Boise State University’s College of Business and Economics and The Business School of Applied Science University of Heidelberg, Germany, in collaboration with the International Business Programs, Idaho Small Business Development Center and TECenter, have developed a program that offers Idaho companies a unique opportunity to investigate market opportunities in Germany and Europe.  Student teams, with oversight from professors at both universities, do field research for Idaho companies on potential markets and other specific queries from the firms.

Four Idaho companies have been selected to participate in the 7th annual Heidelberg Project.  These firms will receive a marketing study, analysis and plan related to the potential for their products or services in Europe or Germany.

This year, Boise State’s International Business Programs is implementing a 3 Phase approach to the Heidelberg Project.  The following are descriptions of each Phase:

• Phase 1- This Phase consists of a general firm and market assessment with the IB320 “Managing in a Global Economy” course, and will be supervised by Dr. Meredith Taylor Black, Director of the International Business Programs.  BSU consultants will provide each firm with a report on initial research findings and will provide directives for the Heidelberg consultants.
• Phase 2- This Phase consists of “on the ground” research conducted by Heidelberg MBA consultants and will be supervised by Heidelberg coordinator, Susanna Propp.  In addition, two video conferences will be required.  Heidelberg consultants will draft a written report prior to the final 30 minute video conference so the consultants and firms may discuss findings and recommendations.  Consultants will then provide a final written report.
• Phase 3- During this final Phase, the research findings from the Heidelberg MBA consultants will be given to consultants in the BSU IB443 “Import/Export” course for review as a capstone project, and will be supervised by Damien Bard, Administrator to the International Business Division of the Idaho Department of Commerce.  IB443 consultants will conduct an export ready assessment and make final recommendations to the firms on their European/German market entry strategies.

Phase 1 begins January 26, 2012 with the introduction of the participating firms to Dr. Black’s IB320 “Managing in a Global Economy” course and the selection of the student teams.