Economies around the world are evolving and the need for skilled workers is becoming more acute. Once overlooked or disregarded regions are rising to become international challengers. Countries previously crippled by war or hamstrung by political turmoil, have found their way to become traders in global business. Cultural traditions are giving way to modern practices. And the feverish advance of new technology is enabling commerce where there once was none.

Graduates of Johnson & Wales have been leaping into this turbulence, racing with the pace, often among those pushing the trends forward. They’re finding new opportunities for their companies and their careers by viewing the world not just as a big community, but a much smaller place. A marketing professional divides his time between Belgrade and Boston. A chief executive in Dubai has business plans for 22 new countries. A sales manager in Warsaw has a defined territory — the globe. Too big? Not if you figure it out.

JWU interviewed a number of these graduates to learn about business trends emerging in their parts of the world. Entrepreneurial and ambitious, they are individuals who run companies or lead departments. They’re in fields such as technology, human resources, education and finance. They’ve traveled considerably and they’ve seen firsthand how companies are reaching across borders to compete and expand their markets.

Bottom from left:
Simon Taylor '01
Melissan Ooi '99
José-Carlos Redon '04
Vasco de Jesus Rodrigues J.D., '83
Sunit Bahadur '01