Clark University Exhibit O

Clark University Exhibit O

Graduate School of Management

Spring 2005

Consulting Projects Management

Potential Project Listing

Mr Rainey and Mr Holbrook

Outlined below are potential projects for the spring semester of 2005. We will only be able to select six projects and this listing may change.

Project #1

Our client, located in Worcester and Westborough Massachusetts, is one of the largest independent bookstores in the country. They employ over 100 people in 3 locations and revenues are approximately $10 million. There are 5 operating divisions including a full service restaurant, college bookstores, publishing company, e-commerce/mail order outside sales division, and two retail bookstore. Several years ago student teams assisted this client with a new strategic plan and recommend a new company wide computer system.

The client is requesting another team to assist them with their accounting system. The current accounting package is not integrated with any other systems and all data captured in the point of sales systems are manually inputted into the accounting. This makes for inefficient and untimely accounting reports.

The client has requested a student team to help define the company’s accounting needs and determine if the current package can fulfill these needs. If it can, they would like the team to help them integrate the packages. If it doesn’t they would like the team to recommend a new accounting package that will fulfill their needs.

Students interested in accounting, MIS, general management, entrepreneurship, retail, and finance will find this project of particular interest.

Project # 2

Our client is a $50 million retailer and distributor of propane gas and related products and services. The company has grown to over 185 employees and has 13 sites throughout Central and Western Massachusetts. Many of these locations are the result of an acquisition strategy. When the company was smaller ownership wanted to operate the businesses in a decentralized manner, with few operational rules and procedures. However, as the business has expanded geographically, it has become more difficult to adhere to this previous operational model. The Company has recently installed a new computer system with a primary goal of further centralization of MIS, accounting, pricing, distribution and customer service functions.

The client has requested a student team to help develop appropriate organizational strategies and structure for the company. The team will help the client identify critical issues that management needs to address. The will also develop an organization chart, job descriptions and help rewrite the employee handbook.

Students interested in human resources, general management, entrepreneurship, MIS, sales, marketing, accounting and finance will find this project of particular interest.

Project #3

Our client is one of the largest health care providers in Central Massachusetts. The client recently announced that they are undertaking a major project in their Radiology Department. They are planning to convert from a film-based image management practice (manual system) to a digital Picture Archiving and Communication System, PAC (automated system). The scope of the project includes implementation of PACS over a three-year period as the client will roll it out to multiple sights and include multiple modalities.

The client has requested a student team to assist them in Phase I of the project. The team, working together with various managers, will help document baseline operating costs, document current workflow, design ideal workflow, develop new job descriptions, and document new operating costs.

Students interested in health care management, operations, MIS, finance, accounting and human resources will find this project of particular interest.

Project #4

Our client recently acquired the specialty wine distribution division of a major liquor wholesale business. This $3.5 million distributor employs 10 people and is located in Sturbridge. One of our student teams recently helped the client develop his new IMS program.

The client has requested that another consulting team assist him with the possible relocation of his business to the Worcester area. The client currently uses a public warehouse located in Brockton and would also like help with determining if he should relocate the warehousing to Worcester and whether he should take over his own warehousing operation or use a public warehouse. The team will help the client identify a suitable location, prepare a financial evaluation and recommend whether he change public warehouses or bring the function in house. The student team will work directly with the President of the company and work with local realtors as the help him find suitable space.

Students interested in operations, finance, entrepreneurship and general management will find this project of particular interest.

Project # 5

This client is a regional maker of craft brewed beer. Three graduates of WPI founded it. Starting virtually from scratch they have developed several very successful craft beers and are well known throughout Massachusetts. According to their web site they provide the

"Finest, Freshest Ales from the Berkshires to Boston"

“The ALES are hand crafted with the finest ingredients available, bottled, and kegged in our Central Massachusetts facility. The plan has always been to be a high quality brewery that sells fresh beer only in the local area. Although distribution has grown from Central Massachusetts to the entire state, our beer remains exclusively available from the Berkshires to Boston.”

