STEP A - IN THE IMAGINARY COUNTRY OF SECHURIA...

 

To read the learning goals for this step please click HERE.

Welcome to the first part of the course! Before plunging in, spend ~30 minutes with your
 tutor(s) and colleagues to "warm up": discuss the outline and objectives of this step,
 make sure everybody is ready to go and in a good mood!

This step's agenda looks like this:

~30 min warm-up (national teams)
~20 min in the Cafe (all)
~1 h research (2 groups in each national team)
~1 h 30 min negotiations (2 groups in each national team)
~1 h 30 min research (2 groups in each national team)
~30 min feedback to research (2 groups in each national team)
~20 min in the Cafe (all)
~30 min debriefing and evaluation (national teams, then all).

With short breaks and lunch, it will amount to 8 hours. Ready?

Situation:
We are all citizens of the imaginary country of Sechuria. Some of us work in a new consultancy
 business specialized in intercultural affairs. The others are looking for opportunities to start a
 new business.

STEP A - task 1

Check the latest discussions in the Office InterActors Cafe , reply to messages or send
new ones.

STEP A - task 2

The Sechurian government is offering grants to people who can present ideas
 for setting up a new company. You would like to take advantage of this.
First of all, you have to identify a market. In your national groups of Sechurian
entrepreneurs, use the Internet and/or other sources to identify the main imports of Romania,
 Spain, Lithuania, Bulgaria and France. What do these countries need?
Is there a gap in the market? Decide on a product you could manufacture and export.
 
Using the forum discussion in the next task, write brief descriptions mentioning:
- which group you are (country - the real one this time)
- what gaps in the market you found
- what product you suggest to focus on
- provide 1-2 arguments for your choice.
NEW!!! The Bulgarian group have also posted their ideas!
 See the link below and then use the information when
 discussing this topic.

STEP A - task 3

The 5 groups of entrepreneurs will be working together to form ONE
company based in Sechuria, so you now have to reach a consensus.
What product should you manufacture?
Read the suggestions of the other groups and then enter the online negotiation
area by clicking on the link below. Point out your reasons for approving or rejecting a
product idea. Agree/disagree politely with each other.

Click HERE to access a polite language database.

Enter negotiations using the link below.
NEW!!! A CHAT ROOM IS ALSO AVAILABLE
HERE FOR GROUPS ONLINE AT THE SAME TIME
 TO DISCUSS THIS!

STEP A - task 4

HAVE YOU ALL AGREED INTERNATIONALLY ON A PRODUCT? You have to also
 establish your corporate identity. Decide on a name and logo for the company.
How does the company name sound in different languages?
 Could it have an unintended meaning?

After discussing face to face in your national groups you have to reach an agreement
with all the international groups.
Enter the online discussion to share, discuss and decide upon the final alternative
 to be used for your company. Use the CORPORATE IDENTITY forum in order to do that.
NEW !!! A CHAT ROOM IS AVAILABLE ABOVE FOR GROUPS ONLINE AT THE
SAME TIME TO DISCUSS THE DIFFERENT BUSINESS IDEAS AND SEE IF THE
 COMPANY CAN PRODUCE SEVERAL DIFFERENT PRODUCTS, DEPENDING
ON THE COUNTRY WHERE WE WISH TO EXPORT THEM...
(and, of course, how this affects the company identity)

STEP A - task 5

Each national group forms one of the departments in the company:
1.Research and development
2. Production
3. Marketing (advertizing) - chosen by the Romanian group
4. Sales (exports and international relations - Lithuanian group)
5. Human resources (the Bulgarian team)
Choose one of the departments for your national team. First come first served.

Discuss what skills are needed to work in each department.
Then each member of the national groups has to fill in the job description for his or her position,
in case you identify several different roles within your department.
To read an example of a job description click HERE.
To upload, present & discuss the job description(s) use the forum below.