02/8/12

Mitsui Lunchtime Forum with John Griffonetti

At the 97^th Mitsui Lunchtime Forum, Chairman and CEO of Certified Pure Air LLC, John Griffonetti spoke with Baruch students about the lessons he’s learned throughout his lengthy and productive career.

A Baruch alumni himself, Mr. Griffonetti graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1990. He says that he learned how to manage time while attending school full time and interning before and in between classes. The college also has a special place in his heart as it is the place where he met his wife.

Mr. Griffonetti offered students several pieces of advice that helped him along his career: Always be prepared and ask lots of questions. He shared that his best business advice is “Find out what your clients really need, not just what they say they want.”

As a serial entrepreneur in finance, Mr. Griffonetti placed an importance on making sure the back office was organized and running just as smoothly as the front office. His energetic and hardworking nature landed him positions at firms such as First Boston and Deloitte and Touche.

He currently owns a mortgage bank with the goal of becoming the next Quicken Loans. “Where there’s disaster, there’s opportunity,” he said, teaching students the importance of adapting, thinking outside of the box, and seizing opportunities in uncertain times.

02/3/12

Andiamo! Dispatches from Abroad, Part 5

Surviving on a Budget

Believe it or not, obtaining scholarships and financial aid is the easy part of the study abroad process. Budgeting available funds while overseas is a completely different story. You may feel the urge to try every Michelin 5-star restaurant or buy large quantities of knick-knacks. However, giving in to every temptation may mean the difference between having an enjoyable out of the country journey and starving the last few days.

Perhaps the starvation analogy is a hyperbole (but trust me, it is not entirely farfetched). Here are a few tips to keep you on track:

1) Find the Local Markets and Haggle

In my opinion, wandering through marketplaces is one of the best ways of experiencing a culture. This provides the opportunity to observe the people and their mannerisms. Some markets may offer free samples of their wares (so be sure to shop around). Relatively inexpensive fresh produce and meats can be bought to create hearty meals, or, if cooking is not your forte, marketplaces are often sites where you can buy a cooked meal or snack. Markets are also great places to test your language skills and places to ask the locals what their favorite foods and activities are.

You may also like to try your hand at haggling – the art of bargaining down the price of a good. Of course, it is of utmost importance to observe the local customs. If haggling is perceived as impolite within the culture, it would not be wise to do so. Additionally, maintaining proper etiquette is equally important – don’t overstep your welcome.

2) Spend Sparingly on Souvenirs (SSS)

Purchasing a few well-selected pieces to bring home with you will help keep you on target budget wise. Decide upon a reasonable souvenir budget before shopping, and don’t exceed the limit you set. (Besides, what were you planning to do after buying a gazillion paperweights anyway?)

Also, be on the lookout for free souvenir opportunities. Why not bring home a few seashells from your day-trip to the beach, as opposed to lugging home that 38 pound ceramic vase? When souvenir shopping, it may also be helpful to ask yourself whether you will need or want the souvenir in question in a few years’ time.

3) Comparison Shopping

Always hunt down the local supermarkets near your living quarters and compare the deals. For supermarkets to attract and retain customers, it is not uncommon to see rotating weekly deals on circulars. Compare the prices at different stores to get the most for your money. Also, don’t be coerced into buying only the most expensive ‘name brand’ goods – nine times out of ten, the ‘store brand’ is of a comparable quality. Some supermarkets may even have member reward systems to get even more discounts on food. Don’t be shy to ask store employees about the weekly deals and their personal product preferences – they may very well provide you with invaluable information and you get to practice your language skills too.

Sometimes, it may help to stock up on the necessities. In Venice, the bottled water was always more inexpensive if it was bought in bulk. I would bring a bottle of water with me so that I would not have to buy it at a restaurant, which could charge as much as seven times more for the same quality water.

4) Research Online Deals

The Internet can be an invaluable resource to help you locate the best deals, whether it is for train tickets, events, food, or any other thing you may need to buy while overseas. If the site is in a language you are not fluent in, plug the URL into a translation service (I personally like Google Translate) to get the gist of the webpage.

5) But Don’t Forget to Live a Little!

