The 2024 winners embody the values of dedication, innovation, and global vision. Their stories reveal the impact of FITTskills training and international business education, not just in shaping professional skills, but in opening doors to opportunities that connect people, cultures, and economies worldwide.

Student of the Year: Chika Sato, Canadian College

The Student of the Year Award, presented in partnership with Export Development Canada, goes to the student with the highest overall GPA after completing all FITTskills courses at a delivery partner institution. This year’s recipient, Chika Sato of Canadian College, stood out not just for her academic excellence, but for her consistent drive to participate, learn, and contribute to class discussions.

Her professor, Kumar Varma, CITP, recalls Chika’s approach vividly:

“The success of Chika Sato lies in her outstanding focus on the subject when she is in class, her mental aptitude to understand international trade events, and her eagerness to participate in discussion. Punctuality with her assignments, her commitment to attendance, and her curiosity to ask questions made her a truly exceptional student. A rare pearl in the ocean!”

For Chika, the award is a validation of years of hard work. Her journey through the FITTskills program not only strengthened her understanding of global markets but also provided the tools to approach complex international challenges with confidence. Her recognition as Student of the Year shines a spotlight on the transformative impact of dedication and persistence.

International Sales & Marketing Plan Award: Rajveer Kaur, triOS College

The International Sales & Marketing Plan Award recognizes the strongest submission of a comprehensive sales and marketing plan. Rajveer Kaur of triOS College received this honour for her detailed and innovative plan outlining Old Navy’s entry into the Indian market.

Her project balanced the company’s global identity with India’s diverse cultural and consumer landscape. She identified key challenges, such as intense local competition and the need for cultural adaptation, and addressed them through product localization, festival-inspired collections, influencer collaborations, and a phased market entry strategy.

Reflecting on the experience, Rajveer shared:

“I felt very accomplished because I was able to combine strategic thinking with practical marketing tools. It showed me how theory translates into a real-world global business scenario, which was motivating and rewarding.”

Rajveer’s career goals extend beyond this project. With aspirations to become an international trade consultant and strategist and eventually build her own global business. She sees this award as both a milestone and a motivator.

Her professor, Dr. Kamaljit Kaur, Program Coordinator of the Global Business Management program at triOS College, praised her achievements:

“As a student, Rajveer consistently demonstrated critical thinking, creativity, and strong team-building skills. Her positive attitude, leading class discussions and timely submissions, made her an exceptional student. It is wonderful to see these strengths celebrated through this achievement.”

International Business Plan Award (Tie):

Teniola Animat Oke & Calvin Immanuel Suseendiran, Algonquin College

This year’s International Business Plan Award ended in a tie, with two equally impressive projects emerging from Algonquin College. Both demonstrated the ability to combine deep market research with strategic, real-world application.

Teniola Animat Oke developed a market entry strategy for Hanwha Vision’s DIY home alarm system in France. Navigating challenges around GDPR compliance, financial projections, and cultural preferences, she created a hybrid entry strategy combining online sales with partnerships through French retailers and telecom providers.

“Completing this project was incredibly rewarding,” Teniola said. “It pushed me to integrate everything I learned – market analysis, financial planning, risk management, and cultural adaptation – into an actionable plan. It reinforced my passion for international business and my confidence in tackling complex, multifaceted challenges.”

Her long-term vision? To work as a Global Strategy Consultant or International Market Expansion Manager, helping technology firms navigate new global frontiers.

Meanwhile, Calvin Immanuel Suseendiran built a comprehensive business plan for Privacy Shield, a Swiss privacy-enhancing technology firm, to enter the Italian market. By applying tactics he learned through the FITTskills program and his own cybersecurity expertise, he developed a strategy that aligned advanced technology with regulatory and cultural realities in Italy.

“Completing the project was deeply rewarding. It allowed me to apply both international trade frameworks and cybersecurity principles to a practical, forward-looking business strategy,” Calvin reflected.

His dream career lies at the intersection of cybersecurity and international trade, leading secure market entry strategies and driving digital transformation across borders.

Clarecia Christie, CITP, FITT Coordinator at Algonquin College, celebrated both students:

“Teniola and Calvin displayed a disciplined approach with a global mindset and intense curiosity. Teniola excelled in in-depth research, while Calvin showcased risk management skills. Their dedication to FITTskills courses was evident, and we are proud of their well-deserved success.”

FITT Achievement Award (Tie): Oruba AL Refa’i & April Channer, St. Clair College

The FITT Achievement Award is unique among the honours. It recognizes not just academic performance, but also leadership, community involvement, and perseverance. This year’s award was shared by two outstanding students from St. Clair College: Oruba AL Refa’i and April Channer.

Oruba AL Refa’i pursued International Business Management – Logistics Systems, inspired by the role logistics plays as the backbone of international trade. With a background in project management and supply chain, she excelled academically while balancing her role as a mother of three.

“Honestly, I feel thrilled and grateful to be this year’s recipient,” Oruba shared.

