Central European Programs 1998-1999

The program is administered by the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Florida. Jacksonville, Florida, is the U.S. headquarters for the Executive Education Programs for Central European Business and Professional Leaders. As a 1993 joint venture of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce with several Central European and U.S. institutions, the first program in Jacksonville was established to promote a free market economy and U.S. management practices in Central Europe. Now, enhanced by the feedback from Central European business leaders and former participants, and the grant funding from the United States Information Agency, the Chamber' emphasis has shifted to facilitate the ongoing transition to a free market economy in Central Europe and promote mutually beneficial economic development.

About the Program

The Central European Programs are structured to provide business training and development opportunities for Czech, Slovak and Hungarian business and professional leaders. During the past four years, the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce has designated and executed program activities which have successfully addressed the needs of transformation to these countries' executives. In 1998-99 programs will continue to offer support in a broad range of training activities and technical assistance as well as work towards exploring new business opportunities. Participants will continue to be introduced to U.S. management and marketing skills, customer service techniques, business ethics, quality assurance methods, and other topics as needed.

[nahoru]

Middle-level Management Business Leaders

The participants will be middle level managers who have the capacity to make changes in their organizations and share learning with their colleagues. Each group will spend three weeks in Jacksonville. Program content will address the needs of managers whose companies are facing transformation and re-engineering process. Specific session topics will include financial management, customers service, orientation, marketing, business ethics, and quality assurance. The program participants will spend one week at the University of North Florida, followed by two weeks of business placement/job shadowing and job mentoring for smaller groups and/or individuals. The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce will pay for: airfare to and from the United States, lodging in corporate, fully furnished apartments, meals for three weeks, and rental car. Any other expenses will be participant's responsibility.

Senior Business Leaders

The participants will be senior executives, top-level leaders. This program will also focus on the transformation and re-engineering process. The two-week program in Jacksonville will include day-long visits to several U.S. organizations featuring examples of substantive change in areas of mission and vision, market analysis, human resource development, and financial management. A seminar scheduled before coming to the United States will include sessions on the specific topics, case studies for discussions, and a preview of the profiles of U.S. organizations to be visited. The entire program will be administered and coordinated by our European partners, Amtera and Inventa firms from Prague, Czech Republic. The participants will share the costs for their stay in the U.S. with their program provider.

[nahoru]

Small Business Leaders

In November 1998, a group of Small Business Leaders will spend three weeks each in Jacksonville. The program will include eight working days of academic and business seminars { topics addressing needs of small business owners and leaders such as how to start a business in the U.S., business and marketing plan, legal aspects of small business, motivating the work force, etc.}. The following period will be spent visiting small businesses which will include presentations and discussions with small business entrepreneurs. The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce will pay for: airfare to and from the U.S., lodging in corporate, fully furnished apartments, meals for three weeks and rental car. Any other expenses will be participant's responsibility.

Corporate/Marketing Communications and Public Relations Leaders

In May 1999 a group of professionals in Corporate/Marketing Communications and Public Relations will visit Jacksonville for a three-week professional experience. The program will offer academic seminars at the University of North Florida and/or other academic institution with specific topics, to include Principles of Public relations, PR campaigns, International PR, Integrated Marketing, Communication, Strategic Planning in PR, the Role of Research in PR, etc.. Following the seminars there will be on-site business visits and seminars with Corporate Communications/PR departments of Florida-based companies, as well as PR and Communications agencies. The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce will pay for: airfare to and from the United States, lodging in corporate, fully furnished apartments, meals for three weeks and rental car. Any other expenses will be participant's responsibility.

Selection Criteria

All candidates will be evaluated based on these criteria: fluency in English, good communication skills, domestic ownership of their organization, leadership potential, enthusiasm for the program, an overall desire to learn, and one of the following:

1.) mid-level management position, scope of authority, and leadership potential,
2.) senior level position within a company,
3.) small business owner or representative, or
4.) corporate/marketing or public relations position with some experience and potential for growth.

Preference will be given to candidates with no prior professional experience from the USA. Also, a consideration will be given to the residential region and industry sector of a candidate.

Program participation is competitive. Participants are selected in a competition based on criteria by the selection panel (representatives of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, United States Information Agency, local country-specific consultants, and advisors, partners).

[nahoru]

How To Apply

Business leaders interested in any of these programs should write, call, fax or email to the address below for application, additional information on candidates qualifications, selection procedure and application deadlines. Number of available positions is limited.

Central European Programs
Dagmar Fricka, Manager
Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce
3 Independent Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32202
USA
Tel.: (904) 366 66 44
Fax: (904) 353 63 43
e-mail: cep@jacksonvillechamber.org
dfricka@jacksonvillechamber.org
http://www.jacksonvillechamber.org/

[nahoru]