Content
Students help local company light up Europe
A Warana business that is lighting up the world with new solar technologies has enlisted University of the Sunshine Coast students to expand its products into Europe.
Students from USC’s Master of International Business are developing a global marketing plan for sustainable solar lighting technology company EXlites.
They will focus on two of EXlites niche products – solar bollard lights and solar lighting plants.
EXlites director Mike Arieni said the company had opened distribution channels in the United States and Middle East, with manufacturing soon to follow, and was now looking at ways to move into the European market.
“The European market is one we know very little about, so the student’s research and ideas will give us an insight into what opportunities exist for us over there,” he said.
“It is also huge cost-saving for me. When I look at the amount of hours I put into trying to understand the other overseas markets, I would estimate that it is saving me about six months of work.”
Lecturer in International Business Dr Leone Cameron said there were several European students working on the EXlites campaign who were able to draw on their own “local” knowledge.
“This is an opportunity for students to work with real businesses, analysing their business problems and act, under supervision, in the capacity of international marketing consultants,” she said.
“It allows students to use their own cross-cultural knowledge to benefit their business client with international marketing plans being prepared for France, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, Ghana, Denmark as well as South East Asia.”
The students will present their findings to Mr Arieni and EXlites executives tomorrow (Thursday 24 November) at the University of the Sunshine Coast from 3pm.
— Michelle Widdicombe