ITC SME Trade Academy

COURSE DESCRIPTION




The purpose of this course is to consider the viability of "going international." It introduces the most important aspects of international markets, as well as the aspects of export readiness for small enterprises. It identifies the key attributes of export-ready enterprises, including the particular skills and resources required to export successfully.
NOTE: We recommend using the latest version of the Chrome or Safari browsers to ensure an optimal experience viewing the lectures.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:
Complete an export readiness assessment Identify the areas that need to be addressed by a small enterprise to become export ready



COURSE CERTIFICATION



Participants who meet the course requirements will receive a Certificate of Achievement issued in electronic format.










COURSE STRUCTURE





Lecture 1: Introduction to Exporting
Lecture 2: The Export Market
Lecture 3: Company Readiness and Product Viability for Exporting
Export Readiness Assessment

COURSE DESCRIPTION




This course begins by defining the main attributes of cross-border contracts and outlines their differences from domestic contracts, before moving on to explain the preliminary process of contracting and the early-on documents that are required
by both parties to establish a basis for entering into a formal contractual relationship. The course then continues to introduce various useful resources for SMEs to use in their work with contracts, such as the ITC Model Contracts, the
UNIDROIT Principles, the Vienna Convention (CISG), and the International Chamber of Commerce. Finally, it highlights the most important legal concepts for cross-border contracts such as good faith, freedom of contract, reasonableness, materiality,
and force majeure, and finishes by providing a quick overview of important terms and conditions of which SMEs should be aware including payment, delivery, insurance, and compliance.

NOTE: We recommend using the latest version of the Chrome or Safari browsers to ensure an optimal experience viewing the lectures.

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Successfully use early-on documents to navigate the preliminary contracting process; Enter into legally sound contractual relationships with parties in other countries; Use the UNIDROIT Principles and/or CISG and the International Chamber of Commerce to ensure fairness and standardization in their contracts; Identify situations in which important legal concepts such as force majeure will apply; and Use a variety of legal concepts to ensure that their rights are protected during cross-border trade.



COURSE CERTIFICATION



Participants who meet the course requirements will receive a Certificate of Completion issued in electronic format.





TUTOR INFORMATION


Shaun Lake





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COURSE STRUCTURE





Lecture 1: Introduction to Contracts
Lecture 2: Model Laws for Cross-Border Contracts
Lecture 3: Legal Concepts and Terms and Conditions
Case Study Exercise

COURSE DESCRIPTION




This course introduces micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to the Chinese market, including business dynamics and cultural characteristics. With a GDP of $11.3 trillion and a population of nearly 1.4 billion, the course describes China’s market access requirements, key standards/regulations and the location of specific information on importing products and services.
It introduces participants to the main aspects of Chinese culture, with a particular focus on business culture and business etiquette. It begins with an overview of culture in general, and challenges participants to try and spot some of their own cultural preconceptions and blind spots in order to look at intercultural communication from another angle. It then moves on to a discussion of the salient features of Chinese culture, focusing on the concepts of hierarchy, mianzi ("face") and guanxi (network relationships), particularly as they relate to business in China. Finally, it presents a series of scenarios and asks participants to determine the optimal course of action in a number of commonly-occurring situations involving working with Chinese business partners.
NOTE: We recommend using the latest version of the Chrome or Safari browsers to ensure an optimal experience viewing the lectures.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

Explain the importance of understanding culture and the consequences of cultural misunderstandings;

Identify some of the major aspects of Chinese culture, with a particular focus on business culture and etiquette; and

Determine some effective strategies to engage with Chinese business partners in a variety of common scenarios.




COURSE CERTIFICATION



Participants who meet the course requirements will receive a Certificate of Completion issued in electronic format.










COURSE STRUCTURE





Module 1: Understanding Business Culture
Module 2: The Chinese Culture
Module 3: Scenarios on Interacting With Chinese Business Partners
Case Study Exercise

COURSE DESCRIPTION




This course introduces participants to the concept and structure of business plans. It begins by outlining their general importance and uses, before moving on to divide them into six types according to the purpose for which they were built. It then introduces two frameworks which can be useful in conceptualizing a business plan: the Strategy Diamond and the Business Model Canvas. Finally, it concludes by offering an exercise designed to help participants organize their thoughts when writing a business plan.
NOTE: We recommend using the latest version of the Chrome or Safari browsers to ensure an optimal experience viewing the lectures.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

Explain the importance and uses of the different types of business plans;

Use the Strategy Diamond framework to determine the various strategic inputs that go into creating a business plan;

Develop a Business Model Canvas as a first step to creating a business plan; and

Write an outline to present a business plan.




