Strategic Management Consultancy, May 31-July 21
Timeline
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May 31, 2023Experience start
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June 1, 2023Project Plan via Zoom - Students discuss project scope with company
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June 8, 2023Quick Check-in to better understand the company needs
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June 15, 2023Contextual Analysis and SOW Review
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June 22, 2023Project Check-in
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July 13, 2023Solutions and recommendations discussion
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July 21, 2023Experience end
Timeline
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May 31, 2023Experience start
-
June 1, 2023Project Plan via Zoom - Students discuss project scope with company
Ideally, meet on the first night of class (~6:30pm CST) for introductions and to learn about the business, goals, and project objectives. Want to start the project without delay.
-
June 8, 2023Quick Check-in to better understand the company needs
Students and company leaders check in to discuss progress in understanding the project objectives in more detail and how they align with the business priorities and goals
-
June 15, 2023Contextual Analysis and SOW Review
Students and company check-in to discuss the contextual analysis results including understanding of the business goals, marketing, financial performance etc. as related to the project objectives. This develops the context for the project and expected outcomes and benefits.
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June 22, 2023Project Check-in
Status update, Core issue and assumptions, Expected project outcome
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July 13, 2023Solutions and recommendations discussion
Students and company check in to discuss solution approach and alternatives
-
July 14, 2023Students submit final project report to company
Students submit final, written report to company.
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July 18, 2023Informal project review with the MBA team
Student teams will present findings and recommendations in an open discussion seeking feedback and direction
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July 21, 2023Experience end
General
- Graduate
- 4 learners; teams of 4
- 32 hours per learner
- Dates set by experience
- Learners self-assign
Preferred companies
- 2/2 project matches
- Anywhere
- Academic experience
- Startup, Social enterprise, Large enterprise, Any, Sole proprietorship, Small to medium enterprise, Family owned
- Retail, Apparel & fashion, Consumer goods & services, Banking & finance, Business & management, Real estate
Categories
Skills
Project timeline
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May 31, 2023Experience start
-
June 1, 2023Project Plan via Zoom - Students discuss project scope with company
-
June 8, 2023Quick Check-in to better understand the company needs
-
June 15, 2023Contextual Analysis and SOW Review
-
June 22, 2023Project Check-in
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July 13, 2023Solutions and recommendations discussion
-
July 21, 2023Experience end
Timeline
-
May 31, 2023Experience start
-
June 1, 2023Project Plan via Zoom - Students discuss project scope with company
Ideally, meet on the first night of class (~6:30pm CST) for introductions and to learn about the business, goals, and project objectives. Want to start the project without delay.
-
June 8, 2023Quick Check-in to better understand the company needs
Students and company leaders check in to discuss progress in understanding the project objectives in more detail and how they align with the business priorities and goals
-
June 15, 2023Contextual Analysis and SOW Review
Students and company check-in to discuss the contextual analysis results including understanding of the business goals, marketing, financial performance etc. as related to the project objectives. This develops the context for the project and expected outcomes and benefits.
-
June 22, 2023Project Check-in
Status update, Core issue and assumptions, Expected project outcome
-
July 13, 2023Solutions and recommendations discussion
Students and company check in to discuss solution approach and alternatives
-
July 14, 2023Students submit final project report to company
Students submit final, written report to company.
-
July 18, 2023Informal project review with the MBA team
Student teams will present findings and recommendations in an open discussion seeking feedback and direction
-
July 21, 2023Experience end
Overview
- Learner goals and capabilities
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Texas State University offers small and large businesses an opportunity to gain fresh perspective, on old challenges and new opportunities, by collaborating with an MBA team on a 8-12-week field project.
The student teams follow a four step process to understand the business needs and address the client's goals
- Develop a Statement of Work based on understanding the company's business, current situation and goals
- Research and analyze of business performance, competitive landscape, market conditions etc
- Develop insight about opportunities/challenges based on data and analysis
- Regular client communication, a comprehensive written report
Benefits to the client:
- Taking a fresh look at old issues or new challenges to provide fresh perspective and insight
- Assessment of root causes and assumptions that may can open new avenues for progress
- Working with a consulting team of MBA students to guide the project direction and give feedback, as needed
- Expected outcomes and deliverables
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Client Project Description
The potential client will provide a project description including a overview the business, the challenge or opportunity, relevant business goals and expected outcomes. This will help us quickly assess program fit and next steps.
Final student project deliverables include:
- A contextual analysis of the current business conditions and development of a Statement of Work (SOW) aligning the client's goals and objectives with MBA 8-12 week project plan. The purpose is to quickly align the plan with the client's needs and expectations
- Development of a trusted working relationship that is open, transparent and beneficial to the client and the students.
- Fresh insight and perspective about existing challenges or new opportunities, as defined in the project plan
- An informal review of the project findings and open discussion about the proposed direction and benefits.
- A comprehensive written report including analysis, findings and recommendations.
Project Examples
Example projects include but are not limited to:
- Growth plan for a digital marketing company dealing with challenges of slow sales and management turnover
- Strategic plan to support a startup business to assess target customers, product market fit and the path forward
- Assessment of city transportation options using contracted Uber/Lyft services
- Marketing plan for a startup fintech company including identifying target market and assessing market interest
- Supply chain network evaluation to reduce risk and lower cost for overseas shipments to major markets
- Evaluation of retail customer experience and the effectiveness of a digital marketing plan
- Strategic plan for a social entrepreneurship project to implement urban, regenerative forest plots
Additional company criteria
Companies must answer the following questions to submit a match request to this experience:
Provide a project description including a brief company overview, description of the project and need, project objectives and expected outcomes.
Willing to provide financial, customer and current market data to support MBA team analysis
Have a dedicated contact that can meet with the MBA team and answer questions either weekly or every other week (roughly 4-6 times during an eight week course).
Timeline
-
May 31, 2023Experience start
-
June 1, 2023Project Plan via Zoom - Students discuss project scope with company
-
June 8, 2023Quick Check-in to better understand the company needs
-
June 15, 2023Contextual Analysis and SOW Review
-
June 22, 2023Project Check-in
-
July 13, 2023Solutions and recommendations discussion
-
July 21, 2023Experience end
Timeline
-
May 31, 2023Experience start
-
June 1, 2023Project Plan via Zoom - Students discuss project scope with company
Ideally, meet on the first night of class (~6:30pm CST) for introductions and to learn about the business, goals, and project objectives. Want to start the project without delay.
-
June 8, 2023Quick Check-in to better understand the company needs
Students and company leaders check in to discuss progress in understanding the project objectives in more detail and how they align with the business priorities and goals
-
June 15, 2023Contextual Analysis and SOW Review
Students and company check-in to discuss the contextual analysis results including understanding of the business goals, marketing, financial performance etc. as related to the project objectives. This develops the context for the project and expected outcomes and benefits.
-
June 22, 2023Project Check-in
Status update, Core issue and assumptions, Expected project outcome
-
July 13, 2023Solutions and recommendations discussion
Students and company check in to discuss solution approach and alternatives
-
July 14, 2023Students submit final project report to company
Students submit final, written report to company.
-
July 18, 2023Informal project review with the MBA team
Student teams will present findings and recommendations in an open discussion seeking feedback and direction
-
July 21, 2023Experience end