In exchange for their research and ideas, the IU Kokomo students earned 30 percent of their grade in an organizational development class, taught by Thomas von der Embse, a professor of management at IU Kokomo.

Students examined the businesses’ operations, missions and goals, human resources, marketing efforts and inventory control, as well as how the firms used electronic and technological equipment. “They went beyond business organization into business strategies, and had a lot of suggestions for improvements,” von der Embse said. Program participant Crista Tharp owns Treasures of the Heart, which offers event planning and customized gift baskets. Tharp was looking for ideas on how to train a part-time employee and gain more control over cash flow. Students Casey Betz, John Clendenning, Nick Kirk and Brad Wunderlich, all of Kokomo, and Evan Shafer of Converse were “very well prepared,” Tharp said. “They didn’t take up a lot of my time; they knew the right questions. I’m ready for a second shot at CMP.” She was also impressed by their final presentation, prepared with PowerPoint software. “I wish I had that training,” she said. Students outlined a process by which she can increase prices and cover expenses. Using the process quickly paid off, according to Tharp.

Babies Delight, owned by Troy and Tanisha Hall, retails baby and children’s clothing and accessories. Tanisha said the students’ analysis of her operation provided a useful “outside eye, a more objective look” at Babies Delight. “Owner-operators don’t have as broad of a view of their own businesses,” she said. Students Stephanie Gaunt and Luke Leger of Kokomo, Angela Hill of Tipton and Kyla Ward of Peru “did a good job of gathering information,” Hall said.

Other business and student participants were:

• Helium Works, owned by balloon design artist Gail Rood. Student consultants were Dina Miley of Marion, Daniel Taylor of Peru and Cory Thatcher and Mike Tweed, both of Kokomo.

• Schmidt Law Office P.C., owned by Daniel Schmidt. Student consultants were Melanie Flores-Street of Marion, Mark King of Michigantown, Rick Schoenberger of Kokomo and Tim Skinner of Tipton.

• Signs Xpress, Inc., a service providing customized signage and banners, owned by Patrick Clifford. Student consultants were Erin Brechbiel and Adam Wahl of Kokomo, Josh Davison of Michigantown and Holly Weaver of Logansport.

Parnham and von der Embse pursued a Collegiate Management Program in spring 2003 working with a capstone M.B.A. business strategy and policy class.

“Companies that may not have all the expertise they need to apply for the grants themselves can strengthen their project by collaborating with IU faculty or partnering with other companies,” said grant consultant Davida Parks.

IRLP has recently morphed into the university-wide Technology Business Resource Center, an arm of the IU Advanced Research and Technology Institute (ARTI), and is headquartered at the IU Emerging Technologies Center (IUETC) in Indianapolis. The TBRC provides a variety of services to Indiana entrepreneurs, governmental units and technology-based companies. Among its important functions, TBRC also will help small businesses shepherd federal Small Business Technology Transfer grants through complicated approval processes. Congress established the STTR and SBIR programs to help small, technology-oriented businesses compete with larger businesses nationally and internationally.

It was the sixth year that an IU Kokomo investment team finished in the top 10 percent nationally. More than 1,000 teams participated nationwide, including four other teams from Roden’s class.

Each team started with a $100,000 fictional account and made mock trades in stocks and options using the World Wide Web. Challenge judges rank schools on their teams’ average portfolio value. IU Kokomo was ranked number seven in the 10 best schools nationally.

“I am so happy that our IU Kokomo SIFE students did it again,” said School of Business Dean Niranjan Pati. “They completed about 20 projects that enriched the lives of those in the community around us and internationally. Their showcasing of those projects impressed the review board at the regional competition.” Pati also congratulated School of Business faculty members Joan Hoch and Kathy Parkison, who advise SIFE as Sam Walton Fellows.

SIFE teams from four-year colleges competed at the St. Louis regional, presenting annual reports of their year’s activities to a judges panel composed of business executives. In 2003–2004, IU Kokomo’s 30 SIFE members completed more than 1,000 volunteer hours in activities. Projects included presenting workshops on job-seeking skills to helping Mexican engineering students develop marketing plans for a voice-activated wheelchair.

“The students represented IU Kokomo well,” said Kathy Parkison. “The overall judging comments may be some of the best we have ever received.”

Parkinson

Parkison and co-instructor James Dick of the University of Nebraska presented sessions on teaching techniques and “how economics education is done in the United States,” she said. “The sponsors like to send a team of one male and one female teacher,” Parkison noted. “It sends a message that, in the United States, women are valued.”

The pair also supervised 30–40 Ukrainian teachers, who will present additional economics lessons to fellow teachers, principals and curriculum specialists.

The workshop was held in the eastern Ukrainian town of Lugansk. The town is located in an economically disadvantaged region, struggling now that its dominant industries of coal and steel production no longer receive Soviet government subsidies. Parkison “adjusted lessons to keep them relevant” to the Ukrainians’ experience, or lack of experience, with free enterprise concepts.

This was the second NCEE teacher-training workshop Parkison has helped lead. In September 2002, she spent a week in the Republic of Armenia, teaching economic basics to government ministers, university professors and high school teachers from several former Soviet republics.