International High School Programs

Since 1989, over two billion people have entered market economies. As a result, multinational businesses such as yours have had the opportunity to reach more people than ever with new products and services. However, as you expand your operations throughout these emerging economies, you may have discovered that many of your employees lack the basic skills needed to run a successful enterprise.

JA Worldwide®'s Fundamentals of Market Economics (FOME) program can help. FOME was developed to provide employees with a basic understanding of a market system while giving them a greater comprehension of customer service, interdepartmental communication, business ethics, as well as the impact of individual productivity on the bottom line.

FOME At-A-Glance

Designed for employees of newly privatized companies in developing economies, FOME is organized into 18 weekly, two-hour sessions which can take place before, during or after work. A professional trainer works with groups of 25 to 30 employees on site at your place of business. FOME is broken down into four interchangeable areas of emphasis called "Clusters."

Cluster A - The Market Economy

Module   1 What is an Economy?
Module   2 The Economic Way of Thinking
Module   3 Operation of a Market Economy
Module   4 Government's Role in an Economy
Module   5 Business Ethics

Cluster B - Managing for Results in a Market Economy

Module   6 The Customer and the Business Firm
Module   7 The Business Firm
Module   8 Management Philosophy
Module   9 Management Practices
Module 10 Employee Management

Cluster C - Product Development, Productivity and Marketing

Module 11 Business Planning and Organization
Module 12 Product Planning
Module 13 Productivity and Profit
Module 14 Marketing Fundamentals

Cluster D - Product Sales and Support

Module 15 Sales Management and Fundamentals of Selling
Module 16 Elements of Business Law
Module 17 Accounting Principles
Module 18 Customer Service

COURSE FEATURES

The course has six major features:

• Computer simulation
• Active learning
• Knowledgeable presenters
• Opportunities to share
• Case studies
• Work-a-text format

Computer Simulation:

A computer simulation is used in the course. The Management and Economic Simulation Exercise (MESE) offers participants the challenge of running their own company in a computer-simulated international business environment. Participants make strategic decisions which impact the bottom line of their businesses while learning to interpret balance sheets, income statements, industry reports and economic data.

Active Learning:

In addition to a computer simulation, participants will be challenged to engage in hands-on simulations which include role playing, interviews, short exercises and group discussions.

Knowledgeable Presenters:

Throughout the course, professional trainers and guest speakers address a wide range of topics. Guest speakers may be from business, academic institutions or government agencies.

Opportunities to Share:

Throughout the course, participants will be able to interact with their colleagues. They will be able to meet and get to know other managers while they share their own ideas and learn from others.

Case Studies:

Business ethics case studies are a primary component of FOME. Each session, participants will focus on the ethical problems facing a hypothetical former state-owned company.

Work-A-Text Format:

FOME comes with an interactive "Work-a-Text" textbook. Before each session, participants read assigned modules. The open-page design of the textbook gives participants room to write notes and questions directly onto each page, giving them a complete journal to refer back to when they begin applying in the workplace the principles they have learned.

Fundamentals of Market Economics is co-copyrighted by
JA Worldwide® and the East-West Management Institute
Made possible thanks to a grant from the Open Society Institute and East-West Management Institute.

To learn more about receiving this program in your area, contact your local JA office.