MBA Global Consulting Projects

Foster MBA Global Consulting Projects can help you expand your international business and make it more profitable. Utilizing their training in strategy, finance, marketing, operations and supply chain management, teams of Foster MBA students will work with you to research complex business challenges and provide you with actionable recommendations.
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How do the projects work?

Consulting teams are made up of four Foster MBA students and one faculty advisor. The team will meet with your company to learn more about the project, conduct preliminary research, and travel abroad to conduct in-country primary research and make an in-depth analysis of the company’s strategic issues in that market. Upon their return to the US, the students complete their recommendations and make a final presentation (in-person or virtually) to the sponsor companies.

Projects typically span 12-15 weeks depending on the scope of the project. Projects can start either in October (September 15 application deadline) or January (December 1 application deadline). See the project timeline below for more information.

Project timeline

Project activity	October-February	January-May
Application deadline for sponsor companies	September 15	December 1
Project kickoff: Student teams meet with their corporate sponsors	October 2018 (In-person or virtual)	January 2019 (In-person or virtual)
Students conduct pre-trip research before traveling abroad.	October-November, 2018	January-February, 2019
Students go abroad to conduct in-country research	December 8-21, 2018	March 8-22, 2019
Final presentations	February 18-28, 2019 (In-person or virtual)	May 13-24, 2019 (In-person or virtual)

Fees

There is no fee for these projects. Sponsor companies pay the air, hotel, per diem, and in-country expenses directly related to the project. Maximum amounts to be agreed upon before the project commences.

Past projects

Helped a Seattle manufacturer increase B2B sales in China from its China-based factory.
Developed a Southeast Asia distribution strategy for a marine equipment maker.
Made a competitive analysis on the Western Europe industrial products market for an on-line wholesaler.
Evaluated the options for outsourced aircraft parts fabrication in South America.
Improved replacement parts sales in Mexico for a US truck manufacturer.
Created a China brand strategy for a Chinese sporting goods manufacturer.
Performed a competitive market assessment in Asia for a large cloud services provider.

Client testimonial

GM Nameplate has owned and operated manufacturing facilities in China since 2005, primarily to supply our US customers. The goal of this project was to help us further develop our China sales organization to grow the value and range of products we sell in the local market. The Foster MBA Global Consulting team exceeded our expectations in all areas of the project. They met with our China staff as well as with prospective new customers, which was a key factor in the project’s success. We have already implemented many of their recommendations. I would highly recommend this program to any company facing an international business challenge.

Bruce CleckleyCEO, GM Nameplate (GMN)

About GM Nameplate (GMN)

GMN serves companies across many industries with custom manufactured components and assemblies. Started as a nameplate manufacturer, today GMN’s capabilities include die-cuts, labels, front panel integration, brand identity pieces and more. Their customers include Apple, Boeing, John Deere, Microsoft and Tesla. GMN is privately owned with corporate headquarters in Seattle and more than 1,000 employees at its facilities in North America and Asia.
(Pictured: MBA student team at GMN Dongguan, China factory)

Please contact us to help you frame a project that is valuable to both you and the students.