‘Women in International Business Seminar’ Offers Critical Tools for Success in the Global Marketplace
Exports from Utah are at an all-time high and, despite the contraction in the global economy, there has never been a better time for Utah's women entrepreneurs to become involved in international business.
Consequently, women entrepreneurs and decision-makers in Utah businesses that are currently doing business internationally, or thinking of doing so, are invited to participate in a free, one-day "Women in International Business" seminar on April 16, sponsored by the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED), the Women's Business Institute and Global Business Center at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC), the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce Women's Business Center, World Trade Center Utah and Executive Women International.
"Women entrepreneurs face a unique set of challenges and obstacles when expanding their businesses internationally," says Franz Kolb, regional director-Europe for GOED. "This event will feature presentations and panel discussions by women with extensive experience internationally. Participants will receive up-to-date information about issues encountered by women in international markets, with specific emphasis on economic, political and educational topics."
The seminar runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at SLCC's Miller Corporate Partnership Center, 9750 S. 300 West, Sandy. Advance registration is required and lunch will be provided. Space is limited so women interested in attending need to RSVP by April 13 to fkolb@utah.gov or call (801) 538-8717.
Kolb says businesses need to be internationally-minded in order to be successful internationally. Thus, the seminar is designed to facilitate such thinking and will focus on the benefits of exporting, getting ready to export, and the human elements of international business.
"To be successful in the global marketplace, you need to take a strategic approach. Business activities that are successful in one country may not be successful in another country-the etiquette will be different, the laws will be different-thus, this seminar will provide the critical tools women need to succeed in a variety of international markets," Kolb says.
The beauty of the seminar, Kolb adds, is that the participants will also have an excellent opportunity to network with each other, as well.
"We've learned that networking is extremely important. Invariably, when we take people on trade missions, the first deals they do are with each other, rather than with businesses in foreign countries," he says. "The participants get together, sometimes half way around the world, and then find out that one or more counterparts on the trade mission have the goods or services they need. So this seminar is as much a mentoring/networking event as it is an educational one."
