Business Project
The Social Services Management (SOSERVMAN) and Global Business Practicum (GLOBUSPACT) Consulting Project
A unique feature of the T-GEMBA program is the requirement that each program participant complete a team-based global business project for a non-profit with global operations (SOSERVMAN) or an international business firm (GLOBUSPRACT). Consulting teams work with their overseas client virtually and face-to-face during an initial physical or virtual visit to the client facility and subsequently over the course of the consulting assignment to complete their research and reports. Participants travel overseas at the end of the program to present their findings and recommendations to top management and other company or organization decision makers.
This hands-on, real world business practicum project is based on a well-tested model of experiential action-based learning which has won multiple international awards. In this rigorous capstone exercise, each T-GEMBA participant has the opportunity to explore global competitive environments, study global economic and management issues, compare management practices across nations, develop consulting and managerial skills in a global context, and analyze the strategy and organization of their client companies. Most of all, this experiential project for a real client allows program participants to apply, modify and test their class-room learning in a cross-cultural and real-time international management context. The learning that results is experience-based and tested, embedded and most of all, durable. The non-profit projects are an integral part of the Saint Mary's educational model. They enable the participants to operate outside of their "comfort zone" in an international context while developing a deep understanding and commitment to improving the human condition. This embodies the Lasallian ideals of concern for the poor and social justices; inclusive community; respect for all persons; and engaging in quality education.
Virtual Team-Based Learning
Study teams are an integral part of the T-GEMBA program. Saint Mary’s is a regional and national leader in collaborative technology-based education. Its highly sought-after Hybrid EMBA program uses start-of-the art simultaneous remote-conferencing technologies, podcasts, vodcasts and other asynchronous learning tools. Utilizing these state-of-the-art platforms and learning tools, T-GEMBA participants and team members maintain contact outside the regular residential class meetings and complete work assignments via shared workspace for team collaboration work, team-discussion chat-rooms, threaded discussion forums, team e-mail, on-line resources (glossary, hyperlinks, papers, search, FAQ) and a virtual campus.
The virtual campus features an on-line library, on-line class syllabi and assignments, personal notes and profiles, on-line bookstore, on-line catalog and registration, participant advisory and counseling services and financial aid services. All program materials, documents and procedures are available on-line, ensuring access from any location world-wide. These features allow program participants and team members to stay in touch and do collaborative work on a 24/7/365 basis.
Teams are formed at the very outset of the program during the program orientation module focused on developing executive teamwork and communication skills. These workshops enable members of each study team to better understand themselves and the dynamic of working as part of a high-performance team. They also learn how to improve and master their communication skills. Team assignments are made through a consultative and iterative process to maximize complementary skills balanced in terms of academic backgrounds, professional experience and company affiliations. This format allows for the development of high-performance, self-managed teams whose members develop interactive leadership skills in a team environment.
