Pau, France
In the summer of 2011, BIG traveled to Pau, France for eight days. The trip provided BIG employees unique insight of business cultures in a foreign country. Many employees traveled internationally for the first time, making the trip a valuable learning experience. It provided employees with a new perspective to international business.
BIG didn’t have a direct partnership correlating with this trip, so members toured French companies such as Total, Airbus, Messier-Bugatti-Dowty, Turbomeca and a local winery. These tours thrust members amongst French culture and business practices, providing experiences unattainable anywhere else.
This trip provided BIG with its first all-encompassing global business perspective. BIG employees learned, not only the differences between French and American businesses, but how they affect the global marketplace in unique ways. This will help BIG tremendously as they continue to pursue projects in the foreign market.
BIG’s new connections in France, allow opportunity for possible projects and job opportunities in the future.
Many employees mentioned how the experiences helped them domestically in their work and education. One member said the trip gave him more experience to draw upon in both the classroom and the workplace, making him a more well-rounded individual. These experiences are crucial for maintaining and expanding the reputation BIG prides itself on: producing outstanding, diverse, work-ready employees.
Overall, the experiences learned in Pau, France will be valuable to both BIG and its employees. Employees have a better understanding of global business practices and BIG benefits from new insight and knowledge learned through first-hand global interaction.
