The document summarizes several seminars on international topics: 1) A seminar on international competencies discussed 5 core competencies including language skills, an outside-in perspective, multi-ethnocentricity, a sense of "homelessness", and seeing through cultural facades. Tips included engaging with international news and experiences. 2) A field trip to the European Commission in Brussels where a guide discussed how the EU manages issues and international cooperation. 3) A seminar on international sales discussed the growth of Klingele Chocolade and tips for international business like exhibitions, trade organizations, research, networking and adaptability. The speaker shared her experience rising in the company.

1. THE SEMINARS
• WORKING AND LIVING ABROAD
• VISIT TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION BRUSSELS
• APPLYING FOR A JOB ABROAD
• INTERNATIONAL SALES IN PRACTICE

2. “THE WHY, WHAT AND HOW OF INTERNATIONAL,
INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCIES;
A PERSONAL POINT OF VIEW”
1 DECEMBER 2015, A4 AT 15:00
PROF DR DIRK BUYENS VLERICK BUSINESS SCHOOL

3. WHERE THE SPEAKER LIVED AND WORKED
Valencia Minneapolis
Beijing
St Petersburg Belgium

4. WHY? : “THE TIMES THEY ARE CHANGING…”
• The world is “flat”
vs.
• The world will never be flat
• “Being out there” is one thing, “having learned
something” is however the key question

5. WHAT? : 5 CORE INTERNATIONAL COMPETENCIES
1. Language skills (good enough beats perfect)
2. The outside-in-view
3. The Multi-ethnocentricity reflex
4. The Homelessness skill
5. The seeing through the cultural facade

6. HOW TO ADDRESS IT IN A LOCAL CONTEXT?
PRACTICAL TIPS
• Read/watch (international/other local) news(papers).
• Boost the Erasmus experience even if you stay home:
• Have the internationals take the floor.
• Inform yourself on ‘their’ background
• Take internationals to your “home place”.
• Look for any international experience, but only leave
if you can “master” it.

7. HOW TO PREPARE: ‘IN ADVANCE’
• Think it over before you decide
• Learn the local language of where you go to
• Jump when you feel you have to
• There is no ‘right’ nor ‘wrong’ place in the world to go to
• Inform yourself on the place you go to
• Get to know yourself

8. • What I like the most is that aside from being a motivator, the
speaker gave us a positive insight on how we should enjoy our life
on our chosen field. It is important to listen carefully and be
attentive on this kind of a seminar.

9. VISIT TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION BRUSSELS

10. • We have visited the European Commission and we’ve seen different departments where the workers
work. Our guide gave us a chance to ask questions on how do they manage different issues within the
EU, when and how to the leaders of the EU work together and so on.

11. INTERNATIONAL
SALES IN PRACTICE
Eline Blanchaert
International Account Manager - Klingele Chocolade
Discover a world of ingredients
10th November 2015
Arteveldehogeschool

12. INTERNATIONAL SALES IN PRACTICE
Two Main Parts:
• About Klinngele Chocolade and its growth
• How to do an International Business?

13. ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
ELINE BLANCHAERT
• Started in the company as a job student. She passed her business plan in
2004 and now an International Account Manager of the Company.
• “ If you believe on something, you can realize it”

14. KLINGELE CHOCOLADE
• Founded by a Food Engineer Mr. Koen Klingele. His main goal is to
produce chocolates with less or even no sugar added and organic
fair trade chocolates.
• Brand Name: “BALANCE”

15. KLINGELE CHOCOLADE
• After the company’s crisis, they lost several customers. To recover,
their only goal now is to find new customers.
• Started sales and product: “Balance” brand

16. KLINGELE CHOCOLADE- INTERNATIONAL EXPORT
• Each countries has their differences, different distribution, differences on
prices, different interpretations that’s why it has to be clear when it comes on
negotiations.
HOW TO DO BUSINESS WORLDWIDE?
• Know your product and determine the strategy & competitors
• Exhibitions
• Flanders Investment and Trade
• Follow up! Combination of Desk and Field Research
• Sales alone will not lead to turnover
• Keep up to date
• Networking and open your eyes and ears

17. AND FINALLY! WE GOT OUR OWN CHOCOLATE FROM
THE SPEAKER! 

18. It was an inspiring seminar. She started only as a job student of the
company but because of her perseverance and determination, she
tried and now an International Account Manager of the company. It
gave me inspiration to dream big and not to lose hope.