Program Overview
Kenan-Flagler's STAR - Domestic Business Project sends teams of top MBAs and BSBAs to build comprehensive and actionable strategies for United States corporations and not-for-profits. STAR - DBP teams begin their projects by developing a scope of work with the client and signing a confidentiality agreement. Over the life of the project, teams typically analyze the market, assess the competitive situation, develop a strategy and define an action plan that includes financials, risk assessment and a detailed implementation plan.
Since its beginning in 2005, STAR-DBP has made an impact on
counties throughout North Carolina  . Although project clients are typically based in North Carolina, projects from organizations outside the state can be conducted, especially when the clients agree to come to Chapel Hill for two of the four team/client meetings.
Students are not paid for their service; they receive academic credit for their 4-month engagement with their client and are guided by both a faculty advisor and an executive from the client organization. Clients and Kenan-Flagler share the direct costs of the project: faculty oversight, team travel expenses, and printing of the final written report.
In 2009-10, there will be about 8 STAR-DBP Projects fielded in the fall semester (August 17 through December 4, 2009); another 15-20 in the Spring semester (January 5 through April 30, 2010); and another 3-5 implementation projects in the summer of 2010. Implementation projects are specifically designed to help STAR clients from 2009 or 2010 implement their STAR action plan recommended by their STAR team; the application process for these projects is initiated through a conversation with STAR Program Director Lynne Gerber.
Purpose 
STAR-DBP in the News
Sample Projects from Prior Years
Timing
Purpose
The primary goal of the STAR-Domestic Business Project course is to provide Kenan-Flagler MBAs, UNC graduate students from other disciplines and Kenan-Flagler undergraduates (BSBAs) the opportunity to increase their ability to lead and work in teams while developing competitive business strategies for companies in the United States. Priority is given to North Carolina companies and service organizations.
STAR-Domestic Business Project in the News
Sample Projects from Prior Years
These past projects are typical of the kinds of projects we accept.
- Manufacturer of high-end sleep products needed an export strategy for Western Europe. Their STAR team convinced them that they should start with Germany and then the UK, which was contrary to senior management's thinking at the start of the project. The company's president commented shortly after the end of the project that "further research [by the company team] proved that the students were right!" He called the work that the students did a "great sanity check."
- A utilities company in eastern North Carolina needed strategic guidance in deploying Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles. Specifically, they needed a working model to assess profitability and target their marketing efforts. The DBP team identified competitors, customers, and opportunities in the market. The team then delivered a strategy and business model for infrastructure deployment of the hybrid vehicle technology.
- A Florida security industry manufacturer wanted to develop a plan to successfully enter the mass notification market. Their team analyzed the challenges of mass notification and investigated the company's fire alarm system capabilities. This culminated in an action plan that allowed the company to expand its market penetration by repositioning its brand identity and effectively employing its existing business capabilities and technologies.
- NextRay, a start up conceived and started by UNC medical school professor Dr. Etta Piasano joined its STAR team in investigating the viability of defraction-enhanced imaging technology in new markets. The DBP team began by pinpointing highest value considerations in the medical, basic research, and aircraft testing industries. They ultimately produced an assessment and plan of action for the commercialization of NextRay's technology in markets outside of medical imaging-especially the defense and security industries.
- The city of Kinston looked to a DBP team for a redevelopment plan to revitalize the economic well-being of their community. The STAR students analyzed previous planning efforts and performed a regional assessment based on demographic trends, physical environment, and economic environment. Based on its findings, the team took on a public administration role in crafting an economic development plan for the Highway 11/Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard corridor.
- Precision Laser Measuring Systems and Services company worked with a STAR team to identify potential domestic and international markets in which to launch new data capture product. The team helped senior executives evaluate the new product's launch possibilities, recommended the best one, and prepared an actionable 16-month implementation strategy
- Saw mill in the Eastern part of the state engaged a team to help them consider an international expansion plan utilizing their proximity to NC ports, review their product / service portfolio for profitability and growth potential, and investigate areas for cost reduction and performance improvement consistent with strategic objectives. The team developed a price execution strategy designed to improve profit margins across all products, developed a kiln capacity model to help the company plan for the increased demand expected from increased sales as a result of recommended increase in exports to China.
Timing
| For Fall |
For Spring |
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| May/June |
August/September |
| Candidate organizations apply for assistance via STAR website and Kenan-Flagler acquaints MBAs and BSBAs, and other UNC graduate students with the course. |
Candidate organizations apply for assistance via STAR website and Kenan-Flagler acquaints MBAs and BSBAs, and other UNC graduate students with the course. |
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| July |
August/September |
| STAR Selection Committee chooses teams and projects and notifies applicants (both students and organizations) of the matching decisions; students register for the STAR |
UNC students apply for the course via the STAR website |
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November |
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STAR Selection Committee chooses teams and projects and notifies applicants (both students and organizations) of the matching decisions. |
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| August - early December |
January -April |
| Students analyze the business, identify options and develop strategies and implementation plans for clients. |
Students analyze the business, identify options and develop strategies and implementation plans for clients. |
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| December & Beyond |
May & Beyond |
| Clients implement student plans for better results and track progress. |
Clients implement student plans for better results and track progress. |
Return to STAR.
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Domestic Business Project