Powerpoint Presentations for Cintus

For future reference, here at the powerpoints for the Cintus group project presentations:
Team USA
Team Canada

Emily's Reflection on Italy 2012

I have asked the students to write a reflection paper on what they experienced during two weeks in Italy. The students requested (demanded??) that I too participate in this exercise and share my thoughts with them. While at our closing dinner on the last night of the program, I started to write a list of things that made the summer 2012 trip to Italy memorable.  This summer was my first trip to Italy, and my first time in charge of a group of students abroad, so there were many learning experiences for me personally.

I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to embark on this adventure.  I am thankful to The University of Montana for trusting me to guide the students abroad, and I hope that this is the first of many trips I can make to participate in programs with the University of Brescia.

 So without further ado, here is my list of 30 things (in no particular order) I'll always remember about this experience.

1. Italy is Hot and Complicated. The city is hot and humid and air conditioning is only operational in theory.  In addition to the heat, the Italian bureaucracy can stifle any efforts to complete seemingly simple tasks.  Hoops are made to be jumped through, right?

First day in Brescia, welcome to the heat, y'all!

2. Italian Math. This is not a joke. Italian math is different, and definitely non-linear. Simple mathematical operations are anything but simple. Hilarity often ensues when try to calculate a figure with an Italian.

3. Lost in Translation. Not understanding anything anyone is saying. Many people you encounter do not speak English, and if they do it's typically fairly limited. Countless times I stood by while a conversation took place wondering just what on earth people were speaking about! ((note to self- learn the language!)))

Just one example of a "huh??" moment in Italy... canned Montana!

4. Playing Never Have I Ever.

Never Have I Ever had lunch in such a spectacular setting!

5. The Cabinieri have very snappy uniforms, and I'm pretty certain they are out to get me.

The Carbinieri

6. Mickey's "unique" management syle. Unique as it may be, all 11 students plus this professor managed to make it safely around Italy on countless adventures.

Hey, where is the bus stop!?

7. The Milk Guy. The Sock Factory Factory. UBI Banca Brescia.

Jay enjoying the visit to the  sock factory-factory (Lonati).

8. Tuesday of the second week at the winery.  We spent the afternoon touring the phenomenal Ca'del Bosco winery. Then we were invited to professor Rino Ferrata's home for a wine tasting and dinner. Overall, it was a truly special day.

At Ca'del Bosco...

Later that evening at Dr. Ferrata's beautiful home

 9. Lunch on the final Friday- I had Osso Buco and it changed my life. Pretty much the best thing I've ever eaten. :)

10. Two weeks of sleep deprivation.

Good morning, class!

11. Two weeks of wifi deprivation.

Well, there wasn't free, unlimited wifi, but I think this was a pretty great
place to work on a group project!

12. The incredible hospitality of the Convitto Vescovile San Giorgio. (We were on the news... click here for a clip)

Students, me, and the men of the Convitto.

13. ATM machines apparently are only capable of producing 50 Euro bills. No shop owners want to take 50's, and no banks are able to change out large bills for small ones.  Did I mention that even seemingly simple tasks can be very complicated in Italy!?

14. Random hours at retail stores.  Need something between 12:30 and 15:00? Too bad. Need something after 19:00? Too bad!! To those of us accustomed to 24/7 retail stores and gas stations, this can be a bit of a shock.

15. My Italian mom.

16. My Italian students.

University of Montana and University of Brescia Students at Centrale del Latte

17. Delicious Happiness in Your Mouth. (The global basis of Coca-Cola's marketing slogans. All things Coca-Cola, around the world, always come back to this fact.)

18. The Castello (castle) and the Roman Ruins. Mind boggling.

Students in front of the Roman ruins in Brescia.

 19. Staring, Advanced Staring, and Advanced Staring 2.

20. Luca Roda. Inspriational.

21. The three-hour lunch. (see #14)

Pizza!!

22. Appertivo hours.

23. Art. It is everywhere, and it is awesome.

A beautiful fresco

Students enjoying the statues in Venice.

24. Pork products. They are everywhere, and they are awesome.

25. Italian dogs. They are everywhere, and they are awesome.

A dog friend at Fuori Luoco.

