Welcome to the Student Project Opportunities page. The following are corporate and nonprofit organization projects available to student groups this quarter. *These projects are to be used for a current class project or they may be completed outside of class, but only with approval / supervision from a faculty member. The goal of the project opportunities program is to add value and hands on experience to your current coursework. This page will be updated regularly with new project opportunities as we become aware of them. - If you are a faculty member and you see a project that you feel is appropriate for students in your class, please pass it along to them.
- If you are a student interested in taking on any of these for a group project (or an independent project), please contact Karen Larson via e-mail, phone (847) 467-5419 for more details and information on how to proceed. You'll need to tell her the class for which you plan to use the project or the name of the faculty member who has approved your participation in the project.
- Projects listed in red are pending final assignment
- Projects listed in blue are also available for Management Lab classes
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| Business Plan Development |
| Canary Telehealth |
Canary Telehealth is a start-up company that provides remote patient monitoring for people with chronic conditions. Nurse call centers monitor patient measurements via monitoring devices patients use at home.
We need help to evaluate opportunities for a roll-up in the medical call center industry.
www.canarytelehealth.com |
| St. John Berchmans |
We are a Catholic School, located in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. We serve kids from preschool to eighth grade. We are over 100 years old and are committed to providing quality education to the children in our neighborhood and the city of Chicago. Our motto is "All are Welcome" and we believe if someone wants to attend our school, financial difficulties should not be a barrier.
As a smaller Catholic school in the city of Chicago we have many challenges we need to address in order to remain viable. We are seeking assistance in creating a long term plan to ensure we are financially secure, able to attract and retain students, and provide top quality education. We would like to benchmark our school against similar programs, get a better understanding of marketing strategy, financial planning, facility assessment, etc.
www.stjohnberchmans.org |
| Ten-Digit Inc. |
Ten-Digit Inc., a Tennessee-based corporation, was formed 12/21/12 to purchase five year-old NumberGarage, LLC from founder Jeff Heeren. Jeff will be appointed CEO in Feb. 2013. The company will develop, own and operate hosted services telecommunications products as its core focus. These NEW entities are already in development with execution capital provided by Mr. Heeren. These NEW entities are Yippin.com, Landline2Cell.com, TeleCopy.us, an IVR (virtual receptionist) product. The company is soon to create a limited liability company for each entity providing the telecommunications function offered. All entities are on schedule to be formed, launched and operational by March 1, 2013.
Jeff Heeren launched the MVP (minimum viable product) numbergarage.com in 2008 as a virtual telephone number, remote call forwarding service "...to solve my own needs." Ten-Digit Inc. is now developing the products the many NumberGarage™ customers have specifically requested since 2008. "We all have a phone number that people in our circles know us by, and there are many ways to do so much more with that number that you never thought possible."
Ten-Digit Inc. is looking for a student group to review the Business Plan to confirm that it is SOLID. |
| Three Color Films LLC |
Three Color Films LLC is a film production company that has produced five short narrative films and is in the process of producing its first feature film.
We are in the development process of identifying investors for the project. To do this, we want to write a short business plan/pitch document that would incorporate basic research including budget, marketing for the film, viability to sell the film, film options/markets to sell the film, etc.
At this time we are looking for an individual or a small group to assist and guide us as we research, plan and write our proposal. We anticipate, for the initial pitching, that this work would require only 15-20 hours, beginning around Dec 15. There would certainly be the option and possibility to work beyond this initial timeframe, depending on our ability to acquire financing.
WWW.THREECOLORFILMS.COM |
| Corporate Strategy |
| Beth Tikvah Congregation |
Beth Tikvah is a 55 year old reform Jewish congregation located in the northwest suburbs. The congregation currently has about 280 families, reaching communities within a 20 mile radius.
