5 Skills I Gained from Consulting with BMW – Hayden Deitrick

I recently had the opportunity to work on an international consulting project for BMW in Munich, Germany. I used this chance to work for a top-notch company and put into practice many of the skills I have learned as an Continue reading

Political and Economic Developments in Europe – Heather Thomas

I am in my first year at the University of San Diego in the Professional MBA program. My undergraduate studies concentrated on cultural anthropology, specifically linguistics. Inspired by the desire to capture dying languages as relics of human expression, I Continue reading

In the Spotlight – Katrin Kandlbinder

Each year, the Ahlers Center welcomes international short-term scholars and researchers to the University of San Diego campus. Such visitors contribute to the Center’s vision of creating dynamic and globally robust environments in and out of the classroom. These scholars Continue reading

Optimizing your Global Supply Chain #3

Through these seminars, students will be able to design and execute a sourcing strategy aligned with a firm’s needs, be able to identify the best practices and key performance metrics in managing your supply chain and develop a “green” supply chain strategy that makes financial sense for the firm. Continue reading

Optimizing your Global Supply Chain

In our hyper-competitive world of international business, building, managing and sustaining a global supply chain is critical. Regular supply chain issues must be addressed in innovative ways. There are a number activities companies should focus on in order to optimize their supply chains. These include properly controlling costs, mitigating supply chain risk and complexity, pursuing cross-functional alignment, implementing green practices and attracting and retaining appropriate talent. Continue reading

Developing a Focused Global Sales Strategy #3

In today’s global marketplace, individuals and companies are increasingly looking to sell to foreign customers, which often requires that they expand their sales and business operations to international locations. International selling often starts with the basic demands of the current customer who is expanding outside of the U.S. and asking its suppliers to follow. In other instances, companies are looking to sell internationally in order to compensate for slumping domestic sales or otherwise to grow revenues. Continue reading

Developing a Focused Global Sales Strategy #2

In today’s global marketplace, companies are looking to sell internationally in order to compensate for slumping domestic sales or otherwise to grow revenues. In all cases, a focused strategy must be developed and implemented in order for individuals and companies to realize a sufficient payoff from such a large investment of time and resources by the company and its sales force. Continue reading

Leading Across Cultures for Business Interactions and Teams #2

This seminar is designed to develop a level of cross-cultural awareness that will enhance global leadership skills. This applies to not only leading multicultural teams (virtual and face-to-face) but also dealing with clients and suppliers from all over the world. Additionally, the seminar will be invaluable to those who will be in leadership positions as expatriates. The sessions will be primarily interactive utilizing small groups discussions, experiential exercises, cases and self-assessments. Continue reading

Leading Across Cultures for Business Interactions and Teams

In the current global business environment, leaders at all levels of the organization interact with peers, clients, subordinates and suppliers from a wide variety of countries. Some of these interactions take place domestically while others are clearly cross-border. In either case, understanding the cultural values that underlie behavior is critical to leadership success. This seminar is designed to develop a level of cross-cultural awareness that will enhance global leadership skills. Continue reading

Strategic Growth, Financial Profitability and Free Cash Flow Valuation #3

This seminar will help participants develop tools for understanding how firms plan (or should plan) for growth, and manage it throughout the firm and industry life-cycle. From early-stage startups to major public corporations, the growth of sales, cash flows and value is at the front and center of decision making. We will examine how industry forces (national and international) impact decision making, and will consider how ratio analysis helps identify potential areas of concern and guide us towards improving the performance of an organization. Continue reading