Small Business Consulting Project Guidelines

1. Small Business Consulting Project Guidelines MBA290 Advanced Strategic Management Fall 2009 Professor Han

2. Two Tracks • A small business that group members choose • A small business assigned to you by the instructor

3. Milestones • Complete Phase I (Initial Client Interview) by Tuesday, Oct 13. • Complete Phase II (Analysis) by Tuesday, Oct 27. • Complete Phase III (Recommendations) by Tuesday, Nov 17. • Complete first draft of final report by Tuesday, Dec 1 . • Final report is due on Wednesday, Dec 9.

4. Phase I: Initial Client Interview • First visit - All members go • Elect a project manager & an alternate • Keep track of time spent by each member • Tell client your role and output • Have client sign “Waiver of Liability” form • Leave Client Banking Survey form • Learn the business – Ask questions and request information using question checklist

5. Phase I: Initial Client Interview Question Checklist • Ownership • Employees • Organizational structure • Products/Services • Selling area • Competition • Performance • Strategic objectives • Financial objectives • Any questions that you think are relevant

6. Phase II (Analysis) • Use both the I/O View and the Resource-based View to analyze the case. • Use the I/O view to evaluate the fit between the firm’s strategic goals and its competitive position in the marketplace. • Use the Resource-based View to analyze the firm’s resources and capabilities and identify its core competencies; evaluate the fit between the firm’s strategic goals and its resources and capabilities.

7. Phase III: Strategic Recommendations • Developed from the I/O view: How could the organization improve its market position (think about strategic group, market niche, customer base, and value chain, etc.) • Developed from the Resource-based View: How should the organization create and upgrade its resources and capabilities that are difficult for others to imitate

8. Phase III: Functional-Level Recommendations • What actions should the organization take to better handle its five forces. Only focus on the forces (e.g., customers, suppliers, rivals) that are relevant to the organization. • What actions should the organization take to make itself more effective and efficient (think about the most critical aspects of operations, e.g., marketing, finance, information systems, human resources)

9. Final Report: Basic Requirements • 20-30 pages (not including exhibits, tables and graphs) • Double space • Appropriate headings • Be straightforward in the opening section • Be clear, comprehensive and precise in the analysis section • Be creative and pragmatic in the recommendations section

10. Final Report: Structure • Cover page • Table of contents • Section I: Summary (background information, methodology used, key issues identified, key findings and key recommendations) • Section II: Analysis • Section III: Recommendations • Appendix (optional)

11. Final Report: Grading Criteria • Ability to identify key issues facing the organization • Appropriate use of relevant theories and models to analyze the case • Creativity and feasibility of strategic and functional-level recommendations • Appropriate use of evidence to support analysis and recommendations • Overall writing style and skills • Presentation of report and handling of Q&A

12. What to Submit • Waiver of Liability Form (10/13) • Hard Copy of Final Report for Client (12/9) • Electronic Copy of Final Report for Instructor (12/9; email to hans@csus.edu) The following materials should be submitted to Prof. Seung Bach (bachs@csus.edu; 278-7125), Tahoe Hall 2036, on Dec 7th or 9th between 11:50am and 1:20pm. • Hard Copy of Final Report for Instructor • Banking Survey • Student Time Log • Client Sign-off Form Note: Write group members’ names on each of these documents that you submit.