Question Details

BUSN 225 Week 6 Trade Attache Presentation 
International Business
REQUIRED ASSESSMENT ASSIGNMENT (RAA)
250 total points


•	Presentation 150 points
•	Progress Reports x 2 @ 20 pts each = 40 pts
•	Audience Questions 2 @ 15 points each = 30 pts 
•	Presenter Answers 2 @ 15 points each = 30 pts 


Learning Outcomes 1-5: This assignment covers all of the learning outcomes for this course, as listed in the Syllabus, Part 1.
Excellence System: Develops global and intercultural awareness, information and technology proficiency, analysis and problem solving, critical and creative thinking, professional communication. 
Required:The required assessment is a summative assignment designed by the Donald W Maine School of Business. All students taking BUSN225 must complete all parts of this assignment to pass the class. Periodically, required assignments are collected by the school for internal quality assessment and accreditation purposes. During any semester in which the assignment is to be collected, Department Coordinators notify instructors and provide the collection guidelines. 
Assignment Description 
In this assignment, you will assume the role of a trade attaché for a foreign country. The trade attaché is leading a trade delegation to the USA and must prepare a 10-12 slide marketing presentation with narration for a product in which the country has a competitive advantage. 
Content - The presentation should include slides and detailed speaker notes on the following topics:
•	Identification of target market companies in the USA 
•	Background information regarding each of the following of the country the trade attaché represents: 
o   Political
o   Economic
o   Social
o   Cultural 
o   Human resource availability
o   Skills
o   Transportation
o   Telecommunications
o   Banking and other commercial support services 

•	Data identifying the country- current level of trade with the USA 
•	Currency information and exchange rate trends over the past three years 
•	Data identifying the current level of industry and product capacity in the country 
•	Data identifying export sales volume and value of the product and identification of countries and companies who are importing the product ranked in order of volume. 
•	Persuasive information and defense of current trade policy related to the country and product 
•	Persuasive information and defense of any ethical or other risk factors such as human rights, political instability, currency weakness and terrorism 
•	Summary of the benefits of doing business with the country and the value of the represented industry product to the target market customers. 


Additional things to consider:As a foreign trade attaché, you should be aware of the cultural differences and potential language barriers between your own country and the USA. As you make your presentation you will need to demonstrate this awareness in your introductions; for example, by greeting your audience using both your own and the USA- form of greeting. Think creatively here about how you can add some authenticity to your presentation. 

Notethat you will submit two (2) progress reports in Weeks 2 and Week 4 to ensure you stay on track with your research. The weekly guidelines in Week 2 and Week 4 provide information and templates to complete. 

PowerPoint (PPT) Presentations, 15 minutes
Presentations should be approximately 15 minutes in length, so you will need to practice to ensure that you convey essential information effectively.  Then post a copy of your presentation to the Discussion Board and also submit it for grading in the Assignments Submission. 
Online Courses, Oral Presentation:  You instructor will let you know in the Announcements and/or the Help Desk which format to use for your online oral presentation.  It will generally either be PPT Narration or Blackboard Collaborate.  ForBB Collaborate, there are three key items for your presentation recording:  First, upload your slides when in your presentation room with the “Load Content” button (upper right); second, click the “Talk” button (upper left); and third, click on the “Record” button (upper left), to begin the recording.

Q & As:  Students in the audience/discussion board will take the role of potential US customers for the products the trade attachés represent, and are required to submit written questions on Blackboard, consisting of TWO+ questions to each of two assigned trade attachés. Questions must reflect an awareness of US trade policy and should probe for further information from the two trade attachés that would help the customer make a decision about whether or not they may be interested into pursuing the business opportunity. 
The trade attaché must respond to each of the questions thoroughly and persuasively. 
 
Slideshow Mechanics:
• Use 10-12 PowerPoint slides to highlight the main points of your presentation 
o	Your slides should be readable from someone seated in the back of the room. An easy and practical test is to print a slide on an 8.5” x 11” sheet of paper, stand up and put the sheet of paper at your feet. If the copy is legible from that distance the slide will probably be acceptable to those people sitting at the back of the room. 
• Use graphics and charts where appropriate 
o	You will want slides that have good contrast between the background and the copy or artwork. In a well-lighted room a dark background with bright colored letters is more appropriate, whereas in a darker room you might want a light background with darker letters. 
• Use no more than six (6) words per line, and six (6) lines per slide 
o	The suggestion of six lines of copy and six words per line is a good ballpark standard. You want to avoid full sentences unless it is a definition or a quote. Obviously, most of your slides will not make much sense without the narration that will accompany them; and that is appropriate.

• Oral presentation recording, for online classes:  Your instructor will let you know whether to use BB Collaborate or PPT Narration to record your oral presentations, as discussed above.15 minutes.

• Use the Notes feature to provide more detailed information and justification for your decisions

o	The Notes are an important back-up for the oral recording. The Notes serve as a reminder to you about what to discuss for each slide,and they also allow someone who has difficulty hearing the presentation, either due to technical or audio difficulties. 

•	Follow directions related to content and information sources. 
•	Use college-level English appropriate to the course material. 
•	Use APA format for citation and references. 
•	Check for errors of spelling and grammar. 


Useful resources 
http://globaledge.msu.edu
www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook
http://www.ita.doc.gov/
http://www.rateslist.com/exchange-rate-trends.html