ENTREPRENEURSHIP & NEW BUSINESS VENTURING

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PROJECT

ROTTERDAM SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENTERASMUS UNIVERSITYMASTER EXCHANGE PROGRAMME (MEP)

WELCOME FROM THE DEANS

THE BENEFIT OF THE IBP

The RSM International Business Project has provento be a uniquely valuable experience for thestudents and companies that participate. For theteams of students charged with solving real-lifebusiness problems for real companies, the IBPoffers an unparalleled, life-changing opportunity;students spend up to four months working togetherwith a highly diverse international team, focusednot only on their assigned business issue, but alsoon learning to work, manage, and rely upon fellowstudents from other cultures. Simultaneously,companies have access, via these project groups,to fresh ideas and potential solutions to specificissues experienced within their organisation.

This intense intercultural experience providesstudents with the opportunity to develop personallyas well as professionally; in fact the IBP is one ofthe great attractions for many students of ourglobal partner schools, who are anxious to cometo RSM to do their international exchange. The IBPreflects all of RSM’s greatest strengths as a Top 10European business school, recognised for theinternational diversity of our participants andthe close relationship we maintain with business.

We hope you will take advantage of the IBP andconsider the many ways it can add value to yourmanagement education.

Prof. George YipDean, Rotterdam School ofManagementErasmus University

and

Prof.dr. Eric WaartsDean BSc and MScProgrammes

HOW DOES THE IBP WORK?The IBP is an opportunity for our graduateexchange students, plus a select group of Dutchstudents, to solve a real-world managementproblem as they work together within a highlydiverse, multidisciplinary and multinational team. The consultancy project on which they collaboraterepresents a ‘business challenge’ that comesdirectly from one of RSM’s many corporatecontacts. Over a period of three to four months,with supervision by two coaches – an academiccoach from RSM and an in-company coach fromthe client organisation – the teams face anexciting, challenging and intense period as theystrive for solutions.

WHERE ‘CRITICAL THOUGHT’ MEETS‘PRACTICAL ACTION’Most students are already familiar with a variety ofbusiness disciplines and theories through theircourse work. It is the capacity to translate thisknowledge into practical solutions that is very oftena new challenge. The IBP provides essential real-world experience that enables students to combinetheory with practice.

In the IBP, students learn how to:• formulate a project proposal and relevant

research questions;• analyse problems; develop recommendations

and propose solutions to the problem;• work cooperatively and collaboratively in

a multicultural team;• communicate, negotiate, and make presentations

confidently in the business environment.

REAL REWARDS FOR STUDENTS ANDCOMPANIESThe outcome of the IBP is often outstanding forboth students and companies. Not only do exchangestudents find the project enormously rewarding interms of cross-cultural learning and hands-onexperience in management; very often, theirproposals are implemented within the companiesinvolved. For the participating companies, the IBPprovides a unique, opportunity to access valuabledata, knowledge, recommendations or solutions fora specific business problem. Further, companycoaches often remark that student teams introducefresh perspectives and innovative new ideas as theyaddress the company’s project.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PROJECT

The driving force behind all RSM Bachelor

and Master exchange programmes, the

International Office operates on multiple

levels of support for exchange students,

both coming to and from RSM, and both

before and during exchange. For incoming

exchange students, we assist with visa-,

housing- and insurance applications.

Further, we organise orientation

programmes, social events, a buddy

system and monthly evaluation

sessions, to ensure the highest quality

exchange experience for participants.

Additionally, the International Office

organises and facilitates the IBP, after a

project has been selected by the Career

Services Office. Once the Career Services

Office selects a project, the International

Office coordinates and ensures proper

matches between students and compa nies,

based on student and company profiles

and preferences and, in so doing, form

the IBP teams. The International Office

also organises IBP kick-off and introduc -

tion activities, including seminars and

feedback meetings. The International

Business Project (IBP) has come to be

regarded as the cornerstone of the Master

Exchange Programme at Rotterdam

School of Management, Erasmus

University.

