William A. Sax
Executive-in-Residence
The Fuqua School of Business
Duke University
Box 90120
Durham, NC 27708-0120
Tel (919) 660-7741
Fax (919) 681-6244
william.sax@duke.edu
FUQUA STUDENT CONSULTING PROGRAM
Consulting Services for Small Businesses
Brochure
Fall 2011
INTRODUCTION
The Fuqua Student Consulting Program (FSCP) offers confidential business assistance to
qualified local companies for a $200 Administrative Fee (due only if accepted into the
program). This program is specifically designed for small companies in the Triangle Area,
which do not have the resources to perform or pay for these services.
About 850 daytime MBA students attend Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, who
on the average has worked (5+) years since receiving their undergraduate degree before
coming to Fuqua. The expertise from this pool of talent, combined with the resources of the
Fuqua School, allows FSCP to provide consultation in most functional areas. The list
includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Marketing/ Sales
- Human Resources
- IT & Web Sites
- Inventory Control
- Strategic Planning
- Production Scheduling
- Financial Planning and Control
(Cash flow analysis)
- Accounting Systems/Business Ratios
Break Even Analysis
- Operations
- Growth Management
- Manufacturing
THE FSCP APPROACH
FSCP firmly believes that a successful client engagement requires the client and student team
work in close partnership. To this end, FSCP strives to match the business needs of your
company with the interests and qualifications of the students. Not only does your business
get valuable advice, but also Fuqua student consultants gain valuable business experiences.
Once you have completed the Application for Consulting Assistance, the FSCP program
director along with the student coordinator will review your application. Not all qualified
applicants are selected as the program always attracts more applicants than can be
accommodated. If your application is accepted, a team of three to six MBA candidates will
be assigned to your project. It should be noted that the students choose the client.
Depending on the complexity of the project, the student consultants will conduct research,
perform market studies, analyze financial data, and brainstorm as necessary to attack the
problem successfully. A formal power point presentation and a strategic written report
will be prepared for each client engagement, which will occur at end of term in April.
"A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL RELATIONSHIP"
The relationship between you and the student consultants is mutually beneficial. You get
useful, hard-hitting business advice from bright and energetic graduate students in business
administration. The outlook is fresh and stimulating, and the academic perspective often
provides unique insights you may have never considered.
Fuqua student consultants get "real-world" business experience - exposure that can never be
duplicated in an academic setting. The students are graded and earn three course credits.
They take this course very seriously.
A GUARANTEE OF CONFIDENTIALITY
All engagement conducted by FSCP are done in strict confidence. No confidential
information is released to the student consultants until a team is assigned. We recognize the
sensitivity of your marketing and financial information, and we ensure confidentiality. Each
student signs a ‘Confidentiality Agreement’ before starting the project.
THE CLIENT ENGAGEMENT
In October, consulting teams are assigned to businesses for the Client Engagement. The
consultants will work with the business from mid-October through end of April.
Complex and difficult-to-define problems are analyzed:
~"How can I improve cash flow in the face of intense competition?"
~"We've grown so rapidly that current financial controls are inadequate. Help!”
~"My business has reached a plateau, how can I grow the business?"
~”I am losing employees, how can I stop the loss?
Consultants will meet first at your place of business, and you will be asked to define the
problems at hand. You should expect to meet with the consultants five to eight times
throughout the engagement. The students' academic schedules are very demanding. It is
extremely important that you keep the mutually agreed meeting schedules whenever possible.
The more open and candid you are with the students, the better. Since every phase of the
business impacts bottom line profits, it is imperative that you share your financial
information with the student team. This will greatly improve their ability to deliver high
quality recommendations. Once again, complete confidentiality will be maintained.
A final formal presentation will be delivered at the conclusion of the project, along with
a written report detailing the consultants' findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
A clear implementation plan for the recommendations will be provided. Your active
participation in the presentation is expected, as it will allow the students to assess your
reactions and you will benefit more from the interchange of ideas. You are encouraged to
include others in your organization that would benefit from this presentation.
ABOUT THE FUQUA SCHOOL AND FSCP
The Graduate School of Business Administration at Duke University was established in 1969
and renamed the Fuqua School of Business in 1980 in recognition of the generosity and
support of J.B. Fuqua, Chairman of the Board of Fuqua Industries. Today, the school is
recognized as one of the top business schools in the country. The Fuqua Student Consulting
Program has provided consultation services for over twenty-five years and enjoys the active
support of both the Fuqua School and the local business community. The Director, Bill Sax,
has worked over twenty years and with over 275 companies through this student-consulting
program.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information, please contact Bill Sax, the Faculty Director. If you are interested in
a Client Engagement, please submit your application to Beverly James, Assistant to Bill Sax,
by letter Fuqua School of Business, Box 90120, Durham, NC 27708-0120 or email
(texas@duke.edu) or phone Ms. James, (919) 660-7789.