About the Small Business Institute
Purpose
The University of Cincinnati SBI program operates a field case study program that provides no-cost counseling to area businesses.
The focus of the CoB field case study program is twofold:
- To provide a meaningful learning experience for CoB students interested in small business, entrepreneurship, and corporate ventures.
- To provide personalized, confidential management counseling to Greater Cincinnati businesses participating in the experience.
Outcomes
Under the guidance of Institute faculty, teams of graduate-level or senior undergraduate-level CoB students meet with business owners/managers over the 10-week academic term. During this consulting phase, students record a history of the firm, identify goals and objectives, and discuss strategies to achieve these goals. At the end of the term, the student team presents to the owner/manager a comprehensive business report or business plan, depending on which is more appropriate.
Sample field projects include assistance with:
- industry and competitive analysis
- preparing business plans
- developing marketing strategies
- training employees
Surveys of past Cincinnati business participants have measured the direct outcomes of SBI assistance:
- 81% of respondents made changes in their operations
- 43% changed planning or strategy
- 33% made changes in their advertising/promotion and organization of their business
Caveat
The SBI program is not:
- A cure-all. There are no magic formulas to insure success. Business participants must work with the students to achieve positive results.
- A source of free salespeople, stock clerks, bookkeepers, or number-crunchers. The students are advisors, consultants, and/or counselors.
- A co-op program nor or an internship. Students are not placed with the participating organization on a full-time basis; the students work with the organization for one to two hours per week.
- A loan collector nor a spy for the IRS. Client confidentiality is carefully observed.
To Apply
Organizations that wish to participate in the CoB field case study program must submit a Request for Counseling application.