The IBP is a key factor in attracting

graduate students from all over the

world to do their exchange at RSM – an

opportunity to work as a consultant in

an international team, working on a

real project for a real company.

INTERNATIONAL OFFICE

RSM Career Services is responsible for acquiringIBP projects. The Career Services Office seeksprojects that represent a ‘win-win’ potential forcompanies and students. These projects arechosen to provide a good balance between addedvalue for the company and the teams. Thecompany gets recommendations and solutions;the teams get a stimulating, enriching learningexperience that integrates their classroomknowledge while helping them developintercultural skills.

There is no such thing as a typical IBP clientor project. Client organisations can be largemultinationals – such as ABB, ABN AMRO,Aon, Bosch Security Systems, Cytec Industries,Heineken, ING, Kone, Philips, Pricewaterhouse-Coopers and Shell – medium-sized companies orentrepreneurial firms. The projects can have anHR, marketing, strategy or logistics focus.

Teams consist of five students, generally oneDutch student and four international exchangestudents. Teams are composed according to skillsand competencies required by companies (such asspecialised areas of expertise, or language skills);and students’ preferences, which they describewhen completing their Profile Sheet. Further, international diversity is always takeninto account to assure that the IBP provides anexceptional multicultural experience for eachstudent working in a team.

THE PROJECTS THE TEAMS

Every year the IBP projects providestudents an exciting business-relatedchallenge. It is not just about doing a real-life research and problem-solving projectfor a company which expects useful results.It is also about the experience of workingtogether in a multicultural team, with allthe big cultural misunderstandings – and

all the small planning problems! But the pressure of needingto make a professional presentation on a tight deadline createsenergy and focus!

Prof. Dr. Lucas Meijs – academic coach

“

The International Business Project was one of thehighlights of my semester abroad at Rotterdam School

of Management. Not only was I given the opportunity to gainfirst-hand experience doing consulting for a well-known companybut I also had the pleasure of working closely with a diverseteam of international students from across the globe. My business experience and cultural awareness grewtremendously over the course of the semester and I feel evenmore prepared to enter the international business world.

Kevin Tucker – exchange student from the Wharton School of theUniversity of Pennsylvania

An academic coach from RSM and an in-companycoach from the client organisation are assigned toeach IBP. Successful student teams develop acooperative relationship with both coaches, andmanage to meet their academic and practicalexpectations.

The academic coach helps students to focus theirproject topic, and interfaces with the company’srepresentatives to discuss the team’s progressand to help align expectations and conditions forthe project. He or she will evaluate student perfor -mance and offer valuable suggestions on how toaddress research issues and improve teamprocesses.

The company coach acts as a liaison between thestudent team, RSM and the company. He or shehelps student teams by ensuring the companyprovides them with access to information or otherrequired resources. On average the company coachwill spend half a day per week on meetings withstudents, reading their reports and helping themwith their queries. The company coach is alsoresponsible for evaluating the team’s performance.

THE COACHES

“Over the years hostingand coaching an RSMstudent team has provento be a rewarding andworthwhile experience.The students bring usup-to-date on businesstheory and by doing so,

serve as a reminder to Aon risk consultantsof the importance of lifelong learning. I valuethis cooperation with RSM and its talentedstudents; on behalf of Aon I am proud thatwe contributed to some of the winningbusiness projects.

Mark van Nuland – Chief CommercialOfficer, Aon Risk Services

“

interviews and analysing reports that will help tosolve the business problem. This phase ends witha written report that must be approved by bothcoaches. Further, this written report must meetRSM’s academic standards.

4. PRESENTATION OF RESULTS Towards the end of the project, the team presentsits findings and recommendations to the company.In addition, teams will prepare a presentation fortheir fellow students and a jury of consultants atthe University. Finally, each team submits a written consultancyreport (even if not requested by the company) forevaluation by the academic coach.