We are looking to utilize outside resources to help us formulate a long range plan that will ensure our relevance and sustainability in the Northwest Suburbs. This project would include evaluating current market conditions, probable long range demographics and assisting an established internal committee with the forumlation of a long range plan that ensures growth while meeting established member needs.
www.beth-tikvah.org |
| The Chicago Baseball Museum |
The Chicago Baseball Museum (CBM) is currently a 501c3 organization which promotes the sport of baseball. With a current focus on the Cubs and White Sox, it also promotes the history/legacies of the Negro League and Women's Professional baseball. We have secured the Jerome Holtzman archives and have a talented Board of Directors.
The CBM needs help confirming its mission and direction. This includes exploring a viable for-profit business model while maintaining a 501c3 arm which promotes learning and maintaining the legacy of baseball. |
| Early to Bed |
Early to Bed is Chicago’s first woman-owned and woman-oriented sex toy shop. We opened our doors in September of 2001. Our annual gross income in 2012 was approximately $400,000. Unlike traditional “adult” stores, ETB is committed to creating a safe space for people of all genders and orientations to explore and learn about sexuality. Through workshops and community outreach, ETB educates people about their bodies, their sexual response, and the many joys of sex toys. Early to Bed is very selective about the products it carries, stocking only items that work as expected, are made from safe ingredients, and bring consumers a good value. The shop specializes in seeking out and carrying toys and accessories made by woman-owned and boutique manufacturers. Approximately 40% of our sales are from our Internet stores (www.early2bed.com, www.early2rise.net, www.ftmessentials.com). We are about to launch an enhanced website which we hope will improve our SEO. We do “Pleasureware Parties” for private groups both in the store and in homes. E2B runs workshops and gives talks all over the city and the Midwest. ETB is committed to the local feminist, LGBTQ and sex-positive community and works hard to support organizations doing good work in those areas by hosting fundraisers and making donations whenever possible.
Early to Bed has been struggling since the recession in 2008. After years of running “in the black,” we were forced to take on debt. Our sales have been increasing steadily in the past two years and we have raised prices. But we can’t seem to get out of debt. We would like a review of our financial and operating procedures, and marketing advice as well.
www.early2bed.com |
| i heart keenwah |
i heart keenwah is a quinoa food company. The company’s mission is to bring innovative quinoa products to the mass market. i heart keenwah’s company’s first product, quinoa clusters, was launched 1.5 years ago and is now available in 600+ grocery, specialty and health food stores as well as select airports. All products are all natural and gluten free. Since launching, i heart keenwah has also been featured in a number of publications including O, The Oprah Magazine; Cool Hunting; Tasting Table; and Daily Candy.
i heart keenwah is now planning for brand extensions into other quinoa based products. The goal of this project is to determine what new products the company should develop, following the success of its flagship product, quinoa clusters. This would entail creating a complete list of potential products and prioritizing the ideas based upon research (primary and secondary) conducted by the student group. Some of the elements of the analysis would include: (a) Selecting the criteria to assess the business opportunity of different brand extensions (including customer need, market sizing, competitive landscape, marketing strategy, etc); (b) Scoring and ranking the brand extensions; and (c) Recommending two brand extensions and presenting a go-to-market strategy.
www.iheartkeenwah.com |
| Finance |
| CitySwarm |
CitySwarm offer all-inclusive event experiences to make exploring the city easier, more social, and more cost-effective for our membership of local, young professionals. For businesses, we provide an invaluable experiential marketing platform along with incremental revenue opportunities.
We would like financial analysis for various aspects of business - including event pricing.
www.cityswarmchicago.com |
| Marketing |
| The Conservation Center |
The Conservation Center is the nation’s leading resource for the restoration of art and antiques. For over twenty-eight years The Center has cared for some of the country’s most prestigious collections, as well as provided cost-efficient treatments for family heirlooms and items of purely sentimental value. The Center offers nine specialized conservation departments: Antiques and Fine Furniture, Books, Decorative Arts, Frames, Murals, Paintings, Photographs, Textiles and Works of Art on Paper - as well as museum-quality Custom Framing, Transportation, Installation, and 24-hour Disaster Recovery services.
