Curriculum Provides Real-World Experience for Students, Businesses

UALR’s College of Business students taking management courses in the 2008-2009 academic year supported local, small businesses with real-world experience that was incorporated into their curriculum. “I don’t want them to just read, write and research. I want them to do something hands-on and meaningful,” said Dr. Nancy Landrum, whose strategic management courses involve working on such projects. Last fall, students in her Business Strategy and Policy course worked with Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) client Little Rock Green Garage. They researched the auto repair industry, analyzed the local market, and made recommendations to its owner Daniel Vaught. “The students put forth great effort to make sure the research was accurate and timely and that the suggestions for the client were appropriate,” said Landrum. “This was an invaluable learning experience for the students, and we hope it was equally valuable for the client.” Dr. James Parrish, assistant professor of management, also finds value in having students tackle projects that support existing businesses. Both College of Business faculty members looked to the ASBTDC to identify businesses and provide resources for the student projects. During the spring semester, students in Parrish’s Information Systems Development Project, the capstone course for a bachelor’s degree in management information systems (MIS), developed a business plan and database for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences BioVentures, an ASBTDC client. Maudeen Young of Wrightsville, a student in the capstone course, said she learned the fundamentals of implementing a business plan and building a database that fit the business strategy and needs. “This experience allowed me to utilize my skills in managing IT resources, maintenance, and system development,” said Young, who graduated in May. Fellow class member Camille Earl, a recent graduate from Bryant, added, “I’ve learned that technology can always be used to make work and life much easier and manageable. This project has also helped me to communicate more effectively in a group setting, and this will be very useful on the job.” Students in Parrish’s capstone course next semester will continue the BioVentures project. “These projects act as a bridge between classroom projects that have set requirements and the dynamic business environment where the rules are always changing,” said Parrish. “The students’ work fills a need for many small to medium-sized organizations. Students help to fill this need by exchanging the skills and expertise that they develop in the MIS program for the opportunity to learn in an actual business environment. “Working with the ASBTDC on this project has been a pleasure. They collected information about the type of student project that the MIS department wanted to implement and worked to find us organizations with needs for that type of project,” said Parrish. “They also helped to manage the relationship between the class and the partner organization by checking in periodically to make sure things were going well.” Landrum appreciates the follow-up ASBTDC provides to participating businesses. The center adds value to the client by continuing the relationship and helping businesses implement project recommendations, she said. For business owners, “This is not just a project for students; their business is at stake,” Landrum said. Since 2005, the ASBTDC has coordinated 50 projects with local small businesses and UALR students and faculty. Faculty members in marketing, management, MIS, and accounting have directed projects. Janet Roderick, ASBTDC state director, said the center facilitates the projects because they benefit clients and the university. “By partnering with us on projects, our clients give students good learning opportunities, and ideally, the clients get back something that can help them grow and improve their businesses.” Jay Rowland, owner of KitchenCo., a gourmet kitchen supply store in Little Rock, participated in a project with a UALR marketing class last fall. Class members conducted a customer satisfaction survey and presented a report of the findings to Rowland. “I definitely think it’s a positive thing for everybody. I don’t have time to do a survey, and they did it for me,” Rowland said. The survey opened his eyes to what customers want, he said. Small businesses in central Arkansas interested in participating in student projects can contact Michael Singleton, ASBTDC business consultant, at 501.683.7700. The ASBTDC is a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the UALR College of Business. Through a statewide network of seven offices, ASBTDC assists start-ups, existing businesses, expanding businesses and technology businesses. To learn more, go to the ASBTDC website.