Dive into the complexities of the Panamanian economic landscape. Tackle real-world challenges faced by resourceful entrepreneurs in developing regions. Use methodologies like human-centered design, systems thinking, and other business tools to create impactful deliverables. Make a true impact in the lives of families across the world.
Welcome to the Global Business Challenge!
With the support of Kambia’s on the ground teams, you will engage directly with a challenge currently being faced by a real community-driven business in Panama, gaining invaluable cross-cultural consulting experience while making a tangible difference. This isn’t just a classroom exercise – your innovative deliverables have the potential to drive sustainable growth for small businesses, ultimately contributing to economic development and improved livelihoods.
This program is done entirely online in an asynchronous format.
Throughout this nine-week challenge, you’ll develop a deep understanding of international markets, hone your problem-solving skills, and build a global perspective that will set you apart in your future career. Join us in this exciting venture where your creativity and expertise can catalyze positive change, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world impact.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the role of Global Brigades, Eskala, and the importance of sustainable business development in Panama.
- Develop cross-cultural competence and awareness of economic challenges in developing countries.
- Apply business strategies to resource-limited small businesses in an international context.
- Utilize human-centered design and systems thinking approaches in international consulting.
- Create practical, culturally appropriate deliverables for real-world clients.
- Enhance analytical, problem-solving, and teamwork skills in a global business context.
FAQs:
For Instructors
- Q: What is the Global Business Challenge? A: The Global Business Challenge is a nine-week program where students apply business skills to real-world challenges faced by small businesses in Panama. It’s designed to develop cross-cultural competence, practical business skills, and a global perspective.
- Q: What will my students learn from this program? A: Students will learn about sustainable business development, cross-cultural consulting, human-centered design, systems thinking, and rural business realities. They’ll also gain experience in creating deliverables for real clients in resource-limited environments.
- Q: How much time should students expect to dedicate to this program? A: The program is spread over nine weeks, with weekly modules and activities. Students should expect to dedicate between 3-5 hours each week to lessons, group work, and project development.
- Q: Are there any prerequisites for students to participate? A: While there are no strict prerequisites, students with a background in a variety of business studies will benefit most.
- Q: How does this program complement my existing curriculum? A: This program offers practical application of business principles in a global context, enhancing students’ understanding of international business challenges. It also develops critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
- Q: Is there any cost associated with the program? A: The Global Business Challenge is offered for a cost of $_____ per student or $_______ per class up to _____
- Q: How are students evaluated in this program? A: Students create various deliverables throughout the program, including a Business Ecosystem Map, a SWOT/SOAR analysis, and a comprehensive deliverable with a suggestion or how your assigned business could prototype it.
- Q: Can this program count towards course credit? A: This would depend on your institution’s policies. The program’s comprehensive nature and real-world application make it a strong candidate for course credit or internship equivalency.
For Students
- Q: What is the Global Business Challenge about? A: It’s a nine-week program where you’ll work with real small businesses in Panama, helping them to adopt strategies to address challenges they are facing and help their businesses grow. You’ll learn about international business and how to make a positive impact in rural areas supporting business owners to raise themselves and their communities out of poverty.
- Q: Do I need to be a business expert to participate? A: While business knowledge is helpful, the program is designed to teach you as you go. You’ll learn about various business concepts and how to apply them in real-world situations.
- Q: Will I be working alone or in a team? A: You’ll be working in teams, collaborating with other students to develop solutions for your assigned client.
- Q: How much time do I need to commit each week? A: The program runs for nine weeks, with weekly modules and activities. You should be prepared to dedicate 3-5 hours each week to lessons, group work, and project development.
- Q: Will I get to work on projects for real businesses in Panama? A: Yes! You’ll be assigned a real client – a small business owner in Panama. To honor the business owners’ time and the reality of the amount of student teams participating you interact with the business owners through a Global Brigades coordinator who works within the communities the business owners live.
- Q: What kind of projects will I be working on? A: You’ll create several deliverables, including a Business Ecosystem Map, a SWOT/SOAR analysis, and a comprehensive deliverable with a suggestion of how your assigned business could prototype it.
- Q: How will this program benefit my future career? A: This program offers invaluable experience in international consulting, cross-cultural communication, and practical business strategy. These skills are highly valued in many career paths, especially those involving global business or social impact.
