Student teachers

Entrepreneur, Oct, 2002 by Nichole L. Torres

You don't have time to keep up with all the latest business knowledge, but MBA students sure do. And over at Emory University's Goizueta Business School in Atlanta, businesses That participate in the annual Marketing Strategy Cornpetitian can get the up-to-date advice they need--directly from students.

Find out how to submit a proposal to be part of next year's competition at www.bus.emory.edu/gmsc. If your company doesn't make the lucky 12 or if you can't afford the $15,000 fee to participate ($5,000 for nonprofits), check out your local community colleges and universities for similar programs. Contact marketing or even public relations professors and offer your company as a case study for the classroom-you just might get some innovative marketing ideas.

Anisa Telwar Hunt's Atlanta product design company, Anisa International Inc., benefited greatly from the program. After spending time with Telwar Hunt sharing the ins and outs of her business, financials and distribution, the five-member student team put together a marketing plan in 2001. They recommended that she increase her relationships with vendors, expand her distribution and be more innovative with the line of makeup application tools she manufactures. "it re-energized me," says Telwar Hunt, 36. Having already started building relationships, she hopes to attack the innovation suggestions soon.,, I learned so much," continues Teiwar Hunt, whose sales topped $8 million in 2001.