PROGRAM REVIEW FOR CENTERS AND INSTITUTES
Center/Institute: Small Business Institute
Director/Administrator: John Bradley Jackson
College/Academic unit: Mihaylo College of Business and Economics (unit within Center
for Entrepreneurship)
Contact Information: John Bradley Jackson, SGMH-4210E, 657 278-3464
Date: July 22, 2009
Name of primary authors if different
From Director/Administrator:
Self-Study
1. Mission
The purpose/mission of Small Business Institute (SBI) is to strengthen the small business sector
of Orange County free enterprise system through field case projects. The mission is
accomplished primarily by students consulting with small businesses in Orange County. The
students work might be compared to apprentices supervised by faculty.
2. Goals and Activities
Since 1991 all MBA students have contributed to SBI field case projects as part of their
integrative, capstone MBA class. In addition, all undergraduate entrepreneurship students
complete SBI field case projects. One of the goals of SBI is to support research in
entrepreneurship, information archiving, contact database development, and information
dissemination via the Internet.
3. Resources and Sustainability
Most of the revenue for operations comes from funds generated by field case consulting. In
addition, approximately 80 “Entrepreneurs in Residence” assist the SBI by providing support in
the classroom. Last year (2007-08) the institute operating revenue was $156,000.
4. Organizational Structure and Governance
SBI is a sustaining business unit within the Center for Entrepreneurship. It has director and an
advisory board composed mainly of small business owners in Orange County. It also has a one
family sponsorship.
5. Highlights and Accomplishments
The Small Business Institute has been the recipient of the National Graduate Small Business
Institute Director’s Association award for a number of years. Members of this association
represent many major colleges and universities. The 2008 award represents the eighteenth
successive year that the CSU-F team has placed in the top ten of the nation. The institute
maintains a contact database with over 25,000 names of Orange County business owners, their
professional advisors, alumni and other key decision makers that support small business.
Recently the institute took over the publication of the Orange County Directory of Networking
Organizations.
6. Planning and Strategic Outlook
SBI develops an annual strategic plan with a quarterly review and the input of the Advisory
Board. In addition, monthly reviews are conducted to review finances and to determine if goals
are being met. Several institute objectives (goals) have been identified including a goal to
provide advice and support to existing businesses on best practices that develop entrepreneurial
business skills, improve venture operations and help entrepreneurs find needed resources for
profitable growth.
7. Viability
It is reported that SBI is financially viable and relies on the revenue received from client projects
and the donations from the Advisory Board. The current economic crisis is challenging to the
organization to provide sufficient revenue to cover operating expenses. SBI looks to create other
revenue streams, one such project is the recent launch of the Orange County Networking
Directory.
8. Appendices
AACSB Financial Data Report
(Small Business Institute)
Summary and Recommendation(s)
A main focus of the Small Business Institute’s (SBI) mission is to provide students majoring in
Entrepreneurship the experience of utilizing field consulting as a compliment to their academic
program. Since 1991 all MBA students have contributed to SBI field case projects as part of their
integrative, capstone MBA class. In addition, all undergraduate entrepreneurship students
complete SBI field capstone courses. The institute works directly with small businesses
throughout Orange County. The institute receives most of its operating funds from field case
consulting. SBI has been recognized nationally by the National Graduate Small Business
Institute Director’s Association the 2008 award represents the eighteenth successive year the
CSU-F team has placed in the top ten in the nation.
The governance structure includes a director and Advisory Board. The Advisory Board is active,
meets annually and is involved in setting goals for the organization. Though SBI is financially
solvent at this time, the self-study notes that present national and state economic crisis is a
challenge for the organization to create sufficient revenue to cover operating expenses. Board
member retention is also a challenge. The institute is seeking additional revenue sources one
such project is the recent launch of the Orange County Networking Directory.
Reviewed by Council of Deans
September 2, 2009
Action taken: Continuation
Gerald W. Patton
Director of Assessment and Educational Effectiveness