Foreign Trade Mission

Zhang: You know a foreign trade mission from the USA is coming to visit our country early next month.
Wang: Yeah. I was told that one week ago. And we are supposed to give a talk to them about our company.
Zhang: What do you think should be included in the talk?
Wang: Naturally, we should brief them on the track record of our company.
Zhang: You mean to emphasize that our company has a long history of more than 100 years old.
Wang: Not only that. We should let them know that we have been very successful in our line of business.
Zhang: Do you think we should let them know that we are a leading exporter of Silk Garments in East China?
Wang: Exactly. I think we can give out some pamphlets about our company before the talk.
Zhang: Good idea. But mind you, do not bare everything about us at the meeting. I mean there＇s certainly a lot that we have to keep as a secret.
Wang: You mean marketing intelligence.
Zhang: Sort of. I mean there is no need for us to tell them how our products are priced. And also our detailed plan to expand into overseas markets.
Wang: I know what you mean. Well, what types of social activities do you think we can provide for them after the talk.
Zhang: I think we can show them around one of our main manufacturers.
Wang: A factory tour?
Zhang: Exactly.
Wang: And we may invite them to a dinner at a restaurant nearby.
Zhang: That＇s what we usually do. I don＇t think we need to make this trade mission an exception.
Staff Turnover
The managing Director of your company is keen to reduce the number of staff leaving after a short time. You have been asked to suggest ways of encouraging staff to stay in the company
Discuss, and decide together:
What kinds of incentives might help to retain staff
How to ensure that staff satisfaction is maintained
Follow-up questions:
What benefit does having a stable workforce bring to a company?
What are the most common reasons why people change companies?
Is it a disadvantage for a job applicant to have a history of changing jobs? (Why/Why not?)
Do you think people wilchange jobs more frequently or less frequently? (Why/Why not?)
Wilit become more important for an employee to have a wide range of skills in the future? (Why/Why not?)
Market Research
Your company is considering introducing a new product and wants to assess the market potential. You have been asked to suggest ways of doing this.
Discuss, and decide together:
What kinds of information would be usefuto obtain
How to decide whether to go ahead with the product
Follow-up questions:
Is market research essentiawhen introducing a new product? (Why/Why not?)
What kinds of products or services is market research most usefufor?
How accurately do you think consumers respond to marketing questionnaires? (Why/Why not?)
In what ways can companies influence consumer opinion?
How necessary is it for a company to diversify production? (Why)
Product Recall
Your company has discovered a design fault in a new product and needs to recalthis product from customers. You have been asked to make recommendations about the best way to handle this incident.
Discuss, and decide together
What would be the most effective method of informing customers of the product recall
How to ensure the company＇s reputation remains undamaged by the incident
Follow-up questions:
How can attitudes to a company change if one of their products has to be recalled because of a problem over quality? (Why?)
What else can have a negative effect on consumers＇ attitudes to a company? (Why?)
What measures can companies introduce to avoid the need for product recalls? (Why?)
Is quality always the most important consideration for consumers when purchasing a product? (Why/Why not?)
How can companies succeed in developing brand loyalty?
Sales Conferences
The export sector of your company is expanding, and plans are being discussed for holding annuaconferences for overseas agents. You have been asked to make recommendations for the proposal.
Discuss, and decide together:
What the benefits of annuaconferences would be for the participants
What the content of the conferences could be
Follow-up questions:
Should companies which send overseas agents to conferences be consulted about the content? (Why/Why not?)
What kinds of data should be provided for agents at this kind of conference? (Why?)
What would be an effective way of following up the conference? (Why?)
How might sales strategies and products vary from one country or region to another? (Why?)
How important is networking in the modern business world? (Why?)
Project Abroad
Your company is proposing to send a team of staff abroad for six months to set up an office and train locaemployees. You have been asked to make recommendations for the project.