COURSE CERTIFICATION



Participants who meet the course requirements will receive a Certificate of Completion issued in electronic format.










COURSE STRUCTURE





Lecture 1: Introduction to Business Plans
Lecture 2: The Business Strategy Framework
Lecture 3: The Business Model Canvas
Lecture 4: Exercise: How to Present a Business Plan
Case Study Exercise

COURSE DESCRIPTION




This course introduces participants to corporate social responsibility (CSR) for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It begins by introducing participants to the definition and importance of CSR, with a particular focus on the business
drivers of CSR involvement for an SME. Highlighting the risks and rewards of becoming involved in CSR, the course formulates the concept in terms of 3 pillars, which cover a number of concrete sustainability topics. Finally, the course concludes
by showing participants how to understand their company’s position in the CSR environment, providing them with a “CSR Readiness Checklist.” This checklist helps SMEs to identify the most productive way for them to engage with the various
aspects of CSR.


After completing this course, participants will be able to:
Determine the importance of CSR to their organization and its stakeholders; Identify relevant topics and instruments to develop their CSR strategy; and Complete the CSR readiness checklist.


NOTE: We recommend using the latest version of the Chrome or Safari browsers to ensure an optimal experience viewing the lectures.






COURSE CERTIFICATION



Participants who meet the course requirements will receive a Certificate of Completion issued in electronic format.










COURSE STRUCTURE





Lecture 1: Does CSR Impact Your Business?
Lecture 2: How Does CSR Work? 
Lecture 3: How Can You Make CSR Work For You? 
Case Study Exercise



COURSE TUTORS 
Anouk Van Heeren and Tove Antonissen

DESCRIPTION DU COURS




Ce cours détaille le processus de gestion des clients pour les Institutions d'appui au commerce et à l'investissement (IACI), avec un accent particulier sur le rôle des gestionnaires de compte clients, la création d'un plan de soutien à l'exportation et les activités de gestion et de révision de ce dernier. Ce cours offre des solutions concrètes pour aider les IACI à mettre en oeuvre une gestion des clients efficace dans le cadre de leurs activités.


Après avoir terminé ce cours, les participants seront en mesure de:

Saisir l'importance de la gestion des clients pour les IACI;

Comprendre le rôle des gestionnaires de comptes clients dans le processus de gestion des clients;

Associer les 5 étapes du processus de gestion des clints avec des actions spécifiques à exécuter; et

Evaluer les activités de gestion et de révision à exécuter.



NOTE : Nous vous recommandons d'utiliser la dernière version des navigateurs Chrome ou Safari pour une expérience optimale lors de la visualisation des leçons.


CERTIFICAT



Chaque participant ayant réussi ce cours recevra un certificat de réussite en format électronique.










STRUCTURE DU COURS





Leçon 1: La gestion des clients dans les institutions d'appui
Leçon 2: La gestion des clients et les gestionnaires de comptes clients
Leçon 3: Les cinq étapes du processus de gestion des clients
Leçon 4: La gestion et la révision du processus de gestion des clients
Etude de cas : Les études de cas servent en tant qu'évaluation pour ce cours

COURSE DESCRIPTION




This course introduces techniques that are used for successful international business generation, in both face-to-face and virtual/remote environments. Each environment is described in terms of its characteristics, pros and cons, challenges, as well as the factors that determine respective comparative advantages.
NOTE: We recommend using the latest version of the Chrome or Firefox browsers to ensure an optimal experience viewing the lectures.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:
Apply the main steps for the preparation of an efficient business generation initiative; and Analyse options available with both face-to-face and virtual business generation activities for export-ready companies



COURSE CERTIFICATION



Participants who meet the course requirements will receive a Certificate of Achievement issued in electronic format.










