Strictly Business

After spending several months studying the evolution of "consumerism" in health care, I was interested to read the “Medical Leave” article in the latest Fast Company magazine. With costs soaring, consumers have been forced to take more control in their own health management. This battle leads some US citizens overseas.

In his article, Greg Lindsay notes “As many as half a million Americans streamed abroad last year in search of affordable alternatives for hip replacements or prostate surgery. And they went not for the post-surgical tanning but for the savings: up to 90% off the going rates in the United States.”

High deductibles or the lack of insurance is causing consumers to shop more wisely for treatment. It will be interesting to see if “Medical Tourism” will give way to “Globalized Health Care.”

Posted by Jocelyn Gutekunst at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, it's official. After almost fifty years - the longest rule for a head of government- Fidel Castro has resigned as the president in Cuba. Much has been speculated over the last 24 hours about Cuba's future. Will the embargo be lifted? Will Raul, his brother, retain power? How much pressure will the US exercise over the coming months to bring about democratic reforms?
From a business perspective, Cuba would present some unique opportunities if the embargo was lifted and US companies were allowed to invest in the island. The big question remains: if and when these changes occur? I believe change will happen; but it will come slowly, and not without tremendous challenges.

Continue reading "Spring Break 2009 in Cuba?" »

Posted by Jose Gonzalez at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The last time I was in Russia was in 2004. I visited my hometown Surgut, which is located in Western Siberia, as well as Moscow, the capital of Russia. On my way to Russia, my heart was filled with anticipation and excitement. I recalled with nostalgia leisurely strolls in the heart of Moscow, numerous museums, theatres, and magnificent architecture. So much had changed since the last time I was there.

When I arrived, I stood in front of the city in total disbelief. Where was I? In front of me now was a new and strange world. Most of us are aware that for the second consecutive year, Moscow remains the most expensive city in the world. Various newspapers and magazines talk about the phenomenon of “Novie Russkie”: New Russians or Nouveaux Russes as French would say, who purchase the most expensive real estate, contribute to the significant boost of the high-end retail profits and don’t stop traveling year around across the world. Where does this extreme wealth come from any mind would wonder? I won’t go into deep details, because I am not writing a thesis paper. However, I will attempt to describe very briefly.

Continue reading "World today: Russia as a new emerging economy" »

Posted by Marieta Velikova at 09:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I spent some time in Mexico over the holidays. Lots of anticipation about the imminent entry of Chinese-made cars into the Mexican market.

One of China's biggest car manufacturers, the state-owned FAW Group Corp. http://www.faw.com , announced an alliance with Mexican retailer and banking chain Grupo Elektra to begin selling Chinese-made cars in Mexico early this year. Elektra, a low-cost retailer (similar to a Dollar General ), has more than 1,700 stores in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Panama, El Salvador and Argentina.

FAW will also build a US$150 million plant in the western Mexican state of Michoacan to be operational by 2010. The plant is expected to churn out 100,000 cars each year to serve the Latin American market.

Continue reading "Chinese-made cars coming to America...via Latin America." »

Posted by Jose Gonzalez at 08:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There continue to be a number of compelling business story lines emerging from our global neighbors in the Middle East, many of which have more to do with commerce than with war. One such example is the contrast in cultures, strategy, and environmental factors we see emerging in the neighboring cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Both are cities in the United Arab Emirates. Most of us are more familiar with Dubai, a city that not too long ago identified it was operating on borrowed time with respect to its rapidly diminishing oil reserves, and launched a full-scale frontal assault on diversitying its economy toward tourism, commercialism, and what many of us westerners might refer to simply as "bling." The photo to the left is of Dubai's indoor ski slope (yes, skiing in the middle of the desert) at Dubai Emirates Mall. The city has been given a lot of credit as an example of a municipality that did a true situation analysis and then implemented an aggressive strategy to reach newly defined objectives.

Continue reading "A Modern Tale of Two Cities" »

Posted by Joe Alexander at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As someone interested in immigration matters, I have followed with interest the recent announcement by the European Union to introduce the ‘blue card’. The blue card is a program that makes it easier for skilled foreign workers to get jobs in the 27 member states of the European Union. Holders of the card would be allowed to live, work and travel within the European Union

Continue reading "Coming soon.. The Blue Card... (and it's not American Express)" »

Posted by Jose Gonzalez at 05:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While surfing the internet last week, I came across information about the 2007 U.S.-Africa Business Summit themed “Africa: Entering the Door to Opportunities” scheduled for Nov. 14-16, 2007 in Cape Town, South Africa. It seemed rather apropos given that the Massey School just sent our latest group of graduate students to South Africa to learn about exciting new business opportunities in the region.

Continue reading "Valuing Study Abroad Opportunities" »

Posted by Susan Taylor at 09:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We now have a professional organization for Belmont University students interested international business - the International Business Society (IBS). Members are welcome from various backgrounds and majors but are united by their interests in international business issues and career opportunities. The IBS will foster greater understanding of international business practices through a variety of meetings and events, including: guest speakers, business socials, career workshops, study abroad fairs, and field trips to corporate offices and community organizations.

If you are interested in joining this organization and participating in events, contact one of the International Business professors, Dr. Jeffrey Overby - overbyj@mail.belmont.edu, Dr. Howard Cochran - cochranh@mail.belmont.edu, Dr. Marieta Velikova - velikovam@mail.belmont.edu, or Mr. Jose Gonzalez - gonzalezj@mail.belmont.edu.

Posted by Jeffrey Overby at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)