CAP (Calvin Action Projects)

1. CAP(Calvin Action Projects) CALVIN CENTER FOR INNOVATION IN BUSINESS A CENTER OF CALVIN COLLEGE

2. Calvin Action Projects • What is CAP? • Real world projects for Calvin business and accounting students • Projects in accounting, marketing, finance, strategy, auditing, senior capstone, etc. • Semester long and shorter term projects • Students work as consultants on real world problems and projects • Purpose of CAP • Provide undergraduates with professional experiences • Partner student teams with experienced faculty advisors and business clients • Offer transformational learning experiences • Provide solutions & recommendations for project sponsors (clients)

3. Calvin Action Projects • What’s in it for the student? • Provide students with an opportunity to: • Blend theory and practice • Adjust conclusions as new information and learning is discovered • Think independently, function without sufficient data, be open to new ideas • Negotiate with teammates & sponsors • Learn to act professionally • What’s in it for the project sponsor (client)? • Provides sponsors with an opportunity to: • Work with and get to know students before they graduate and begin their career search • Get fresh thinking from a different perspective on their business and their problems • Invest in the future of their organization, industry and field • Get out of the office

4. The Theory Behind CAP Reflective Observation (think critically and analyze objectively) Project Experience (blending theory & practice) Abstract Conceptualization (Develop conceptual understanding) Active Experimentation (experiment to find solutions) Experiential Learning Cycle (based on Kolb and U of M Action Learning Cycle)

5. Types of CAP Projects • Marketing • Develop marketing plans or do research on specific target markets, etc. • Strategy • Develop strategic plans to validate the commercial potential for new technologies, new ideas, and innovations • Accounting • Audits of processes, transactions, and records • Innovation • Create new product and service concepts based upon user observations • Capstone • Consulting projects for businesses which involve all disciplines • Finance • Financial analysis of company reports and statements

6. CAP Participants Roles & Responsibilities • Calvin Center for Innovation in Business (CCIB) • Network with businesses to develop project proposals • Communicate with and connect project sponsors, faculty, and students • Evaluate projects and sponsors for quality and fit • Student Teams and Faculty Advisors • Sign confidentiality agreements • Perform work on the project • Communicate with and present results to client • Project Sponsors • Define project & scope • Provide information and support to team • Review final project and give feedback

7. Expectations of Project Sponsors/Clients • Attend at least two class sessions (if possible) • project kick-off • project presentation • Provide necessary background information to best equip student team • Provide financial reimbursement for expenses incurred by student team (pre-approved by sponsor and faculty)

8. Expectations of Student Teams Provide formal feedback to sponsors: • Initial agreement on scope of project • Interim update for sponsor/client - share progress & clarify open issues • Final presentation to Executive Sponsor, including printed version of project and electronic copies of data & analysis

9. The CAP Process Prospective Sponsors Activity Goal Share information about CAP, project types, etc. Prospective Sponsor is interested in a project Pre-Proposal Phase Project Sponsor completes project proposal form Proposal is submitted Proposal Phase Feedback CCIB reviews, discusses, & revises project proposal with sponsor Final proposal is presented Revisions Review all project proposals & course needs Decisions on proposals communicated to sponsors (accepted or rejected) Project Decision Student teams and faculty work with sponsors Successful projects completed for students and sponsors Project Completion