ACP International Business Operations and Management

Overview

The continued growth in international trade and the growing opportunities for boosting sales, increasing market share and ROI, finding raw materials, and lowering costs in international markets have greatly impacted businesses and how they operate. To compete in the global marketplace, professionals must learn the strategies, policies, norms and technology necessary to conduct international business, develop an overseas customer base and ultimately manage the international business operations. To be successful, business professionals must understand and develop the knowledge and skills necessary to manage the starting, or expansion of international operations.

Who Should Attend

The Certificate Program in International Business Operations is designed for mid-level and senior professionals in small, medium and large organizations who are planning to manage the starting or expanding of their business globally.

Certificate Requirements

To earn the certificate, participants must complete the six required courses listed below, each with a grade of "C" or better for a total of 160 hours of instruction.

Admission Requirements

Curriculum

The program examines the knowledge base needed to conduct international trade and provides participants with strategies, tools, technology and management skills needed to conduct multi-cultural business. Special emphasis throughout the program is given to understanding the components of an international business plan.

• International Business: Strategy and Structure
  This course assesses the impact of “globalization” of products and markets as well as the various opportunities and challenges it presents for a firm engaged in international business. Compare major theories of international trade and their relevance towards economic development, competitive advantage and strategic implications. Classify the various levels of economic integration in the world and how they play a role in international expansion. Interpret the arguments both for and against the economics and politics of international trade and foreign direct investment. Evaluate the various organizational structures and operations based on location and scale economies and the implications of international business on the firms various managerial functions. Measure the advantages and disadvantages of various entry strategies firms can utilize based on their companies organizational capabilities, their products or services, their markets and their customers. Participants also prepare and present integrated case studies for “hands on” application.
• International Finance: Techniques and Operations
  To succeed in the expanding international economy, business professionals must learn about the role and impact of international financial markets. This class begins with the history and structure of the international monetary system. Topics build on this foundation with a focus on the forces that drive exchange rates as well as international trade and investment; international financial risks and the protection that can be achieved through the use of financial derivatives. The course also emphasizes some of the most important financial techniques used by multinational firms to manage their international financial operations.
• International Marketing: Globalization and Localization
  This course is based on the challenge of carefully balancing the firm’s characteristics and their marketing mix, product, price, placement and promotion, against external environmental dynamics such as cultural, economic, competitive and legal and political forces, technology levels, and geographic infrastructure. Recognize how a firm’s strategic orientation needs to be tailored to match the locally responsive needs of a given market, and also how to develop a standardized approach to satisfy the global consumers in emerging middle class markets. Discriminate between marketing products and services to both consumer and business markets based on branding, international marketing channels, integrated marketing communications and pricing strategies. Estimate the international marketing information needs of an organization and how to use practical, web-based shortcuts for addressing international marketing opportunities. Participants learn to use Internet market research tools to develop and present an international marketing analysis.
• Import/Export: International Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  The physical act of importing and exporting, whether it is raw materials, components or finished products is an integral part of international trade. Large or small companies marketing to just one country or all over the world need to know the distribution systems of their manufacturing locations and their target markets. This course surveys the field of international physical distribution and supply chain management as essential components of a global strategy. Sessions focus on the differences between domestic and international physical transportation, infrastructure and the availability of modes. Other topics include: inventory and packaging issues, use of customs privileged facilities, developing efficient freight pricing, the role of service providers and marine cargo insurance.
• Cross Cultural Communications and Negotiations
  Managing cultural differences may pose the single biggest challenge to achieving successful international business outcomes. This interactive, simulation based course provides professionals with the knowledge and skills to plan, work and negotiate successfully in the global marketplace. The class is structured to demonstrate how cross-cultural communications can and do affect the methods and outcomes of international business. Students examine different styles of communication, value systems, beliefs and organization structures across cultures. Students also receive an introduction to international negotiation principles and have the opportunity to participate in a number of simulated business negotiations.
• International Business Planning for Your Product or Service: A Capstone Course
  This course is taught “in a real world” business setting incorporating key skills, information, and sources derived from the required courses in the International Business Operations (formerly Global Operations Management Certificate Program). In this course you will learn the key elements of an international business plan, and together with aspects previously covered in the required courses apply them in developing an actionable international business plan. Working in teams, you will select markets and products, research and analyze relevant information, develop an international marketing strategy, and specify financial requirements along with expected return on investment (ROI). The outcome will be a formal business plan and a presentation of the plan. The presentation will be to an “Executive Officer” and should be defended with conclusions and recommendations.

Schedule

Tuition: $6,000
Internship: $1,350