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Management Assistance Program (MAP)
for Small Businesses

Sponsored by the University of Minnesota's
Office for Business & Community Economic Development

Business Application

MAP Program Overview

The Office for Business & Community Economic Development (BCED) offers this unique program that provides development services and technical assistance to woman-, minority-, and disabled-owned for-profit businesses. With the support of the Carlson School of Management, the Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs, the Law School and all other University graduate schools, graduate and professional students work under the direction of the Office for Business & Community Economic Development to provide consulting services that help businesses in building capacity and improving profitability. These individualized services positively impact the small-business sector, thereby strengthening the community at large.

The BCED Program Manager receives applications for the program, and then matches businesses with student consultants who have been recruited from the U of M graduate schools. The Program Manager arranges and facilitates meetings, coordinates all projects, provides guidance to the students on project matters and monitors projects from inception to completion.

BUSINESS OWNERS PLEASE NOTE:

In considering your request, be advised that students are only required to expend approximately 50-60 hours each on the project for the duration of the school semester (approximately 3-4 months). One to three students are assigned to a project, depending on the scope and type of project. This is not an internship, but rather a student project, so please adjust your request accordingly.

Businesses that participate in the program must:

  • Be a minority-, woman- or disabled-owned business.
  • Be located in the surrounding Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota nine-county metro area.
  • Be in business a minimum of three years.
  • Be willing to freely share data with students, including financial information.
  • Be willing to adjust their schedule to meet with students.
  • Respond promptly to office and student requests for information.
  • Be able to pay an administrative fee of $100.00.

Consulting assistance is available in the following areas:

  • Market Research and Analysis
  • Management Info. Systems
  • Marketing Plan Development
  • Business Plan Development
  • Strategic Planning
  • Operations Management
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Finance and Accounting
  • Communications
  • Demography Studies
  • Feasibility Study
  • Human Resource Management
  • IT / Technology Development

Outcomes and benefits for businesses participating in the program may include:

  • Increased Profitability
  • Increased Productivity and Efficiency
  • Improved Business Processes
  • New Business Processes
  • Increased Business Capacity
  • Improved Performance

Application

Deadline for Fall 2008 Projects: Friday, September 5, 2008

Incomplete Applications and those Businesses not meeting the Program Requirements will not be considered.

For more information, please contact:

Nedy Windham
Office for Business & Community Economic Development
University of Minnesota
2221 University Avenue SE, Suite 136
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414
Phone Number: (612) 625-2053
Fax Number: (612) 625-9056
Email Address: windh003@umn.edu
 
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 Last modified on August 6, 2008