The Global Trade Mission (GTM) provides a unique experience for Oakland County High School Students to participate in a simulated entrepreneurial global trade mission. Since 1998 the Oakland Schools GTM has provided over 2,900 students opportunities to learn about global trade, cultural diversity, entrepreneurship and business and technology tools.
This year the event will take place on:
February 27 & 28, and March 1, 2014 at
Oakland Community College (OCC) Auburn Hills Campus
Each year students engage in an intensive, three-day, hands-on virtual learning experience that simulates an entrepreneurial and business international trade mission. Through this extraordinary opportunity, awareness is created around exciting careers in entrepreneurial and international business in high-tech industries; many in the Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) fields.
150 students will work in cross-district teams to respond to Entrepreneurial Global Trade Challenges developed in collaboration with area companies. Students will prepare and present a business plan that responds to the realities of today’s world – incorporating research from Web-based pre-learning modules, Internet and business/industry resources gathered on-site, and face-to-face interaction with experts from business and trade. In addition, videoconferences will be scheduled for real-time interaction between teams and their potential markets.
There are several ways to participate:
1. You are invited to serve as a Business Expert (Speaker) – Presenting on Thur., Feb. 27, 2014
The role of an Industry or Business Expert is to present business information about ones area of expertise that will help students determine an appropriate product. The industry areas are: Clean Technology and Renewable Energy, Defense and Homeland Security, Information Technology and Cybersecurity, Life Sciences and Medical Devices and Robotics and Automation. A group of 1-2 experts presenting several areas of expertise will be attending. Industry Experts will prepare and present a 10-15 minute presentation aimed at answering the following questions regarding their business area of expertise:
- How is this industry going green?
- How big is the demand? Who are the buyers? Who is the primary customer?
- Any statistics or sales numbers that you may have in reference to the industry
- Each session will be followed by a question and answer session from the student group.
2. You are invited to serve as a Cultural Ambassador (Speaker) – Presenting on Thur., Feb. 27, 2014
Cultural Ambassadors will present information about ones country/cultural region of expertise, aimed at helping students determine the best market for their technology or product or service. The regional areas are: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America/Australia. A group of 2-4 Ambassadors presenting several countries within a region will be attending. Cultural Ambassadors will prepare and present a 10-15 minute presentation aimed at answering the following questions regarding their country/cultural region of expertise:
- What are the key cultural points to understand about this country? How does the cultural perspective of the people impact how business is done?
- What business sectors or industries are key growth sectors in your country?
- What needs exist (in these growth sectors or otherwise) in the market? Who are the buyers?
- What pitfalls exist when doing business in their country?
3. You are invited to serve as a Business or Cultural Coach – Fri., Feb. 28, 2014
Volunteering as a Business or Cultural Coach allows you to meet with students on-site, via phone or videoconference and serve as a business or cultural resource, collaborating face-to-face with students as they prepare their challenge. As the students plan their entrepreneurial export mission, the Coaches provide valuable insight into regulations and questions of market, law and trade issues or insight into the “cultural psychology” of people in their home country.
4. You are invited to participate as an Evaluator – Sat., Mar. 1, 2014
On Saturday, a panel of evaluators will provide feedback on the students’ presentations. The evaluators will use constructive questioning to determine the soundness of the students’ market analysis and to additionally focus their understanding of the global marketplace. An orientation session will be held on Saturday, March 1 at 8:30 am.
Sign up here and again, thank you for your support.