SyBA Outreach

Types of projects

As a part of SyBA students will have the opportunity to work with actual businesses in the community. They will perform business projects such as marketing research, SPC, business plans, start-up business plans, feasibility studies, and many others. These projects generally fall into areas such as, marketing, organization, production, or various other tasks that a business may need help with.

SyBA Product and Service Information

SyBA offers four areas of service and products to our clients. The four products are described in brief as follows:

Strategic Process Consultation (SPC):

This is our pillar service used since the inception of our organization. SPC examines stakeholders and the values created both for and by them. External analysis creates an understanding of external factors relating to the firm's industry. Internal analysis focuses on internal factors within the organization and how they add value and competitive advantage for the organization. At the end of each of these three analyses, a GAP analysis will show what the current situation is for an organization, what the desired states or goals are, and the needs to be met in order to achieve those desired goals. SPC is most commonly used with organizations that have been operating for some time.

Feasibility Studies:

A feasibility study is simply the analysis of a proposed venture or project to determine if it is appropriate in meeting the organizations goals. The study includes market analysis, financial analysis and projection, and managerial factors. This is a vital study to perform prior to starting the project venture.

Business Plans:

After a business or organizational venture has been deemed a sound investment (via a Feasibility Study), a firm and thorough plan must be created to map out marketing, operations, finances, and other business issues relevant to a new/on-going organization. Business plans are used and required by banks, investors, and by managers to assess the goals and plans for the new business or organizational venture.

Start-Up Plans (AKA Implementation Plans or Growth Plans):

Start-up plans relate to projected projects for growth within an organization, implementing new products/services, or beginning new strategic decisions within an organization/business (i.e. a new benefits package or a new line of products). The use of a start-up plan should be used after an initial feasibility study is completed. The purpose of a start-up plan is to map out all of the necessary steps to starting, implementing and completing a successive project.

Past Business Clients

XSNet and AAA
Imperial Lanes and Asani's
Biodiesel Southern Indiana and Overpeck's Furniture & Hardware
Downtown Terre Haute and Terre Haute Children's Museum
Child Adult Rehabilitation Services and HappinessBag
ISU Career Center, Financial Aid Office, and Admissions Office
ISU's Center for Public Service and Community Engagement
College of Business Alumni Association and Career Experience Center
The Wabash Valley Community Foundation and Gongaware Center

Testimonials

Testimonials from previous clients:

"Sycamore Business Advisors were right on the money finding what we were lacking as a business. They helped us reach areas in the market we were overlooking, but had the potential to be tapped. SyBA helped us become better organized and develop a better business plan. There presentation to us was very organized and well done." Phil Cooper - Imperial Lanes

"Our staff and board members were impressed by the diligence of the advisors in gathering detailed information for research. SyBA was very professional in all of their interactions with CANDLES. They took the mission of our organization to heart and analyzed our situation as if they had a stake in its success. The SyBA formal presentation was top notch. The student advisors showed sensitivity to all the challenges of Holocaust education, but managed to make worthwhile suggestions that made good business sense. After receiving their recommendations for our business in both oral and written form, we have decided to continue consultation with them to implement their key suggestions. They understood the challenges we faced in implementing their suggestions with such a small staff, so they have dedicated a team this semester to help us do the groundwork. SyBA started out at the beginning of Spring 2007 with no knowledge of our organization. Now, by the end of the Spring 2008 semester, we hope to have a turnkey operation based on market research and testing, ready for production at a moment’s notice." Kiel Majewski - C.A.N.D.L.E.S Holocaust Museum

Testimonials from previous students:

"BUS 401 was extremely beneficial because it prepared me for the real world. This class was setup like a professional job and in turn, it forced me to utilize all of the business skills that I obtained throughout my college career. I strongly recommend this class because I am still using the skills that I used from this class at my current job." Robert Moore, class of 2005

"Bus 401 isn’t like any other class in the College of Business. It is a very good experience to get before graduating and going into a job. The class is time consuming and frustrating, but in the end your final product is something very impressive, and something that you can be proud of." Jon Arnold - Indiana State Alumni

Professors

The two professors instructing the SyBA BUS 401 sections are:

Dr. David Robinson
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Dr. Art Sherwood
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