Business Safari--MBA's head to Africa


3 Brand management students travelled to Malawi, Africa for an intensive 10 day study on the business economics of a 3rd world country. With the former Ambassador to the United States, Tony Kandiero, as our guide we were able to meet with the top companies and business leaders in this beautiful southern africa country.
We visited with the Malawian companies: Press Corporation (and many of their subsidiaries), Central East African Railways, Limbe Leaf Tobacco and the Malawi Stock Exchange. The trip was focused on the exchange of information and ideas between the businesses and the MBA candidates. It was an amazing opportunity to hear of the impossible business circumstances that these companies are trying to thrive in: 30% interest rates, landlocked with little to no infrastructure, government corruption, 15% AIDS rates and starvation.
In addition to the business experience we were able to see a bit of the countryside as well, visiting Liwonde National Park, Mua Mission and beautiful Lake Malawi.
The trip culminated in a dinner at the home of the US Ambassador to Malawi, Alan Eastham, for a roundtable discussion on Malawi economics. Guests included the Malawi Minister of Finance, the presidents of Press Corporation and Limbe Leaf, the USAID economic adviser to south central africa and Ambassador Kandiero.

Badgers Mean Business...
Especially when it comes to Karaoke! A recent outing to Madison's own 'Karaoke Kid' drew quite a crowd of Brand students. Do you think American Idol needs any interns?

Before heading off to break, the first and second year students got together at Marigolds restaurant on the capital to participate in a "White Elephant" gift exchange. All were extremely jealous when people received such gems as venetian blinds, coconut bras, and a rotten pumpkin! It was a great way to relax after exams and say Happy Holidays to everyone before we headed home for a few weeks.

Here are some shots from our recent trip to Brazil. 14 Brand students attended. While there we visited several companies in Sao Paulo including: Wal-Mart, P&G, Ford, Yahoo, and the American Chamber of Commerce. After Sao Paulo we went to Rio for a little "fun in the sun." The group shot below was taken at the Christ statue in Rio.