26. Sharing food. Italians are big into sharing food. Don't be squeamish about sharing a fork!

27. Pizza. Pasta. Croissants. Focaccia. Pesto. Coffee. Gelato. Meringhetta. Tiramisu. Wine. Spritz. I honestly didn't have a single bad meal.

28. Herding Cats. I am very proud to have introduced this expression to Italy.

11 students went to Venice, 11 students returned from Venice... amazing!

29. The kind and warm people from University of Brescia who went out of their way to make us feel so very welcome.

30. Getting out of our collective comfort zone and experiencing a new way of life. Sometimes life is a single-speed bicycle and you have to adjust to things that are out of your control. Remember to enjoy the ride while striving for your goals.

Ppt file for UBI Banca presentation

UBI banca presentation http://db.tt/RQzUIPUB

Powerpoints, Developing Marketing Strategy

These are the powerpoints for the topic of developing marketing strategy
part 1 http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5262835/4a_developing_strategy.ppt
part 2 http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5262835/4b_developing_strategy.ppt

Day 3/4 global marketing and advertising

Slides for day 3/4 global marketing and advertising here

International strategic plan outline

International Strategic Plans Outline   . Executive Summary b. One to two page overview of the main points from the report . Company analysis a. Defining the business i. Who are the customers? 1. Identify and segment target customers ii. What needs are being satisfied by the company’s goods or services? 1. Define the company’s core products/services iii. What are the company’s core competencies? 1. What resources does the company have? 2. What capabilities does the company possess? b. Mission statement: Indicate the company’s current mission statement c. Identifying the company’s competitive advantages i. What are the company’s competitive advantages built upon? 1. Superior quality 2. Superior efficiency 3. Superior customer service 4. Superior innovation d. Size of operations and locations where the company is currently operating e. Competitive strengths and weaknesses (i.e., SWOT analysis) f. Need for global expansion at this time . Industry analysis a. Analysis of industry in which the company competes i. Key competitors (domestic and global) and relevant information ii. Strength of competition iii. Globalization drivers for the industry b. Exhibits for industry analysis . Target country environmental analysis a. Demographic characteristics b. Target location(s) description c. Cultural characteristics d. Workforce characteristics e. Relevant trade and investment policies and laws f. Politics and laws that may affect entry g. Currency and financial market issues h. Exhibits for this section i. Table with comparison of US culture to target culture ii. Comparison of US demographics to target culture NOTE: The key in this section is not to just provide information but to analyze what it means for the company in terms of challenges or attractiveness in entering the chosen market.  For example, a well-educated workforce would be attractive for a high-tech oriented company. . Target market analysis a. Description of customers and their characteristics b. Estimation of market size c. Local competition analysis i. What is the structure of the local industry? Fragmented, consolidated? ii. Are there any large global players in the target market? iii. How will the local competition react to your entry? d. Estimated market share and sales expected . Strategic alternatives a. Alternatives for market entry and your recommendation (e.g., exporting, licensing, joint venture, etc). i. A table indicating the various options and advantages and disadvantages of each would be helpful here. b. Marketing alternatives (focus on the 4 Ps) c. Human resources alternatives i. Will you need expatriate manager?  Are the local nationals trained to do the work you’ll need them to do? d. Organizational structure, control mechanisms, etc. that would be useful i. How will you structure your organization?  For example, will you organize by product, region, or function? e. Appropriate strategy and strategic planning i. Multidomestic, global, international, transnational . Implementation of strategic plan a. Plans for executing the strategy (timeline, resource utilization, pace of execution) b. Management team and personnel i. Key management personnel required ii. Characteristics of personnel (qualifications) iii. Supporting professional advisors and services c. Critical risks and challenges associated with the plan (assumptions you have made, what could go wrong, etc). . Appendices  

Powerpoint slides for day 2

Slides day 2

Slides for day 1

ppt slides for day one

Updated Info

Final Information before departure:

1. Syllabus is updated here 

2. If you have not already done so, please remember to purchase your reading pack at the UM bookstore or online

3. If you have not already done so, please remember to let me know the details of your arrival. If you let me know when you will be arriving to Brescia, either Michele Turati (our translator/helper) or I can meet you!

See you on Sunday, June 3rd- 5pm in front of the Convitto!

-Emily

Helpful Resource for wine project

Hi everyone,

Check out this very interesting article published just a few days ago.  I think it will be very relevant to the United States group!

Cheers!

