By Sean Olson, University Relations
Things are usually hectic at the beginning of the school year, but things are about to get even wilder when the North Carolina Zoo sponsors an MBA day for students of UNCG Bryan School of Business and Economics.
When the Randolph County Small Business Center at Randolph Community College was considering a small business incubator, they knew they’d first need a feasibility study.
Enter the Bryan School. Two teams of MBA students stepped in, researched the feasibility of a small business incubator and authored the final report, the “Randolph County Business Incubation Assessment Study,” that was presented to county officials in August and showed that:
1. Entrepreneurs and business leaders believe an incubator could be an engine of economic growth for the county.
2. Business and industry leaders believe financial assistance and rental space should be available.
3. A majority of respondents feel Randolph is a favorable environment for new businesses.
4. Given the diversity of entrepreneurs in Randolph, satellite incubators may be necessary.
5. A business plan should be developed for an incubator, including a marketing plan, funding sources and in put from the community.
“From an educational standpoint, the project is an exercise in learning by doing,” said Sheldon Balbirer, director of the Bryan MBA program. “Our students had to learn how to work in teams to bring a complex project to successful conclusion. It is one thing to worry about whether you are going to get B+ or A- on a paper, but quite something else to do a project in which you represent yourself and your institution in the public setting. I could not be prouder of our students.”
In appreciation of the students’ work, the North Carolina Zoo, located near Asheboro, will hold a “Bryan MBA Day,” beginning 9 a.m. Aug. 20. For more information on this event, call the N.C. Zoo at 1-800-488-0444.
