Live Case – Project
Make Research-driven Recommendations for Expansion
A Collaboration Between
The Aurora Financial Empowerment Center will expand to become the Offices of Financial Empowerment. This needs to be carefully strategized, implemented and be sustainable over the long term. As part of our strategy to improve and expand the Aurora FEC, we are looking toward opportunities for expansion, and need your assistance researching, benchmarking, and recommending expansion strategies.
New Business Opportunity Assessment
Strategy Development
Business Process Design
We aim to increase in % of Aurora Clients without losing overall amount of clients, and have an actionable strategic plan for expanding services.
Project Topics
Operations
Company Information
| Company | Aurora Illinois |
| HQ | Aurora, IL |
| Revenue | N/A |
| Employees | Unlisted |
| Stage | Large Enterprise |
| Hiring Potential | Follow-on Projects, Formal Internship, Entry Level Full-Time, Upper Level Full-Time |
| Website | https://www.aurora-il.org/ |
Company Overview
N/A
Experiential Learning Program Details
| School | Northern Illinois University (NIU) |
| Engagement Format | Live Case - Think "Hackathon" or Case Competition with a whole class of students! This learning format allows educators to deliver experiential learning to students at scale. Students are often split into groups to work on a live case (or a series of cases) from a real host company that directly relates to key learning objectives. |
| Course | Business in Action, Spring 2022 (Collum) – Aurora |
| Level |
|
| Students Enrolled | 40 |
| Meeting Day & Time | Mon & Wed 6:00-8:40 p.m. |
| Student Time Commitment | 4-7 Hours Per Week |
| Company Time Commitment | 1 Hour |
| Duration | 10.57 Weeks |
Program Timeline
Key Project Milestones
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February 7, 2022 - Deep-dive into the organization and who they serve
- Conduct a deep analysis of the organization’s brand, mission and values and how these are “lived” by the company.
- What is the organization’s target demographic, programs/service, and service model? What documentation can help you better understand the purpose of this organization and who it serves?
- What problems, needs and goals do clients have that the organization solves or helps to meet? What is their unique value to clients and other stakeholders?
- Define the organization’s target audience.
- How do clients get connected with the organization?
- What are the key factors you should consider when defining the target audience? For instance, what are their values and how are they important here?
- What are their needs and expectations?
Suggested Deliverable:
2 page Infographic over of the organization and Quick-dive SWOT analysis.
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February 21, 2022 - SWOT Analysis
- How would you describe the current strategic planning process?
- What are the organization’s goals, objectives/priorities? How is progress evaluated?
- Is there a documented strategic plan? How is it used by decision-makers?
- Is there a recent SWOT or similar analysis you can review?
- Is client feedback obtained and used to make strategic decisions?
- In light of its mission, goals and objectives
- what does the organization consider to be its greatest strengths. Accomplishments?
- What are its limitations?
- Are there client needs/wants that are currently unmet? If so, how so?
- What 2-3 changes would alleviate these shortcomings?
- How is the organization’s environment changing to create threats and opportunities?
- What are the organizations greatest challenges over the next… 1 year? 5 years?
- What are potential opportunities to expand, taking into account their organizational charter and mission in the next… 1 year? 5 years
Suggested Deliverable:
SWOT Analysis Report & Presentation
- How would you describe the current strategic planning process?
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March 7, 2022 - Propose 2-3 Strategies for Expansion
- How are other like-organizations with similar human capital planning for and experiencing growth? Any case studies you can learn from? What growth strategies are they using, and how?
- What needs opportunities and challenges are presented in the existing target audience for the organization as they look to expand?
- Are there opportunities to network/partner with other organizations (government, nonprofit, for-profit) to expand the reach of services to new audiences or segments?
- Given what you are learning about the organization and the community it serves, which 2-3 expansion strategies do you recommend? How do you evaluate and rate these options?
- Focus on the 2-3 strategies, outlining the goals, objectives, and key steps required. Provide curated resources (case studies, articles, templates, models) to support your recommendations).
- Be prepared to defend your selection to explain why the strategies are a good fit.
Suggested Deliverable:
Recommendations Presentation & Report; Updated SWOT Analysis
Academic Mentors
Assigned Students
There are currently no students assigned.