The Marketing Intern would work directly under The Center’s CEO on various marketing and web-based projects. Tasks would include but are not limited to: drafting and editing marketing materials, build contact lists and email templates in Constant Contact, assist in the development of new marketing campaigns, social media management and outreach, preparation for networking and professional development events, and website management and updates.
www.theconservationcenter.com |
| The French Company |
The French Company has been in business since 1973 and is the largest national service provider of equipment preservation and maintenance services to the retail industry. The French Company specializes in helping retailers lower their overall total costs through custom asset preservation programs.
The French Company is looking for assistance conducting research with other national service providers to determine what marketing initiatives they use and what has worked best to improve their sales, i.e, printed collateral, SEO, or online marketing. What is the cost of each initiative as a percentage of gross sales or profit?.
http://www.thefrenchcompany.com |
| The Hard-Boiled Detective |
The Hard-Boiled Detective takes an approach to online publishing that is unheard of: it sells subscriptions to an original & exclusive short-story series, created in the fashion of "old-school detective fiction." Subscribers receive three tales every month which they download in the e-format of their choice (epub, mobi or PDF).
The Hard-Boiled Detective is looking for a well-crafted and organized marketing plan/strategy to gain online visibility and, therefore, subscribers. This distinctive publishing venture launched in early February on a shoestring budget, and we're looking to reach as many targeted, potential subscribers as possible. (We do have great latitude when it comes to pricing/discounting in order to support a particular promotional plan.) As a quintessential shoestring start-up, we do have limitations-- every marketing, advertising and promotional effort has to pay for itself. Competition is sizable yet indirect: e-content sellers such as Amazon/Kindle, etc. The other immediate hurdle is selling an unknown author.
https://thehardboileddetective.com/ |
| Latcha+Associates |
So, how do you marry social and Relationship Marketing? With regards to automotive marketing, what are the innovative methods of extending Relationship Marketing into the social arena with specific emphasis on the Ownership phase (post purchase) and Conquest/Handraiser/Consideration (pre-purchase)? Audi of America is one of the leading social marketers with an enthusiastic following on all major social sites. Additionally, Audi is redefining Relationship Marketing to provide a truly personal and customized experience for current and potential customers. Audi is interested in exploring unique and innovative ways of using social media in concert with more traditional relationship marketing to market it's products and services to new and existing owners. For the sake of this assignment, social media should be defined as a way and means for these targets to communicate and share positive Audi Brand attributes among themselves with ties back to Audi marketing efforts. Social media should not be limited to, but can include more recognized forms such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. The definition of Relationship Marketing, in this context, is more than direct mail, but is the ability to encourage an on-going set of one-way (Audi to customer) and two-way (Audi to customer + customer to Audi) communications throughout the life of the relationship. This currently happens through a defined cadence of communication tactics (print materials and digital). Ideally the deliverable for this assignment will be an overview of current, best-in-class (not limited) social brand engagements (including how the examples qualified as best-in-class, the execution and results), as well as a series of recommendations on how Audi would be best served as a brand by integrating social into relationship marketing programs. This project can be scaled to fit the timeframe, as needed.
www.latcha.com |
| Mata Traders |
Starting with a booth at a local outdoor market in 2005, Mata Traders has evolved into a booming wholesale/retail apparel business with sales reaching $422,000 in 2010, $665,000 in 2011, and $970,000 in 2012. Our mission is two-fold: to put fair trade in the forefront of the fashion industry and in turn address poverty worldwide by empowering women economically. Our brand believes that women shouldn’t have to make trade-offs between style and ethics, and that philosophy has paid off; as the brand grows in the U.S. so does the volume of orders we place with the women’s cooperatives and artisan groups that make our products in India and Nepal.