- Q: Are there any live sessions or is it all self-paced? A: The program includes both recorded modules and optional live sessions. These live sessions offer opportunities to interact with program coordinators and other participants.
- Q: Will I receive a certificate upon completion? A: This would depend on your institution’s policies. The program’s comprehensive nature and real-world application make it a strong candidate for course credit or internship equivalency.
Program Overview:
This program equips students with entrepreneurial and consulting skills to work with microenterprises in rural and urban communities in Panama. Students collaborate in small teams with clients to develop tailored business solutions through a structured nine-week curriculum. The program combines human-centered design principles with systems thinking to address real-world business challenges faced by Panamanian entrepreneurs.
Global Business Challenge: Program Modules Overview
Module 1: Introduction to Global Brigades and the Global Business Challenge
Key Topics:
- Mission and organizational structure of Global Brigades, Eskala, and Kambia
- Overview of the Global Business Challenge structure and goals
- Client selection process and program impact
Self-Paced Follow-Up Activities:
- Review recorded introduction to Global Brigades, Eskala, Kambia
- Explore organization websites and resources
- Reflect on how the challenge contributes to community development
Module 2: Panamanian Country Overview + Systems Thinking
Key Topics:
- Economic and cultural context of Panama
- Introduction to the client’s community
- Understanding social determinants impacting rural and urban communities
Self-Paced Follow-Up Activities:
- Watch a video introducing Panama’s economic and cultural forces
- View client community video (3-5 minutes)
- Submit questions about Panama and the client’s community
Module 3: Being a Human-Centered Business Consultant
Key Topics:
- Human-Centered Design (HCD) principles and application
- Empathy mapping as a consulting tool
- “Clock vs. cloud problems” framework
Self-Paced Follow-Up Activities:
- Practice creating an empathy map
- Read additional resources on systems thinking
Module 4: Understanding Your Client’s Challenges and Opportunities
Key Topics:
- In-depth client business introduction including business background, challenges and opportunities
- Sustainable financing through Eskala
Self-Paced Follow-Up Activities:
- Watch in-depth client business video
- Review presentation on business ecosystem and financing
- Submit clarifying questions about client challenges
- Optional: Attend live client empathy map session workshop
Module 5: Choosing Your Challenge Area and Understanding Your Client’s Business Ecosystem
Key Topics:
- Client’s customers, competitors, and business ecosystem
- Main challenge areas identified by client
- An introduction to Systems Thinking for complex business challenges
- Systems mapping tools and frameworks
Self-Paced Follow-Up Activities:
- Watch client video focusing on business ecosystem
- Create a basic systems map based on primary and secondary research and record a video explaining it
- Identify potential blockages or leverage points in the client’s ecosystem
Module 6: Deciding on a Direction with SWOT/SOAR Analysis
Key Topics:
- SWOT/SOAR analysis methodology
- Application of analysis to client business challenges
- Strategic decision-making based on analysis
Self-Paced Follow-Up Activities:
- Complete SWOT/SOAR analysis for client business
- Record a brief video explaining your analysis
- Optional: Attend live session for systems map and SWOT/SOAR review
Module 7: Deliverable Creation & Proposing a Prototype
Key Topics:
- Understanding Prototype development methods
- Synthesizing previous learnings into cohesive deliverables
- Testing assumptions through prototyping
Self-Paced Follow-Up Activities:
- Create low-fidelity prototypes for proposed solutions
- Integrate insights from previous modules
- Develop comprehensive recommendations addressing core business challenges
Module 8: Final Global Business Challenge Deliverable
Key Topics:
- Finalization of comprehensive business solutions
- Compilation of all previous analyses and prototypes
Self-Paced Follow-Up Activities:
- Complete and submit the full Global Business Challenge deliverable including:
- Synthesize client systems map, SWOT/SOAR analysis, business challenge deliverable, and prototype
- Document the learning journey and key insights
Module 9: Kambia Review Team of Business Plans
Key Topics:
- Expert evaluation of completed business plans
- Feedback on deliverable viability and implementation
- Assessment of cultural appropriateness and sustainability
Self-Paced Follow-Up Activities:
- Review feedback from Kambia Review Team
- Reflect on suggested improvements and implementation considerations
- Consider how feedback could enhance future consulting projects
- Prepare final revisions based on expert input