The Global Business EDGE (Education for Global Executives) program is designed to integrate the various business and non-business courses by applying theory to real business problems. Students will apply the principles, concepts, and skills learned in their academic studies to decisions faced by international business managers in real-time and in actual business settings. Companies want graduates who have experience, not just theoretical knowledge. The EDGE program helps students understand the growing impact of international competition and how to operate in the global marketplace.
This program, endorsed by the
Washington District Export Council, connects
graduate students with Northwest companies doing international
business. Local companies give teams of MBA and MIB students
complex project assignments. Comprised of two to three students,
these teams spend the ten-week quarter preparing a research and
analytical report to client firms summarizing their results.
Companies now working with the Global Business program include
Costco,
Microsoft,
PACCAR,
Starbucks,
Weyerhaeuser, The Boeing Company, and many others.
Students benefit from the course in at least the following ways:
- Learning how to apply theory and principles learned in the classroom
- Contact with local business executives
- Intimate knowledge of international business issues
- Expanded horizons in understanding other cultures and ways of doing business
- Professional development career advancement
Jerry Ralston (DEC member and Advisor to the Dean - Global Business, Seattle University) described the Seattle University EDGE program as one that permits the school to turn out students with business experience not just academic training. Slowly business schools have come to the realization that practical experience is essential. If you go to medical or law school, you get practical experience before graduating. From the student’s perspective, they learn more. It’s not enough that students read and listen, but when they do it, they learn a lot more.
The Global Business EDGE program has worked with over 50 companies and organizations, some on two or three projects. Some companies have been very pleased and now come back for other projects. 200 students have gone through the program and following each term, both the students and companies are surveyed. Companies often report that the student’s projects have contributed to the company’s international activities; and collectively, some $50M worth of sales resulted from their work.
The program began at the University of Washington but followed Ralston to Seattle University. Several years ago, the DEC voted to provide mentors to the students, and at the last full DEC meeting a unanimous vote was arrived at to continue support to the Seattle University EDGE program as well as all such programs engaged in by academic institutes around the State.
Essentially, the program involves student teams, under the supervision of Business School faculty, performing international market research, analysis, and evaluation required to advise the company’s management of a recommended course of action. At the conclusion of each project, teams make formal presentations to their respective company.
Fred Pursell (DEC member and Group Product Manager at Microsoft Corporation) described his positive experience with the EDGE program. It was stimulating with many opportunities for value. In effect, participants agree to a scope of work for planning and expansion, often the communication is by e-mail, and from his experience was pleased to have participated in three projects and felt very positive about the work.
Jerry Ralston mentioned that the EDGE program’s objectives, promoting exports, etc, are perfectly aligned toward the mission of the DEC. They offer 18 projects each year, that is, about 6 per term. Ralston mentioned that they never run out of students and could use many new projects. He would like to propose that the DEC take a greater role in providing projects.
Initially, the program didn’t command a fee, but the companies take the process more seriously when there is. For larger firms, the fee is $5,000, and $2,500 for smaller firms. A reserve is created to permit students to apply for travel grants for overseas travel in pursuit of market research. Fred Pursell mentioned that he felt the fee was reasonable for the value of work provided. Jerry Ralston mentioned that many companies report the same product from their students could command as much as $30,000 from a qualified consultant. Finally, for this Spring Quarter, just beginning, we are looking for 6 projects for the students!
ACTION ITEM: If you think your organization might have a worthwhile project for Seattle University’s EDGE program, contact Jerry Ralston at Jerry.Ralston@comcast.net .
To learn more about this and other programs available through the Global Business EDGE program, visit http://www.seattleu.edu/asbe/edge/default.asp.
You are also encouraged to contact Dr. Peter V. Raven, Associate Professor and Program Director, at pvraven@seattleu.edu or 206-296-5763.