Q: What is one of the most important skills needed to be successful in international business?
A: Cross-cultural communication skills are at the top of the list for a successful international business career. Being able to speak two or more languages shows your customers or partners that you’re interested and engaged in their culture. Even if you’ve never studied a foreign language or haven’t practiced in years, it’s never too late to learn. Numerous community colleges and universities offer language courses that provide the opportunity to practice speaking, reading and writing with other people at similar levels of comprehension. There are also multiple mobile applications and online services to choose from. The University of Wisconsin-Extension offers different online language courses, including those geared toward business language. See the full list of languages offered here.
A: Several of Wisconsin’s technical colleges offer professional development seminars and full courses on different elements of international business. For example, Waukesha County Technical College offers a 66-credit associate of applied science degree, with a focus in global business, which addresses a host of necessary skills including importing and exporting goods, global marketing, logistics, understanding regulations and exploring the potential for global expansion through emerging technologies. A number of the required and elective courses are offered in cooperation with other schools within the Wisconsin Technical College System, the University of Wisconsin System and several of the state’s private colleges and universities.
A: Knowledge about international business comes from interaction with other business people who can provide insight into similar situations they’ve encountered. Wisconsin businesses are fortunate to have several international trade associations available that provide access to experts from exporting and importing firms. Businesses can learn from people of all backgrounds including those responsible for sales, marketing, shipping and finance. These organizations also can provide access to educators, government assistance agencies and support service providers such as freight forwarders, language professionals, bankers and lawyers. Check out the educational and networking opportunities offered by groups in different parts of the state:
A: NASBITE International, an educational and professional association, established the Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) credential in 2005 as a globally recognized certification of international business and trade professionals. It demonstrates a person’s competency in the following four primary domains:
- Global Business Management
- Global Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
- Trade Finance
A: WEDC's International Market Access Grant (IMAG) Program provides funding for qualifying companies to assist with export-related classes, conferences, cultural competency training and foreign language assistance, among other export growth activities. See the IMAG page for more information on applying for this funding support.