-Emily Plant

-----------------------------

Impact Databank Exclusive: Top Italian Labels Driving Imported Sparklers In U.S.

Impact Databank’s exclusive analysis of the top 10 imported sparkling wines in the U.S. market finds that Italian wines continue to be the biggest volume drivers in this rising segment. Total imported sparkling wine shipments to the U.S. increased 19.7% to 7.65 million cases in 2011.

Of the 10 largest imported sparkling wines in the market by volume, half are sourced from Italy. Four of those five—Verdi, Sparkletini, Mionetto and Lunetta—grew by double-digits in 2011, the lone exception being Martini & Rossi, whose U.S. depletions have now slipped by 25% since 2007. Verdi and Sparkletini, imported by Carriage House Imports, continue to thrive on accessible pricing and flavored extensions like Green Apple, Peach and Raspberry. Combined volume for the two Carriage House labels has nearly doubled since 2007, eclipsing 1.5 million cases last year.

Selling for a few dollars more per bottle, Proseccos like Mionetto and Lunetta continue to surge in the U.S. market. Lunetta, making good on marketer Palm Bay Imports’ prediction to Shanken News Daily last summer, grew nearly 50% to 150,000 cases in 2011. Rival Mionetto more than kept pace, adding 5,000 more cases than Lunetta for the year on 21% growth.

While Italy’s top sparklers keep charging ahead, the leading Cava brands in the U.S. have seen a tougher road. Freixenet has now declined for three straight years and is off by 19% since 2008. Slightly lower-priced portfoliomate Segura Viudas added at least 20,000 cases a year from 2005-2010, but last year it slowed markedly. Competitor Jaume Serra Cristalino’s path has been similar. From 2006-2010 it grew by 70%, but an 8.5% decline in 2011 ended its upswing.

Meanwhile, Champagne shipments to the U.S. have been robust the past two years (up 14% by volume last year, according to the CIVC), but depletions for the Champagne segment’s top two brands, Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot, were relatively flat last year.

USA - Top 10 Imported Sparkling Wine Brands (thousands of nine-liter case depletions)

Rank      Brand    Importer              Origin    2010       2011       Percent

Change

1              Verdi     Carriage House Imports, Ltd.      Italy       1,065     1,185     11.3%

2              Martini & Rossi  Bacardi USA, Inc.              Italy       650         600         -7.7%

3              Freixenet            Freixenet USA, Inc.         Spain     545         535         -1.8%

4              Moët & Chandon*          Moët Hennessy USA (LVMH)     France  405         410         1.2%

5              Jaume Serra Cristalino   CIV USA Inc.       Spain     410         375         -8.5%

6              Sparkletini           Carriage House Imports, Ltd.      Italy       325         370         13.8%

7              Veuve Clicquot Moët Hennessy USA (LVMH)     France  365         365         -

8              Mionetto             Mionetto USA   Italy       265         320         20.8%

9              Segura Viudas   Freixenet USA, Inc.         Spain     215         220         2.3%

10           Lunetta                Palm Bay International  Italy       105         155         47.6%

Total Top 10        4,350     4,535     4.3%

* excludes Dom Perignon

source: http://www.shankennewsdaily.com/index.php/2012/04/19/2903/impact-databank-exclusive-top-italian-labels-driving-imported-sparklers-in-u-s/

Syllabus Update

Hi everyone,

I have just finished revising the TENTATIVE syllabus for Italy study abroad.  There will definitely be changes, but I thought I'd keep you posted on how things are shaping up.  I have put together a reading packet, which will be available *soon* at the UM Bookstore.  I will make the reading pack available in either ebook format or traditional print.

Click here to access the working copy of the syllabus. ((note that you might want to save the file to your computer first, and then open it))

How is the project research coming? Any questions at this point?

Thanks,

Emily Plant

Summary of meeting 4/11- Next Steps!

Hi everyone-

Thanks for the great meeting last night.  I'm happy to see a few updates on the wikispaces page already.

I have an important update related to the project that I wanted to share with all of you.  I spoke via email with Rino Ferrata, professor at Uni. Brescia and operator of the Franciacorta winery.  I asked him if he has any specific goals for the project, and here is his response:

"You actually got the main goal of ours, regarding the project. Our winery is pretty young, and export is the key point of our strategy. U.S.A. is a great market, but hard to grasp, both for its distribution structure and for the single State legislations. Now we have some connections in Texas, but what we'd appreciate is an analysis of What to do in order to find distributors there and in Canada and to select the States where to focus.

