Using students in a learning capacity with the SBDC program

At the Southwest SBDC in Marshall, MN, Regional Director, Liz Struve, works closely with Dr. Michael Rich, Marketing Professor at Southwest Minnesota State University and Executive Director of the Southwest Marketing Advisory Center (SMAC) to develop critical information for businesses on specific demographic targets.

This helps small businesses better understand and target their markets, and even assess if the market will be large enough to support the business. This information can be the difference between success and failure of the business. Carrying out the research and developing the reports are Southwest Minnesota State University students, gaining hands-on experience while helping the Southwest SBDC help their small business clients.

A great win/win situation, and one that the MnSBDC strives for in all of their Regional Centers with their educational hosts.

Click here for an advanced peek at the forthcoming article appearing in April 2010 issue of the Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing.