UK Consulting Firm Hires Former GlobalPittsburgh President Roger Cranville to Lead U.S. Expansion

Alliantus, a leading Cambridge, England-based business consultancy focused on innovative technologies, has announced its expansion into the United States with the appointment of former GlobalPittsburgh President Roger O. Cranville, OBE, as its new Head of Operations.

Roger Cranville

Formed in 2002, Alliantus helps clients at all stages, from research and technology development to finished product, providing opportunity evaluation and assistance into mainstream and niche markets. It plans to leverage its strong relationships with businesses, research centers and universities that focus on technology or business and build its expertise in the Cleantech, Biotech and Health markets. This latest move into Pittsburgh marks the start of its plan for on-the-ground representation in key global markets.

“With a strong track record of helping UK companies expand into new markets, largely in Asia-Pacific countries, the time is right to move our own business forward," said Alliantus CEO Kevin Coleman. "With his complementary experience, a vast range of contacts and shared vision to help and encourage businesses plan ahead and grow quickly, Roger’s appointment is a major milestone in the expansion of Alliantus.”

Said Cranville: “The location in Cambridge, at the heart of Silicon Fen in the UK, puts us in pole position for U.S. businesses that want to expand into the UK and wider Europe. Alliantus has established a strong reputation with tech companies in the semi-conductor IP, wireless and software spaces, and has run the widely acclaimed Discovering Start-ups program – all of which will have resonance in the US. And as well as leveraging experience of working with leading players in the technology industry, we are developing stronger links into new fields.”

Alliantus provides inspirational, board-level advice and access to high-level contacts and practical delivery of strategic business solutions. It offers expertise in marketing and business growth, built on over 25 years of developing skills across the technology industry. It understands the challenges facing early-stage organisations. Alliantus knows how to monetise innovation, assist with business and communications strategies, link entrepreneurs to investors and schemes, or just provide practical things that expanding companies need. It delivers training and workshops and runs programs for companies and government clients that need to identify emerging opportunities to ensure economic growth. 

Passionate about the importance of global business, Cranville was an early identifier of BRIC opportunities, facilitating the opening of the first Pennsylvania office in Beijing in 1995. He also managed a global business development team, creating business, academic and government links to and from Britain, Canada, China, Germany, India, Sweden and Vietnam.

As the Deputy Secretary for International Business Development for Pennsylvania from 1997 to 2000, he was responsible for building the Commonwealth’s first global business development infrastructure. Later he developed and implemented global business strategies for the Pittsburgh region as Senior Vice President for the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance from 2000 to 2009. This has played a pivotal role in helping the region to buck the US economic downturn.

In 2009, he transformed the Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors into GlobalPittsburgh and refocused it to promote the Pittsburgh Region on a global scale, establishing Pittsburgh as an internationally connected place to live, work and do business. In 2003, Roger was awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II, for "services to transatlantic business development."

Before moving to the U.S., Roger worked at Acorn Computers in Cambridge. READ FULL ARTICLE

GlobalPittsburgh Signs Agreement with U.S. Commercial Service Forming Strategic Partnership to Attract International Students to Pittsburgh Region

Global Pittsburgh and the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together to broaden the exposure of Pittsburgh area colleges, universities and English Language programs to international students and to promote the region as an international education destination.

Antwaun Griffin

Deputy Assistant Secretary 

US Department of Commerce

"GlobalPittsburgh is very excited about this opportunity to partner with the U.S. Commercial Service to help attract international students to the Greater Pittsburgh Region," said Harry Edelman, Vice-Chair of the GlobalPittsburgh Board of Directors on behalf of Board Chair Giselle Leonardo and the entire GlobalPittsburgh Board of Directors. "I know from my own experience that there is great interest among students around the world to study in Pittsburgh, and we know that there are profound economic and cultural benefits associated with exporting the region's outstanding educational assets."

Under the MOU, Global Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh office of the U.S. Commercial Service will partner to support the Global Pittsburgh Education Partnership (GPEP), a consortium of Pittsburgh-area colleges, universities and graduate schools working together to increase their international enrollment and to facilitate collaboration with overseas educational institutions through its Study Pittsburgh initiative (www.studypittsburgh.org).

“We’re pleased to welcome Global Pittsburgh as a partner in our efforts to strengthen the U.S. economy and support local jobs through expanding U.S. exports,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sánchez. “With more than 95 percent of potential customers living outside U.S. borders, it’s imperative that American companies of all sizes consider the benefits of selling their products abroad.”