“Graduating with a 4.0 GPA as a full-time student and parent was already a major accomplishment, but this award validates my dedication and motivates me to keep striving for excellence in international trade and logistics.”

Her professor, Paul Jacobs, CITP, highlighted her impact:

“Oruba distinguished herself as an exceptional student through her academic excellence, leadership, and meaningful volunteer contributions. It is a privilege to celebrate her success.”

April Channer brought an entrepreneurial perspective shaped by her experience running a distribution company in Jamaica. She was drawn to international trade by its ability to connect people, products, and opportunities across borders.

“Being the recipient of the FITT Achievement Award is an incredible honour,” April said. “It validates my hard work as a student and as a young business owner, and motivates me to keep pushing boundaries and pursuing opportunities in global trade.”

Her instructor, Tammy Bombardier, CITP, praised April’s contribution:

“April brought incredible entrepreneurial insight to our program and generously shared her experiences with classmates. Her enthusiasm, creativity, and willingness to contribute will undoubtedly make her a great asset to our international trade community.”

Both students represent the spirit of the FITT Achievement Award, balancing academic success with leadership, resilience, and a vision for the future of global business.

Just the beginning

The journeys of Chika, Rajveer, Teniola, Calvin, Oruba, and April highlight the transformative power of education in international trade. Their projects reflect real-world challenges, from market entry and cultural adaptation to cybersecurity and logistics. Their professors’ praise underscores the discipline, creativity, and leadership they demonstrated along the way.

Together, they represent the future of international trade: innovative thinkers, strategic problem-solvers, and global citizens ready to shape cross-border business.

For current and future students, their stories serve as inspiration. The FITTskills program equips learners with the practical tools, analytical frameworks, and global perspective needed to succeed in a world where borders matter less and collaboration matters more.

As these award recipients step forward into their careers, one thing is clear: the classroom lessons they mastered are already translating into global impact.

Congratulations to the 2024 FITT Educational Award winners! Your achievements reflect not only your hard work, but also the bright future of international trade.

If you’re considering a career in global business, or want to equip yourself with the knowledge to succeed across borders, explore the FITTskills program and take the next step toward building your own international trade success story.

The post From the classroom to global impact: The inspiring journeys of FITT’s 2024 Educational Award winners appeared first on Trade Ready.

One of the defining traits of Abdulrahman Alrifai’s nearly 30-year career has been a strong and consistent commitment to high-quality standards.

He started his career working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in the food division at Al Ghurair Group (later Al Ghurair Investment), one of the largest industrial conglomerate companies in the Middle East. His responsibilities included evaluating the quality of incoming wheat, pulses and cereals shipments, and the exported processed product, implementing plant sanitation procedures and ensuring proper pest control treatment, as well as setting up daily lab procedures and inspecting ships and trucks before and after loading. This involved him and his expertise in every step of the quality control process and production.

After seven years, he became chief miller at the region’s largest flour mills, with primary responsibility for operational optimizations of intake, cleaning, the milling lines, packaging, shipment, evaluating lab results and implementing ISO and international food standards.

This work experience led to new worldwide connections, which started to lead Abdulrahman towards a more international trade-focused and entrepreneurial career path.

“While working in quality inspection, my interactions with different standards, groups, and organizations led me to build relations with people from all around the world. It was also a source of inspiration and my starting point towards me creating my own business.”

Standing out in his field as a successful consultant and business owner

In 2001, Abdulrahman started his own company, Jana Development, and continues to run it today from his new home in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Frequently still working for food companies, he helps them monitor and improve their standard operating procedures, comply with or improve health and safety regulations, perform internal assessments and audits, and various other areas from risk management to business continuity, leading them through their journey of excellence.

One of his career highlights involved the first shipment of Canadian wheat to the Middle East for the first time.

“A favorite story of mine was watching the first Canadian wheat shipment to the Middle East approaching port, and going through the inspection process using Canadian Wheat Board Standard. Even with the warm weather at the Jebel Ali port, the wheat maintained the same low temperature that it was loaded and sealed at, which was rewarding to see.”

He also offers training and audits for several ISO management systems and other international regulations programs related to health and safety, working with major organizations including the Abu Dhabi Pension Fund, Ajman Ports and Customs and the Abu Dhabi Statistics Center.

One of the most rewarding parts about his work is seeing the direct impact on the people working at these businesses and the community around them.

“I was proud to guide one UAE firm to update its infrastructure to be more accommodating to those with special needs, based on specific standards set by a German consultant and audited by a Canadian institute. I love to help businesses develop and better serve their communities.”

One important lesson he tries to reinforce when working with others is the importance of getting your business agreements on paper and signed by all parties before the start.

“Keep a well-written contract, even if it’s a tempting deal you want to accept right away. A handshake and a promise don’t always work, and you need to make sure your rights and ideas are on paper.”

Spreading both joy and knowledge to those around him

On top of his consulting business, one of Abdulrahman’s major accomplishments in the past few years has been starting and co-owning Gifty, a series of stores primarily located in Syria that are dedicated to improving cultural impact through importing and distributing educational toys items.

