Call for Project Partners
The Strategy Study Project is an opportunity for your organization to work with first-year students and shape their approach to business. Students will work in teams to use available data and apply course principles, concepts and frameworks to analyze your organization, its current challenge and opportunities, and make recommendations for future success.
Process & Timeline
DecComplete a project proposal
- Interested organizations are asked to submit an online project proposal by December 1st.
- Projects will be reviewed and approved by the course instructor.
Collaborate with teaching team to frame the business case
- The partner organization will work with Smith’s support team to develop a business case for their organization which can be presented to students.
Deliver a briefing presentation to students
- The partner organization will deliver a presentation to student teams outlining their business case — including background, case documents, and any available research.
Project execution
- Student teams will work to complete a strategy study that addresses the business needs of the partner organization.
- At the project mid-point (mid-February) the partner organization will be available for a check-in to address any questions and provided any needed clarification to the student teams.
Final presentation
- In a live presentation format, student teams will deliver their strategy recommendations to the partner organization (12-15 minute presentations).
- Representatives from the partner organization will act as panel and provide feedback to the student team.
Partner Benefits
- Access top talent from Smith's BCom program
- Leverage student knowledge and shape their approach to business
- Strengthen relationships with Smith students and faculty
- Raise your organization's visibility at Smith
- The project is a possible audition for career opportunity with the partner organization
- No financial commitment requirement from project partners
Partner Requirements
- The organization must have a well-defined, strategic problem or challenge. In particular, there is a particular interest in projects which focus on sustainability, net-zero and/or climate action.
- The partner organization must be prepared to present their business case, assign a dedicated person to liaise with student teams, and be available to have employees participate in final presentations and offer feedback.
Past projects have included:
Strategy studies of SMEs, large companies, or non-profit organizations in a variety of industries & sectors (consumer goods, hospitality & tourism, manufacturing, media & entertainment, tech, etc.)
Ready to get involved?
Complete and submit the following project proposal. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the Experiential Learning Team.