02/14/08

What is IBE?
IBE stands for Integrative Business Experience.  It is a set of four class offered to business students at the University of Central Missouri.  The classes include a marketing class (MKT 3405), a management class (MGT 3315), an information systems class (CIS 3630), as well as an IBE practicum class.  IBE was created to give students a more hands on experience of how things actually worked in the business world.  To do this, the class is formed into companies.  Each company has to come up with a product design, find a manufacturer, apply for a loan (for start up money), sell the product, and control the products image through marketing and advertising.  Students actually get to experience problems businesses go though instead of just reading about them.

Lending a Helping Hand
At the beginning of the semester, students not only decide what type of product they wish to produce, but also which charity they wish to help.  Every company must choose a non-profit organization to donate their time (service hours), as well as all the profit generated from their business venture.  This way, IBE students are able to make a difference in the community while learning valuable lessons at the same time.