Capstone – Project
Analyzing the Experience of Key Stakeholders to Improve Efficacy
A Collaboration Between
BizStarts is looking to better serve their community of entrepreneurs in underserved areas. They hope, through interviews with their entrepreneurs, business coaches, Board of Directors, and the foundations that support them, to improve their body of work. This project will include a lot of qualitative interviews in the interest of advancing impact. The ultimate goal is to inform BizStarts leadership team on how each of their stakeholders views BizStarts' overall effectiveness. Lastly, BizStarts is looking for go-forward recommendations on how to succeed long term with their model.
HOST VENUE ADDRESS
- Students will be using BizStarts Offices as their home base: 1555 N. Riverside Drive Milwaukee WI 53212
REQUIRED PREREQUISITES
- Students should come prepared knowing:
- Learn about BizStarts and the KPI they track
- Become familiar with the book Poverty and Entrepreneurship on Developed Economies. One of the co-authors is Michael Morris. He is a Notre Dame faculty member
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- How to create entrepreneurial spirit in underserved areas
- How to create a unique connection between the wealthy and those in lower-to-moderate income
- How foundations operate
- How non-profits operate
- How to collect qualitative data from many stakeholders and produce a go-forward plan
Project Topics
Corporate Social Responsibility
Data Management
Growth Strategy
Marketing
Operations
Product Design & Development
Sales & Business Development
Company Information
| Company | BizStarts |
| HQ | Wisconsin |
| Revenue | Unlisted |
| Employees | 1-5 |
| Stage | Small Business |
| Hiring Potential | Follow-on Projects, Formal Internship, Entry Level Full-Time, Upper Level Full-Time |
| Website | http://www.bizstarts.com |
Company Overview
BizStarts brings entrepreneurs together from all backgrounds, ethnicities and beliefs to create a collaborative learning environment that embodies positivity, inspires confidence and develops people’s capacity to achieve personal success and business growth. Working together, we are creating economic opportunity, communities with unique character and a vibrant city with prosperity for all.
Experiential Learning Program Details
| School | University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business |
| Engagement Format | Capstone - Small Team Consulting Project - Students work in consulting teams of 3-5 directly with faculty and client liaisons on developing real solutions to real-world challenges. |
| Course | |
| Level | N/A |
| Students Enrolled | N/A |
| Meeting Day & Time | N/A |
| Student Time Commitment | 1-3 Hours Per Week |
| Company Time Commitment | 3-5 Hours |
| Duration | 0.43 Weeks |
Program Timeline
| Touchpoints & Assignments | Due Date | Type |
|---|
Key Project Milestones
-
March 2, 2020 - Understand the BizStarts Model
- Who does BizStarts serve?
- Why does BizStarts serve that community?
- What is the BizStarts mission?
- What value do they provide to their entrepreneurs?
- What is BizStarts organizational structure?
- Review videos and success stories of entrepreneurs that have moved through the BizStarts program.
Suggested Deliverable:
Prepare for a meeting with BizStarts executive team to discuss the overall model and why it’s important. Prepare to meet with Entrepreneurs from the BizStarts Community and BizStart Coaches.
-
March 2, 2020 - Audit the BizStarts Experience for Entrepreneurs and Coaches
- Interview key BizStart Coaches and entrepreneurs in the community.
- Learn more about their experience, focus on:
- Intake of entrepreneurs
- Matching with coach
- Experience working with coach
- Outcomes so far
Suggested Deliverable:
Prepare for a debrief discussion with BizStarts executive team
-
March 3, 2020 - Audit BizStarts Relationship with Partner Foundations
- Learn more about the foundations BizStarts works with
- How does BizStarts Partner with these foundations?
- Prepare for interview meetings with foundations:
- What has been their experience working with BizStarts so far?
- What is important about the work BizStarts is doing?
- What should BizStarts do more of to make more impact in the future?
- What else do we want to learn about foundations?
- Explore Additional Prospective Partner Foundations
- What other similar foundations exist that support the kind of work BizStarts if focused on?
Suggested Deliverable:
Analyze the results of the foundation interviews and create a report showcasing findings.
-
March 4, 2020 - Audit BizStarts Board of Directors
- Learn more about the BizStarts Board of Directors
- What does the Board of Directors do?
- Prepare for interview meetings with board:
- What has been their experience working with BizStarts so far?
- Why are they supporting BizStarts?
- What should BizStarts do more of to make more impact in the future?
- What else do we want to learn from Board Members?
- Explore Additional Prospective Board Members
- What other similar stakeholders exist that might be interested in supporting the kind of work BizStarts if focused on?
Suggested Deliverable:
Analyze the results of the board member interviews and create a report showcasing findings.
-
March 5, 2020 - Go-Forward Recommendations
- How is BizStarts performing to-date?
- What KPIs should they be tracking?
- What recommendations do you have for improvement; consider:
- intake,
- coaching,
- entrepreneur training, and
- foundation/board stewardship
Suggested Deliverable:
Prepare and run through presentation with BizStarts executive team and key board members
Project Resources
There are no resources currently available
Industry Mentors
Academic Mentors
Assigned Students
There are currently no students assigned.