BALTIMORE (May 12, 2016) – The Maryland Department of Commerce and University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business have launched the Maryland Global Consulting Program to provide global consulting expertise to small Maryland companies. Smith students, both graduates and undergraduates, will provide the consulting services through the school’s Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER), a Title VI Center funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education. Student teams will be supported by Smith faculty and international trade and investment experts at Commerce. The consulting engagements will identify new or expand existing international strategies for client companies and solve international business challenges.
“International growth in trade and investments is one of the great areas of opportunity for Maryland companies and our economy as a whole. Our cutting-edge technologies and products and highly skilled workforce give Maryland the ability to play and compete on the world stage,” said Commerce Secretary Mike Gill. “I could not be happier to forge this new partnership with the Smith School and bring together the bright and talented Smith students with faculty members and Commerce experts to give Maryland companies a leg up on their competition around the world.”
"The Smith School is well-positioned to contribute to the growth of the Maryland economy. Our student talent has a strong track record of working with global and local companies engaged in international trade to solve the challenges they face,” said Alex Triantis, Dean of the Smith School. “I am excited to be entering into this partnership with MD Commerce that will not only bring growth to our region but also provide our students with real-world opportunities to practice their skills and contribute to the success of local companies."
The Maryland Global Consulting Program will address a range of issues for clients, including those in general strategy, marketing, finance, supply chain and logistics, and data analytics. Teams of five to six students, advised by Smith faculty and Commerce subject matter experts, will spend 14 weeks tackling the projects. MBA teams will provide 400 hours of consulting services and honors undergraduate teams, 200 hours. Participating companies will pay a flat fee of $2,000 for MBA teams and $1,000 for undergraduate teams to support the program.
Applications to the program will be accepted on an annual basis, due to the Department of Commerce by June 15. Interested companies will meet with Commerce staff detailed to the international region on which the consulting project will focus. For the contact information of the appropriate staffer, contact Linda Reibert at linda.reibert@maryland.gov or 410-767-0685.
About Maryland Commerce
The Maryland Department of Commerce stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State's many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit commerce.maryland.gov.
Maryland’s Office of International Investment and Trade works to stimulate foreign direct investment in the State, offers export assistance for small and mid-sized Maryland companies and coordinates international trade and investment missions and trade show opportunities for Maryland companies. The state also maintains a network of ten foreign trade offices overseas, including China (Shanghai), Taiwan (Taipei), South Korea (Seoul), Africa (Nigeria), Mexico (Mexico City), Brazil (Sao Paulo), France (Paris), Israel (Tel Aviv), India (Delhi), and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai). For more information on resources available to businesses that want to market their products or services globally, visit our website.
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About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.