“Steps for business success” is the motto for UW-Eau Claire’s upcoming conference on emerging business with India. The seminar — set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 25 at the Holiday Inn on Craig Road — will provide tips for local businesses on a successful emersion with the world’s fourth largest economy, a step countless businesses across the country are already turning to.

“The main purpose will be to provide information on the Indian market,” said Rama Yelkur, professor of international marketing and director of Globe Chindia who, along with the organization, received a federal grant for the university’s Continuing Education department to fund the seminar.

“[The seminar] will give a broad background to those entrepreneurs or business owners thinking of merging with India,” she said. “There will be a lot to think and talk about.”

India — which, according to the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, is the world’s fastest growing free-market democracy — has become a particular topic of interest to local businesses in Eau Claire, and the pseudo-catalyst to host the seminar, Yelkur said. Open-Silicon, for example, a design and manufacturing company located downtown Eau Claire, recently made the emergence with offices located in Bangalore, she said.

The seminar will began with a presentation by Wisconsin School of Business lecturer Sachin Tuli, who will focus on the basics of the Indian market and tactics American businesses should initially understand.

Other highlights of the day will include a presentation by U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Specialist Sunny Kessel on the legal environment and barriers of international trade; director of business planning for Harley-Davidson, Jeff Pharris, will speak about his company’s experience with Indian emergence; lastly, a panel of five local business owners with experience in U.S. — India relations will share their personal success tips.

“We’re expecting companies to come from about a sixty mile radius, both Minnesota and Wisconsin, Yelkur said. “We’re excited to show just how many opportunities are available with India.”

While Yelkur is expecting a crowd of predominantly business owners, students are welcome to attend as well, she said.

Tickets are $49 (with a lunch included), but are discounted to $20 for students.  Registration can be done online at the university’s CE site
at www.uwec.edu/ce.

Above all, Yelkur said, the event will prove an important learning experience for the upcoming — and arguably inevitable — changing world market.

“The Indian economy just continues to grow,” Yelkur said. “It’s impossible to ignore.”