Episode description

In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Carroll University School of Business Dean Tim Sullivan touts opportunities for U.S. businesses to reach foreign markets. 

Commenting on a report showing just 5% of American companies do business at the international level, Sullivan said he’s “shocked” that more businesses aren’t taking advantage of that opportunity. 

“Five percent is extremely low … You look at the size of the overseas markets, it’s just flabbergasting that it’s that low, that as Americans we just really don’t concentrate on these abundant and very accessible markets around the world,” he said. 

Sullivan held leadership positions with Milwaukee-based manufacturers the Rev Group and Gardner Denver Inc. after working for Bucyrus International, Inc. for 35 years. He also served as a special consultant to former Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker, leading councils focused on workforce development and education. 

Since taking the helm of Carroll University’s School of Business last year, Sullivan says he wants to coordinate and expand efforts to provide international business studies at the Waukesha-based private college. 

“We’ve already begun working on creating a curriculum that they can concentrate a lot of their business and technological studies on international markets,” he said. 

The interview touches on the university’s efforts to expose students to various cultures around the world through travel, and Sullivan says “we need to really back it up” with more educational options focused on supply chain management and importing and exporting. 

Talking Trade is hosted by E.M Wasylik Associates Managing Director Ken Wasylik and M.E. Dey & Co. President and Managing Director Sandi Siegel.