“I had the vision to elevate the youth of the future through learning with joy, which started this new professional journey. We now spread quality toys and educational products, for newborns up to teenagers.”

“I felt so proud when I had the opportunity to give an opening speech in front of the first gathering of the Gifty stores, inviting about 1,000 customers to celebrate 5 years of successful business. We’ve reached 13 branches in such a short time, changed the level of competition in that market, and elevated the types and quality of available products to better serve the community.”

The store also thrives online, where its Facebook page currently has about 125,000 followers.

In 2017, Abdulrahman also decided to go back to school to build his international trade skills further, earning his FITT Diploma through the International Business Management program at St. Clair College in Windsor.

He found the FITTskills courses helpful in a variety of areas of his business, and now has a broader understanding he can bring to his future dealings.

“The courses enlightened me about many of the mistakes I have made while working. I now know which strategies my suppliers used to sell me their old stocks, how costing affects product promotion, how to better use financial forecasting, and I better understand the legal aspects of trade. I recommend the FITTskills courses for all of my friends. I even found many of the same management and business theories in the courses are used in other domains like health and safety.”

As soon as he graduated from his program, he knew he also wanted to add the CITP (Certified International Trade Professional) designation to his list of accomplishments as well.

“I applied to become a CITP based on the recommendation of my professors. This is a special designation to have; in addition, I wanted to show in return my loyalty and appreciation to the faculty as they guided me and my colleagues through the path to success.

Now that I have my CITP designation, I am very happy and proud and hoping to be engaged and make a difference. I am keen and looking forward to helping services from Canada spread through geographical areas, and help other products to establish a place in Canadian markets.”

With a long record of global achievements and clear goals for his future, Abdulrahman is ready to help Canadian businesses excel and to help new businesses compete in the Canadian market.

The post Abdulrahman Alrifai, CITP|FIBP – QEHS and Food Specialist Advisor appeared first on Trade Ready.

With decades of business leadership, consulting and teaching experience, Philip Cohen has a wealth of wisdom and knowledge to share with business professionals and students alike.

His long and distinguished career began in 1975. Working at his family company, he began importing ingredients and equipment from the U.S. that were used to make their products. Hitting the ground running, he quickly learned the importance of all the various requirements and limitations involved in importing and exporting.

“Do not take anything for granted regarding customs regulations, documentation requirements, and consumer and corporate affairs, as well as food and drug requirements,” he explains.

To illustrate this advice, Philip provides an example of one summer treat that became far more complicated than expected to ship across the Canada-U.S. border because of a small but important ingredient.

“I imported 8 pallets of cherry popsicles from the U.S. to Canada. Ingredients included water, sugar, flavour/colouring and stabilizer. Canadian government officials in charge of food and drug regulations came to the plant the day after the shipment arrived and said we could not sell the product in Canada because the cherry color included a red dye that would be harmful to Canadians. I returned the shipment to the U.S.”

“The following year, a friend in the U.S. called to ask if he could buy some cherry popsicles from us in Canada. I replied of course, but recommended that he check with U.S. Department of Agriculture to confirm if the red coloring we use in Canada would be acceptable in the U.S. He called me back and said “no… the red food color acceptable in Canada would be extremely harmful to Americans.”

As his skill and experience grew, his responsibilities did as well. In 1986, Philip was promoted to President of the company, a role which he would maintain until 2002. Over the course of those years, Philip was actively involved in importing and exporting a variety of perishable food products and processing equipment to and from Canada and the U.S. Philip’s work also ensured the company held a high standing as a successful processor, distributor/wholesaler and retailer of specialty food products.

Thinking outside the box to solve problems and make customers happy

In one instance, he was able to use his knowledge of food regulations, as well as a little bit of creativity, to increase his business and secure a new American customer.

“The project involved importing 40 foot containers of orange juice concentrate from Brazil, each containing 90 drums weighing 450 pounds, to Windsor, Ontario each week for a year and a half. Our American customer required OJ concentrate to make an orange drink at 1/3 of the full concentration. In order to protect U.S. orange growers, orange juice concentrate was not allowed to be imported directly from Brazil or Mexico into the U.S.”

“However, a diluted version was acceptable, so we reconstituted the frozen concentrate in Canada to a ‘brix’ level whereby U.S. customs classified it as ‘orange drink’. As a result, we were legally able to ship across the border. We sent three tanker loads per week to our customer’s plant outside of Lansing, Michigan. A lucrative contract!”

Over time, the company was growing and required additional freezer warehouse space. Philip found a solution by buying and shipping a complete building from the U.S. into Canada.

“An unusual transaction was our U.S. purchase of a prefabricated 80×100 x22’ high freezer warehouse, complete with a three bay refrigerated loading dock, which was located in Omaha, Nebraska.”

I personally numbered and marked each of the panels and pieces of steel. We then hired riggers to dismantle the building, including all of the structural steel. We loaded all of the building components onto 11 flatbeds and Werner trucking from Omaha hauled all of the trailers to Windsor, Ontario, where we reassembled the building.

