Program Overview

Sam Palmisano, Chairman and CEO for the IBM Corporation, says it best: “We occupy a world that is connected on multiple dimensions, and at a deep level—a global system of systems.” This is why emerging markets are now at the very top of most strategic agendas. The challenge is to truly understand these unique and complicated market environments.

Successful leaders need to continually identify and develop new market opportunities for growth and innovation. Leaders need to understand both the power and the perils of entering or expanding in emerging markets. To meet this challenge, the GSU Robinson College of Business has collaborated with the World Affairs Council of Atlanta to offer this Certificate Program in Emerging Market Strategies.

The program is designed for any professional who wants to gain a comprehensive understanding of the emerging market environments and the best practices for developing effective strategies for success. The program will be of particular interest to strategic and investment managers as well as global marketing and product managers who need to develop new market opportunities for growth.

What’s special about this program?

The program is taught by world-class, and world-tested, senior professors and expert practitioners who offer years of international business experience in emerging markets. The sessions include innovative discussions with carefully-selected global executives who have specific expertise in the development and execution of corporate and organizational strategy. In addition, the program offers presentations by senior specialists in international affairs, global economics and international finance.

Program Benefits

Attend this program and you will return to work with the knowledge and skills to:

• Effectively define emerging markets and the dimensions of the global economy
• Understand the strategy and structure of the multinational enterprise
• Develop strategies to address government, economic, operational and society challenges
• Understand global capital markets and the paths to economic development
• Utilize new leadership skills to build and effectively allocate strategic resources
• Implement new business models to successfully compete with the emerging giants
• Develop an Emerging Markets Action Plan that helps your organization survive and thrive

Program Content

This fast-paced and highly-interactive program provides a comprehensive understanding of the emerging market environments and the best practices for developing effective strategies for success. The instructors use multi-media presentations, role plays, experiential exercises, case studies, applied action learning experiences, and “best-practice” examples to present the program content. There will also be numerous practical exercises that allow you to instantly apply what you learn in class to your company’s emerging market situations.

Globalization and the Rise of Emerging Markets

(Day One)

Major advances in transportation and communications during the past decades have driven the process of globalization of business. This session will examine how the globalization of business has impacted the way in which market intelligence is collected and analyzed, organizations are designed and structured, and how international business is conducted.

The discussions will focus on:

• Dimensions of the global economy in terms of GDP, FDI and Trade Flows
• Defining emerging markets
• Capitalizing on the base of the pyramid
• Strategy and structure of the multinational enterprise: Stages of growth from exporting to building a global knowledge-based organization
• Country Focus: U.S., Europe, and Japan
• Session Facilitators: Dr. Wayne Lord, Dr. Cedric Suzman, and Dr. Tamer Cavusgil 

Understanding the Business Context: Government, Economics, Society and Operations

(Day Two)

In today’s global marketplace, managers must have an awareness of—and the means to analyze—the contextual differences in cultural, political and economic systems in emerging markets. All of these factors have an important impact on international business strategy and performance.

The discussions will focus on:

• Developing strategies to mitigate against institutional voids in government effectiveness, legal framework, market mechanisms and infrastructure
• Dealing with family and state-owned business groups
• Developing an appreciation and awareness of cultural differences and distance
• Evaluating and mitigating the wide range of risks inherent in emerging markets
• Country Focus: China, India, Mexico, and Russia 
• Session Facilitators: Dr. Wayne Lord and Dr. Chris Brown

Global Capital Markets: International Financial Institutions and Paths to Economic Development

(Day Three)

This session will provide a framework to understand the global macroeconomic system and its effect on businesses, as well as the process of economic development in emerging markets and their vulnerability to financial crises.  Examples from the U.S., Europe, Japan and the emerging economies are used to enhance knowledge of the world economy.

The discussions will focus on:

• The role capital in the global economy and its impact on the development process
• Interest rates, currencies, exchange rates and asset prices in the global economy
• Surpluses, deficits and emerging market financial crises
• The role of multinational financial institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank
• The contribution of microfinance to development
• Country Focus: Transitional Economies—Argentina, Thailand, and South Korea
• Session Facilitator: Dr. Felix Rioja

Corporate Strategic Response: Strategic Decision-Making, Management, and Board Governance

(Day Four)

Participants will explore how managers in international settings can recognize, interpret and respond to the complex set of contextual variables. The discussion will focus on the different business models that have been successful in emerging markets and the need for the development and implementation of a wide range of strategic alliances and partnerships.

