This is your first assignment as a new marketing manager at Zenon Co a multinational corporation. Your director has asked you to prepare a report portfolio of a country that the company wishes to expand to in the near future. They would like to familiarize themselves with new market before making an investment. Be as informative as possible.

PURPOSE:

Enhance your world knowledge through research.

Develop your Internet research abilities.

Develop your communications and interpersonal skills.

Explore various business practices, values, and habits.

Develop your knowledge of the world’s cultures.

THE PROJECT:

Each student must select a country for research.

The research will be continuous and will be organized in a form of a portfolio/journal.

Information researched will be shared in the class.

All articles and materials gathered must be summarized. All summaries must be typed.

Each student will relate his/her portfolio in an outreach project.

Portfolios must be updated weekly with new info and news articles.

Wednesdays are Portfolio days. Students are expected to have news and info about their country ready to share. If class is missed on a Wednesday then all info will be combined for the following Wednesday.

Use the www, wsj, Bus Wk, Fortune, and The Economist for your research.

You are encouraged to listen to Public Radio 88.9FM or 91.90FM for program covering international affairs. Public television also offers great deal of programs covering global issues. (PBS), BBC America.

Use the class web page and take advantage of sites such as the Electronic Embassy, Lonely planet, CNN, etc for your research. The project will begin on October 4^th, 2000 and end on Novemeber 28^th, 2000

Portfolios must use multiple sources. Certain info will be specifically requested, however, you are responsible for supplementing and showcasing your country.

Contact me if you have any questions or need assistance.

Begin early and do not procrastinate.

Good Luck!

Week 1

Country Name and Capital

Brief Description

Population and people (ethnic groups)

Location and Geography

Flag

Neighbors

Brief Description

Neighbors, Area, Government.

Language.

WEEK 2

Exports and Imports GDP Currency Exchange

Political systems.

WEEK 3

Culture Value system, norms, traditions and society

Religion, Impact

Education, Literacy Rate Quality of Ed, trends.

Social Mobility, power distance

WEEK 4

Absolute Advantage

Comparative Advg Explain and why

Protectionism and trade policy

WEEK 5

Population growth rate

Ethnic groups

Unemployment rate, birth rate, death rate, sex ratio, life expectancy

Industries/ growth rate

Export/ import partners

Country political/trade issues

FDI (compare between 84-94)