Understanding the finer points for business gains

Foreign executives who want to tap into the China market and gain more knowledge about the country may apply for a specialized two-week Master of Business Administration module.

The China Module, designed by Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, one of the leading business schools in the country, is an MBA module tailored for those already working in or running companies who seek insight into China's business environment, learn how to conduct business in the country and collaborate with Chinese companies.

The module is the first of its kind among Chinese business schools, being designed specifically for foreign managers, said May Xia, deputy director of the program.

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The first session of the module, which ran from May 18 to 31, offered courses such as strategic marketing in China, investment and financing in China's capital market and strategies for entering the China market through alliances and acquisitions.

It also featured field studies, including visits to major Chinese companies such as Baidu Inc and Tencent Holdings Ltd.

About 50 took part in the course. They were a combination of MBA and Executive MBA students, hailing from two overseas business schools - the Steven M. Ross School of Business of the University of Michigan and Fundacao Dom Cabral in Brazil, joined by students from CKGSB.

"The China Module's biggest advantage is its strong Chinese perspective," said Xia.

"Our professors have spent years working abroad so they know how foreigners view China. This allows them to offer unique insight in their lectures and helps differentiate them from Chinese professors who have not taught abroad, especially when relating to an international audience."

Established in 2002, CKGSB is a nonprofit educational institute that has risen to become a leader in the growing Chinese private sector. The school has taken the initiative to offer orientation programs for managers and entrepreneurs who aim to enter the China market.

In the class, a couple of Brazilian businessmen were trying to learn the Chinese way of doing things. They felt the need to do so because of China's expanding presence in Brazil's energy sector.

Charles de Sirovy, chief financial officer of Neoenergia SA, a Brazilian power generation company, was sponsored by his company to participate in the module.