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Meet our North America Business Experts.

OBJECTIVE OF CLASS 1

Overview of the US Economy

The objective of this class is to teach busy businesspeople from around the world about “Doing Business in the United States.” This 4-hour class (two 2-hour sessions) also introduces students to important cultural, historical, and political information related to the US economy. The class includes lecturing as well as some short videos and case study analysis. The general themes covered in the course are:  US history, US economic history, Modern US economy (since World War II), US government and politics, key industry sectors and statistics, consumer behavior and demographics, infrastructure, international trade, US capital markets and its financial position, innovation, and business culture. The class can also be customized to emphasize topics based on the students’ needs and interests (See list below under Special Topics). Class sizes range from 1-10 people. Classes are held online via Skype and/or Google Hangouts. This class is perfect for professionals that are already taking English (upper-intermediate to advanced) and possess a basic understanding of American culture, history, and economics. The standard outline of more specific topics covered in this Overview to “Doing Business in the United States” is as follows:

 

  1. Government and Political Landscape
    American Revolution, Independence, US Constitution and Bill of Rights
    Democracy and Capitalism
    Federal Constitutional Republic
    State Power vs. Federal Power
    Checks and Balances – Executive, Congress, Supreme Court
    Political Parties and Special Interest Groups
    Elections and Terms
    Regulatory Climate and Agencies related to Business
    Budget and Appropriation of Taxes
    Gridlock in Washington
     
  2. American People and Society – A Changing Landscape
    Past and Current Demographics
    Human Geography
    Population Centers
    Race and Ethnicity
    Sexual Orientation
    Religion
    Marriage and Civil Status
    Social Classes and Income
    Health
    Languages
    Immigration
    Baby Boomers
    Projections 
     
  3. Overview of United States’ Economic History
    17th – 21st Century
    US Economy since World War II
    Key Economic Statistics
    Economic Geography
    International Political Economics (IPE) – Is the US still the Hegemon?
     
  4. Key Economic Sectors and Products
    Agriculture
    Mining
    Automobiles
    Textiles
    Airplanes
    Construction
    Steel
    Oil and Gas
    Petrochemicals
    Biofuels
    Energy
    Pharmaceuticals
    BioTechnology
    Tourism
    Hospitality
    Computers, Superconductors, and IT
    Telecommunications
    Military
    Banking and Financial Services       
    Insurance
    Real Estate
    Retail
    Entertainment
    Professional Services
    Management
    Technical Services
    Health Care
    Education
    Food and Beverage
    Waste Management
    Consumer Products and Appliances
    Government (State and Federal),
    Manufacturing (Durable and Non-Durable Goods)
    Slavery (in the Past)

     
  5. Current Economy
    Inequality and Wealth Distribution
    Top 1%
    Company Profits – Lower Revenues, Lower Costs, Higher Productivity
    Company Investments in Research & Development
    Tax Structures – Federal, State, and Municipal
    Governmental Programs – Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, Food Stamps, Student Loans, etc.
    Health Care
    Housing Market
    Wall Street vs. Main Street
    Consumer Behavior
    Consumer Credit
    Commercial Credit and Capital Markets
    Education
    Labor – Wages, Benefits, Unions
    Currency and Central Bank
    Trade
    Large investments in Infrastructure and Logistics
    The New Gas Boom
    Taxes and GAAT Accounting
    Structural Adjustments in the US economy
     
  6. US Trade Relations with Canada and Mexico (NAFTA) and other countries
    Multinationals in the US, Foreign Direct Investment, and Foreign Ownership of Land, Property, and Companies in the US
    Exporting vs. Importing – the Trade Balance, China and the rest of Asia, Europe, Canada and Mexico
    Foreign Policy that affects Economic Relations around the World
     
  7. Successful Business People and Companies in the US
    Walmart, ExxonMobil, GE, Berkshire Hathaway, HP, AT&T, Cargill, B of A, Federal Home Loan Mortgage, Apple, Verizon, JPMorgan Chase, Cardinal Health
    Relevant business language, expressions, and etiquette
     
  8. Questions and Discussion

Biography of Professor


The class is led and taught by Matt. Professor Matt is married to a Brazilian and is expecting his first child in June. Professor Matt has an international MBA from one of the top international business schools - Thunderbird's International School of Management in Phoenix, Arizona. At an undergraduate level, his studies focused on the anthropology of world religions, French, and International Relations at Santa Clara University in California. He also received an English Teaching Certificate with a Specialization in Business English from Cambridge University. Professor Matt has taught English for many years to mid-level managers and multinational executives in Africa, Europe, and South America, and he has extensive experience as a senior corporate trainer and consultant in several large corporations. He speaks Portuguese and is a licensed commercial and residential real estate agent.  Professor Matt is the current director of Real Estate Solutions, which specializes in helping foreigner buyers purchase farms as well as residential and commercial property in Brazil. His work in Brazil also includes teaching business classes to American foreign exchange students for Brazil Cultural, Global Summit Education, and the Dialogo Language School. Professor Matt’s unique combination of academics, teaching experience, work in both large and small companies, and knowledge of the US econonmy gives him the ability to effectively teach students about “Doing Business in the United States,” its culture, and its political and economic history.

Special Interests of Professor


Professor Matt has several areas of interest related to the United States and its economy.  These areas of interest and expertise can be emphasized in his classes according to the students’ needs and interests.  These areas are as follows:  
-     Real Estate Development
-     Retail Industry
-     Agribusiness
-     Key Sectors/Industries
-     Consumer Behavior and Changing Demographics
-     Inequality in the US
-     Multi-Nationals in the US
-     Slavery in the US and its Impact on the Economy
-     Computers and the IT Sector in the US
-     Internet Marketing
-     Triple Bottom Line Approach to Business Sustainability

Special Topics that can be integrated into the Class:
-     Marketing (Traditional and Internet)
-     Sales and Negotiations (BATNA)
-     Supply Chain Management and Intermodal Logistics
-     International Corporate Structures
-     Macroeconomics and Vital Statistics
-     International Management and Human Resources
-     Business Sustainability (Three Bottom Line Theory)
-     The US Environmental Landscape and its Ecosystems
-     Hydrology and Water Systems
-     Urban Planning