In a unique program led by the Sonoma State University School of Business and Economics, students will work in a consulting role with small businesses during the spring semester.
According to SSU Professor Armand Gilinsky, the program is ideal for small for-profit businesses of more then one person that have been in business for at least a year.
SSU business students, working in small teams, will meet with businesses weekly and work under the guidance of a Business and Economics faculty member. They will help to define with owners and staff the problems and challenges of running a small business and speculate on how to fix them.
At the end of the semester, students will present a detailed report containing findings made during the 15 weeks and recommendations for action.
The students are adept in a number of different areas and will assist in the following tasks:
o General performance audits of business methods and systems
o Strategic and financial planning
o Personnel policies and employee handbooks
o Customer acquisition and retention
o Market research and competitor analyses
o Accounting and financial forecasting
The small business consultant program has won a myriad of honors including the Small Business Consulting Case of the Year awards from the Small Business Institute Director's Association in 1996 and 1998.
There is a voluntary participation fee of $500. Any donations received will be used to fund student scholarships to the Entrepreneurial Excellence Course scheduled for late spring.
Admission is selective and will be limited to ten small businesses.
For more information or to apply, contact professor Armand Gilinsky, (707) 664-2709 or e-mail: armand.gilinsky@sonoma.edu.
