Completed IMP MBA Projects

We invite you to learn more about our Integrated Management (IMP) strategic projects for sponsor companies and organizations. This searchable database features summaries of quarter-long projects completed by MBA student teams over the past several years. Search by company name or alphabetically.

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AAA

  • Developed an approach leading to valuable insights for business and strategy transformation to address the needs of millennial consumers and promote the digital deployment of their product offerings.

ABB

  • Worked with the team in Zurich to propose sustainable, profitable business models, including go-to-market approach and organization capabilities to nurture and grow channel partner engagement and sales in the ABB Ability Marketplace™ ecosystem.

The East Cut Community Benefit District

An MBA student team partnered with The East Cut Community Benefit District (CBD) - a neighborhood development organization in San Francisco that is focused on attracting businesses and enhancing quality of life for its residents. The team conducted research and stakeholder interviews, and also designed a comprehensive survey to identify commercial, residential and cultural opportunities within the district. Survey responses were analyzed using K-means clustering to reveal distinct community segments and preferences. The East Cut CBD will use the team’s findings to inform future development strategies and better align neighborhood initiatives with the needs of its growing residential population.

AEye

  • Manufacturer of world-class LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensing devices for a variety of vertical markets sought a team to identify how autonomic vehicles could transform the relationship between domestic overland transportation and the logistics ecosystem, and to demonstrate cost-and lifesaving ideas based on the capabilities of LiDAR usage.

Agilent Technologies

  • Investigated data sources for key variables, designed and developed a predictive model and provided proof of concept and recommendations with the goal of supporting the company’s financial transformation using machine learning and artificial intelligence.
  • Characterized the communication preferences of Agilent’s current and future customers, surveyed various communications strategies and vehicles, and developed actionable recommendations with respect to appropriate media mix and communications strategy.

AT&T

  • Analyzed the impact of and created a framework for transitioning from direct mail marketing to digital marketing for AT&T Wireless products for both general and diverse market segments.
  • Developed a clear market definition of eSports and surrounding industry landscape, projections for long-term profitability, conceivable competitors, trends in the market and potential advantages and pitfalls.

The Beachbody Company

  • Market-leading American health and wellness enterprise wanted to explore how they might enter the personalized nutrition market to improve user health outcomes and create a new growth trajectory. The team developed recommendations based on discovery findings and company capabilities to deliver a financial analysis and business case for market entry.

Blue Diamond Growers

  • Company conscripted the team to research potential opportunities in promising areas for new verticals, partnerships and associated technology innovations in the almond industry and beyond.
  • Generated a complete analysis of potential business features, opportunities, and comprehensive financial model and key recommendations for implementation of a farm-to-factory tour attraction in downtown Sacramento.

Blue Rhino

  • Tested hypotheses for industry improvements in propane exchange purchase and delivery methods, including product cost efficiency and product enhancements, and provided actionable strategic recommendations for leadership team to gain market share.

Blue Shield of California

  • Provided insights into market-informed recommendations for continued improvement of their rotational leadership programs with respect to recruiting, onboarding, curriculum, retention and placement.
  • Evaluated, benchmarked and provided recommendations for a pilot program intended to offer support and retraining to employees who will be displaced by evolving healthcare models and improved technological processes.

Broadcom

  • Real-time market analysis of new, high-speed semiconductor product release and development of social media marketing strategy and how to engage target consumers. 
  • Developed a branding and implementation strategy to increase awareness of technological improvements and position the company as a leader in Wi-Fi 6 technology.
  • Prepared an independent market assessment for the Over-The-Top content delivery market.

California Design Den

  • Analyzed competitive advantages, evaluated team structure for scalable growth and developed overall strategy for branding, marketing, product positioning and extensions to continue growth and achieve revenue goals in the U.S. market.

Cisco Meraki

  • Profiled the likely drivers and detractors of the shift from Command Line Interface (CLI) to cloud-based infrastructure, including key beneficiaries, expected timing and placement, and defining potential value-added to companies.

