Duke MBA Global Consulting Practicum (GCP)

Information for CLIENTS

Important document for partner organizations interested in
participating in the Duke MBA GCP!:

Overview Brochure for Clients

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What organizations can participate?
What does it cost to participate?
Why should I participate?
Where will the GCP go next year?
What types of projects can the students conduct?
How do I apply?
What are the application deadlines?
How do you select amongst the various applicants?
Who do I contact with additional questions?

__________________________________________________

What organizations can participate?
Non-profits, NGOs or for-profit organizations serving
base-of-the-pyramid markets are eligible to participate in the GCP.

What does it cost to participate?
There is no application or consulting fee.

However, organizations may be asked to provide ground transportation for project-related activities/meetings when the student team is in-country.

In addition, if there are any additional expenses incurred as a result of the project (past examples have included an additional site visit that the client organization asked students to make outside of the pre-established trip itinerary; a study that the client requested the students purchase as part of their research), the client will be responsible for covering those expenses. Any such expenses will be approved by the organization in advance of purchase.

Why should I participate?
Organizations participating in the GCP will receive:

- Top-notch, quality consulting from a team of talented young business leaders with innovative ideas and cutting-edge academic training in a range of disciplines

- Consulting project deliverables reviewed by Duke faculty for rigor and credibility

- Increased capacity to pursue your organization’s mission in an entrepreneurial and sustainable manner

- Access to Duke’s network of other social entrepreneurs and strengthened relationships with Duke University for future partnership opportunities

Where with the GCP go next year?
Decisions about countries that the GCP will travel to are made over the summer prior to the GCP taking place. For the 2011-2012 academic year, the GCP will work with clients in Johannesburg, South Africa and Hyderabad, India. For more information, e-mail l gcp@fuqua.duke.edu.

What types of projects can the students conduct?
Projects should relate to the business skills that students are learning at the Fuqua School of Business. For example, project topics can include (but are not limited to): business planning and strategy; marketing; social marketing; operations; scaling; management; capacity building; financial modeling; market analysis, etc. The project topic should be one that is an important issue for your organization. The GCP is a time commitment for your organization’s staff so must be a priority.For examples of past projects, see past projects.

How do I apply?
More information is available in the Client Overview brochure. This document contains an application form for organizations to complete and submit. You may complete and email this form to gcp@fuqua.duke.edu, fax to +1 919 660-1096 or complete the questions online at http://tinyurl.com/2012PartnerApplication.

What are the application deadlines?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. However, if you would like a project completed in the 2011-2012 academic year, please submit your application by August 31, 2011. Applications received after that date will still be considered but client rosters may already be filled by that time.

How do you select amongst the various applicants?
We try to find projects that:

- meet GCP course objectives

- are business problems that MBAs can address in the allocated time

- have clear scope and objectives

- are of interest to students

It is also of critical importance that potential clients:

- have the time and availability to support the project,

- assign a staff person that is excited about working with students and has the knowledge about the client organization to direct the students, and

- accessibility for communicating with students when they are in the United States (i.e., connectivity through e-mail, Skype, etc)

We then offer several options to students who rank their project preferences. If there is not enough student interest in a project, we will not pursue that project in the GCP. However, student interests change from year to year, so we will continue to work with the client and are willing to propose another project the following year.

Who do I contact with additional questions?
Contact gcp@fuqua.duke.edu and we will get back to you as soon as possible