The collaboration will promote the region as an international education destination around the world with particular focus on Vietnam, China, and Brazil. Activities will include joint presentations to university representatives, co-hosting of events and activities, and promotional services through Commercial Service offices worldwide.

GlobalPittsburgh, formerly the Pittsburgh Council for International Visitors, is a non-profit organization that engages international delegations, groups and individuals by creating itineraries and facilitating introductions through the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and other international programming agencies in many fields, including energy and environment, life sciences and medicine, education, business and technology, clean/green design, advanced manufacturing, arts and culture, government and finance, social services and law, and other areas.

The Study Pittsburgh initiative was launched by GlobalPittsburgh in 2011 to increase international student enrollment in the Greater Pittsburgh Region, and already works with the U.S. Department of State’s EducationUSA program to promote educational opportunities in Pittsburgh around the world.

Antwaun Griffin, Deputy Assistant Commerce Secretary for Domestic Operations, who oversees the Commercial Service, said that while education is often overlooked as an export, it is one of the most important and valuable exports the United States has to offer.

“From an economic perspective, international students studying in America make a meaningful economic contribution in their pocket books…but also in the relationships and shared experiences that are created on campuses,” he said. “Attracting foreign students is an important part of public diplomacy and economic development.”

Consortium groups like the GlobalPittsburgh Education Partnership are very important in the Commercial Service’s mission to achieve President Obama’s stated goal of doubling exports by the end of 2014, Griffin said.

“The consortium here has realized great benefits for us. There is competition between countries for international students. It is fierce. And as colleges and universities are looking to expand their international student populations…, consortiums [like this] represent an excellent opportunity and one that we at the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service really want to take advantage of.

“They are a valuable resource for the educational members as well as for the associated geographic region like here in the Pittsburgh area," he said. "They allow participating colleges and universities to pool their limited resources to expand their international outreach and profile, and they increase the profile of the city and surrounding region as an education center.”

Increasing the number of international students in the region has many positive benefits. For universities it means higher enrollment numbers, often at full tuition, greater on-campus diversity as a positive recruiting tool, an expanding global alumni network, and greater visibility in a worldwide and increasingly competitive education market.

In economic terms, international students make a significant positive impact, contributing an estimated $2.6 million to the regional economy for every 100 international students enrolled at regional colleges and universities, according to the Institute for International Education.

The new agreement also will serve as a template for many of GlobalPittsburgh’s sister organizations around the United States in the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV), which also signed a similar MOU today with the U.S. Commercial Service, according to NCIV President Jennifer Clinton.

"This partnership will help NCIV members raise the international profile of their community and create vital person-to-person ties that further international understanding, collaboration, and development," Dr. Clinton said. “The new NCIV-USFCS partnership will allow globally focused organizations to join together to help build stronger connections between American entrepreneurs and their international counterparts."



The partnership is part of the National Exporters Initiative (NEI). In 2010, President Obama announced the NEI with the goal of doubling U.S. exports by the end of 2014. The partnership supports this goal by educating U.S. exporters about the benefits of exporting and expanding their exports to additional markets, and the public and private sector resources to assist them.

The U.S. Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. U.S. Commercial Service trade professionals in more than 100 U.S. cities and in more than 70 countries help U.S. companies get started in exporting or increase sales to new global markets. Visit www.trade.gov/cs to learn more.

The National Council for International Visitors is a nonprofit membership association with 50 years of leadership in citizen diplomacy. NCIV serves the international exchange community and helps build person-to-person relationships "one handshake at a time." Membership includes a nationwide network of more than 90 Community Member Organizations, National Program Agencies, Associate Member Organizations, and individuals. For more information, go to www.nciv.org.

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For information about GlobalPittsburgh, go to www.globalpittsburgh.org. READ FULL ARTICLE

Pittsburgh Technology Council Launches Export Program To Help Local Tech Firms Increase Global Sales

With an ever-increasing number of Pennsylvania technology and manufacturing companies looking to grow in global markets, the Pittsburgh Technology Council has anounced that it will launch a new program to assist local technology companies increase their international sales.

Claudia Garcia

Called the Technology Export Initiative (TechExport), the initiative is funded through a $200,000, two-year contract from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) as part of a $1.7 million  grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

DCED selected the PTC to partner on TechExport to link clusters of technology companies to both state and federal export services. This initiative targets companies comprising the region’s key technology sectors like advanced manufacturing, IT, green energy and life sciences.

The unique business needs of technology firms, including various international trade barriers, differ significantly from those of traditional manufacturers. At the same time, it is often critically important for technology companies to enter the international arena in earliest stages of their lifecycle.

