Julie DeMarco          

02/14/08

What is IBE? - A Summation ~

            Since the spring semester of 2004, Harmon College of Business students at the University of Central Missouri have had the opportunity to participate in an intensive, hands-on program that helps create a foundation in business. This program, called the Integrative Business Program (IBE), provides students with the chance to develop interpersonal skills in a work-like setting. It also helps students learn from their experience by applying key business concepts and analytical tools learned during the semester to solve a wide range of very real problems with four core classes.

            Students in IBE simultaneously create and manage two significant enterprises: an actual start-up company and a hands-on community service project. All profits from the start-up company are then donated to the students’ choice of charity.

            The content and many of the assignments in the core classes are specifically sequenced to support students in organizing and managing their business and service venture. Students spend the first 7 weeks developing a business plan whose profits are used to finance a hands-on community service project. The plan is then represented to a loan review company to obtain real capital needed to implement their plan.

            For more information on the IBE experience please visit the website links page, or click on the icon below.

IBE Community Service Project ~

             The hands-on community service project requires students to participate in helping an organization of their choice. Upon making their decision as to which one they choose, the company members begin volunteering service hours assisting with various activities as assigned by the organization - activities include labor, recreational, cooking, etc.

            When deciding upon what organization the company chooses to work with, the student members also make the decision whether or not their profits will go to the same organization they volunteer their service hours to, or they may choose to donate it to another one.