Live Case – Project

Make Research-driven Recommendations for Expansion

A Collaboration Between

Project Synopsis

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

CompanyAurora Illinois
HQAurora, IL
RevenueN/A
EmployeesUnlisted
StageLarge Enterprise
Hiring PotentialFollow-on Projects, Formal Internship, Entry Level Full-Time, Upper Level Full-Time
Websitehttps://www.aurora-il.org/

Company Overview

N/A

Experiential Learning Program Details

SchoolNorthern Illinois University (NIU)
Engagement FormatLive 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.
CourseBusiness in Action, Spring 2022 (Collum) – Aurora
Level
  • All Undergraduate
Students Enrolled40
Meeting Day & TimeMon & Wed 6:00-8:40 p.m.
Student Time Commitment4-7 Hours Per Week
Company Time Commitment1 Hour
Duration10.57 Weeks

Program Timeline

Touchpoints & Assignments Due Date Type
Projects Revealed! Apply to be on a team.

Projects Revealed! Apply to be on a team.

01/24 and 01/26 Apply to be on a team! Go to [INSERT LINK] to indicate your preferences.
January 24th, 2022 Event na
Project Launch! Teams Announced and Review Team Project Charters

Project Launch! Teams Announced and Review Team Project Charters

01/31 and 02/02
January 31st, 2022 Event na
STUDENTS! Take the Project Kick-off Survey!

STUDENTS! Take the Project Kick-off Survey!

Take a few moments to complete the KICKOFF SURVEY before the project begins!
February 2nd, 2022 Evaluation evaluation
Milestone 1 Deliverable Due Milestone 1 Deliverable Due
02/07 and 02/09 Please upload your deliverable using the link above.
February 7th, 2022 Submission Required submission-required
STUDENTS! Let us know how you are doing!

STUDENTS! Let us know how you are doing!

Please take a few minutes to let us know how the project is going for you with this TEMPERATURE CHECK SURVEY
February 9th, 2022 Evaluation evaluation
Milestone 2 Deliverable Due Milestone 2 Deliverable Due
Please upload your deliverable using the link above.
February 21st, 2022 Submission Required submission-required
Meet with Company Representatives!

Meet with Company Representatives!

02/28 and 03/02 Company representatives meet with class.
February 28th, 2022 Event na
Milestone 3 Deliverable Due Milestone 3 Deliverable Due
March 7 & 9 Final project deliverable and paper due. Please upload your deliverable using the link above.
March 7th, 2022 Submission Required submission-required
STUDENTS! Take a short survey on YOUR learning experience!

STUDENTS! Take a short survey on YOUR learning experience!

Please take a few minutes to complete this SELF ASSESSMENT SURVEY on your learning experience with this project!
March 12th, 2022 Evaluation evaluation
STUDENTS! Let us know about your observations and experiences working with YOUR PEERS on this project!

STUDENTS! Let us know about your observations and experiences working with YOUR PEERS on this project!

Please take a few minutes to complete this PEER ASSESSMENT SURVEY!
March 12th, 2022 Evaluation evaluation

Key Project Milestones

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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

Instructor

 

[email protected]

Instructor

Jason Gorham

[email protected]

Instructor

Scott Rosenfelder

[email protected]

Instructor

Neil Doughty

[email protected]

Instructor

Elois Joseph 

[email protected]

Instructor

Jenny Redisi 

[email protected]

Assigned Students

There are currently no students assigned.