Contact:	Lucy Hulford (strategy.project@dal.ca)
Professors:	Dr. Lorn Sheehan (lorn@dal.ca) Dr. Ellen T. Crumley (ecrumley@dal.ca) Dr. Bill Foster (bill.foster@dal.ca)

 

The Commerce Student Strategy Project is a capstone exercise for 4th year Bachelor of Commerce students. Teams of 5 students (two teams per organization) apply classroom learning to analyze strategic issues of importance to organizations through eight-month projects from September to April. The organization will receive an interim report in December followed by an implementation plan in April.

Student Team Requirements

1. Select a Nova Scotia organization with a strategic issue (exceptions may be allowed)
2. Conduct a strategic analysis of the industry, environment, organization and issue
3. Make strategic recommendations based on the analysis
4. Develop a detailed plan for implementing the recommendations

The Organization

•  In Nova Scotia (exceptions may be allowed)
• For-profit, not-for-profit, public/government agency, or a new venture
• Must be complex enough to allow for external, internal, and strategic analysis

Issue Identification

The organizational issue must have significant performance implications that are difficult to reverse after implementation, including:

•  Addressing a major organizational threat or opportunity
• Analyzing the industry/environment and changing or re-designing the organization (e.g., restructuring to expand to a new market or provide new products/services)
• Redesigning organizational rewards, organizational processes or incentive systems
• Making changes to organizational culture or strategic leadership

Value Proposition to Participating Organizations

Organizational Benefits

• Evidence-based recommendations via the application of strategic management tools
• An implementation plan with detailed cost and benefit projections
• Multi-functional and multi-person perspective
  • Creative and innovative thinking from two 5-person teams
• Time and effort of 4th year Commerce students
  • Worth 40% of student grade in each of the two strategy courses
• Two teams’ well-reasoned solutions to the strategic problem
• Access to new Commerce graduates as potential employees
• Critical feedback and guidance from strategy professors

Organizational Commitments

• Timeframe is September – April
• Identify a strategic problem (or opportunity) that needs to be addressed
• Access to company information (with a confidentiality agreement) for two teams:
  • Initial meeting of company managers with student teams and TA
  • About 10 hours of time/per semester, including attendance at 2 presentations
  • Vision, mission, and strategic plans
  • Organizational structure and incentive systems
  • Relevant financial information
  • Discussions with key stakeholders (e.g., employees, senior management, )
  • Time as needed with other employees
• Reimburse costs directly incurred by teams (if applicable)

Value Proposition to Students

Benefits

• Learn to apply strategic concepts and analytical tools in a live setting
• Make a difference to a real organization
• Refine presentation skills

Commitments

• Regularly meet with organization, its stakeholders, and teaching assistants/professors
• Gather relevant information inside and outside of the organization
• Invest time, creativity, and innovative thinking

Project Proposal Submission

To obtain the project proposal form and submit your organizational issue please contact:

Lucy Hulford (strategy.project@dal.ca) Teaching Assistant, Commerce Student Strategy Project