’s College of Business Administration will kick-off the Global Management Speaker Series on April 8th, at the Hotel and Conference Center at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public; a networking reception will follow.
The mission of the Global Management Center is to formulate international research partnerships as well as keep the academic and business communities informed about the latest developments in international trade that affect managerial training, study and practice.
The speaker series will feature J. Ron Menning, senior vice president of planning and development for The Timken Company. Previously, Menning served as senior vice president of Timken’s Asia Pacific division where he was responsible for the development and implementation of the company’s growth strategy in Asia.
Menning’s presentation will be “Competing in the Changing Chinese Market: The Timken Story.” Menning will provide students, faculty and business professionals with unique insights into the Chinese economy and development strategies.
Director of the Global Management Center Michael Mayo, Ph.D. said, “Menning will discuss how the Chinese economy is changing and evolving,” Mayo said, “And how firms need to reconsider their strategies when entering and competing there.”
Mayo said he believes that what people know about the Chinese economy is often limited to many recycled sound bites passed around by the media. Menning will provide a fresh perspective based upon his recent experiences in the market.
In addition to the speaker series, the Global Management Center recently launched an International Speakers Bureau with the U.S. Foreign and Commercial Services. The new speaker’s bureau brings leaders from the business community to campus to give students insights about the global marketplace.
Mayo said the College created the Global Management Speaker Series and the International Speakers Bureau to provide a way for students, faculty and businesses to stay current about developments in the international marketplace. “We believe both initiatives provide opportunities to build bridges between the business community and Kent State students and faculty,” Mayo said.
To find out more about the International Speaker’s Bureau or request a speaker, please contact Michael Mayo, Ph.D., at mmayo@kent.edu.