Outreach : Assistance Programs
The Spiro Institute coordinates several outreach activities that bring together students, faculty, and business leaders.
Market Opportunity Assessments
Inventors and entrepreneurs often need assistance in determining whether there is a market for the product or service they have conceived as well as assistance in determining how to best market their idea. The Spiro Institute’s graduate assistants can perform confidential assessments to determine potential markets, competitors and distribution channels for new products or services. We can also perform preliminary patent searches for individuals who wish to patent novel products and advise entrepreneurs on intellectual property issues. Additionally, we can assist existing small businesses in evaluating potential growth initiatives. These assessments are all performed free of charge.
Audits
Through various courses that they take within the College, students may conduct audits of single departments or processes, or of an entire organization. Audits allow students to observe in practice what they are learning in class. By structuring a student experience around an audit, we are able to link the experience to the content of a particular class and show the participating business the kind of information and access the students will need. For example, a group of students in a marketing class could conduct an audit of an organization’s marketing department and programs. The students’ observations and recommendations, which often are quite insightful, are presented to the participating business. Students and faculty involved in audits will sign confidentiality agreements if requested.
Internships
Many students want opportunities to work for a business for a semester or a summer as an intern. Internships often provide a low risk way for a business to cultivate a relationship with a student that might lead to full time employment after graduation. For students, internship experiences help them understand their career options and form their career goals.
Special Consulting Projects
Often business organizations seek assistance with specific problems or issues, such as development of a strategic plan, creation of new performance evaluation processes, valuation of an acquisition target, or creation of a new marketing program. For these special issues, we can identify faculty and students who are qualified to assist in these areas.
Mentoring
The Spiro Institute can help link experienced executives with entrepreneurs who need assistance in solving various business problems. Mentors can provide assistance in many ways: advising, providing introductions to business contacts, and helping entrepreneurs focus on key problems facing their businesses.
Entrepreneurs who are seeking a mentor should contact the Spiro Institute. The Center will evaluate the entrepreneur's needs and seek to match him/her with a mentor who has relevant skills and background.