“The 11 trailers arrived over a six day period, so we coordinated with our customs broker and Canadian Customs was appraised there would be 11 parts to the shipment arriving over the better part of a week.”

Making the move from doing to consulting and teaching

In the early 2000s, Philip transitioned from running his food company, Twin Pine Foods, to new ventures. In 2000, while still serving as President, he opened and became President of Philip Cohen Consultants Group, which he continues to operate today as Strategic Advantage Consulting LTD. Offering guidance in complex organizational problem solving, market entry research, supply chain management, and developing marketing and business plans, he is able to serve a diverse group of clients with a wide variety of needs.

Philip works with clients in many different industries, including those in the U.S., Canada and Asia. In one of his favourite stories, he reflects on how he was able to return to the food and beverage world.

“I was hired to help a Chinese beverage company to enter the energy drink business worldwide. I guided them through strategic planning, and  helped to develop a business and marketing plan for the venture.”

“Even though they owned their own cola bottling plant, 50 km outside of Beijing, they opted to use co-packers until they were assured that a large investment for specialized processing equipment was warranted.  A co-packer near Beijing was selected to produce for the Asia-Pacific markets, and a canning plant near Boston for the North and South American markets.”

“It was agreed that 2 different formulations were required (carbonated and non- carbonated) to meet the differing needs of North American and Asian tastes and to overcome regulatory issues. Further, it was decided to partner with a company that was currently in the global beverage distribution business, rather than distribute on their own.”

“In August 2013 sample product was run at the Chinese co-packer with limited distribution as a test market. In 2014, distribution increased in Asia and the 1st production run occurred at the U.S. plant. I was pleased to have played a part in this global product launch.”

Since 2002, he has also served as a Professor at St. Clair College in Windsor, teaching subjects as diverse as entrepreneurship, global management, trade research, supply chain management and logistics.

In another example, he was proud to help a Chinese couple with a successful children’s clothing business move to and set up business in Canada.

“Regulations and conditions in China were changing whereby it was no longer lucrative to continue their operation. They asked for help to relocate to Canada. After determining the criteria that would enable them to be successful in Canada, we prepared a 50 page ‘Canada Market Entry Research Report’, complete with pro forma financial statements. Based on the report, they visited Canada in December 2012, and we introduced them to both immigration and foreign tax consultants. In the fall of 2013, they immigrated to Canada and established their new business near the GTA, which is quite successful.”

Earning recognition from his peers and setting an example for his students

Philip has now applied for and earned his elite Certified International Trade Professional (CITP® ǀ FIBP®) designation, both to recognize what he’s accomplished and to demonstrate the importance of lifelong learning.

“I wanted to set an example for my students and to demonstrate that sufficient expertise and knowledge can earn you recognition from your peers. Learning and accomplishment should be life-long goals.”

I look forward to raising awareness about the knowledge and high standards required for the designation, and that individuals with these designations can be counted on to have a high level of expertise within the global trade field.

He also explains that having the designation will offer him greater credibility as a consultant, and makes him feel more connected to FITT as an organization.

We look forward to having Philip serve as an ambassador for FITT and the CITP®ǀFIBP® network, and know he will continue to demonstrate the high standards to which our community aspires.

The post Philip Cohen, CITP|FIBP – President and Professor appeared first on Trade Ready.

As a committed and talented logistics professional today, it’s little wonder that the intricacies of trade and transportation already interested Ronak Patel at a young age in India.

“Since I was a kid, I was always passionate about learning how importing and exporting works and how the world relies on international trade. Even if you take a look back through history, all of the old civilizations were developed and grew near rivers and oceans – one of the purposes was transportation of goods and people.”

Ronak initially studied commerce, accounting and finance at the HL Institute of Commerce in Ahmedabad, but wanted to continue his studies internationally to improve his knowledge of global business and other cultures. To do so, he moved to Canada in 2013 and took FITT’s training through St. Clair College in Windsor as part of his post-graduate program there.

“Taking FITTskills courses was one of the greatest decisions in my career. It was a vast learning experience of how international businesses work with various supply chain models. With these courses, I acquired a great deal of technical terms and theoretical knowledge I have, and they continue to help me build bridges to the real, practical international business world.”

Improving the day-to-day aspects of logistics in one of Canada’s biggest cities

After graduating, Ronak moved to Vancouver, where he took on a couple of different jobs before settling into his current role.

“I worked in the back operations of a warehouse, as an air freight forwarder in perishable goods, then as a truck dispatcher. In January 2015, I earned the position of Logistics Coordinator/Commodity Planner with Natu’Oil Services Inc., and still work there today.”

At every step of the way, Ronak has found his work equally exciting and educational, improving his understanding of supply chain management and logistics.

