Program(s): International Business
Program Coordinator(s): Philip Adams
Course Leader or Contact: Philip Adams
Version: 6.0
Status: Approved (APPR)

Section I Notes: N/A

Detailed Description
Students learn to develop and write a strategic international business plan for a specific product or service. This is a project driven course which emphasizes practical plan development and implementation considerations for a specific company or trade organization in the community. In this capstone course of the program students work collaboratively applying accepted business techniques in assessing international markets, recommend realistic goals, market entry strategies, and build a full business plan including financial projections matching the needs of assigned client companies.

Program Context

 Critical Performance
By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability
to develop, write and present a comprehensive international business
plan for a client company. 

Learning Outcomes
To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated
the ability to: 

1.  Analyze and evaluate the strategic position of an organization in 
    its respective industry internationally. 

2.  Propose solutions that will allow an organization to reach its 
    strategic objectives on an international basis.

3.  Develop, write, explain and present a realistic comprehensive  
    business plan for a client company that includes objectives and 
    strategies for all relevent aspects of the company's business  
    including:  marketing, manufacturing, research and development, 
    financial, logistics and human resource implications.

4.  Work effectively as part of a consulting team with other team 
    members and client company representatives.

5.  Develop and apply strong written and verbal skills using accepted 
    business report format standards.

Individual Assessment:
Industry case                                        10%
Contribution towards research & analysis 
for group project                                    10%
Contribution to Final Report                         10%
                                                   -------
                               Total                 30% 
Group Assessment:

Statement of Work                                     5%
Project Schedule                                      5%
Situation Analysis + Diagnosis                       15%
Final Report Draft                                    5%
Final Report                                         20%
Presentation                                         10%
Client Review                                        10%
                                                   -------
                                   Total             70%

Peer evaluation will be a component of the group assessment

Recommended reference text:
Competitive Strategy - Techniques for Analyzing Industries and 
Competitors, Michael E. Porter, Free Press.
Strategic Management - Thompson and Strickland, McGraw Hill, 10th 
edition
On-line resource materials

Week  Topics                            Business Plan Activity

1     Course objectives                 Team building exercise
      Business plan as a process        Client assignments and site  
                                        visits

      Mission and vision statements

      Developing congruent objectives

2     Internal and external analysis    Development of client 
                                        objectives
                                        Review with faculty advisor
      Porter Model

      In-class case study

3     SWOT analysis                     Complete "Client Statement of
                                        Work"

      Industry key Success Factors      Start client evaluation

4     Key Business Plan                 Submit project management plan
      components                        to client and faculty
      1. objectives                     Conduct external industry and
      2. strategies                     market research on behalf of 
      3. action plans                   client
      4. key measures
      Case study will be handed out for
      preparation of midterm exam

5     Mid term exam - case based       Client progress review meetings
      
6     Market entry strategies review   Situational analysis final 
                                       report due
                                       group presentations on 
                                       situational analysis findings
      Distribution channels selection  
                                       Feedback sessions with faculty
      MSU Ciber models for client
      export readiness and partner
      evaluation

7     Financial review                 Assess client's financial info
      1. Income Statements
      2. Balance Sheets                Assess client's available 
                                       resources for business dev. 

8     Cash flow statements             Client and faculty meetings to
                                       review situational analysis  
      Setting realistic financial      findings
      objectives

9     Partnership development         Initiate work on business plan 
      
      Partnership contracts           Submit draft of clear client
                                      objectives and strategies

10                                    Continue work on Business Plan

11                                    Submit first draft of business 
                                      plan to client and faculty

                                      Review meetings with clients
                                      and faculty

12     Client presentation workshop   Complete and hand in final plan

13                                    Client and faculty presentations

14     Performance feedback to students