Meet our North America Business Experts.

OBJECTIVE OF CLASS 1

Overview of the US Economy

The objective of this class is to teach busy businesspeople from around the world about “Doing Business in the United States.” This 4-hour class (two 2-hour sessions) also introduces students to important cultural, historical, and political information related to the US economy. The class includes lecturing as well as some short videos and case study analysis. The general themes covered in the course are: US history, US economic history, Modern US economy (since World War II), US government and politics, key industry sectors and statistics, consumer behavior and demographics, infrastructure, international trade, US capital markets and its financial position, innovation, and business culture. The class can also be customized to emphasize topics based on the students’ needs and interests (See list below under Special Topics). Class sizes range from 1-10 people. Classes are held online via Skype and/or Google Hangouts. This class is perfect for professionals that are already taking English (upper-intermediate to advanced) and possess a basic understanding of American culture, history, and economics. The standard outline of more specific topics covered in this Overview to “Doing Business in the United States” is as follows:

Government and Political Landscape
American Revolution, Independence, US Constitution and Bill of Rights
Democracy and Capitalism
Federal Constitutional Republic
State Power vs. Federal Power
Checks and Balances – Executive, Congress, Supreme Court
Political Parties and Special Interest Groups
Elections and Terms
Regulatory Climate and Agencies related to Business
Budget and Appropriation of Taxes
Gridlock in Washington
American People and Society – A Changing Landscape
Past and Current Demographics
Human Geography
Population Centers
Race and Ethnicity
Sexual Orientation
Religion
Marriage and Civil Status
Social Classes and Income
Health
Languages
Immigration
Baby Boomers
Projections
Overview of United States’ Economic History
17th – 21st Century
US Economy since World War II
Key Economic Statistics
Economic Geography
International Political Economics (IPE) – Is the US still the Hegemon?

Key Economic Sectors and Products

Agriculture
Mining
Automobiles
Textiles
Airplanes
Construction
Steel
Oil and Gas
Petrochemicals
Biofuels
Energy
Pharmaceuticals
BioTechnology
Tourism
Hospitality
Computers, Superconductors, and IT
Telecommunications

Military
Banking and Financial Services
Insurance
Real Estate
Retail
Entertainment
Professional Services
Management
Technical Services
Health Care
Education
Food and Beverage
Waste Management
Consumer Products and Appliances
Government (State and Federal),
Manufacturing (Durable and Non-Durable Goods)
Slavery (in the Past)

Current Economy
Inequality and Wealth Distribution
Top 1%
Company Profits – Lower Revenues, Lower Costs, Higher Productivity
Company Investments in Research & Development
Tax Structures – Federal, State, and Municipal
Governmental Programs – Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, Food Stamps, Student Loans, etc.
Health Care
Housing Market
Wall Street vs. Main Street
Consumer Behavior
Consumer Credit
Commercial Credit and Capital Markets
Education
Labor – Wages, Benefits, Unions
Currency and Central Bank
Trade
Large investments in Infrastructure and Logistics
The New Gas Boom
Taxes and GAAT Accounting
Structural Adjustments in the US economy
US Trade Relations with Canada and Mexico (NAFTA) and other countries
Multinationals in the US, Foreign Direct Investment, and Foreign Ownership of Land, Property, and Companies in the US
Exporting vs. Importing – the Trade Balance, China and the rest of Asia, Europe, Canada and Mexico
Foreign Policy that affects Economic Relations around the World
Successful Business People and Companies in the US
Walmart, ExxonMobil, GE, Berkshire Hathaway, HP, AT&T, Cargill, B of A, Federal Home Loan Mortgage, Apple, Verizon, JPMorgan Chase, Cardinal Health
Relevant business language, expressions, and etiquette
Questions and Discussion

Biography of Professor

The class is led and taught by Matt. Professor Matt is married to a Brazilian and is expecting his first child in June. Professor Matt has an international MBA from one of the top international business schools - Thunderbird's International School of Management in Phoenix, Arizona. At an undergraduate level, his studies focused on the anthropology of world religions, French, and International Relations at Santa Clara University in California. He also received an English Teaching Certificate with a Specialization in Business English from Cambridge University. Professor Matt has taught English for many years to mid-level managers and multinational executives in Africa, Europe, and South America, and he has extensive experience as a senior corporate trainer and consultant in several large corporations. He speaks Portuguese and is a licensed commercial and residential real estate agent. Professor Matt is the current director of Real Estate Solutions, which specializes in helping foreigner buyers purchase farms as well as residential and commercial property in Brazil. His work in Brazil also includes teaching business classes to American foreign exchange students for Brazil Cultural, Global Summit Education, and the Dialogo Language School. Professor Matt’s unique combination of academics, teaching experience, work in both large and small companies, and knowledge of the US econonmy gives him the ability to effectively teach students about “Doing Business in the United States,” its culture, and its political and economic history.

Special Interests of Professor

Professor Matt has several areas of interest related to the United States and its economy. These areas of interest and expertise can be emphasized in his classes according to the students’ needs and interests. These areas are as follows:
-     Real Estate Development
-     Retail Industry
-     Agribusiness
-     Key Sectors/Industries
-     Consumer Behavior and Changing Demographics
-     Inequality in the US
-     Multi-Nationals in the US
-     Slavery in the US and its Impact on the Economy
-     Computers and the IT Sector in the US
-     Internet Marketing
-     Triple Bottom Line Approach to Business Sustainability

Special Topics that can be integrated into the Class:
-     Marketing (Traditional and Internet)
-     Sales and Negotiations (BATNA)
-     Supply Chain Management and Intermodal Logistics
-     International Corporate Structures
-     Macroeconomics and Vital Statistics
-     International Management and Human Resources
-     Business Sustainability (Three Bottom Line Theory)
-     The US Environmental Landscape and its Ecosystems
-     Hydrology and Water Systems
-     Urban Planning