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Ni-hao.
This simple "hello" in Chinese is what sparked one of the fastest growing, and potentially most influential, student business organizations on campus.
Sophomore Justin Miller, the founder and president of Miami University's China-America Business Organization (CABO) came up with the idea to start the group this semester after trying to practice his Mandarin Chinese skills on a native speaker on Chinese New Years Day (Feb. 7).
During their conversation, Miller wondered why there wasn't a student organization on campus bridging the divide between the Americans and the growing world of Chinese business.
Since that conversation, the group held one recruiting event that hosted 75 prospective students and most recently, a three-course dinner for the inaugural class of 72 members at Marcum Conference Center Wednesday, March 26.
Miller said the group specifically aims to assist the program's members and the approximately 100 Chinese Miami business students gain the necessary professional and social experience with the Chinese culture before graduation.
Miller hopes experiences like these will help students with the same interests as he-to work in one of the world's fastest growing economies.
"We all (CABO members) have a common goal, working at China or with China," Miller said. "I felt a need … to network in china … (and) help create internship opportunities."
The dinner also attracted Dan Grossberg, senior manager of accounting firm Ernst & Young's Mid-Atlantic region, who delivered a 45-minute presentation.
During the speech Grossberg, a 1987 Miami alumnus, decided that despite China becoming the world's largest consumer market by 2015, there is only one accountant for every 10,000 Chinese.
Grossberg said the demand isn't limited to accounting, though, since every major American business is having a "landrush" to sell their products and services to China.
With such great opportunity in the Far East, Grossberg commended the group for getting Miami students to set up a network with international students and companies.
"Real success in business is based on right relationships, right people doing the right things," Grossberg said.
Among those hoping to find the right people is first-year Beijing transplant Ryan Zhang, who said that America isn't better or worse than China, just different.
He added that joining a group like CABO is "good for your future and your life."
Nico Pisarello, another first-year, agreed with Zhang.
"I'm personally interested in the international field, learning language and culture," Pisarello said. "Especially one like China, which is booming and soon to be a world leader."
At the end of the dinner and Grossberg's speech, Roger Jenkins, dean of the Farmer School of Business gave the group his blessing as each inaugural member received a certificate of membership.
"In the business school, we have 27 student organizations, and I expect this one to be the best or at least in the top two or three," Jenkins said. "Everything this organization does will be done with quality."
In a written pamphlet, CABO states that qualified candidates for membership include business school's China Business Program students and students studying at Miami from China, with other students being admitted on a case-by-case basis. Currently there are no dues for membership, but Miller said future dues are a possibility.
The group is sponsored by the Farmer School of Business and advised by David Yen, director of the China Business Program.