They are now getting ready to expand beyond Massachusetts to other states in the New England area. They would like assistance to evaluate which of their products should be distributed first to these areas. They also want an analysis of the other micro-breweries/craft breweries that they would be competing with as well as the micro-brews and craft beers that are being distributed. In addition, they need an analysis of the wholesalers that distribute beer in various states and the pricing of the other specialty beers.

The client will be able to utilize this research to determine which markets they should start selling initially. They will also be able to use this data when they present their loan information to local banks in order to finance their expansion into a new facility that will increase their capacity and offer more retail opportunities.

The project will be of particular interest to students that have an interest in entrepreneurship, advertising, marketing and sales.

Project #6

Our client is an 83-year-old company with sales of approximately $20 million and employs around 70 people. This Worcester based company has 3 major divisions; building materials which concentrate on masonry and gypsum products; interior finish which focuses on installation of various flooring and acoustical ceilings; and doors which is a blend of the other 2 divisions.

The client uses several different computer systems that are over 5 years old. These systems include a point of sale (POS), an Access based job cost system and an accounting system.

The client has requested a student team to help them decide the best computer system that meets the needs of all three divisions. The team will analyze the clients operation, define the needs and evaluate various industry systems to determine the best fit for our client.

Students interested in operations, MIS, accounting, finance, entrepreneurship and general management will find this project of particular interest.

Project #7

Our client is a non-profit organization that was created to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life, while sustaining natural resources in the 495/MetroWest region. The Partnership was developed as an epitome of public/private collaboration. It is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of leaders from both the public and private sector including representatives from Business, municipal government, state agencies, environmental organizations, higher education institutions and non-profit groups.

With a full time staff of three, the Partnership is currently focused on issues of transportation, housing, and brownfields redevelopment as well as business retention and expansion.

In addition to its large payroll, the region has a number of other surprising statistics. While in 1990, 40% of the residents commuted to work within the region, a decade later that number has grown to almost 60%. In fact, only 8% of all residents commute to jobs in the City of Boston, defying the historical commuting patterns. Additional, with an additional 10 million square feet of commercial/industrial development approved to be built along the 495 Corridor, planners estimate at least 33,000 new jobs will be created.

While municipalities look forward to embracing the increased tax base and businesses covert the opportunity to take advantage of the strengths of the region through expansion and relocation, both are perplexed at how workers and residents will move throughout the region. Transportation infrastructure is not keeping pace with current nor projected growth

The client has requested a student team to help them prepare a report and findings to an audience of State and local officials as well as regional business leaders. The team will inventory and catalogue existing public transportation programs in the 32 municipality region with focus on special opportunities for connection of services, research suburban mobility best practices and recommend how they might be adapted for use in the 495/MetroWest Region, and review potential funding sources.

Students interested in non-profits, public policy, operations, human resources, finance and logistics will find this project of particular interest.

Project #8

Our client is Girls Inc of Worcester. This non-profit organization was founded in 1916 . Their mission is “to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold”. Last year Girls Inc served over 4,200 youth between the ages of 5-18. Women head 67% of their families and approximately half the youth are from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

The client has requested a consulting team to develop a comphehensive marketing and communications plan that is inclusive of all constituents and markets with the goal to increase name recognition, increase membership and expand their service area. The consultants will work closely with the Executive Director, the Fund Development and Marketing Committee and the Communications Director.

Students interested in finance, public administration, non profit entities, marketing and business planning will find this project of particular interest.

Project #9

Our client is the Boys and Girls of Worcester. In 1999 one of our teams helped this client prepare a strategic plan. As part of the $30 million plan to revitalize Main South, the club is planning to build a new $6 million Clubhouse. We helped the client prepare a complete business plan in support of this expansion. . Our consulting team worked in conjunction with management and board of directors on the marketing, management, fundraising and financial aspects of the plan. The plan was co-coordinated with the various public and private partners involved with this project, including Clark University. Not only was the business plan a vital component in charting a course of action, but also it was used to solicit potential donors.

The client is about to complete their capital campaign and construction of the new facility has begun. The client has once again asked us to assist them as they update/redo their business plan. The focus of this plan will be based on their strategic direction now that the new facility is coming to fruition.

Students interested in finance, public administration, non-profit entities, marketing and business planning will find this project of particular interest.