The UCLA Anderson Global Access Program welcomed 112 executives from 50 companies in seven countries to the on-campus launch of its 16th annual program. GAP companies work with a team of five Fully-Employed MBA students who conduct a six-month field study to identify strengths, analyze weaknesses and pinpoint opportunities to develop an investment-quality business plan. The program focuses on helping companies enter the U.S. market.
At the end of this year’s program, GAP will have worked with a total of 539 companies from 19 countries and track more than $200 million in investment in companies that have been through the GAP experience.
“In every case, GAP companies are innovative technology oriented companies that recognize the potential growth in a new foreign market. The Company launch is the first time that the companies and their teams interact in person,” says Paul Brandano, ('06) executive director for marketing for the field study programs. “Although the teams and companies have been working together for about a month sharing data and preparing for this event, these meetings will allow them to commit to a firm scope and research execution plan.”
Student participants use the skills and knowledge they have developed in the classroom to solve a real world challenge for an actual company. Each team will travel extensively to conduct research and will make a tremendous impact on the trajectory of their client company. “Many FEMBA students tell us that GAP is the reason they came to UCLA Anderson for their MBA,” says Brandano.
During the next five months, the MBA teams will conduct an average of 120 direct interviews with key stakeholders in the target market. “This insight from current and potential customers, resellers, distributors, regulators and industry experts will be the foundation for a comprehensive analysis that will serve as a roadmap for execution into the new market,” says Brandano.
There are 397 attendees at this year’s kickoff representing companies from Australia, Brazil, Estonia, Finland, Italy, New Zealand and the United States. Events run until Saturday night. Companies network at GAP classes, lunches and other program events. They return for a final presentation on December 7th.
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