“Working in various parts of the supply chain and gaining experience in operations, I have greatly increased my knowledge of the full supply chain model and how product is transported from suppliers to end users. This has helped me to understand how international business is conducted by freight forwarders. In each mode of the supply chain, thousands of people are involved to make supply chain smoother, quicker and successful. The hurdles involved demonstrate that in supply chain, you learn to always expect the unexpected, and that no two days are ever the same. ”

While he has possessed an understanding of the importance of logistics from a young age, experience has also taught him the wide-ranging effect that both positive and negative developments in the supply chain can have for many professionals. The Oxford English Dictionary defines problem solving as ‘the process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues’, which he explains is just the average working day for those in the logistics industry.

“International business is truly defined by the supply chain model. In each supply chain process, thousands of people are working 24/7/365 all over the world to make supply chains smoother, quicker, and more result-oriented and successful. If any person screws up at any point in the supply chain, thousands of businesses or people will be affected. So always keep yourself conscious, aware and patient. Supply chain is one of the largest industries in the world and millions of peoples’ families are depending on it.”

It’s so important to be aware of what’s going on around you all the time, and keep yourself patient and calm when trying to understand and manage all of the many aspects of logistics operations.

As his company specializes in oil, and the easiest way to transport it over long distances is often by train, Ronak has been involved in a couple of massive logistics projects involving rail transport.

“One of the most interesting projects I have worked on was the transportation of bulk oil from a storage tank at the Harvey petroleum/chemical terminal in New Orleans to transfer into rail cars. We had to follow all rules and regulations to make the process a smooth and successful one.”

“Another one was importing palm oil in bulk from Asia in ISO standard tank containers. Once the containers come to the origin port of Long Beach, CA, we had to arrange drayage to take it to the heating facility. After the required heating level was reached, as per the product density and melting point, we then transferred the product into rail cars (which can accommodate 4 ISO tank containers worth of product) for the customer’s facility hundreds of miles away from the port. This sounds simple but it is the most complex logistics operation I have ever worked on, because of the nature of the product, the number of parties involved, the legal and safety regulations, and the need for on-time delivery.”

The path towards making his business dreams come true

After accumulating over two years of international trade experience, Ronak decided he wanted to apply for FITT’s Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®|FIBP®) designation, and is excited about how earning it will now help his career going forward.

“My professor Floyd Simpkins, CITP|FIBP had told us about the CITP designation in St. Clair College in 2013, and I had wanted to apply for it ever since.”

When I earned it, I felt honoured and excited to be a part of the CITP family. Only time will tell how vital a role this designation will play in my future career, but I am optimistic that it will give a rocket-like boost to my career.

Ronak remains excited about working in supply chain management and logistics, but also has a long-term goal of starting his own international business and help small business owners in developing countries.

“One of the main reasons I want to start my own international business is so that I might help to provide solutions and remove all hurdles for people in countries around the world. After growing up in a rapidly developing country such as India, I am familiar with the difficulties that small business owners are facing, in terms of importing and exporting.”

“I would like to make international business convenient and flexible for even the smallest growers, traders, manufacturers, and refiners, who can come and get the help, advice, and knowledge in their regional languages affordably. I want everyone to be able to support their economy by importing and exporting, as well as exchanging their goods, talents and skills.”

With such noble aspirations and the skills to make them become a reality, we’re excited to see how Ronak’s career progresses, and the ways in which he’ll continue to take on and succeed in new challenges.

The post Ronak Patel, CITP|FIBP – Logistics Coordinator appeared first on Trade Ready.

Floyd Simpkins’ grandfather Wilfred Libby started his own business, Libby Manufacturing Inc., passing it on to Floyd’s father George Simpkins after him. Given this family history, you might assume he followed his family’s footsteps in entrepreneurial ventures.

While Floyd would later come full circle and run the business as well, it was actually his academic interests that led him towards his chosen career.

“I studied International Relations/Politics at the University of Western Ontario.  My MA thesis was on Canada’s claim to sovereignty over the High Arctic (1978) and drew extensively on the international Law of the Sea.  I became fascinated with all things international and made it my goal to work in some international field of work.”

After completing his MA, Floyd started working as a policy analyst for the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations. Over the course of five and a half years, he researched and advised the deputy minister and other senior officials on 74 different acts and pieces of legislation.

California dreaming on behalf of Ontario companies

In 1984, Floyd moved to a new role with the Ontario government as a senior business consultant with the province’s Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

“This launched my career in international business, which spanned 14 years as part of a trade development and promotion team. My work allowed me a deep and practical insight into global business as the lead on numerous trade missions and trade show participations across many industry sectors in different parts of the world.”

This period of Floyd’s career also included a stint as the province’s trade and investment representative in Los Angeles. In fact, if you’ve travelled to California and taken public transit, you may have Floyd, in part, to thank for it.

Above: Floyd (third from right, with the red badge) leading the transit mission delegation to San Francisco, circa 1989.

“My most interesting projects involved several trade missions we undertook in the U.S. with the Ontario mass transit industry in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.  These were multi-city presentations where we orchestrated the introduction of our transit suppliers to transit properties in the Midwest, the San Francisco Bay area and the Los Angeles/Orange County regions.  It opened doors that would not have otherwise been opened, and resulted in millions of dollars in sales for our participating companies.”

