Students go global, bring home unmatched business experience

International Virtual Business students and Kustom Kickz corporate officers (from left) Paige Lewis, vice president of sales (Shenendehowa), Tamara Sooknanan, chief executive officer (Schenectady) and Jessica Ward, vice president of design (Mohonasen) brought back a world of knowledge from the 2009 International Virtual Enterprise Trade Fair in Manhattan in late March. Their whole class competed in the event and brought home an honorable mention for their virtual company's Web site. They sold out of orders for their virtual products (custom sneakers and organic t-shirts), networked with peers from around the world, and explored the city from an adult professional perspective.

The students reported they gained trade fair experience, tripled their sales compared to last school year's team, and learned better marketing techniques. What particularly impressed officers Lewis, Sooknanen and Ward, however, was the leap in their communication and organizational skills after working with their peers from around the world. In addition to U.S. students, Virtual Enterprise Trade Fair participants hailed from Australia, Indonesia, China, Germany, Romania and Canada, among others.

"Communication skills were a major thing. You can't be scared to talk to someone if you want your company to sell," said Ward. "We also had lots of fun staying in and exploring New York City for two days." Ward also noted her enjoyment of documenting the experience with her camera, shooting 'lots of photos' of people, places and thngs.

"We were tired the night before the Trade Show and not all getting along," noted Lewis, "but the next day, we did really well. We found that running a company is some times like being part of a family where you are stuck together."

Lewis added, "We also really learned organization, of everything [at the Trade Show] - how to plan, pack, set-up, break down and set-up again and then pack again. Our class is like the real world of business."

"Teamwork!" is what CEO Sooknanen took away from the International Virtual Enterprise Trade Fair experience and from being a student in International Virtual Business in general. "In class, we each have tasks to follow and things to accomplish."

"Because of this class, I feel more self-confident and responsible, have improved my speaking skills and can make professional presentations," said Ward. "I also have something I can put on my resume."

[5/09]