"GWU Community Consulting Wins its First Clients!" by Erik Walenza-Slabe

Ok, so we offer pro bono consultation… ahh but winning that first client is still a wonderful feeling! In fact we’re celebrating not only our first client, but also our fourth client in two weeks. As Eric Groff says, client interest is our proof of concept, now it’s time to perform.

Client survey:

• George Mason University Institute of Conflict Analysis and Resolution – PhD candidates, masters students and faculty are interested in starting a boutique consulting firm specializing in conflict resolution. Our task is to conduct a market/industry analysis and help them to develop a business plan by April.

• George Mason University Faculty – Three faculty members are assisting businesses based in Israel and Palestine that strive to bridge the ethnic divide. We are looking forward to meeting with them next week to learn the details of the project and how we will fit in.

• GWU Alumnus/Afghani Handicrafts Manufacturer – An Afghani woman manufactures handicrafts and wishes to export to the U.S. She is being aided by a GWU alumnus who offered to serve as a program advisor. Sweet rewards of networking.

• Mount Rainier Business Association (MRBA) – The MRBA represents 100 businesses in the town of Mount Rainier, where I currently reside. The business community is delighted at the opportunity to tap our talent, and we in return welcome the chance to support them through the recession.

And that is where we stand at present. We’ve made great strides during the past month and now are anxiously awaiting the next program meeting, at which work teams will be assigned.

Erik Walenza-Slabe, Global MBA 2011

"Community Consulting" by Erik Walenza-Slabe

In mid August 2009, hardly more than a month ago, the Community Consulting program was born. At the time I was researching GW student organizations with the intention of becoming involved in one or two of the more active clubs. To my consternation, I found that few clubs required, or even provided for, active involvement in the community. Rather, they were geared towards social networking, booking speakers, and holding informational events. Now, these are all laudable activities but they don’t demand much of the individual members, aside from those who hold leadership positions. I envisioned an organization that was both intellectually demanding and personally empowering – thus was born GW Community Consulting (GWCC).

The basic premise behind GWCC is that MBA candidates will benefit most from their education if they immediately put it into practice. The question then arose, upon whom to practice? I found the answer in D.C.’s small business community. Through a partnership with the D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD), I identified local entrepreneurs who are interested in partnering with the GWCC. Through the relationship students gain practical experience, while local entrepreneurs gain access to free consultation. Thus the program satisfies a key tenant of social entrepreneurship, the improvement of both the individual and the community.

In the GWCC, each student forms part of a three member consulting team, which works exclusively with one client entrepreneur. Team are fully autonomous and are solely responsible for meeting their client’s objectives. However, support is provided, upon request, from students and faculty advisors. A crucial aspect of the partnership is that each team selects which entrepreneur it will partner with, based on a detailed application regarding the client’s industry, size, mission etc. This allows teams to target projects through which they will develop the skills and expertise most important to their future goals.

In early September I pitched the GWCC to the Consulting Club (which rather inconveniently has the same acronyms), and club leadership accepted my proposal to house the program under the auspices of the club. Now that it has an institutional home, the next great step for the GWCC is the launch of its first series of projects in mid October. Shortly thereafter, I dearly hope to post a blog recounting the successful formation of relationships between entrepreneurs and GWCC consulting teams.

Erik Walenza-Slabe, Global MBA 2011