Going home to revitalize the family business

Now with many years of experience, and seeing his family’s business go through several years of decline, Floyd decided to tackle the challenge head-on and become the general manager and co-owner.

Among the most significant changes was a total re-thinking of production and operation processes to improve quality and efficiency while reducing costs. Floyd introduced a focus on value-added proprietary products, and implemented an R&D project to develop a new product. This process included a major shift away from the automotive industry towards the specialized production of quality beds intended for use in summer camps. He also created an entirely new sales and marketing strategy, which included launching the company’s first website.

Floyd also looked outside the country for growth, and succeeded in several aspects. Under his leadership, Libby Manufacturing began exporting to the U.S. for the first time, after he established and managed important relationships with various representatives. He also ensured the company achieved ISO 9002 certification in February 1999.

Within the first two years, he was able to increase sales 62% and expand the flow of new capital investment from zero to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Floyd was also able to begin an extensive employee training and apprenticeship program, wind down unprofitable operations, and sell off some of the more profitable lines in order to continue the company’s best work.

His seven years in this role, from 1996-2003, were filled with challenges that left Floyd with a lot of experience to share and stories to tell.

“My favourite stories from this time are really about the challenges we faced in trying to modernize the company and survive with strong domestic and international competitors.  They are instructive in that they reflect both successes and failures – and I had my share of both.  I liked telling students when I began my teaching career that when I started in this venture I had hair on my head – but after seven years of facing those challenges my hair disappeared! Somewhere underneath it all I gained a lot of valuable lessons.”

Though Libby Manufacturing was sold in 2003, a small part of it was revived in 2005 as Simcor Solutions after demand from customers revealed a niche in the market for a “hobby” business. The company now exclusively focuses on bedding products for summer camps, lodges and retreats, with Floyd serving as President.

Preparing the next generation of international trade professionals

Floyd commenced his teaching career in 2003 as a professor in the FITT-accredited international business program at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario. He has taught every FITTskills course at one time or another in the years since, and enriched the careers of countless students. He feels he has benefitted just as much from the experience.

My proudest accomplishment – was becoming a teacher. It is by far the most rewarding responsibility that anyone would be so fortunate to undertake.  It also offers the opportunity to continue to learn, and that includes learning from your students.

One lesson he emphasizes to his students is the importance of preparedness and proper research before making decisions and acting upon them.

“My favourite course is International Trade Research because it is so fundamental to the pursuit of any global venture.  In my experience from counselling companies, this is something that some entrepreneurs want to gloss over or rush – to their detriment.  There is no substitute for a methodical and considered research process that leads to better decisions about which markets to enter, how, and when.”

Along with teaching the course material, he also aims to pass along other advice and wisdom, including the importance of language skills to doing business internationally.

“My advice for people working in international trade is to acquire as many language skills as you can.  I learned and practiced French but have never been confident in using it.  If it is French, or Chinese or German that you learn to speak, learn it well and practice it often.  You will be more comfortable in international encounters and negotiations.”

A perfect fit with FITT’s mission

Along with his extensive teaching credentials, Floyd has also been an active and enthusiastic volunteer with FITT, helping to develop the curriculum and serve on examination review teams.

“It is a pleasure to be a small part of FITT’s dedicated team of international professionals in advocating for and delivering high quality international education and training.”

FITT Vice-President Silvia Baptista has worked with Floyd for several years in these endeavours, and has nothing but glowing praise for him and his work as well.

Floyd is always a pleasure to work with – not only is he kind and genuine, but he goes above and beyond in providing quality services to and for FITT. Floyd has also played an instrumental role in the development of the FITTskills curriculum, which directly impacts the growth of current and future international business practitioners. His continued support is greatly appreciated!

Floyd has also earned the CITP®|FIBP® designation, and saw it as the ideal addition to his already accomplished career.

“I chose to apply for the CITP®|FIBP® designation because my education and working career ‘fit’ the credential perfectly (pardon the pun).  Everything that I had done in my life is summed up in the CITP®|FIBP® designation.  Moreover, the designation encapsulates the image of a global professional and conveys to your business contacts that you have the skill set to understand the trials and tribulations of going global and execute international ventures.”

“The designation put a finer point on my area of practical and academic specialty and I think it afforded me a greater credibility among my students.  Now that I am retired from teaching full-time and doing some counselling for businesses, the designation also enhances my ‘street cred’.”

We’re incredibly grateful for all of the work Floyd has done over the past several years, and always appreciate his help and support. His work has helped many students get their careers off the ground, ensured his family’s business legacy be successful for many years to come. Most importantly, now the companies he counsels will have the advice and experience they need for international markets.

With his many years of experience and many successes along the way, Floyd is truly a deserving member of the global trade elite.

The post Floyd Simpkins, CITP|FIBP – International Business Professor appeared first on Trade Ready.

