Learning to Lead Through Communication

As interns moved further into the week, they continued strengthening both their consulting projects and their professional skills through a combination of business partner collaboration and expert-led presentations. From meaningful conversations with Nigerian entrepreneurs to sessions on public speaking and global trade, participants gained practical knowledge that will help shape both their final recommendations and future leadership experiences.

The morning began with Business Partner Calls, where consulting teams met virtually with their Nigerian business partners to share project updates, ask clarifying questions, and gather additional information to strengthen their recommendations. These conversations allowed interns to better understand each business's goals and challenges while continuing to build collaborative relationships with the entrepreneurs they have been working alongside all week.

Following the partner meetings, Wendy Riemann presented Fundamentals of Effective Public Speaking, preparing interns for their upcoming final presentations. She shared practical techniques for organizing ideas, engaging an audience, and speaking with confidence under pressure. Throughout the session, Wendy emphasized that strong communication is an essential skill for both effective leadership and successful consulting, encouraging students to communicate with clarity and authenticity.

Following the public speaking session, Tim Ito presented Understanding Your Customer: Segmentation, Retention, and CRM. During his presentation, interns learned the importance of identifying target audiences, building strong customer relationships, and developing strategies that encourage long-term customer loyalty. Tim explained how businesses can use customer segmentation and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools to better understand consumer needs, improve communication, and create personalized experiences. The session encouraged interns to consider how these marketing strategies could strengthen the recommendations they are developing for their Nigerian business partners.

The morning concluded with Global Trade, Tariffs, and Exporting: Effects on Business, presented by Jordan Gamarra. His presentation introduced interns to the ways international trade policies influence businesses around the world. Students explored how tariffs, exports, and global markets affect business operations and discussed why understanding these economic forces is essential when developing strategies for companies operating in today's global economy.

By the end of the morning, interns had strengthened both their consulting projects and their professional skill sets. The combination of meaningful conversations with business partners and presentations from industry experts provided valuable knowledge that will help guide their work throughout the remainder of the program.