CAP (Calvin Action Projects) CALVIN CENTER FOR INNOVATION IN BUSINESS A CENTER OF CALVIN COLLEGE

Calvin Action Projects What is CAP? –Real world projects for Calvin business and accounting students –Projects in accounting, marketing, finance, strategy, auditing, senior capstone, etc. –Semester long and shorter term projects –Students work as consultants on real world problems and projects Purpose of CAP –Provide undergraduates with professional experiences –Partner student teams with experienced faculty advisors and business clients –Offer transformational learning experiences –Provide solutions & recommendations for project sponsors (clients)

Calvin Action Projects What’s in it for the student? –Provide students with an opportunity to: Blend theory and practice Adjust conclusions as new information and learning is discovered Think independently, function without sufficient data, be open to new ideas Negotiate with teammates & sponsors Learn to act professionally What’s in it for the project sponsor (client)? –Provides sponsors with an opportunity to: Work with and get to know students before they graduate and begin their career search Get fresh thinking from a different perspective on their business and their problems Invest in the future of their organization, industry and field Get out of the office

The Theory Behind CAP Experiential Learning Cycle (based on Kolb and U of M Action Learning Cycle) Reflective Observation (think critically and analyze objectively) Project Experience (blending theory & practice) Active Experimentation (experiment to find solutions) Abstract Conceptualization (Develop conceptual understanding)

Types of CAP Projects Marketing –Develop marketing plans or do research on specific target markets, etc. Strategy –Develop strategic plans to validate the commercial potential for new technologies, new ideas, and innovations Accounting –Audits of processes, transactions, and records Innovation –Create new product and service concepts based upon user observations Capstone –Consulting projects for businesses which involve all disciplines Finance –Financial analysis of company reports and statements

CAP Participants Roles & Responsibilities Student Teams & Faculty Advisors Calvin Center for Innovation in Business Project Sponsors (Clients) –Calvin Center for Innovation in Business (CCIB) Network with businesses to develop project proposals Communicate with and connect project sponsors, faculty, and students Evaluate projects and sponsors for quality and fit –Student Teams and Faculty Advisors Sign confidentiality agreements Perform work on the project Communicate with and present results to client –Project Sponsors Define project & scope Provide information and support to team Review final project and give feedback

Expectations of Project Sponsors/Clients Attend at least two class sessions (if possible) -project kick-off -project presentation Provide necessary background information to best equip student team Provide financial reimbursement for expenses incurred by student team (pre-approved by sponsor and faculty)

Expectations of Student Teams Provide formal feedback to sponsors: Initial agreement on scope of project Interim update for sponsor/client - share progress & clarify open issues Final presentation to Executive Sponsor, including printed version of project and electronic copies of data & analysis

Goal Prospective Sponsor is interested in a project Proposal is submitted Final proposal is presented Decisions on proposals communicated to sponsors (accepted or rejected) Activity Share information about CAP, project types, etc. Project Sponsor completes project proposal form CCIB reviews, discusses, & revises project proposal with sponsor Review all project proposals & course needs Prospective Sponsors Project Decision Revisions Proposal Phase Pre-Proposal Phase The CAP Process Project Completion Student teams and faculty work with sponsors Successful projects completed for students and sponsors Feedback