Our fair trade products satisfy an ethical consumer, but our styles appeal to consumers in the mainstream apparel market who do not typically or exclusively seek out an ethically-made products. This is evident when you look at our retail partners: about half of those accounts are dedicated fair trade shops that only carry fair trade products; the other half are independent boutiques and shops that buy our line for the look. We are unique in the mainstream apparel market because of our social mission, and we are unique in the fair trade community because we are stylish.
The project will focus on developing a marketing strategy and marketing plan for Mata Traders with the goal of increasing sales and achieving greater brand awareness. If the scope of this project is too broad, it would be okay if the students focus on particular aspects they feel they would be able to execute successfully. An analysis of our current situation might include: - company and competitive analysis
- current customer and target market analysis
- evaluation of any elements of the technological, economic, cultural or political/legal environment likely to impact success.
- reflect our overarching social and fashion missions
- one- and two-year marketing objectives, in addition to market-oriented strategies and recommendations given budget and staffing constraints
www.matatraders.com |
| Pictricks |
Pictricks is a low-cost, fast and efficient online photo retouching service. Customers upload photos and a graphic designer will fix the photo within 24 hours.
We are looking for help to create an effective marketing initiative to launch our online service business. We are looking for strategies to create visibility, acquire customers and obtain high volume sales.
www.pictricks.com |
| Tenantify |
We safeguard rent payments. We help landlord verify tenant's income via electronic bank statement. It is a free service for landlord, and we save hassle, prevent fraud, and make renting worry-free. For tenant, we enhance your chance of application success, as the landlord confirms your income and gains additional comfort through our service. Our goal is to reduce friction in the housing market and build trust between landlord and tenant.
Phase 1: Develop a comprehensive marketing strategy for Tenantify:
1. Identify customer segmentations (landlord, property manager, broker, etc).
2. Find the best way to reach different segments
3. Develop brand message and core value proposition for each group
4. Identify an integrated marketing strategy. Phase 2 [Optional]: Marketing strategy for new product features:
As Tenantify focuses on reducing friction between landlord and tenant, we plan to eventually expand our product to facilitate rent payment with an authenticated bank account. Is this the right direction to go? If yes, how should we revise the marketing strategy from Phase 1 to accommodate the broader product scope. If no, then where should we expand?
https://tenantify.com |
| Marketing Research |
| Benevolent |
Benevolent is a nonprofit startup founded in August 2011 by a Kellogg graduate. The mission of Benevolent is to bring dignity and self-determination to both sides of the giving equation, transforming the way we give and get support. Unlike traditional giving, Benevolent fosters a direct connection between individuals, breaking new ground by providing a platform for personal connection coupled with the security of a trusted validation process. At its core is the notion that by leveraging the power of personal storytelling and personal connection, we can shine a light on the very real struggles of those who face one-time hurdles or opportunities along their paths to success and at the same time engage donors in directly helping them overcome those hurdles.
The goal of this study is to research and calculate the cost savings in services and interventions of meeting a singular person's need on the Benevolent site. This will require research and extrapolation regarding several sample needs and circumstances posted and met on the Benevolent site. Research should include an analysis and calculation of the amount of money saved by a Benevolent success story. For example, this could include shelter, case management,health care, police, food services and supports, welfare and income supports,and more. Success in determining this calculation will result in Benevolent being able to express in dollars the impact and leverage provided by each donor dollar through the Benevolent site.
www.benevolent.net |
| Friends of the Chicago River |
Friends of the Chicago River is the only organization solely dedicated to the Chicago River. Since 1979, Friends has been working to improve the health of the Chicago River for the benefit of people and wildlife and by doing so, has laid the foundation for the river to be a beautiful, continuous, easily accessible corridor of open space in the Chicago region. Friends’ work spans the entire 156-mile Chicago River system and its surrounding watershed. Friends works in partnership with municipalities, businesses, community groups, schools, peer organizations, government agencies and individuals on projects that benefit the river. We believe the river can be both ecologically healthy and a catalyst for community revitalization.
