Strategic Management Consultancy, Jan-Apr. 2022
Timeline
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January 14, 2022Experience start
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January 19, 2022Project Plan via Zoom - Students discuss project scope with company
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February 16, 2022Contextual Analysis Discussion
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March 9, 2022Mid-Point Check-in
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March 30, 2022Solutions and recommendations discussion
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April 13, 2022Students submit final project report to company
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May 5, 2022Experience end
Timeline
-
January 14, 2022Experience start
-
January 19, 2022Project Plan via Zoom - Students discuss project scope with company
Students will meet during class (7:30pm CST) with organization representative(s) to devise the project scope and prepare a detailed plan for completion of the project
-
February 16, 2022Contextual Analysis Discussion
Students and company check to discuss finding of the contextual analysis; identifying strategic internal and external factors relative to the project's success.
-
March 9, 2022Mid-Point Check-in
Students and company check in to discuss progress, understanding of issues/complications affecting the project outcome and achieving business objectives. .
-
March 30, 2022Solutions and recommendations discussion
Students and company check in to discuss solution approach and alternatives
-
April 13, 2022Students submit final project report to company
Students submit final, written report to company.
-
April 27, 2022Virtual project presentation
Student teams will present findings and recommendations
-
May 5, 2022Experience end
General
- Graduate
- 15 learners; teams of 4
- 72 hours per learner
- Dates set by experience
- Learners self-assign
Preferred companies
- 3/3 project matches
- Anywhere
- Academic experience
- Any, Startup, Social enterprise, Large enterprise, Sole proprietorship
- Retail, Apparel & fashion, Consumer goods & services, Business & management, Banking & finance, Sports & fitness
Categories
Skills
Project timeline
-
January 14, 2022Experience start
-
January 19, 2022Project Plan via Zoom - Students discuss project scope with company
-
February 16, 2022Contextual Analysis Discussion
-
March 9, 2022Mid-Point Check-in
-
March 30, 2022Solutions and recommendations discussion
-
April 13, 2022Students submit final project report to company
-
May 5, 2022Experience end
Timeline
-
January 14, 2022Experience start
-
January 19, 2022Project Plan via Zoom - Students discuss project scope with company
Students will meet during class (7:30pm CST) with organization representative(s) to devise the project scope and prepare a detailed plan for completion of the project
-
February 16, 2022Contextual Analysis Discussion
Students and company check to discuss finding of the contextual analysis; identifying strategic internal and external factors relative to the project's success.
-
March 9, 2022Mid-Point Check-in
Students and company check in to discuss progress, understanding of issues/complications affecting the project outcome and achieving business objectives. .
-
March 30, 2022Solutions and recommendations discussion
Students and company check in to discuss solution approach and alternatives
-
April 13, 2022Students submit final project report to company
Students submit final, written report to company.
-
April 27, 2022Virtual project presentation
Student teams will present findings and recommendations
-
May 5, 2022Experience end
Overview
- Learner goals and capabilities
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Student teams (3-5) of MBA students from Texas State University will consult on management issues for starting, operating or expanding a client's business. We apply strategic management thinking to understand the current situation, address opportunities/challenges and help clients achieve their goals.
The student teams follow a four step process:
- Develop a Statement of Work based on understanding the company's business, current situation and goals
- Research and analyze current trends and, performance gaps
- Develop insight about opportunities/challenges, leading to recommendations for action
- Regular client communication and comprehensive written report
Benefits to the client:
- Identifying pain points and barriers that affect business performance
- Assessing alternatives and weighing cost/benefits to provide a rationale for action.
- Develop a specific recommended course of action to help the client meet business goals.
- Applying strategic management thinking to align plans and move forward
- 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:
- An initial Statement of Work (SOW) aligning the client's goals and objectives with the student work plan. The purpose is to quickly align the plan with the client's needs and expectations
- Contextual assessment of the market, competitive conditions, current company capabilities and resources, and business strategy. The objective is for the students to understand the big picture before diving into the project details. Also, the SOW is updated and refined based on deeper understanding.
- Research and analysis of relevant business data to assess trends and develop insight about the issue at hand and related factors.
- Develop recommendations for action based on the key findings and a cost/benefit analysis of alternatives.
- A comprehensive written report including analysis, findings and recommendations.
- Business presentation outlining strategic recommendations, assessment of options and rationale.
Project Examples
Starting on the first day of the semester and following a 12 week process the student-consultants will spend 20-40 hours/week analyzing a strategic challenge or opportunity your organization is facing to provide you with insight about the key issues and recommendations for action.
Example projects include but are not limited to:
- Developing a growth plan for a digital marketing company dealing with challenges due to COVID economy
- Strategic plan to support startup business to assess target customers, product market fit and the path forward
- Evaluating the potential to supplement city transportation options by contracted Uber/Lyft services
- Marketing plan for a startup fintech company including identifying target market and assessing market interest
- Assess supply chain network operations to reduce risk and improve operations for overseas shipments to major markets
- Validate retail customer experience and journey to assess the marketing plan's effectiveness
- Gap analysis for a sports franchise marketing strategy to attract new fans/customers in underutilized local markets
- Creating a strategic plan for a social entrepreneurship project to implement a sustainable, regenerative native forest plots
Additional company criteria
Companies must answer the following questions to submit a match request to this experience:
Be available for a quick phone call with the organizer to initiate your relationship and confirm your scope is an appropriate fit for the experience.
Have a dedicated contact that can meet with the student team and answer questions either weekly or every other week (roughly 8-12 times during the eight week course).
Provide a project overview including overview of the company, description of the project and need, specific goals or objectives and expected outcomes.
Timeline
-
January 14, 2022Experience start
-
January 19, 2022Project Plan via Zoom - Students discuss project scope with company
-
February 16, 2022Contextual Analysis Discussion
-
March 9, 2022Mid-Point Check-in
-
March 30, 2022Solutions and recommendations discussion
-
April 13, 2022Students submit final project report to company
-
May 5, 2022Experience end
Timeline
-
January 14, 2022Experience start
-
January 19, 2022Project Plan via Zoom - Students discuss project scope with company
Students will meet during class (7:30pm CST) with organization representative(s) to devise the project scope and prepare a detailed plan for completion of the project
-
February 16, 2022Contextual Analysis Discussion
Students and company check to discuss finding of the contextual analysis; identifying strategic internal and external factors relative to the project's success.
-
March 9, 2022Mid-Point Check-in
Students and company check in to discuss progress, understanding of issues/complications affecting the project outcome and achieving business objectives. .
-
March 30, 2022Solutions and recommendations discussion
Students and company check in to discuss solution approach and alternatives
-
April 13, 2022Students submit final project report to company
Students submit final, written report to company.
-
April 27, 2022Virtual project presentation
Student teams will present findings and recommendations
-
May 5, 2022Experience end