MBA - Experiential Learning Opportunities - Global Client Projects

While GCPs change from year to year, below is a list of examples of previous and current projects:

Example Global Client Project Scope of Work (Market Expansion)

Client is a family-owned Finnish company founded in 1988 that manufactures high-quality tent saunas. The client has experienced significant success in the Finnish market and but has had limited success entering the US and Canadian markets. To date, the client has completed small sales in the North American market to both private individuals and (partner company/distributor) based in Minnesota but wants to expand their North American presence. The client is looking to work with students on a market analysis as well as a strategy formulation and application plan to plan for expansion in the North American market. The client would also like the team to recommend pricing and GTM (online + offline) strategies. Key questions:

•    Potential market size, growth potential, and geographic focus in North America
•    Competitors
•    Potential manufacturing partners (domestic or international)
•    Customer segmentation and identification of buyers (private or commercial)
•    Pricing strategy
•    Identification of resellers and sales channels (online, brick and mortar)
•    Risks/challenges/liability issues
•    Essential product properties (e.g., operating temperature)
•    New sales points (e.g., emergency lodging)
•    Cultural factors that may affect market entry and business operations

Example Global Client Project Scope of Work (Market Analysis/ Business Plan)

Rural Moroccan people are approximately 34 percent of the country’s population, and 75 percent of rural households earn less than the national average. They experience close to five times the national poverty rate, and 80 percent of their income depends on revenues from the agricultural sector. One major reason for this generational rural poverty is that farming families primarily cultivate barley and corn, which are planted on more than 70 percent of agricultural land, yet account for only 10-15 percent of agricultural revenue. In addition, Morocco is one of the world's most vulnerable regions to climate change.

Deforestation, erosion, and limited water are all issues that can be improved through expansion of tree cover. Today, less than 2% of Morocco has tree cover yet tree nurseries are valuable for Moroccan farmers. Fruit tree cultivation allows farmers to transition from less lucrative barley and corn and generate greater income. Client is a catalyst in using carbon offset credits (tree planting) to support its partners' sustainability goals. By doing so, and in training community and members of women’s cooperatives to manage nurseries and related activities, the sustainable impact of client’s program is increased substantially. One mature tree, such as carob, can produce up to hundreds of kilograms of food, creates employment, and empowers women through their agro-cooperatives. Within the U.N. Clean Development Mechanism and Voluntary Emission Reductions, companies worldwide can offset their emissions in Morocco. The value of credits traded in the voluntary market has increased by 393% since 2006 and will increase by an estimated 185% by 2026. Companies are increasingly required to purchase carbon credits, ensuring future demand. Further engaging Morocco in the carbon credit market can have a major impact on the country as a whole, through the generation of new revenue for reinvestment in community-managed development projects in agriculture, but also in education, public health, and new enterprises.

Client has an existing contractual relationship with a university to provide carbon offset credits. The client would like to expand its university relationship by working with Darden on a Global Client Project focused on:
•    Assessment of carbon offset credit market to include competitors, costs, market analysis, and additional factors.
•    Creation of a business plan focused on carbon offset revenue.

Example Global Client Project Scope of Work (Strategy Analysis/ Recommendations)

Client recently led the project and contract management for solar electrification of Zanzibar islets. Using funding from the Royal Norwegian Embassy, client managed supply chain, procurement, and installation of solar grid/ panels on the islets of Kokota and Njau (Zanzibar).

The client requests research and analysis into fabrication of aluminum array solar panel mounting structures to serve the East African Market. Client’s procurement for solar electrification of Kokota and Njau used array structures purchased from China with long lead-times and high logistics costs. Client also believes that local material and labor will be lower cost than overseas suppliers. The market for solar is growing dramatically in Africa. As such, East Africa will be implementing many solar installations over the next decade based on international development agencies (World Bank, Clinton Foundation, USAID, AFD, KfW, etc.) and private sector funding streams. Client is seeking to determine the viability of assisting a local Tanzania aluminum cable and conductor manufacturer to expand its product line into aluminum solar array manufacture.

The team is asked to:
•    assess the East Africa demand for aluminum array structures,
•    identify global competition within the product line,
•    assess competitive advantages of local content (labor, materials), taxation and manufacture,
•    visit the key sites in Tanzania and/or Zanzibar
•    utilize information gathered to develop a business plan to attract investors/ identify partners/ recommend next steps.
 
Client has access to data outside the public domain and can provide subject matter experts on solar, aluminum, and electrification master planning for Tanzania. Client leader has also served at partner level in US, UK, and East Africa within two Big Four consulting firms.

Client has led an international tender to procure solar equipment including the array structures.

Example Global Client Project Scope of Work (Cost & Viability Comparison)

Client is an international NGO committed to eliminating malnutrition among children with disabilities and those without family care in Vietnam since 2017, delivering technical support and capacity-building to Social Protection Centers, government partners, and local NGOs. Their work in Vietnam focuses on advancing disability-inclusive nutrition and feeding interventions, and equipping caregivers and service providers with the knowledge and tools needed to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities. They recently launched a new project with some long-time partners to support family strengthening and to help children with disabilities grow and thrive.  

The client requests students to undertake a study exploring the cost-effectiveness of family-based care versus institutional care for children with disabilities in Vietnam. The project will assess both direct and indirect costs associated with each model, incorporating financial, social, and developmental outcomes. Students will work with local partners to gather qualitative and quantitative data. In addition, the project will include a comparative analysis of reintegration models from other countries to identify key success factors and common pitfalls in transitioning children from institutional to family-based care. The goal is to develop an evidence-based, contextually relevant model for Vietnam that supports government and NGO efforts to reintegrate children with disabilities into family settings while ensuring long-term nutritional and developmental support. 

GCP Client Information