Hopefully, reading this article hasn’t overwhelmed you. Long story short, budgeting involves a bit of careful planning and restraint.

That said, it never hurts to indulge a bit while abroad. If you stayed on budget, and were able to cut a few corners here and there, go for it. Your entire study abroad experience should not be based solely on calculated planning – if you have enough assets remaining, try that nice restaurant everyone’s been raving about or treat yourself to that pricier item you have been eyeing. You only live once, so why not?

Please tune in next time, where I will be sharing more photos from my study abroad experience in Venice.

A presto!

Looking for a prior article in this series? Look no further:

Part I: La Mia Estate a Venezia
Part II: Financing Your Experience
Part III: The Big Five
Part IV: Safety

01/30/12

Why Any Aspiring Business Person Should Study International Business

Lilach Nachum

Lilach Nachum, PhD
Professor, International Business

The consequences of events taking place around the globe have made the reality confronted by firms more volatile and complex. These changes have substantially increased both the challenges and opportunities associated with conducting business of any type. It is not only companies engaged internationally that are affected by developments taking place on the other side of the globe; even companies who are entirely domestic are influenced by such developments via their impact on the competition they face, the purchases they made, the type of customers they serve and so on.In recent decades, what happens internationally, outside a firm home market, has become ever more important and affects companies of all kinds. Several changes that have unfolded during the last decades, and have significantly accelerated during the last decade, have brought about this state of affairs. To begin, the world of international business has become bigger. The growth and opening up of many countries that were previously closed to international business have substantially increased the size of the international market, from being confined to North America, Western Europe and Japan to embarking most parts of the world. Not only has the size of the international business market grown, it has also become more diverse and heterogeneous, in terms of the economic development, culture, and political systems of the countries involved in international business. Lastly, as a result of globalization, the world has become interconnected and interdependent to an extent never previously experienced. If there was ever need for proof, the Great Recession, and the speed with which an essentially local crisis in the US has spread around the world, offered unequivocal evidence of the level of connectivity among countries.

Understanding international business has become a must not only for companies based in small countries. Also US companies, originating in the world’s (still) largest market, must pay close attention to developments around the world, as their fate often hinges upon what happens elsewhere more than on in the US.

This semester, Dr. Nachum is teaching International Business Strategy and Emerging Markets as part of the International Business MBA program.

01/27/12

Andiamo! Dispatches from Abroad, Part 4

Safety – Your Safety

Safety seems to be a major cause of concern for students and parents alike when they consider study abroad. This fear seems to be misplaced, as the majority of study abroad programs take place in ‘safe’ parts of the world. Moreover, CUNY does not offer study abroad programs for countries issued Travel Warnings by the U.S. Department of State as potentially unsafe (more information is located at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html). Moreover, worse-case scenarios won’t happen if you’re careful. These following tips should help you stay safe while overseas.

1) Online Research is your Friend
There are many resources online to help you figure out any safety hazards that you can face while overseas. The Department of State offers a great website on some “Dos and Don’ts” at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html. Plan before you depart the U.S. so as to be prepared for anything.

2) Don’t Forget your Visa
If you’re eager to explore a country outside the U.S., ensure to check whether the country requires a visa before traveling there! The visa application process should be relatively painless for U.S. citizens. However, if you are based outside the United States, you should consult your region’s local Consulate to inquire about the visa process.

3) When in Rome…
Remember to observe the cultural customs of the place(s) in which you plan to study or visit in order to avoid a potential faux pas (and the resulting consequences).

4) Don’t Bring (or Bring Back) Restricted Items
As you likely already know, TSA regulations presently restrict the possession of liquid items within a carry-on bag (http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm). You may also want to familiarize yourself with the other items that you cannot bring on your trip (http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm). The Department of State also prevents the following items from entering the States: products made from sea turtles, ivory, furs from spotted cats or marine mammals, feathers and feather products from wild birds, most crocodile and caiman leathers, and most coral items.

5) Use Common Sense and be Constantly Alert
Yes, common sense does have a place on this list. As the Department of State recommends – “dress conservatively” to avoid the attention of thieves. Bring any medication you may need with you. Be wary of passport fraud and monetary scams. You are the key to preventing harm to yourself and others.