Safaa Al-Shammari is always on the lookout for new international business opportunities. His varied international trade background includes roles with companies in Iraq, Dubai, and Canada.

Most recently, he has taken on the challenge of building his own company, and taking on freelance advisor projects of his own.

Safaa has been working in international trade and distribution for almost two decades. Taking on many different roles over his time in the industry, he has built up a strong foundation of knowledge and experience in several different aspects of trade.

Taking care of business by taking care of the customer

After working for several years under various contracts in the Middle East in logistics, customer service, account management and product development roles, Safaa took on the role of International Operations Manager at Naran General Trading LLC in Dubai in 2005.

I worked for more than five years in Dubai, UAE, which is an important global hub for international trade. There I handled a wide range of products and services, dealing with professionals from many different academic and business backgrounds.

Naran General Trading handles a large portfolio of equipment and services, trading mostly with businesses based in Iraq, Jordan and Europe. Safaa was charged with managing the operations of several companies owned and financed by Naran Group. These included Al-Usool Engineering Service Ltd, which represented many large international manufacturers in Iraq.

One of Safaa’s biggest responsibilities was ensuring positive customer relations, a pivotal role for any company. To do this, he worked closely with the logistics and accounting departments to secure smooth, on-time deliveries and payments ensuring a high level of service was met for all clients.

He established business communications with international principles, representing companies like ITT Goulds, John Crane, Parker, Alfa Laval, and Hitachi Plant technologies, among others, negotiating and finalizing contracts worth significant sums for the company.

One of the most rewarding parts of his job was coaching teams of engineers in the UAE and Iraq to liaise with customers and win orders for public tenders in both countries.

Finding the tools to excel in North America thanks to a like-minded professor

In 2012, Safaa moved to Jordan where he worked as a Freelance Advisor/Operations Manager for Technical Manufacturing Company LLC. In 2013, Jordan decided to move to Canada to pursue further training and certification in global trade in North America.

He settled in Windsor, Ontario where he enrolled in the International Business Management program at St. Clair College.

“I selected this program and St. Clair College after the first communication I had with Professor Floyd Simpkins, the program coordinator, who showed a passion for international business which matched my principles and experience.”

I found the program very useful, combining the practical approach of the FITTskills course material with high caliber business text books and the experiences of the instructors. This combination gave me an exceptionally wide knowledge base to build my skills. The courses enabled me to approach business opportunities with a great degree of confidence after graduation.

Safaa excelled in his studies, earning academic distinction for his program in all three semesters of his program at St. Clair College. He immediately saw the value of FITT certification and the elite CITP®|FIBP® designation and began the process to receive both accolades as soon as he graduated from the program.

“I recognized the advantages of the FITT Diploma in International Trade and the CITP®|FIBP® designation when I first contacted Professor Simpkins, who brought to my attention the importance of having FITT credentials as a tool in the global trade industry.”

“For me, obtaining the CITP®|FIBP® designation was a great achievement representing a major milestone in my professional career. It is not only about the self-satisfaction, confidence and credibility it presents to potential clients. Even more, it is about providing an identity for me among business professionals that gives me distinction from other professionals in my international trade expertise. I urge all business people to consider taking the FITTskills program and pursuing the CITP®|FIBP® designation.”

Putting his hard earned expertise to work on a project of his own

Since earning his designation, Safaa has been working on an exciting new project of his own – setting up his new export business. A typical day for him includes researching opportunities to export products and services of Canadian origin to the Middle East and North African markets. His previous experience in those regions, along with his extensive contact networks, are the aces up his sleeve as he builds his business.

Safaa also spends time every day reading news and theory on international trade development, including EDC’s website, and thumbing back through his FITTskills text books to keep him up to date on the industry.

He certainly has the knowledge, skills, and crucially the optimism, to make his new enterprise a success.

“During my recent research, I found out that there are many Canadian products that have the strong potential for success in new international markets, particularly in the segment of pharmaceuticals industry.”

“Recently, I approached one of the main producers of empty gelatine capsules in North America to sell their products to pharmaceutical factories in the Middle East. Despite the fact that the product faces high competition from manufacturers in China and India, there are real possibilities for success in promoting it to customers who value the high quality of Canadian products. There are also possibilities to export other Canadian products like red lentils and canola oil.”

Safaa is also hard at work developing his own website, which will be launched in conjunction with his new business venture in June 2016.

I consider it the highest honour I’ve received in recognition of my knowledge and skills to be offered the great opportunity to teach the FITTskills International Trade Research module at St. Clair College for the Spring 2016 semester.

“I believe that as a CITP®|FIBP® designate, I will be in a better position to assist new students to make the best use of their studying time, and also to support them to obtain the knowledge and experience that the FITTskills program offers. I will be delighted to help them earn their certifications and CITP®|FIBP® designation, which will be the cornerstone of their business careers.”

We are thrilled to have someone as passionate and qualified as Safaa instructing the next generation of international trade leaders in their FITTskills training, and can’t wait to celebrate his success in his new business venture.