5. EVALUATION The project concludes with a reflection on theteam effort and each student’s individual learningexperience. Each student writes an individualpaper in which he or she analyses the teamprocess and his or her individual role in thisprocess. A key element is the question of whatstudents have learned in terms of project andconsultancy skills, research skills and team skills.

PRACTICAL MATTERS

PROJECT STRUCTUREThe International Business Project is structured infive stages.

1. INTRODUCTION During this stage students receive informationabout the company, the business project and theirfellow team members. A kick-off lecture providesbackground information about the business projectand highlights potential pitfalls.

2. PROBLEM DEFINITION The problem definition stage begins as teams havetheir first meeting with their academic and companycoaches. Based on these meetings, teams draft aproject proposal which entails a brief descriptionand analysis of the issue. They then make sugges -tions for research, a time schedule and budgetingof resources needed. The problem definition phaseends with an official proposal that is approved byboth the academic and the company coach.

3. CONDUCTING RESEARCH During this stage each team starts collecting databy consulting secondary sources, conducting

The IBP was a tremendously rewarding academic andteam-building experience. It allowed me to work with an

international team of students while essentially consulting for aleading Dutch multinational. It improved my communication,leadership, cultural awareness and research skills whileimmersing me in a real-life business situation. In addition, thefriendships I made during the IBP will undoubtedly be ones thatI treasure for many years to come. I would definitely recommendthe IBP to all students seeking a stimulating and challengingcourse!

Denise Karen Pereira – MBA exchange student from McGillUniversity Montréal, Canada

“

LECTURES AND SEMINARSLectures and seminars are offered to help studentsin mastering skills that are relevant for projectmanagement and consultancy. In addition,informal lunch meetings with group representativesare organised to discuss group progress and tosolve problems.

LECTURES Introduction to the International Business ProjectThis lecture introduces students to the businessproject they are assigned to. It provides instructionin consulting with company management, and inbest project-management practices.

Intervision Feedback Session on Team DynamicsSuccessful group dynamics are crucial to thesuccess of a business project. Effective groupsmanage communication, agendas and workingstyles in a way that optimises their success.In this session, groups reflect on their uniquedynamic with an eye to leveraging strengthsand improving weaker areas.

SEMINARS AND TRAININGSNegotiation & Conflict Management SkillsThis one-day seminar provides students withpractical training in negotiation and conflict management skills. These skills are highlyrelevant for project management teamsaddressing consultancy projects.

Interview Skills During interviews with client organisations twotools are particularly important: Asking the rightquestions at the right moment, and listening skills.This seminar helps students to sharpen these skills.

Presentation Skills This two-hour workshop provides students withtraining and feedback on how to effectively presenttheir research findings to the business community.

PROJECT SUPPORT

EXAMINATION AND GRADINGStudents spend approximately two days per weekon the International Business Project. Students aregraded both individually and as a team by theacademic coach and the company coach.Attendance at all course components iscompulsory for every team member.

Grading is based on completion of all written work;full and active participation in the project; and onmeeting the criteria of the general aim of theproject. The grade is calculated as follows:

Through internships and International BusinessProjects, we welcome many RSM students tothe world of Heineken – a diverse world ofcustomers and employees who span the globeand represent different cultures, customs,professions and interests. The internationalmindset of the RSM students provides aseamless match with Heineken and gives usaccess to fresh ideas.

Laurens van de Rotte – RSM alumnus, companycoach and Manager of Corporate Distribution &Logistics, Heineken International

“

Individual TeamReflection Paper 15% Project Proposal 10%Participation 25%Academic coach 25% Company Judgment 20%

Final Report 30%

Total 40% 60%

PROJECT GRADING

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© 2009 Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM). The information in this publication is correct as of May 2009,but RSM reserves the right to make changes affecting policies, fees, curricula, or any other matter announced in this publicationwithout further notice. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by anymeans, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without written permission from RSM.

Rotterdam School of Management

Erasmus University

International Office

T Building,

Burgemeester Oudlaan 50,

3062 PA Rotterdam, The Netherlands

E-mail intoffice@rsm.nl