Friends has great brand strength in the Chicago area. We receive a lot of media coverage and our name is recognized by many Chicagoans from this frequent reporting. For example, we are mentioned for our significant clean up and restoration projects, annual events and for the improved health of the Chicago River attributed to our activities. We have quarterly publicity reports that we can share in more detail to illustrate this media attention and growth. Recently, we started working directly with corporations, like MillerCoors, Wrigley, Boeing, coordinating their volunteer work days. In turn, along with the company receiving a fantastic volunteer day for their employees and building stronger teamwork, they market themselves as “a friend of the Chicago River”
Our next step in building and scaling Friends is recognizing our brand value. This will enable our directors to be better equipped to negotiate contracts with corporate sponsors and talk to high level stakeholders. We would like a Kellogg group or a Kellogg student interested in using their expertise and skills for social impact to research our brand and estimate a value that we can use as we move forward these next 5 years. This would complement the introduction and narrative for Friends’ five year strategic plan that will be launched in 2013.
www.chicagoriver.org |
| Rosel School |
The Rosel School is a vocational school providing education in cosmetology and massage therapy primarily to low income, immigrant women.
We are planning to move our facilities in Q1 2014 and need to scope out the best market within the City of Chicago or surrounding suburbs to identify the best areas for our new location.
www.roselschool.org |
| Organizational Management |
| Unicorn Cafe |
The owner would like to see if there is a correlation between both the staff members working as well as the music that is played and the sales of the day.
http://www.unicorncafe.com/ |
| United States Tennis Association |
The mission of the USTA / Midwest Section is to "promote, develop and service the game of tennis," focusing on the establishment of competitive, developmental, educational and recreational programs for individuals of all ages and skill levels without regard to race, creed, color or national origin. The USTA / Midwest Section also promotes health, character, fair play, sportsmanship and social responsibility through tennis.
INITIAL PROJECT: Assist with the development of the Auxiliary Board to provide supportive funds and services to The Midwest Youth Tennis & Education Foundation and to aid the foundation in its efforts to develop the life skills of youth through tennis and education.
The goal of the Auxiliary Board is to evolve into one of midwest’s most popular fundraising and service groups, hosting fundraising events and one large community service event per year. |
| Operations/Human Resources |
| Chicago Public Schools |
Chicago Public Schools Military Academy Network seeks support to help redesign it's inventory management processes. Currently, there are 11,000 students who are enrolled in JROTC across 44 high schools, and 6 full wall-to-wall high schools. As part of the program, students are required to wear various specific uniforms to school, and are awarded medals throughout the school year to accompany those uniforms. The Military Academy Network maintains a 12,000 square foot warehouse on Chicago's southwest side with 4 full time personnel to receive uniforms and other equipment from various sources (primarily the Army), and in turn arrange for delivery out to schools.
The goal of the project is to identify cost reduction opportunities by redesigning the warehouse operation, to include: implementation of basic technologies, shifting warehousing responsibilities to schools, changing operational procedures to perhaps only deliver inventory during our peak 'seasons' (the start and end of the school year). Additionally, the project team would identify operational measures of success that should be tracked to determine operational performance. The project has additional importance given the budget environment that CPS currently operates in and the need to reduce overhead, for which this warehousing operation presents many opportunities. |
| Private Equity/Venture Capital |
| Project Management |
| The HistoryMakers |
The HistoryMakers is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit research and educational institution committed to preserving and making widely accessible the untold personal stories of both well-known and unsung African Americans. Through the media and a series of user-friendly products, services and events, The HistoryMakers enlightens, entertains and educates the public, helping to refashion a more inclusive record of American history.
The Program Coordinator will be responsible for promoting, coordinating, and executing multiple year-round events and summer educational programs. The program coordinator must be able to operate in a fast-past, deadline-driven environment, have an extensive background in program coordination, including prior experience with effective outreach and developing collaborative relationships with other groups and organizations.
www.thehistorymakers.com |
| Real Estate |
| Sustainability |
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