The post Safaa Al-Shammari, CITP|FIBP – International Business Instructor and Entrepreneur appeared first on Trade Ready.

I studied German and Croatian before I even finished primary school, and I later became convinced and determined that this would be the path I would take for my undergraduate studies and my future career.

Getting started in global business

One of my first jobs was working in the R&D department of a large international leather company serving markets in Europe, Canada and the United States.

One of the principal customers was Adidas, based in Germany. I was eager, excited and looked forward to the opportunity, but I also quickly learned that working in a department with all men was a whole new challenge. Let me just say that I perfected the art of making coffee.

In spite of that, I also gained many initial experiences in compliance, manufacturing, international patent submissions and international project management.

Going global for export training and career development

In the late nineties I moved from Slovenia to Canada. Growing up with a Canadian mother and having a grandmother living in Canada, I always knew that my life path would lead me here, and I decided to pursue my education at St. Clair College in Windsor, ON.

After learning about the college’s Forum for International Trade Training (FITT)-accredited program and FITT’s CITP®|FIBP® designation, I enrolled without hesitation.

Many recognize the importance of having a professional designation, but most associate it with engineering, accounting or finance. When I learned about the CITP®|FIBP® designation and how relevant it is to international trade, I knew that I wanted to become one.

I obtained my international business and marketing diplomas from St. Clair College, transferred my credits to FITT, and when I applied for the CITP®|FIBP® I earned it without issue because of my previous international business experience. This was a meaningful achievement for me.

After that, I completed two undergraduate degrees at the University of Windsor, including a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours Business Administration) and a BA Honours Modern Languages with Spanish. I chose Spanish in particular because of my passion for the language, as well as a desire to eventually do more business in Spanish-speaking countries.

I then continued my graduate studies in the U.S. at Wayne State University in Detroit, where I obtained my MBA. Due to my extensive education in international business and international business consulting, I had a lot of freedom in terms of course selection during my MBA studies, and I decided to focus on logistics and management.

Currently, at the University of West of England in UK, I am working on my PhD dissertation, focusing on the Panama Canal expansion in the context of the global supply chain.

Soon after earning my MBA, I got an opportunity to teach at the University of Windsor’s Odette School of Business, and at St. Clair College. I felt great sense of accomplishment and empowerment, but also a sense of responsibility coming back to teach at the school where I was taught.

Building my career in international trade

Some of the rewarding positions and projects that have helped me build my career are the consulting work I’ve done for small businesses in Windsor-Essex area, teaching at University of Windsor and St. Clair College, and especially having the opportunity to work on the program design for the Border Management and International Trade Certificate.

I realize how much I have benefited from being exposed to various cultures and business practices at all levels throughout my career, and I translated that knowledge and experience into the program initiative.

An educational partnership between CBI and FITT

I joined the Cross-Border Institute (CBI) at the start of 2014, and I was trusted with the task of creating a workshop that would address the needs of cross-border trade and management.

One of the challenges that Windsor is facing is a high unemployment-rate. Unfortunately, Windsor now has the highest rate in all of Canada.

This fact, along with the city’s advantageous location—the busiest border crossing in North America, where about 25 percent of all Canadian road-trade passes—and the gap that the FITT-Mercer report identified in 2013 in terms of the skills needed in international trade, presented me with a natural fit.

There was an opportunity to put the FITTskills international trade training program in place at CBI to address all aspects at once.

The result is a flexible, student-centred learning program and environment that addresses the needs of working professionals looking for a way to advance their careers in global business.

It is also a great solution for college and university students and graduates looking to gain a complimentary skill-set and the knowledge needed to succeed in international trade.

My goals and expectations for the program

I am hopeful that while helping to shape export careers, the program will set an example of collaboration and flexibility in learning. I think that the most meaningful experience is that the students in the program have the opportunity to interact with professionals and students from all walks of life, which enriches their learning and makes the program authentic and current.

It was a great pleasure and honour working with the wonderful people at FITT, especially Silvia Baptista, Manager, Product & Service Delivery, and at CBI with Dr. Bill Anderson, Director and Marta Leardi-Anderson, Executive Director.

We’re so pleased to include the University of Windsor and the Cross Border Institute among the wonderful educational institutions that deliver our FITTskills international trade program.

“It has been a pleasure working with Renata and her team, and we’re proud to have her among the ranks of our elite CITP®|FIBP®s,” said Silvia

What I would say to someone thinking about registering for the program at CBI

This program is based on aligning the needs of professionals and individuals seeking to advance their knowledge with an integrative learning approach developed with industry, government and academia. This unique program is accredited by CBI, FITT and the University of Windsor under the umbrella of the Centre for Inter-Faculty Programs (IFP).

You will gain insight and knowledge about how borders and international trade relate and what needs to happen for successful international growth from an organizational perspective. At the same time you will put yourself on the path toward earning the professional Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®|FIBP®) designation.

The post How I’m helping shape export careers with Windsor’s Cross Border Institute and FITT appeared first on Trade Ready.