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This report outlines a strategic plan to maximize resources, level the playing field, and provide economies of scale in order to address restricted funding and increased demand in the consulting firm. It emphasizes the need to move beyond pilot status and focuses on building strategic partnerships and replicating successful models.
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“How To Keep Someone From Snapping Their Fingers and Making Us Disappear” Client: Charlene Douglas Consulting Firm: A & D, Inc. Report Dated: August 4, 2002
Problem • Restricted Funding & Increased Demand (Acad vs Admin)
Relation to Strategic Plan • Written into plan to maximize resources • Level playing field • Provide economies of scale
Strengths • Success!! • Strategic partnerships with vendors • SUN Center of Excellence for e-learning infrastructure • Work with Educause & SUN to replicate model • Services provided to campuses for little amount of money (total $900K) • External customers (55) with revenues of $300K • Entrepreneurship
Weaknesses • Soft Money • Set up as a pilot, funded as a pilot BUT no longer a pilot • One of 5 • SFS • SIS • HR • WebCT • Bb/Prom
Opportunities • See benefits of admin systems • Build on PS resources • Work with more scalable platforms • Expand concept that has been proven to work • Assist in moving e-learning to the next level
Threats • Funding cut • Things Stay as they are • Level of customer service potential deterioration • Higher cost of products • Vendors • PILOT status
Strategies • Take offensive & frame the debate
Tactics • Create options • Survey faculty • Identify stakeholders • Combine two “utilities” (move hosting?) • Review mission in light of today’s needs
Measure Success • Continue to exist • Continue to thrive • Enough $$ to cover costs • Cease being a “pilot” • Successful replication • Continued high level of customer service • Scalable
Recommendations • Incorporated in above – bottom line – forget Acad vs Admin & focus on “Enterprise” systems • Create a plan to move forward • Best defense is a good offense!