For sure these few words are not sufficient, but I hope they can be at least a way to start our cooperation.

Please feel free to ask anything you need to know in detail.

Best regards

Rino Ferrata" 

So, as you can see, he is particularly interested in the distribution strategy.  Notice that he specifically asks for help on what to do in order to find distributors in the US and Canada.  I would suggest that both teams be sure to address this question.  I imagine with some web searching, you will find directories of distributors.

He also asks about specific states (or cities/areas in Canada) in which to focus.  To answer this question, I think you should think about the target market for the high end, sparkling wine, and then think about how to match up that target with demographics on the states/cities. 

I know this is a big, ambiguous project, but you have a REAL chance to impact a REAL business!  Think how cool this will look on your resume!

Contact me with any and all questions!  Remember, I'd like each team to have their wikispaces page drafted by the end of finals week- May 11, 2012.

Ciao!

-Emily Plant

News and Notes- 3/28 and 4/11

Hi everyone,

I hope you all enjoyed the fantastic presentations from Chandra, Saskia, and Shanice.  If you would like to review the material from their presentations, please follow the links below to download.

• Saskia's presentation on the history and current state of Italy: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5262835/Italy.Saskia.pptx

• Chandra's presentation on the history and current state of the EU:  http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5262835/chandra_italy.pptx

• Shanice's presentation on the Italian economy: position and key industries: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5262835/SWaldo_KeyIndustriesofItaly.pptx

A few notes:
1. We'll be meeting on Wednesday, April 11th at 6pm in GBB 213 (the computer lab)

2. The balance of your course fees are due Friday, April 14th.

3. As mentioned on Wednesday, private rooms in Brescia will be available for an additional fee- please let me know if you are interested.

4. A link to the VERY tentative syllabus- things WILL change! http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5262835/syllabus_2012_working_draft.doc

5. A link to the handout passed out at the meeting on 3/14: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5262835/first%20meeting%20itinerary.docx

6. A link to the This American Life radio program "Continental Breakup"- a very interesting show about the European Debt Crisis http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/455/continental-breakup  ((note that you can also download it as a podcast via itunes))

I purchased my plane ticket last night- just about 9 weeks to go!

Ciao!

-Emily

Next Meetings for Italy Trips!

Hi everyone,

It was great to meet you all last night!

Our next meeting for the ITALY trip is Wednesday, March 28th from 6:30 - 8 pm in room GBB 222.

The three MBA students will be making presentations on the following topics: 
Saskia: The history of Italy and the current state of the Italian Govenment
Shanice: The key industries of Italy
Chandra: The history of the European Union and the current state of the EU

Please come prepared with any questions you have about those topics, or any other questions in general.

The next meeting after 3/28 will be Wednesday 4/11 at 6pm.  We will start talking about the group project that you will all be working on in Italy.  We have something VERY cool planned, and I can't wait to tell you more about it. 

As always, please feel free to ask any and all questions via the comments section of this blog, or by emailing me emily.plant@business.umt.edu.

Ciao!

-Emily

First Study Abroad Meeting is Wednesday 3/14/2012

Hi everyone,

The first meeting of the Germany / Italy Summer 2012 study abroad program is Wednesday, March 14th.  The meeting is from 6 to 8 pm in room GBB 222.

We will be covering important travel-related details at this meeting, and filling out forms. Attendance is mandatory. 

Please bring a copy of the first page of your passport, and method of taking notes. 

It will be great to meet everyone in person! 

Cheers!

-Emily Plant

Welcome Aboard!

Hi everyone,

This blog is so we can all share information related to the UM School of Business study abroad in Germany and Italy. I am very excited to be a part of this trip, and I am sure it will be a great learning experience for everyone.

My hope is that this can be a place for trip participants to connect and plan. I know a lot of you are interested in traveling around once the class is over- perhaps you can find a traveling partner through this discussion.

There are only about 13 weeks until departure- time to start planning!

If you don't have a passport yet, you should apply for one asap. You can find more information about passports here.

Please reply in the comments to this post with a little bit about yourself. Time to start connecting with your classmates and making plans!

Gratzi!

-Emily Plant