allow participants to experience not only the business how-to, but also the culture how-to. - Rafael Cortes, MBA ‘12

It was a perfect way to end my 1st year of the MBA program because it was an opportunity to put everything I learned the last school years in action. I truly enjoyed the project, and it really was THE highlight of my 1st year MBA program. - Makiko Hotoda, MBA ‘12

Being a Project Leader in the CIBER GBP was my first real experience in project management. I grew a lot in my ability to lead and manage a team of people through ambiguous circumstances. -Stephen Huie, MBA ‘12

Thank you!If you have any questions, please contact us at CIBER (VMH 4570U)

›Chris Olson – clolson@rhsmith.umd.edu›Karen Watts – kwatts@rhsmith.umd.edu