Global Business Development

Are you interested in experiencing international environments, working for a real-life company, and expanding your (international) professional network? If your answer is “Yes!”, we’ll be very happy to welcome you at our campus. The theme of this program evolves around (international) strategic marketing, export, and business development. This will be done for real-life company assignments in an international classroom. 

Semester overview 
The semester kicks off with a week of field visits to client companies, where you'll be introduced to your assignments and enjoy a welcome event with drinks. In the second week, students will select their preferred client company and apply for their chosen assignment.

You'll be on campus three fixed days a week. Each day begins with an enriching workshop or lecture, followed by time to work on your assignment or attend a guest lecture from a field professional. 

In the fall semester Inholland's lecturing team is complemented by Prof. Dr. Ahmed Iraqi of ESCA School of Management Casablanca. His expertise of Geopolitics and Business, Business Ethics and Social Entrepreneurship will be a valuable addition on the program.

The client project is divided into two stages: the definition stage and the design stage. Each stage spans several weeks, during which you'll receive valuable feedback from your peers, coach, and client. This process ensures you're on the right track and helps enhance the quality of your deliverables.

After completing the first phase of the group project, you'll embark on a study trip to a destination of your choice—Slovenia, Spain, or Cape Town, South Africa. During this trip, you'll visit companies, participate in workshops, and gain experience in an intercultural setting.

Upon returning, you'll continue developing the proposed solution for the company. This part of the semester also includes an International Week, featuring guest lectures by international experts on various topics related to internationalization. The group assignment culminates in a final event where all groups present their work to each other and their clients.

In addition to the group assignment, students will work on an individual portfolio. This portfolio will demonstrate your understanding of your future field of work, the underlying theory, your contributions to the group assignment, and the insights you've gained throughout the semester. The period concludes with an oral assessment.

Learning by experiences is key: A study trip (BIP if possible) is offered to experience an international surrounding. You will participate in at least one online collaboration (COIL) with international peers from Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) from Spain, Rwanda, Indonesia or South Africa. An International Week is organized where you will explore relating topics from lecturers of several UAS. Expertsie and input by professionals working in international business (some of them former students of Inholland), will give you a glance at future career possibilities. 

Goal of this minor is to inspire you by connecting you with like-minded (international) peers and the outside world: companies, speakers, knowledge and experiences. You will become aware of, and will learn to use your voice to influence others. This will benefit you in both your personal and professional future life.

Program set-up

Classes, workshops, international week, guest lectures.

Lectures / theory:
Strategic International Marketing Management
Operational International Marketing
AI and Research / Debating
Design Thinking and Systems Thinking
Geopolitics and Business
Business Ethics
Behavioral Influencing
Individual portfolio / oral assessment

Assignment Real life Company, Students choose assignment:
Global Business Scan and Advice: Analysis of company, assignment and environment. Export plan
Group Assignment Report and Final Event

Experiences:
Field Trips, master classes from international managers, study trip or assignment@home, week with international guest lecturers, online collaborations (COIL) with Bali and Rwanda
Reflection in Individual Portfolio

Students who complement this semester with other international programs such as BIP, Study Abroad and/or international internship follow an International Business-like study track. Following this program proves your international and intercultural competence.

Learning outcomes

Innovating:
You design and innovate based on analyses and through various iterations and development loops, creating innovative solutions for complex real-world issues.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration:
You bring your own (professional) expertise and appreciate and utilize the perspectives of others to solve issues together. You take an active role in teamwork and collaborate constructively and solution oriented.

Professionalizing:
You proactively steer your professional development by making informed choices, formulating personal learning questions and goals, utilizing feedback, and reflecting on your professional actions.

Products

Global Business Scan and Report

Students explore the companies briefing, analyze the current Business Model, preferred markets and agree on deliverables with their client. This will result in an Global Business Scan and factsheet of the most relevant findings. With these findings students develop a Customer Value Proposition for the commissioner, based on the underlying research. Students will pitch their advice to the commissioner by showcasing a visual (poster, ppt, video) in a final event (underlying description of advice is available).

Individual portfolio

Students show they have fundamental knowledge of strategic international marketing, reflect on the workshops and their professional development in this semester.

Entry Requirements

The minor is accessible to third- and fourth-year students from universities of applied sciences and universities both inside and outside of the Netherlands.

Are you a student of a program within the Business, Finance & Law domain at Inholland? Then you can follow this program within the 'free elective space' of your degree, but you do not need to submit a request to the examination board!

Business Studies students can take this minor as a program-specific minor (meaning they can choose another minor in the free space alongside this one).

English B2

Provided: articles

Schedule: 

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (or Friday)

The Minor is offered in Alkmaar in Semester 1 and 2, and in Rotterdam only in Semester 2.
Clearly indicate your preferred location in your application!!

Assessment 

Group assignment and individual portfolio (no exams)