With an economy that has averaged a brisk 9.5 percent annual growth during the last 25 years, China is projected to become the world’s top trading nation within 10 years. As Chicago- area businesses seek partnerships to tap into this market, understanding Chinese business culture is becoming an essential skill for business professionals. This fall DePaul University will offer a new certificate program, “Succeeding in the Chinese Market,” which will help area professionals gain this valuable knowledge.

Offered by DePaul’s Management Development Center (MDC) in partnership with the consulting firm China Business Sources, the eight-session course will orient students to the cultural, political and economic environment of contemporary China. The course will cover Chinese business operation models, consumer psychology and behavior, business etiquette and relationships, government procurement, sourcing and supply chain issues. Participants also will receive a general Chinese language overview for basic business purposes.

“Trade between the U.S. and China has grown to $300 billion and this is increasing demand for programs that teach American business people how to work and communicate effectively in the Chinese business environment,” said Gayle Landuyt, director of the MDC. “DePaul’s program offers practical knowledge that will prepare business people for the challenges and opportunities of doing business in China.” Landuyt said the program is especially timely because of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley’s May trip to China to promote Chicago business and the city’s plans to open a Chicago business development center in Shanghai this year.

“Succeeding In The Chinese Market” classes will meet Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for eight weeks beginning Sept. 27 on DePaul’s Loop Campus. For information and registration, contact Eilish McDonagh at (312) 362-5295 or emcdonag@depaul.edu, or visit the MDC Web site.

DePaul’s Management Development Center is a leading provider of management programs for individuals in need of focused learning and organizations wishing to increase the knowledge and skills of their employees. These pragmatic programs include both open enrollment and customized on-site programs covering a variety of traditional and current business topics.

The center is part of DePaul’s Continuing & Professional Education(CPE), which offers more than 100 certificate programs and tailored company training that educates more than 3,000 students from approximately 1,100 area employers annually. Other programs offered include defense investigation, dispute resolution, financial services, human resources, management development, marketing communications, mediation training, organizational development and project management. CPE plans to launch an MBA Primer and new certificate programs in business continuity management, professional investigations, personal fitness training and paralegal services in the fall of 2006 and Spanish-to-English translator training in the spring of 2007. Many of CPE’s certificate programs are available online.