For these reasons, the Pittsburgh Technology Council, in a joint effort with the Pennsylvania’s Center for Trade Development (CTD), has created the TechExport Program to better serve Pennsylvania tech firms seeking international growth.

Over the next two years, the TechExport Initiative intends to work with at least 100 companies, said Claudia Garcia, TechExport Director.

TechExport will:
• Provide personalized export counseling assistance free of charge.
• Help companies access federal money under the Global Access Program, up to $5,000 in matching awards for qualifying companies to offset cost associated with international growth.
• Introduce companies to currently available export assistance.
• Link regional companies with the services offered by the 21 PA trade offices strategically located throughout the world.
• Set up an Expert Hotline to provide regulatory support about export compliance, international certifications and legal advice.
• Publish a bi-annual, statewide magazine to provide exporting information, success stories and market opportunities.
• Promote trade event development (trade missions and trade shows) and Organize education and training events.

Garcia said TechExport is open to any technology/manufacturing company across Pennsylvania, and services are free under the grant.

“I’m excited to learn about the needs of our companies,” said Garcia. One of the key challenges, according to Garcia, is the lack of companies understanding all of the resources available to help them export.

DCED has 21 offices around the world with resources on the ground ready to help Pennsylvania companies expand into those respective markets.

Pennsylvania companies exported $41 billion worth of goods last year, up 17 percent from the previous year. Top export categories include chemicals, machinery, metals, computers and electronics and transportation equipment. Get more information on the TechExport Initiative by contacting Claudia Garcia at 412-918-4202 or cgarcia@pghtech.org.


Source: Pittsburgh Technology Council READ FULL ARTICLE

GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays - June 7 at Eclipse Lounge - Calling All Internationals and All Who Have Studied/Worked Abroad! - FREE for GP Members

The next GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays international networking event will be held June 7 at Eclipse Lounge in Lawrenceville from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. This month we will be welcoming internationals living and studying in the Pittsburgh region and anyone who has worked and/or studied abroad. Bring your friends!

GlobalPittsburgh First Thursdays is a regular monthly night of networking and socializing with different themes, different activities and different locations - but always with an international flavor - on the first Thursday of every month.

Join us for an evening of friends, interesting conversation and good spirits with an international flair. Meet GlobalPittsburgh members, friends & visitors from many countries, and network with globally-minded people from Pittsburgh and all over.

There will be complimentary appetizers, bar specials, raffles, and more. Admission is FREE for GlobalPittsburgh members; $5 at the door for non-members. Membership information will be available at the event, but you may also join GlobalPittsburgh now at www.globalpittsburgh.org/membership.

Eclipse Lounge is located at 3705 Butler Street in Lawrenceville, 15201. For more information, go to eclipseloungepgh.com/

Thanks to our sponsors and corporate member, Babst Calland, Attorneys at Law, in Pittsburgh.

If you have questions, please call Nadya at 412-392-4513 or by email at nkessler@globalpittsburgh.org. Photos from past First Thursdays and a few other GlobalPittsburgh events, activities, and programs can be viewed at www.flickr.com/photos/globalpittsburgh. See you there! READ FULL ARTICLE

Conference to Explore Business/Academic Partnerships with Pittsburgh Sister City of Ostrava, Czech Republic

Anyone interested in learning about doing business or exploring partnerships in Pittsburgh's Sister City of Ostrava, Czech Republic, is invited to a free conference on May 17 featuring the Ostrava Lord Mayor and the President of the Technical University of Ostrava, co-hosted by GlobalPittsburgh, at the University of Pittsburgh's Katz Graduate School of Business from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Located on the border with Poland in the eastern part of the country, Ostrava is a post-industrial region with a recent history similar to Pittsburgh's. It is the second largest metropolitan area in the Czech Republic after Prague with a population of 1.2 million people.

Petr Kajnar

During the conference the delegation will present an overview of business and academic opportunities in Ostrava. Leading the delegation are Ostrava Lord Mayor Petr Kajnar and Technical University President Dr. Ivo Vondrak. Vondrak is also Director of the IT4Innovations Centre of Excellence, which has been charged with the development of a supercomputer which in 2014 will become the fourth largest such computer in Europe.

According to Kajnar, the aim of Ostrava mission is to "develop closer economic ties with U.S. companies and organizations and the city of Ostrava in the Czech Republic and support global business expansion for all participants and interested parties through closer international cooperation.

"Our goal is to support Czech industry on an international platform and support the drive for economic growth. We will deliver presentations during the visit to highlight the opportunities, possibilities and benefits in doing business with us.