COURSE STRUCTURE





Lecture 1: Face to Face Business Generation
Lecture 2: Virtual Business Generation
Case Study Exercise 1

COURSE DESCRIPTION




Focusing on real-world exporting experiences, this course takes participants on a journey through the trade finance industry with the aim of providing them with the ability to not only identify and access appropriate pre and post-shipment trade finance products, but also to effectively negotiate payment terms with buyers (importers). The course uses a hands-on approach to introduce bills of exchange, documentary credits and documentary collections, before concluding by showing participants how to manage foreign exchange risks and use export credit insurance and/or demand guarantees to minimize the issues involved in offering open account terms.
We recommend using the latest version of the Chrome or Safari browsers to ensure an optimal experience viewing the lectures.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:
Identify the different forms of pre and post-shipment financing appropriate for a particular transaction;Apply pre and post-shipment trade financing options;Negotiate payment terms with international buyers;Set up and receive payment by documentary credit;Set up and receive payment by documentary collection;Manage foreign exchange risks; Use export credit insurance to minimize the risks associated with offering open account terms; and Use demand guarantees to minimize the risks associated with offering open account terms or to arrange for advance payments.



CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION



Participants who meet the course requirements will receive an Advanced Certificate of Completion issued in electronic format.










COURSE CONTENT





Module 1: Introduction to Export Trade Finance
Lecture 1: Introduction to International Trade Finance
Lecture 2: Trade Finance Instruments and Methods
Lecture 3: Export Trade Financing Options
Case Study Exercise 1



Module 2: Working with International Payment Methods
Lecture 4: Negotiating a Payment Arrangement
Lecture 5: Receiving Payment by Documentary Credit
Lecture 6: Working with Unsecured Payment Arrangements
Case Study Exercise 2



Module 3: Managing Payment Risk
Lecture 7: Working with Foreign Currencies
Lecture 8: Working with Export Credit Insurance
Lecture 9: Working with Demand Guarantees
Case Study Exercise 3

DESCRIPTION DU COURSCe cours fournit des techniques afin de permettre aux organisations de soutien aux entreprises (BSO) d'améliorer la durabilité, le rôle et l'efficacité des services qu'ils offrent à leurs bénéficiaires en utilisant l'approche "modèle et planification commerciaux". Il aide les employés des BSO à articuler la proposition de valeur unique de leur organisation, à comprendre comment construire un modèle commercial basé sur le revenu, à élaborer les services de leur organisation, à évaluer la demande pour les nouveaux services, et à entreprendre une analyse de situation, une évaluation des besoins et une étude de faisabilité. REMARQUE : Nous vous recommandons d'utiliser la dernière version des navigateurs Chrome ou Safari pour une expérience optimale lors de la visualisation des leçons.Après avoir terminé ce cours, les participants seront en mesure de :Développer une pyramide des biens et services BSO pour leur organisation;Entreprendre une analyse PEST et SWOT; etCréer un modèle commercial basique selon un modèle standard.CERTIFICAT DU COURSChaque participant ayant réussi ce cours recevra un certificat de réussite en format électronique.STRUCTURE DU COURSModule 1: Développer les services des organisations de soutien aux entreprises à l'aide du modèle d'entrepriseModule 2: Construire des services d'OSE durables basés  sur les revenus grâce à la planification des activités Etude de cas

COURSE DESCRIPTION




This course provides techniques to enable Business Support Organizations (BSOs) improve the sustainability, relevance and effectiveness of the services they provide to their beneficiaries by using the business model and business planning approach. It assists BSO staff in articulating the unique value proposition of their organization, understanding how to build a revenue-supported business model, map out their organization's services, evaluate demand for new services, and conduct a situation analysis, needs assessment and feasibility study. 
NOTE: We recommend using the latest version of the Chrome or Safari browsers to ensure an optimal experience viewing the lectures.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

Develop a BSO products and services pyramid for their organization;

Conduct a PEST and SWOT analysis; and

Create a basic business plan following a standard layout.




COURSE CERTIFICATION



Participants who meet the course requirements will receive a Certificate of Completion issued in electronic format.










COURSE STRUCTURE





Module 1: Developing the Services of Business Support Organizations Using the Business Model Approach
Module 2: Building Sustainable BSO Revenue-based Services with Business Planning 
Case Study Exercise