6) In Case of Emergencies – Have a Plan!
Chances are, you will not have an emergency while overseas. However, it should be a given that you should have the contact numbers of the police and emergency services within the country you are visiting as well as the phone numbers of family or friends you can count on in an emergency. You may also want to check out this webpage detailing more information on evacuations (http://www.state.gov/www/flo/paper10.html).

__________
In short, always research your site before you leave. Having a safe experience is paramount to having a great study abroad experience.

Tune in next time, when I will talk about surviving on a budget. Ci vediamo più tardi!

Looking for a prior article in this series? Look no further:
Part I: My Summer in Venice
Part II: Financing Your Experience
Part III: The Big Five [Reasons for Studying Abroad]

01/24/12

Working Abroad in Italy

Junior Ashley Tagg, a Corporate Communications major, spent eight weeks in Rome teaching English to students at a summer camp alongside teachers from Russia, Poland, Turkey, Egypt, and Guatemala.

What were your responsibilities as an English teacher?

I planned one hour blocks of instruction based on the children’s ages. If they were younger, I would teach them about the weather or songs. Each day two hours were dedicated to theater, etc. We put on performances for the parents and the end of the week. Each week was dedicated to learning about a different country [where each of the teachers were from].

When it was time for the U.S., I made brownies. Apparently, brownies don’t exist there! I thought how people saw us was as ‘hamburgers and hotdogs,’ …but it’s actually as breakfast foods like muffins and pancakes.

What was the most difficult part of working abroad?

We [the teachers] had to identify flaws in our teaching to figure out the best way to teach the kids.

What was your most memorable experience?

There were so many different challenges in a cultural work environment, adapting to the experience and empathizing with others.

Everyone there is very generous and genuine. ..Everyone said “hi” whether they knew you or not. The parents got to know you. They would take you out after work or on the weekends. It’s easier to work there. I felt more carefree. I learned to breathe this summer.

Any tips for students thinking about working abroad?

Do it! It’s a great experience to get work experience while abroad.

When placed in a difficult position, it’s good to reevaluate yourself.

Get out of your comfort zone and see what you’re really like when away from friends and family.

Work ethic is different across the globe in terms of ethics and leadership.

01/20/12

Andiamo! Dispatches From Abroad, Part 3

The Big Five (Reasons for Studying Abroad)

There are many reasons why one would want to study abroad. Do any of the following reasons appeal to you?

1) Experience a New (or Different) Culture
Studying abroad through CUNY is an affordable option to see a new culture. In an ever changing world, having experience with other cultures is always a benefit. You may be surprised to see what you learn overseas about other cultures can apply in your daily life and future career.

2) Boost Language Skills
Studying overseas puts a student in a very unique situation to learn another language or perfect one that in which you already have some familiarity. While I was in Venice, the locals loved to converse with me in Italian. The experience propelled my understanding and proficiency in Italian in a very short amount of time.

3) Foster Leadership Skills
While overseas, you may experience situations that require you to be a bit more flexible or tolerant. After all, you will interact with people from a different country that may hold different values and belief systems than those you hold. It is in these situations where you will develop leadership skills. Not everyone is born with natural leadership skills, but fortunately, these skills can be learned and perfected. Why not develop your leadership skills overseas?

4) Progress towards Career Goals
Whether you hope to advance your academic or professional career, studying abroad is one way you can achieve such a goal. At CUNY, many colleges offer a number of study abroad programs. Today, there are over 50 wonderful programs to choose from – there are sure to be at least a few that cater to your specific goals and needs.

5) Nurture Personal Growth
If you have been stuck in one place for too long, you may have noticed that you are constantly limited to a repetitive range of choices. Your personal growth may be stunted as a result. Studying abroad will allow you to be more independent and responsible.

If one or more of the above reasons appeals to you – studying abroad is an opportunity you should definitely look into. Why not check out some of the links below to get started?

Baruch Study Abroad
CUNY Overseas Study Programs Directory
Baruch Study Abroad – Fact Sheet

Stay tuned next week, where I will discuss safety practices for studying overseas.

Did you miss one of the articles from this series? Check them out below:
Part I: My Study Abroad Experience in Venice
Part II: Financing Your Study Abroad Experience