The discussions will focus on:

• The strategic Implications and the need for unique resources and competencies
• Competitive advantage, investment modes, joint ventures and alliance-building
• Building and allocating human resources, information acquisition
• Collaboration with NGOs and government
• Global leadership competencies, and board governance
• The motivations for emerging market companies to go global
• The patterns of growth as they move into developed markets and adapt their business models
• The possible ways to compete with the emerging giants
• Country Focus: Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and Poland 
• Session Facilitators: Dr. Wayne Lord and Dr. Cedric Suzman

Implications for American Companies: Opportunities and Threats

(Day Five)

This session will draw together the various themes that have been presented in the previous sessions. Participants will be asked to draw conclusions from what they have learnt from their own companies, to meet in small groups to compare notes, and to discuss their conclusions with the class.

The class will be asked to focus on four major questions with specific reference to their own companies and organizations:

• For your company—how do emerging market opportunities differ from those in developed markets?
• In these markets—how can you justify the extra effort, time and resources needed for success?
• Which of the emerging markets would be the most attractive for your company, and what strategy would you employ?
• How is your suggested strategy aligned with your company's broader strategic objectives?
• Country Focus: All Emerging Markets
• Session Facilitators and Panel: Summation, final comments and opportunities to continue learning
  • Dr. Wayne Lord, Dr. Cedric Suzman, Dr. Tamer Cavusgil and Dr. Chris Brown 

Anticipated Program Faculty

Chris Brown, Ph.D., is currently Vice President for Research and Analysis for the World Affairs Council of Atlanta and Lecturer in the Political Science Department at Georgia State University. He also serves in a leadership role with the Global Strategic Leadership Forum. He has over 20 years experience in the academic and non-profit fields, with extensive background in university teaching, research, publication, multimedia production, teacher training, program development, and corporate training. Dr. Brown managed the research staff for a large non-profit organization and directed a national initiative to train teachers to strengthen their international affairs instruction. He is known as an excellent teacher, writer, and executive education instructor with significant international experience. He earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Georgia. Dr. Brown also directs the research team that is creating the Robinson country Risk Index in conjunction with a senior faculty task force, and in partnership with the Institute of International Business.

S. Tamer Cavusgil, Ph.D., serves as executive director and principal investigator of GSU-CIBER. He holds the Fuller B. Callaway Professorial Chair in the Robinson College of Business. Tamer is a world-renowned educator, scholar, mentor, journal editor, institution builder, leader of professional societies, and an advisor to senior executives and international agencies. Over the years, he has served as principal investigator on numerous federal projects, including Title VI grants (CIBER, BIE, UISFL). Tamer's career spans three decades of teaching, mentoring, research and administrative leadership. His scholarship on internationalizing firms, exporting, global strategy and multinationality has placed him among the top four most prolific international business authors. He is one of a handful of scholars who have authored more than a dozen articles in the Journal of International Business Studies. Tamer is an elected fellow and a past vice president of the Academy of International Business. In 1995, NASBITE named him the inaugural International Trade Educator of the Year. Tamer is a past elected president of AIBER (the Association of International Business Education and Research) and Gianni and Joan Montezemolo Visiting Chair at the University of Cambridge; in addition, he currently serves as a visiting professor at Manchester Business School, U.K. Author or co-author of more than 200 refereed journal articles, Tamer is also the senior author of the leading text International Business: Strategy, Management, and the New Realities, published by Pearson Education.

Wayne Lord, Ph.D., is the President of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta and a Professor of International Executive Education in the J. Mack College of Business at Georgia State University, leading executive education programs, academic courses and research focused on international business, emerging markets, commercial diplomacy and corporate social responsibility. He teaches in the Executive M.B.A. and Executive Doctorate programs while leading the World Affairs Council of Atlanta. Previously, he held the position of Vice President at Gold Kist, a large Atlanta-based agribusiness company, and was responsible for the company's government, community, media and investor relations. He simultaneously served as Executive Director of the Gold Kist Foundation.

