Business Students Present to Consulting “Clients”: Photogallery
Each year, student teams in the Organizational Consulting course put their classroom learning into practice as they consult with various business and nonprofit “clients.” As the capstone course for business majors, the course offers students experiential learning through interacting with real business issues and businesses.
Dr. Rick Hamilton, assistant professor of business, teaches the course.
Over the course of the semester, students presented project updates to a panel of business professionals. The final meeting on December 4 gave the students the opportunity to present final outcomes to their clients, mentors, and the broader Trinity community.
“Working with a local business as a part of the organizational consulting class was a great experience,” said Taylor Boice ’15 of Hudsonville, Michigan. “I was able to learn about leadership and teamwork firsthand. The lessons and connections I gained from this project are something I will use the rest of my career.”
Stephanie Reichert ’14 of Alsip, Illinois, gained insight into working with a team on a long-term project. “As a future auditor, it was important for me to become acclimated to ongoing group work as I will be working along with many other coworkers.”
This year, some business students also collaborated with English students to assist the Chicago Semester with key projects.
“The financial model that the team created far exceeded my expectations,” said Chicago Semester Director Mackenzi Huyser ’98, Ph.D. “The expertise they offered through collaboration with other classes at Trinity gave us very helpful data and wonderful alumni stories to share as we celebrate our 40th anniversary. I was impressed with the professionalism of my team and the creative ideas they offered in their work with our program.”
I was impressed with the professionalism of my team and the creative ideas they offered in their work with our program.
Dr. Mackenzi Huyser ’98
Senior Courtney Samudio of Surprise, Arizona, said she enjoyed the support shown by the Trinity community in regard to her team’s project.
“I worked with the Bootsma Bookstore Café, and it became so evident at my final presentation that the recommendations I provided my client were not only heard but well received and sincerely appreciated.”
Partnering businesses and projects included:
Back to God Ministries International: Students assisted with the development, coordination, and evaluation of services provided through ReFrame ministries.
Calumet Country Club: Students assisted with developing a membership retention and expansion plan.
Chicago Semester: Students assisted with developing a strategic financial planning model to assist in programmatic evaluation and development, improving the understanding of why students are attracted to the semester experience and what they gain from it, and developing materials for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the program.
City of Palos Heights: Students developed a comprehensive plan and framework to assist the client with implementing the rebranding recommendations for the city.
Elmhurst CRC: Students assisted with the evaluation and training of the management information system supporting church staff and congregational communication, budgeting, and coordination activities.
K Hoving and Co: Students assisted with assembling an integrated marketing resource and plan to help with securing city street sweeping contracts.
Meyer Eye Care: Students assisted with a range of operational and strategic issues including developing a mission/vision/values statement, a refined marketing message and presence, projects to assist with computer integration, an operating budget and accounting improvements, and overall client service improvements.
Monroe Transportation: Students assisted with assembling and evaluating information related to fleet maintenance costs, approaches to leasing or buying new tractors, and integrating several different information sources.
Trinity Admissions: Students assisted with the development of themes and protocols for attracting and retaining students from legacy schools and local community colleges.
Trinity Bootsma Bookstore Café: Students assessed the current structure and function of the BBC and developed three visions that would both improve the current operational structure and answer selected strategic questions.