Small Business Tips: Partner with Educational Institutions

If you’re looking for new or different ways to market your business while boosting your involvement in the community, your local college or university might be just the place to start. According to SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business,” there are lots of opportunities within the walls of educational institutions if you just know where to start. Here are some ideas that could present unexpected opportunities for your business:

1. Contact the college’s business school to see if they need companies for their classroom case studies. You will learn a great deal about your business, as well as gain ideas for the future.
2. Contact a graphic design or visual arts program. Sometimes classes seek out businesses that are willing to have students redesign their logo or marketing materials as part of class projects.
3. Participate in special programs. Many institutions sponsor venture capital forums, entrepreneurship centers and family business programs.
4. Offer an internship program to graduate students, and work with the school to make sure you have an effective program in place.
5. Obtain management and technical assistance from one of more than 50 Small Business Development Centers. Check the U.S. Small Business Administration web site at http://www.sba.gov/ for locations.
6. Find out what expertise is on a business school’s staff. You may come in contact with a professional you can hire as a consultant or serve on your board.

There are many possibilities for your business within the programs of a college or university. Pursuing the right relationship could translate into big benefits for you.

Source: SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business