Small Business Consulting Project Guidelines

1
Small Business Consulting Project Guidelines
2
Milestones

• Conduct Phase I (Initial Client Interview) by
  Monday April 6th
• Complete Phase I (Description) by Monday April
  13th
• Complete Phase II and III (Analysis and
  Recommendations) by Monday April 20th
• Complete draft of final report by Monday April
  27th
• Final report is due on Monday May 11th

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Phase I Initial Client Interview

• First visit - All members go
• Elect a project manager and an alternate
• Keep track of time spent by each member
• Tell client your role and output (general audit
  report and provide some useful information on
  type of assistance requested)
• Have client sign Waiver of Liability form
• Have the client complete Banking Survey form
• Learn the business Ask questions and request
  information using question checklist

4
Phase I Initial Client Interview Question
Checklist

• Company assessment and evaluation chart
• Internal variables
• Strengths
• Weaknesses
• External variables
• Macroenvironment (P.E.S.T.)
• Industry variables
• Description
• Internal variables
• External variables
• Macroenvironment (P.E.S.T.)
• Industry analysis

5
Phase II Analytical

• Analysis
• Internal variables
• External variables
• Macroenvironment (P.E.S.T.)
• Industry analysis

6
Phase III Strategic Plan

• What are your findings (problems, issues) facing
  the company (Phase I and II)?
• Why they are issues?
• What is your recommendation(s)?
• What specific steps the client can take to
  address each issue?

7
Final ReportBasic Requirements

• 20-30 pages (not including exhibits, tables and
  graphs)
• Double space
• Appropriate headings
• Be straightforward without sounding condensing
• Be clear, comprehensive and precise in the
  analysis section
• Be creative and pragmatic in the recommendations
  section

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Final Report Structure

• Title page (do not list course name or
  instructors name, but list team members name and
  signature)
• Client cover letter
• Executive summary
• Table of contents
• Introduction, background information, methodology
  used, etc
• Findings (Phase I and II), can be good
  (strengths) or bad (problems, issues), facing the
  company
• Explain why they are strengths or problems,
  issues
• Recommendations
• Specific steps the client can take to address
  each issue
• Appendix
• Bibliography

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Final Report Grading Criteria

• Ability to identify key problems, issues facing
  the company
• 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
• Feasible action plans resolve issues
• Overall writing style and skills, professional
  presentation, written criteria and standards, and
  quality of content

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What to Submit

• Waiver of Liability Form Monday April 6th
• Banking Survey Monday April 6th
• Student Time Log (individually team total)
  Friday May 15th
• Copy of Final Report for Instructor Monday May
  11th
• Copy of Final Report for Client Friday May 15th
• Client Sign-off Form Friday May 15th
• PowerPoint file for team project presentation
  Sunday May 10th by 600 pm via email