Before coming to GSU, he was Vice President of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation. Dr. Lord has extensive experience in international business and wide connections in Georgia's corporate, educational, legislative and NGO communities. From 1989 to 2001, he was President of Southco Commodities, an international commodities trading company. During his career, Dr. Lord served as chairman of the board of the American Peanut Council and chairman of the National Peanut Research Foundation. For many years, he served on the Advisory Council of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences of the University of Georgia. He earned his Ph.D. from Georgetown University.

Felix Rioja, Ph.D., specializes in international macroeconomics, economic growth, and financial economics. He has written articles on the effects of public infrastructure, education, and pensions on economic growth and welfare. He has also written on the effects of the financial system on growth, poverty reduction and inequality. His research has been published in leading journals such as Journal of Development Economics, Journal of Public Economics, and Journal of International Money and Finance. Professor Rioja has also worked as a consultant for the World Bank and on policy advisory projects for Brazil, Jamaica, and Russia. He served as the Director of the Ph.D. in Economics Program at Georgia State University from 2003 to 2008. He has been interviewed and quoted by various news media including CNN.

Cedric Suzman, DBA., is currently Executive VP & Director of Programming, World Affairs Council of Atlanta and International Business Scholar, Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University. In this capacity he is responsible for developing and implementing the public outreach and business programs for the Council. Dr. Suzman served as Director of Programming for the Southern Center for International Studies from its inception in 1977 until his retirement in 2009.  He was appointed Vice President and elected to the Board of Trustees of the Southern Center in 1988. From 1974-1977, Dr. Suzman was an Associate Professor in the College of Management, Georgia Institute of Technology.

From 1969-1974, he was Senior Lecturer, Graduate School of Business Administration, University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), and served as Coordinator of the school's Executive Development Program.  He also served as the school's Acting Director in 1973. Dr. Suzman holds a B.Sc. (Engineering) from the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, and MBA and DBA degrees from the Harvard Business School.  He has edited and co-authored a number of publications on foreign direct investment, on export management, and on strategic planning. He has lectured on executive management courses, including the Emory University Executive/Evening MBA programs, the University of Pittsburgh Management Program for Executives, and the University of Michigan International Marketing Management seminar.

About the J. Mack Robinson College of Business

The largest business school in the South and part of a major research institution, the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University is located in Atlanta, an epicenter of business and a gateway to the world. With programs on four continents and students from 150 countries, the College is both world-wide and world-class. Its part-time MBA program is ranked No. 5 in the nation and has been in the Top 10 for 13 consecutive years. The College has 200 faculty, 7,400 students and 65,000 alumni. Noted for an emphasis on educating leaders, the Robinson College of Business and Georgia State have produced more of Georgia’s top executives with graduate degrees than any other school in the nation.

About the World Affairs Council of Atlanta

The mission of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta is to provide a forum for dialogue, a source of expertise, and an engine for research on international affairs and global issues that impact the corporate community, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and the general public.

The Council fulfills its mission by:

• Presenting public briefings with diplomats, global business leaders and country experts
• Facilitating private forums and roundtable discussions for corporate, non-profit and government leaders
• Merging the resources of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta and Georgia State University to create a powerful organization that benefits the Atlanta community, the state and the nation 
• Collaborating with other academic institutions to enrich research and dialogue on critical international issues 
• Cultivating the Young Leaders of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta, which provides opportunities for young professionals who wish to develop their understanding of international issues and strengthen their leadership skills

Custom Program Opportunity

The Certificate Program in Emerging Market Strategies can also be customized to fit the unique needs of your organization. For details contact Dan Stotz, Senior Director of Executive Education, by phone at 404.413.7407 or by email at dstotz@gsu.edu.

 

Workshop Details

Regular price: $3,950 Early bird/team price: $3,450 Early bird deadline: Friday, October 12, 2012 Custom client, non-profit and GSU alum/faculty/staff price: $2,950 Length: 5 days When: Monday-Friday November 12-16, 2012 Time: Continental breakfast - 8 a.m. Class: 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Location: Buckhead Center directions » Brochure: download » Register:

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Below is an example of the certificate program participants will receive: