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Past Project DescriptionsNew Business OpportunityCompany DescriptionRoad repair and maintenance utility manufacturerShort Project NameComplementary product investigationProject Description and DeliverablesThe fundamental question that needs to be answered is whether or not our organization can profitably participate in the sale and distribution of additives in a way that makes sense to its customers and is complimentary with its current business. While not meant to be an all-inclusive list, some of the key questions that would need to be addressed in formulating a recommendation to our organization’s fundamental question are:Customers:
Company DescriptionMajor durable goods producer’s banking institutionShort Project NameBusiness/marketing strategyProject Description and DeliverablesUse market and competitive information, along with the consumer survey, to create a proposed business/Marketing strategy for on-line consumer deposits. We need to conduct a full market assessment, analyze potential entry, delivery and servicing options and then develop a product plan for a new offering of Retail Deposits on a national basis.Market AssessmentReview and understand the market size, players, market share, approaches and offerings.Delivery and Servicing OptionsExplore our options to develop, deliver and service this product “in-house” or look for an outsourced “backroom” service provider or even partner with an existing player for a full “turn-key” private-label offering. Recommended ApproachBased upon the market assessment as well as the product delivery and servicing analysis, what would be the most economical and market successful approach for our organization It is imperative that our firm remain anonymous throughout the product development project process.Business ImprovementCompany DescriptionPrivate equity firm with large investment in restaurantShort Project NameEvaluate a strategic alternative compared to current business modelProject Description and DeliverablesThe MBA Field Study team is to evaluate a recent strategic alternative of the restaurant and determine its likelihood of success relative the current business model. This project will consist of significant marketing and consumer research analysis related to a new service model for the restaurants stores. It will require competitive positioning and industry analysis on a regional and national scope as well as an assessment of the unit economic / financial implications of the new model. The team will have an opportunity to work directly with our firm and select restaurant employees to develop a final presentation to be given to the restaurant executive management team. The next 6 months will be extremely critical in determining the success this new initiative and our organization places significant importance on the completion of this project.Company DescriptionAthletic departmentShort Project NameDeveloping metrics to track performanceProject Description and DeliverablesThe project’s objective would be to evaluate and define performance metrics for our organization. It is anticipated the performance metrics would better help our organization predict and measure their financial and operational performance. Project work would likely include an evaluation of current key indicators, identifying best practices at other athletic departments to determine additional success metrics, and then recommending the most effective measures for our firm to track and report in order to meet their goals.Company DescriptionScrapbooking Company with multiple retail outletsShort Project NameReposition chain of storesProject Description and DeliverablesWe have been a scrapbook store many yearsand I believe we must transition to a Memory / digital store in order to remain a viable business for years to come. I love Memories and how they strengthen family & friendships. I would appreciate any help that your team of people can offer us. We are ready to learn from you and incorporate the ideas that you feel are best. DELIVERABLESTest Repositioning Concept
HR / OrganizationalCompany DescriptionAgricultural investment firmShort Project NameOrganizational evaluation and redesign—financial and HR functionsProject Description and DeliverablesWe want to analyze the current state of the organizations and identify opportunities to optimize organizational effectiveness. We are currently conducting an electronic survey and would like to follow that up with a project to determine current inefficiencies, functional inconsistencies and dysfunctional elements which impact morale and organizational success. The team will benchmark our metrics against other shared services organizations to determine opportunities for improved organizational structures and leadership approaches and styles. Comparing the current state of the organization with the benchmarked best practices will allow the field study team to make recommendations for improvement.Company DescriptionAuto manufacturing companyShort Project NameOrganization tool kit developmentProject Description and DeliverablesThe team will be involved in creating a toolkit for HRBO generalists regarding Organizational Design. It would involve understanding the challenges/gaps our organization currently has in Organizational Design, future business needs and creating a toolkit that addresses those needs based on organizational development theory.Best Practice Study (multi-functions)Company DescriptionConsulting groupShort Project NameHigh performing organization modelingProject Description and DeliverablesThe project will involve blending proprietary software capabilities and methodologies in the areas of process