In its annual Country Risk Conference, Coface brings together leading specialists from the world of finance, research and business to discuss the major trends shaping the world economy and to shed light on the main economic issues for 2017 and beyond. Michigan State University's International Business Center has been a partner with Coface through the globalEDGE research tool since 2007 including but not limited to the Coface Annual Country Risk Conferences.

Assistant Director Sarah Singer will present a session on International Business resources and globalEDGE at 10:30am on Friday, April 14, at the annual NBEA meeting.

Speaker Profs. Xiao-Ping Chen & Jiing-Lih Farh

Join us for this conversation on doing business with the Chinese. While the explicit practices of doing business internationally can be easily learned, understanding the cultural side is much more complex. Professor Chen will discuss why gift exchange is essential to develop interpersonal guanxi (interpersonal cultural practices that facilitate business) in the Chinese context, and the steps involved in developing and maintaining high quality relationships in China. Professor Farh will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of paternalistic leadership and share personal insights of when this leadership style is practiced in Chinese society.

The Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan focuses on global issues of interest to the mid-Michigan business community. The monthly GB Club luncheons provide outstanding speakers and relaxed networking opportunities. With extensive international experience, the speakers wrap personal insights around a practical and up-to-the-minute approach to conducting international trade.