Wharton-Fudan GCP for 2008-2009

What is the GCP?

The Global Consulting Practicum (GCP) is a cross-functional, capstone course and consulting organization embedded in Wharton. It is designed to bridge the academic curriculum and international business worlds. Established in 1978, the Wharton GCP operates in junction with business schools in Peru, Colombia, India, Jamaica, Chile, Israel and China. GCP pairs Wharton teams of MBA students and faculty with teams from the partner universities to consult to a client company interested in entering or expanding its position in the US.

The Wharton-Fudan GCP

Since 2005, the Wharton GCP has started, the first time in China, to cooperate with Fudan MBA program to launch Wharton-Fudan GCP. Two projects have been completed successfully and the Fudan-Wharton GCP teams have got good feedback from the clients and the Wharton GCP Management. Now two projects for 2008-2009 are open to Fudan MBA students for application. The format of the project is as follows:

• The project is consisted of five Fudan MBA students and five Wharton MBA students.
• The team delivers an international consulting project to a Chinese firm with the intention to enter or expand in the USA.
• The project will start in November. From November to December, the team works out the project specifics.
• Wharton students will come to China for a week in December to work with the client and the Fudan teammates.
• From January to May, the team works on the project.
• Fudan students will spend a week at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in May with the client for the final presentation and bring-alive sessions.
• Fudan students earn 2 credits of an International Business elective for the Spring semester.

Benefits for Students

• A reality education experience in which students apply concepts, methods, and paradigms they have learned in the classroom
• An international virtual team experience which allows students to build horizontal self-managed team capabilities
• An opportunity to develop the ability to be a trusted advisor in any field: consulting, brand management, international project management, etc.
• An entrance to a international professional and academic network of resources
• Travel to America with expenses paid by client
• Develop and expanda global professional network
• Earn 2 credits in International Business elective
• Have fun and make great friends around the world as you undertake demanding work.

The GCP Project for 2008-2009

Project I: China Restaurant

China Restaurant is a subsidiary of a NYSE traded company and is one of the largest restaurant groups in China. Headquartered in Shanghai, it provides operations, development, marketing, financial, human resources, public affairs and franchise support to all its restaurants. In 2007, total revenue of its restaurants was over 2 billion USD.  China Restaurant’s growth is the most rapid within its worldwide organization.  The final deliverable will be a detailed market analysis and entry plan.

Students will develop expertise in the following:

• Restaurant Market Factors
• Supply Chain Management
• Consumer segmentation analysis

Although the scope and vision of this engagement will be further reviewed and refined by the team based on discussions with the client, the following areas may need to be addressed:

• Market Research
• Brand Management
• Global and regional market analysis

The ideal team should include strategic consulting experience. 

Project II:  China Green Grow

(Verbal commitment - highly likely to be signed!)

China Green Grow has developed a novel form of fertilizer that reduces soil toxicity while also reducing cost and improving plant growth. The product is well positioned to participate in the next “green revolution” by reducing reliance on petrochemical inputs in agriculture.

The student team will work closely with key members of the management team in both the US and China to examine opportunities in agriculture and other key sectors. The client is open to finding the best options for this revolutionary technology. The final deliverable will be a detailed consulting analysis of how to best capture the value of this technology for the client.

Students will develop expertise in the following:

• Agriculture Industry
• “Green” Technologies
• Competitor Analysis

Although the scope and vision of this engagement will be further reviewed and refined by the team based on discussions with the client, the following areas may need to be addressed:

• Market Research
• Product Positioning
• Strategic Planning

The ideal team should include strategic consulting experience. In addition, experience in the agriculture industry is desirable as is familiarity with "green" and other eco-friendly business issues.

Project Requirements:

• Professional and ethical conduct.
• Prepared attendance at weekly team meetings with team, faculty and the client.
• Detailed work plans and operational plans for research.
• In January, consulting proposal including deliverables to which client agrees.
• Devils’ Advocate presentation in February to get feedback on research methodology.
• In March, consulting progress report and agreement with client on final deliverables.
• Final report (both oral and written) to client in May.
• Defense of the final conclusions and final recommendations in a day-long meeting with clients at Wharton in May.

 Key Milestones for the Wharton-Fudan GCP(2008-2009)

Applicants:

Application Process

Students apply for the admission to the program. The first- pass screening of applications will be done on the basis of your cover letter, resume and application form. 20-25 students will be selected for the interviews by Fudan faculty and the clients. Subsequent to the interview process, 10 students (5 students for each project) will be selected on the basis of their:

• English proficiency
• commitment to the program
• relevant experience and skills 
• leadership and teamwork
• the balance of strengths need for a particular project. 

Application Materials:

A. Cover Letter

 Please indicate in the upper left hand corner of your cover letter: your name and year of graduation, email address and phone number.  Please include in your cover letter (1 to 2 pages in length) the following information:

1)  The reasons for your interest in participating in GCP, the particular projects in which you would like to participate, and your expectations for personal gain from participation in a GCP project. 

2)  The strengths, knowledge and work expertise that you can bring to the project. Specifically, describe:

• Experience closely related to the subject or industry of the project.
• Previous consulting or marketing experience.
• Previous international experience.
• Previous teamwork and leadership experience.

B. Resume both in English and Chinese

C. Application Form (Please see the attachment)

Application Deadline

Please send your application form, cover letter and resume to the MBA Office (Room 709, StarrBuilding). All submissions will be received by 12:00 noon on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008.

Oct. 27^th, 2008