In this course you will take on the role of a business consultant to help a company solve a problem or capitalize on an opportunity. The first step is to select the company you will use for your assignments.

• Preview the instructions for the assignments in Weeks 3, 6, and 9 in the course guide. This will help you as you make your company selection.
• Think of a company you would like to work for or a company in an industry that interests you. You may select a publicly traded company, a small business, a non-profit, or a local or federal government entity (Note: You may not select: Amazon, Google, Apple, Netflix, Target, Walmart, Disney or Microsoft). If you choose a local/small business, much of the data you need to gather will come from interviews either in person, by email, or over the phone.

1. Introduce yourself to your classmates and share some of the knowledge and skills from your business program journey that you could leverage in your role as a business consultant. (Note: Think about the S-Curve for businesses and the importance of innovation and adaptation to change.)
2. Identify the company you have selected. When were they founded?
3. What is the mission and vision of the company? What do they do, and who do they serve? What industry does the company serve? (Be concise)
4. Why did you choose this company?

Provide a substantive response to one or more of your classmates. You are encouraged to ask questions to help each other in refining this part of your assignment.