modeling, financial modeling, Human Resource Information, and motivation alignment, performance transparency and internal controls, into one effective and easy to use web based solution. Then building sample models of high performing organizations. Areas of focus will be in business modeling, strategy, HR/OB, Finance and Marketing.Supply Chain Planning or ImprovementCompany DescriptionJapanese RetailerShort Project NameSupply chain organizationProject Description and DeliverablesThe focus of this project is on Supply Chain Optimization to reduce operating costs and improve revenue streams, critical to the organizations turnaround. Students who participate will be exposed to a rather complex supply chain network that exists in Japan today, but which is evolving. They will assist in investigating and modeling actual logistics costs of our company's top 500 suppliers in Japan. As a result, we expect to identify better, more specific, opportunities for reduction of costs and allocation of revenues that are tied to the supply chain. In this project, students will work closely with Supply Chain experts in a leading consulting firm’s Tokyo office who are already engaged in establishing the basic framework for this important project. We are particularly interested in students who have some fluency in Japanese, and/or past experience in either the retail or supply chain sectors. However, more important is a desire to work hard, and to quickly learn and contribute to our company’s success in Japan.Company DescriptionRestaurant and other B2B goods supplierShort Project NameSupply Chain MigrationProject Description and DeliverablesWe are a major importer of goods from China for restaurant supplies and other B to B and B to C opportunities (linens, uniforms, flatware, etc). As manufacturing costs continue to spiral higher in China, there appears to be an exodus to Viet Nam and other Asian countries for a source of lower wages and lower manufacturing costs. We have started to move manufacturing to Viet Nam, but would like an MBA team to provide a broader look at options, countries and supply chain optimization. This will include:
Capital Markets FinanceCompany DescriptionPrivate equity firmShort Project NameAccelerated beta testing of new online investment portalProject Description and Deliverables
Financial AnalysisCompany DescriptionHeating and cooling systems manufacturerShort Project NameFinancial Analysis and Market expansionProject Description and DeliverablesThe team will look for a financially stable way to identify and grow target segments which will provide profitability and strong growth. Supply chain will remain a critical element as product is shipped from Germany and must be available all over the US and Canada with hundreds of SKUs to maintain in inventory.Main Issue to be faced in 2010:
Company DescriptionPrivate equity firmShort Project NameMarket analysisProject Description and DeliverablesWe are a Private Equity Firm that manages fund to fund investing. Our firm works with Wealth Managers (Private and Institutional) who want to invest in private equity firms, but do not have the analysis commitment to that field.The MBA team will provide a market analysis of the potential market for providing outsourced financial services for Wealth Managers desiring to invest in Private Equity. The team will analyze the size and characteristics of the Wealth Management market to determine the potential level for investment in Private Equity firms and the potential for outsourced analytical services. The team will also determine the desired services and the current unmet needs of Wealth Managers. They will understand the difference between private and institutional Wealth Managers and the services they will buy. An analysis of competitive providers, their strengths, weaknesses and image in the market, and their methods of compensation are also desired. If time permits, a prioritized list of Wealth Managers open to outsourced Private Equity Firm analysis (and the characteristics most desire in a service firm) would be a potential deliverable. M&A Analysis and ImplementationCompany DescriptionGlobal systems and services company, technology companyShort Project NameHR Mergers and Acquisitions benchmarkingProject Description and DeliverablesThis project will be focused on HR M&A benchmarking with two main components, cultural integration and M&A team structure.Students will provide a recommendation on how to enhance our process during the cultural assessment and assimilation phases of M&A activity.Additionally, students will benchmark how HR M&A is structured at other “best of breed” companies and recommend how we might want to structure our team.Company DescriptionLarge aerospace companyShort Project NameTalent development & succession planningProject Description and DeliverablesThe primary project will include HR analysis of talent development and succession planning for North America. There may also be some organizational design analysis. There will be global implications to the project.Company DescriptionEnergy technology start-upShort Project NameAlliance partner identification and developmentProject Description and DeliverablesWe are a start-up company seeking help in performing primary and secondary research as well as strategic planning for a potential strategic partnership with a multibillion dollar company in the engineering industry (i.e. GE, Siemens, Foster Wheeler, etc.). We have developed a revolutionary carbon capture technology and will soon be ready to start forming strategic relationships in order to get this technology to market. Work on this project is expected to involve several tasks, some of which are listed below.
EntrepreneurshipCompany DescriptionI/T outsourced servicesShort Project NameBusiness/marketing plan developmentProject Description and DeliverablesThis firm is a local/regional supplier of I/T outsourced services. Their customers are in the business to business market segments and go across a wide range of industrial and professional office settings. The business is established and growing very quickly. They have many part time students and interns working for them and they are also initiating hiring from the business school for full time hires (both undergraduate and MBA).As their business is growing so quickly, they would like to focus and prioritize their strategy through an updated business plan and subsequent marketing plan. They will have a review of possible products, services and compensation models considered in the establishment of the new business model and plan. The team will need to consider novel business models and plans; and use financial analysis to recommend the optimum business and marketing plans. Company DescriptionData transmission tool manufacturerShort Project NameMarket opportunity and business planProject Description and DeliverablesWe have developed unique antenna assemblies that will drive significant cost improvement. Part of our product strategy involves developing revenue streams along the path to creating the antenna assemblies our OEM partners will need to make their final products. To achieve huge cost break-throughsin antenna costs, we had to build our own subcomponents. We have endeavored to find markets for these new and capable subcomponentsWe would like the MBA teamto help us to identify, evaluate, and build value propositions (feature requirements and critical price points), preliminary business plan, and one or more possible early, partial liquidation potentials for one of the subcomponents. Corporate Social ResponsibilityCompany DescriptionFranchise Restaurant ChainShort Project NameMarketing strategy supporting Social ResponsibilityProject Description and DeliverablesOur organization is interested in a cause based marketing strategy. They will be looking for a strategy to link emotionally their employees and customers with the city of our name’s reference. This will involve humanitarian and charitable activities linking the restaurants to the city of our name’s reference and involving employees and customers. This team will look at business strategy and marketing strategy as well as a promotional approach to link to the market place and increase profitability while providing charitable services. They will also need organization and HR strategies to implement the approach in the local franchise restaurants.Social EntrepreneurshipReal Estate DevelopmentCompany DescriptionPrivate equity firmShort Project NameBusiness plan for 30-store franchiseProject Description and DeliverablesWe have a project that involves building a business plan for a thirty-store franchise restaurant rollout program beginning in Jan./Feb. and will include the selection and prioritization of real estate options for franchise locations. The project will be open to many needs across this private equity play including elements of real estate, finance, operations, and marketing. Expect this project to be dynamic and demanding and a real-time exposure to critical business start-up decisions.Business Plan DevelopmentCompany DescriptionNewspaperShort Project NameBusiness plan and distribution modelingProject Description and DeliverablesThe field study team will be involved in business model development and financial projections of various content and delivery scenarios for the college age geared inserts. They will run multiple simulations to understand the potential for profits or the need for underwriting by our organization based on the receptivity and readership of college aged members to the different formats. This could include strategy, supply chain analysis, organizational design as well as financial analysis of the different proposed models.Company DescriptionInternational conservation partnershipShort Project NamePartnership analysis and business plan developmentProject Description and DeliverablesOur organization is a successful partnership between four international conservation organizations. The program has been running for nearly 20 years and is supported entirely by an outside organization. A number of critical factors necessitate a reevaluation of the current management model. The following research questions are suggested, and other suitable questions are encouraged to be developed:
Company DescriptionSpecialty clothing manufacturerShort Project NameBusiness plan and strategy for expanding salesProject Description and DeliverablesOur company has recently been able to expand from exclusively specialty shop sales to road shows at a major big box mass merchandizer. This has created a number of growth issues and concerns. Current critical issues or needs include:
Market ResearchCompany DescriptionSupplier and contractor verification firmShort Project NameRisk mitigation analysis and marketing planProject Description and DeliverablesWe are interested in researching how implementing and utilizing our firms system can assist global corporations and their suppliers in reducing associated insurance costs. It is implied that companies registered in our data base are compliant with contractual and regulatory, i.e., OSHA, MSHA, requirements and thus pose a reduced risk.As a result, we believe that registration in our firm could be valid justification for reduced insurance premiums to suppliers and contractors. In the light of today’s business environment, a successful cost reducing strategy that also saves lives and maximizes business assets would be in high demand. We are looking for skills in financial modeling, statistical and regression analysis, and corporate marketing to complete this research. A high probability exists that one of more of the team members participating in this field study will qualify for an internship with our firm.Company DescriptionMajor durable goods producer’s banking institutionShort Project NameMarketing Survey researchProject Description and DeliverablesPerform a market research/survey project designed understand consumer needs and preferences in on-line banking. We need to conduct a full market assessment, analyze potential entry, delivery and servicing options and then develop a product plan for a new offering of Retail Deposits on a national basis. Consumer research will be performed to understand what drives depositors to on-line banks and what would it take to grow preferentially in the market segment.Industry Analysis and Customer SegmentationCompany DescriptionSupplier of healthcare productsShort Project NameHospital buying process for medical devices and key influencersProject Description and DeliverablesThe ongoing debate about healthcare reform will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on all healthcare delivery. The objective of this project is to better understand today’s hospital buying process for medical devices used in neurointerventional procedures and how the buying process may change with pending healthcare reform. Desired research outcomes:
Company DescriptionConstruction labor providerShort Project NameMarket and demographic analysisProject Description and DeliverablesCreate a customer segmentation profile of our current and future customer base - Trade contractors (Exteriors, Interiors, Painting, Drywall, Landscaping, & Framing).Geographic ProfileWhere are our customers located?How many customers are there in our market? Who are the customers in our market? Who are customers doing work for in our market (Commercial or Res.) How many employees are employed by our customers? What is the dollar value of labor for each of our customers? What type of work is currently available? (Volume) What is the next 60 month projected volume? Greatest Perceived Value from Current and Prospective ClientsWhat kind of service do these customer segments expect?What are the needs of these customer segments as it relates? Have they been looking for this type of service? Did they know there was this type of service available? Out of the benefits we provide, what are the greatest perceived hot points? (Compliance assistance, financial aspect, scalability, OSHA, safety, insurance, new health care provisions, I9 documentation, Unemployment claims...) Competitor AnalysisStrategy DevelopmentCompany DescriptionConsumer goods manufacturerShort Project NameMarketing plan development and creative design concept for productProject Description and DeliverablesThe BYU Field Study team will work closely with the BYU design and visual arts team in developing a marketing plan and creative design concept for the positioning of a brand of adhesive bandages. Challenge: Our brands are suffering from fading consumer loyalty, losing market share—in favor of private label brands (for reasons mostly associated with cost).PROJECT OUTLINE
Company DescriptionEnergy product manufacturerShort Project NamePre-launch testing and business structureProject Description and DeliverablesWe have developed a low cost, easy to install, flexible solar building material product for US markets. Regional and cultural preferences in building materials require an exploration of customer needs and requirements before developing a Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) product for solar markets in Europe. A potentially different business structure and value chain requires a study of the European solar market. (European Travel Likely)An exploration and scoping project of the BIPV opportunities in Europe would include:
Feasibility StudyCompany DescriptionMedical Technology CompanyShort Project NameHazardous drug exposure preventionProject Description and DeliverablesWe are looking for a strong research team to analyze the market for products related to the prevention of hazardous drug exposure. Exposure to hazardous drugs is recognized as a significant safety issue that negatively impacts the quality-of-life for many healthcare workers. To address this risk, many healthcare facilities use specialty products which are designed to reduce healthcare worker exposure to hazardous drugs during preparation and administration. We have an interest to consider this market space as a growth opportunity. It is expected that the research team will utilize both primary and secondary research methods to gain an in-depth understanding of this area. The team will obtain guidance from a Sr. Marketing representative and present their findings to Sr. Management upon completion.Marketing PlanCompany DescriptionSports equipment retailerShort Project NameDevelop and execute a PR and social networking strategyProject Description and DeliverablesI’ll give them the core TV, radio and blogs for soccer for both English and Spanish speaking. Ideally I’d get a couple of students with PR background, at least one fluent in Spanish (ideally native). Plus at least one social networking guru. I’ll want them to quickly define then go get things done. Get articles and interviews published. We’ve identified the top ballers and sneezers on soccer. I’ll want them to contact those sneezers/influencers and figure how to get them talking about our company to all their soccer friends. If they do a good job it’ll be great for their resumes—can make a huge impact.Company DescriptionFitness equipment retailerShort Project NameDevelop marketing strategy for a new machineProject Description and DeliverablesWe have a vision to capitalize on the growth of the flexibility improvement space within the healthcaremarket. However, there are many variables and constants that must be identified and researched in order todetermine the ideal parameters for the company to launch its products. As such, we have identified thefollowing research elements for this field study:
Accounting projectsInformation Systems projectsCompany DescriptionPrivate equity firmShort Project NameAccelerated beta testing of new online investment portalProject Description and Deliverables
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