For graduate students, this is an opportunity to integrate knowledge from diverse disciplines within a small business context. For business owners, the BEDP offers high-level business consulting services to help them grow their companies. And for the community and the City of Seattle as a whole, the BEDP is a vehicle for creating new jobs in distressed neighborhoods. The Alumni Advisors program is entering its second year. Last year 13 Business School alumni guided student teams.
Advisors play several key roles.
We have found that with Alumni Advisor assistance all of the firms are able to make significant progress in implementing new business practices. The BEDP welcomes Advisors who are alumni from the UW Business School and from other colleges and universities who have an interest in supporting the work of the program. They contribute to student learning and to business growth. For many Advisors this is a volunteer opportunity that enables them to lend their expertise to both students and businesses owners and to contribute to the improvement of the education of Business School students and economic opportunities in distressed communities. Based on our 1998-99 experience, the level of individual involvement varies greatly.