INTERACTIVE SESSION WITH Mr. JEFFREY K RENEAU, Director of the American Center Kolkata and Public Relations Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Guwahati, Assam, India, Republic of (Free-Press-Release.com) February 8, 2012 -- BUSINESS - An Alternative Approach

Business is sometimes known as the "play it safe" primarily because it is a practical choice for almost anyone. Every organization, regardless of industry, relies on business principles to prosper. Individuals who have a solid business education are not only poised to start their own business, they also have the practical skills needed to excel in a variety of positions in the industry of their choice.

An interactive seminar on "Business - An Alternative Approach" was held at Darwin School of Business in their Guwahati Campus on February 4th, 2012. The chief guest of the event Mr.Jeffrey K. Reneau, Director of the American Center, Kolkata and the Public Affairs officer, presented many reasons why everyone must have at least basic business skills. He gave many examples, including negotiating salaries and benefits, tax and retirement planning, and personal financial management.

Jeffrey Reneau arrived in Kolkata in October, 2011. He came to India from the United States Mission to the United Nations (USUN), where he served as the Special Advisor to the U.S. Representative for UN Management and Reform. Prior to this assignment, Mr. Reneau spent three years as a Political Advisor to the U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN, focusing on East Asia and the Pacific as well as Latin America in the Security Council.

Mr.Reneau who was on an inspection visit of the American Corner coming up at the Darwin Campus, took out time to interact with the business management students to apprise them of the key reason to America's economic growth - that is micro and macro business. He cited numerous examples of how small and medium scale entrepreneurs went on to shape the America of today - the economic superpower. Having studied Master's in International Education and Policy Administration at Harvard University and through his varied experiences of serving in developed and under-developed countries across the world, Mr.Reneau observed that one of the key differentiating factors has been the level of entrepreneurial activity. He motivated the business aspirants to transcend their mind from a job seeker to a business seeker. The young audience remained very engaged listening to the success stories of the many American businessmen who made a start from the scratch and went on to become business tycoons in due course of time. The overall impact that small and medium scale industries have on the economy was aptly explained with live cases and examples. Terminologies like the locavore (person interested in eating food that is locally produced) fascinated the audience who came from the various management colleges across the city. The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) too was also highlighted in a simplified manner.

It is noteworthy to mention here that the American Center under the American Consul General Office is initiating various activities in the northeastern region marking with the hugely successful SpellBee event which kicked off last year in Guwahati. The American Corner Library and Information Service is soon coming up in Guwahati at the city campus of Darwin School of Business. These are some of the welcome signs for our region and we hope some of the American success can be emulated by young businessmen of this region as well.