Business Clinic - Free Business Advice for SMEs

The USW Business Clinic is an education scheme whereby a group of students participate in a ‘consultancy firm’ to provide advice for our clients. The service is offered to all types of companies from SME’s, multi-national and non-profit organisations. Students get to the root of the problem, which results in a detailed report and presentation of their recommendations.

How it works:
USW students offer clients a full consultancy experience, after initially scoping the project clients can expect students in groups of three/four to get hands on and tackle the organisations problem. Generally, this consists of visiting the organisation, communicating with clients their progress, conducting primary or secondary research on behalf of the client and finally making recommendations in a form of report and/or presentation.

Potential areas of support:

Accountancy audit and recommendations
Digital marketing and social media audits
Feasibility studies on strategic decisions or expansion
Human resource audit and recommendations
Logistical review and recommendations
Strategic marketing reviews

BUSINESS

Need extra resources to scope new areas for development?

Would an independent review of your organisation be of value?

ACADEMICS

Would you benefit from access to primary data/latest industry trends?

Looking for industry connections to enhance your curriculum?

STUDENTS

Considering your career path, and whether your knowledge and skills are applicable to today’s job market?

Searching for opportunities to gain experience and enhance your CV?

Overview

The aim of each project is to undertake research and make recommendations to your organisation, that will benefit the organisation in terms of providing a resource. In order to do so, clients are expected to work with the university and the Business Clinic in the following ways:

• Agreeing the consultancy brief with USW Business Clinic
• Provide the required support / information to enable the students to complete the project. If feasible students will visit the premises of the organisation.
• Contact: this will involve an initial meeting with tutors to draft an initial brief, first meeting with students at the University premises or through video conferencing, telephone / email communications throughout the project and be available to attend the university premises for the presentation of the Consultancy Report. Some projects due to their nature may require more regular contact.
• Being involved in the marking of the consultancy report / presentation
• The level of confidentiality / commercial sensitivity will be established and appropriate measures will be put in place
• Depending on the size, complexity and timeline the project may be more appropriate for undergraduate or master’s students.
• All businesses will be interviewed or vetted to check the appropriateness of the project and suitability of the organisation for the university and students to work upon. Criteria for appropriateness will be set by University personnel, at a senior level.

Support

The Business Clinic will support the student consultancy firms and individuals, providing appropriate guidance, mainly through regular workshops / supervision and giving feedback when necessary. The Business Clinic endeavours for the student consultancy firms to produce consultancy reports and presentations to the highest of standards.

Costs

There will be no charge for the advice or information provided by The Business Clinic.

If your organisation has a particular problem or gap in knowledge, the Business Clinic at Exchange would be delighted to hear from you.

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Portfolio

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A2E & Events

As a part our ambition at USW Exchange to drive business growth and support collaboration and business partnerships, we have established the Access to Experts (A2E) series.

Membership

USW Exchange has been designed to promote and encourage greater engagement with academia, innovative design thinking and cutting edge skills development of the future workforce.