"Whether your company or organization is looking to export products or services, we can and will help provide you with key partners in the local markets. Whether you are looking to expand production to Central Europe, we will provide you help and incentive programs to assist your development, growth and integration into our region. Whether you are looking for cooperation partnerships, trade links and a solid partner in Central Europe, then Ostrava is your partner.

"This mission is defined as a cost-effective tool for helping potential U.S. partners and companies learn first-hand about the European markets and how we can benefit by connecting to each other," Kajnar said. "Our Trade Missions brings strong local partners, strong US partners in Ostrava to you to show firsthand the benefit of doing business with us."

Delegation members include:
Petr Kajnar, Lord Mayor, City of Ostrava
Dr. Ivo Vondrak, Chancellor, Ostrava Technical University
Stanislav Benes, Deputy Consul General, New York Consulate of the Czech Republic
Dalibor Madej, First Deputy Lord Mayor, City of Ostrava (responsible for environment)
Vaclav Palicka, Head of the Department of Economic Development, City of Ostrava
Jason Fitzgerald, Special Advisor for Foreign Investment, Global Networks
Dr. Martin Duda, Director, IT4Innovations, Ostrava Technical University
Dr. Vit Vondrak, Professor, Ostrava Technical University
Dr. Philip Stanek, Professor, Ostrava Technical University
Marian Piecha, Ministry of Trade and Commerce
Lubomir Gogela, Manager, National Engineering Clusters, Vitkovice Machinery Group
Jiri Michalek, Strategic Business Director, Vitkovice Machinery Group
Petr Lukasik, Director, Business Intelligence, Tieto
Roman Michalec, Managing Director, Ostrava Science and Technology Park
Miroslav Krizek, CEO, Czech Invest


Participation in the conference is free but pre-registration is required. CLICK HERE to register. For more information, please contact Carol Hochman, Honorary Consul for the Czech Republic, at pittsburgh@honorary.mzv.cz.


READ FULL ARTICLE

University Administrators from Russia to Visit Community College of Beaver County to Study Workforce Training

Eight university administrators from Russia will visit the Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) and other area institutions this week as part of a program entitled “Higher Education and Workforce Development in the U.S.: Multifunctional Role of U.S. Community Colleges,” arranged by GlobalPittsburgh.

The group will discuss how CCBC is training workers for the shale gas drilling industry in western Pennsylvania, including how it is building partnerships with industries, four-year institutions, and public organizations. After the meeting at the community college, the group will tour NOVA Chemicals, Inc.

Designed to create relationships between institutions to exchange best practices and sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, the project will provide opportunities for Russian education administrators to learn about the community college model in U.S. higher education and about the ways that community colleges are helping to meet the goals of providing access to higher education and preparing future workers with in-demand job skills. The national itinerary for the group has been coordinated by GlobalConnect at Meridian International Center in Washington, DC.

The Russian administrators include: Ms. Valentina Fedotova, Head, Secondary Vocational Education Department at Urals Federal University; Dr. Dmitriy Kolykhalov, Deputy Head, Aviation Technology Department, Komsomolsk-on-Amur State Technical University; Ms. Alla Pavlova, Director, Emmanuel Kant Baltic Federal University Technical College; Dr. Gennadii Sosedov, Director, Polytechnic College, Tambov State Technical University; Dr. Audrey Tsarkov, Director, Kaluga Branch, Bauman Moscow State Technical University; Dr. Elena Merzon, Director, Elabuga Affiliation Branch, Kazan State Federal University; Mr. Vasilii Rodionov, Director, Junior Polytechnic College, St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University; and Dr. Ludmila Starkova, Head, Vocational Education Department, Novgorod State University and Director, College of Economics and Humanities, Novgorod State University. The adminstrators will be accompanied by two Russian lnterpreters, Mr. Roman Borukhov and Mr. Kahren Mkrtchyan.

During their visit, the Russian University administrators will meet with Dr. Joe Forrester, President, Community College of Beaver County; Dr. Melissa Denardo, Vice President of Learning and Student Success/Provost, CCBC; Ms. Karen Deichert, Associate Vice President, Career and Workforce Development, CCBC; Ms. Susan Dunlap, Workforce Development Program Coordinator, CCBC; Ms. Deborah Michaels, Director, Business and Technologies, CCBC; Ms. Helen Kissick, Director of Training & Development, NOVA Chemicals, Inc.; and Ms. Deb Newton, Executive Director, Job Training of Beaver County, Inc. READ FULL ARTICLE