Faculty members share business expertise in developing countries

Two Liberty University School of Business faculty members spent part of the summer sharing their expertise with overseas nonprofit organizations.

Dr. Dave Duby ventured to Zambia from June 27-July 8 and collaborated with CoLaborers International, a nonprofit organization that assists indigenous-led groups in reaching their own communities.

Duby led a week of management training and business consultation with more than 60 indigenous workers who seek to develop sustainable income through independent enterprises such as cloth making, handcrafted jewelry, and growing peanuts and producing peanut butter.

“Through the School of Business, we want to add value and serve people where they are,” said Dr. Scott Hicks, dean of the School of Business. “With missions organizations trying to become sustainable, our business students become tentmakers — those who serve through their careers — by helping them develop successful marketing and business strategies.”

Hicks traveled to Haiti from July 7-10 with Healing Haiti, demonstrating in practice what he encourages his students to do.

Healing Haiti goes into the poorest areas of the country to help meet the basic needs for those still recovering from the 2010 earthquake.

The group provided clean drinking water, fortified food, and care for children and the elderly. Additionally, Hicks observed the building of a church in an impoverished area.

He also provided guidance to Healing Haiti on how to better manage resources and further its mission. Hicks said the goal of the trip was to help give workers and organizations a strong business foundation so that the group can be self-sustaining and run by locals long after the trip ends.

The trip will serve as a foundation for future cooperation between Healing Haiti and the School of Business, which have developed a close relationship over the past year through internships and mission trips.