Industry Focus:
Exploring British Railways

CLIENT:

International Business School Suzhou

ASSIGNMENT:

30-day study trip to the United Kingdom (London, Derby, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh) July 21st – August 19th, 2019
38 participants + 5 faculty members
Initial consultation: 5 months prior to the trip

CLIENT BRIEF:

The trip should expose participants to the British rail industry and provide them with an opportunity to develop their international management and leadership skills. They should be forced to take a step out of their comfort zones and contrast how business is conducted in Britain with their own understanding from a Chinese MNE perspective.

The group should be able to interact and build relationships with thought-leaders, management, and key stakeholders, and assess the feasibility of building a partner network before they enter the market.

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OUR APPROACH:

#1: GAIN A FULL PICTURE OF THE UK MARKET

Encompassing six English and Scottish cities, the trip presented the group with a variety of different topics and perspectives that allowed them to assess the potential of expanding to the UK market from several angles.

Participants were taken out of the conference room and given the chance to get their hands dirty. They explored a variety of companies and case studies that illustrated the breadth of the market – from manufacturing (such as Acton Depot and the Materials Innovation Factory) to current initiatives and future plans (at Transport for London, Crossrail, Heathrow Express, Network Rail, ScotRail).

#2: OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT

Networking events in London, Manchester, and Glasgow, co-organized by Young Rail Professionals, introduced trip participants to industry experts from across Britain.

While Chinese engineering and rail services are among the most advanced in the world, the trip was successful in exposing the traveling group to fresh approaches – an insightful contrast and fantastic chance for rail professionals to meet and share industry knowledge, including key challenges, solutions, and strategies.

#3: CULTURAL IMMERSION

One of the programs’ successes lay in the scrupulous balance of drip-feeding industry insights, interaction with local professionals and understanding of how British culture and tradition influence business practices.

Alongside hand-picked visits designed to develop their business acumen, participants were subconsciously taken out of the rail industry-sphere and taught British customs to enhance their cross-cultural awareness – from learning to shake hands before a meeting and queuing to buy transport tickets, this improved their overall success in discussions.

“Our program was well planned and well executed from beginning to end. We had a great mix of company visits and cultural events and our students gained so much that they could take back and use in their everyday life.”

— Douglas F. Shearer, Business Engagement Manager, International Business School Suzhou

Overall students’ trip evaluation

5 out of 5