The Coca-Cola Co.

  • Developed a global sourcing strategy that identified how to support the launch of an emerging category expected to generate ~$4.0B by 2030; created a baseline for current production and recommended a robust supply chain plan with a phased strategy leveraging existing infrastructure until volume levels are achieved.
  • In alignment with Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste initiative, the project goal was to connect understanding of consumer recycling behavior to deeper material trends and technological advances in the marketplace.
  • The Coca-Cola Co. | Minute Maid Business Unit: Assessed the industry for whitespace opportunities in plant-based beverage categories, considered consumer usage and barriers, and identified new platforms and constructed an innovation pipeline.
  • Provided insights on the impact of and drivers from other influencers (music, fashion, media and entertainment, beauty, health and food) on the beverage industry, and created a roadmap for how to synthesize trends to new products.

Community Grains

  • This boutique startup contracts with farmers to grow heritage wheat locally, fairly, and sustainably to make flour, breads, and pasta. The company received a thorough analysis of variables that inform pricing strategy, customer segmentation analysis and recommendations on product pricing, consumer education and brand strategy.

Daikin

  • Developed an assessment of how the Internet of Things could be leveraged for the company’s future product development. Recommended opportunities to pursue in the “smart” and “solar” spaces.

Driscoll’s

  • Assessed technological advancements in agricultural production, including evaluation of key issues, financial impact modeling and generation of a high-level deployment “road map” for targeted potential solutions.

E&J Gallo Winery

  • Analyzed the capability to optimize inventory throughout the enterprise through evaluating the benefits of rebalancing vs. production; demonstrated financial advantages via working capital; and created a prototype for the process.
  • Proposed and analyzed various plant workflow and configuration alternatives to accommodate a 2x increase in production capacity. Recommended a solution that optimized both product throughput and end-to-end transportation costs.

EllieMae

  • Explored blockchain processing technology for registering transactions to effectively challenge title-related business entities and disrupt current systems, incorporating an analysis of risks, practical implementation, and assessment of market opportunities.

Engie Ventures

  • Identified innovative approaches to financial deal structures and evaluation of potential strategic partners and the competitive landscape, and made recommendations on approach best suited to the company’s target markets to drive company growth.

Gartner

  • Conducted field interviews, a survey and independent analysis to identify key traits associated with increased selling productivity by Gartner’s managing partners. Developed a recommended go-forward approach to drive the maximum productivity ramp.
  • Defined a globally consistent onboarding process for new associates, which involved a market scan of onboarding strategy with comparable agencies, defining best practices, identifying cultural and geographical challenges, assessing KPIs and success criteria, and offering recommendations for implementation.

Gemini Bio-Products

  • Assessed key market trends, identified potential market opportunities and developed recommendations regarding new market entry, drivers and competitive sales projections for the company to broaden portfolio into reagents and consumables.

Genentech

  • Project supported the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) team; interviewed team members to understand and codify internal best practices, determined pain points and analyzed solutions, integrated market-leading best practices and recommended Agile approach for the organization.

Get Satisfaction

  • Conducted industry analysis and gathered competitive intelligence for Get Satisfaction, an innovative SaaS company with an industry-leading community platform that helps customers unleash the power of conversation.

Google

  • Validated new cloud software value equation for enterprises moving to a hybrid and multi-cloud world, quantifying success metrics and understanding costs and benefits for technology and cloud adoption, and a competitive analysis of competitors and go-to-market approaches.

HALL Wines

  • High-end Napa Valley winery sought to segment their customer base through analysis of buying patterns and product preferences and values, and identify most attractive segments for growth and effective direct-to-consumer marketing channel mix. 

Harrando & Co

  • Explored exporting products to the U.S. with the goal of positioning high-end Moroccan olive oil to be competitive with European brands through market research (including FDA requirements and process for U.S. market distribution), competitive assessment and target markets, buyer value analysis, go-to-market plan and delivery roadmap.