OUR VALUE TO CLIENTS

Because the Center’s Directors come from accomplishment oriented, “real” and diverse business backgrounds, they are able to apply their skill sets and knowledge directly to the needs of client companies by working intimately with the owners and top management personnel of those firms on a focused basis.

Typically, client companies seek the Center’s services because of it’s positive reputation from other business assistance professionals, knowledgeable community leaders, and successful prior client firms.

Most of the Center’s candidate clients which request assistance are specifically interested in working with experienced business managers. The four directors combine to provide an experience base well in excess of 100 years and have worked in key management positions for more than 20 companies in a variety of industries.

The Center usually has a waiting list of would be client firms and often has to turn down or delay new projects, since it always has more companies requesting assistance than can be assisted. However, because of this situation, the Center is well known for selecting clients which have the best opportunity for success.

The Center provides in-depth business planning and problem solving on a fee basis. A formal agreement between the client, the ODU Research Foundation, and the Entrepreneurial Center becomes the formal basis for assistance provision. It includes a specification of deliverables, cost, timing, and other important aspects of the relationship, so there is a clear understanding of what the mission for the project is.

While the Center’s Directors usually work individually with clients on separate projects, they are able to seek and receive valuable input from each other when needed. This provides clients with extra value at no extra cost.

Also, on a selective basis, the Directors can even assume key management roles within client companies on an interim and/or part time basis and, thereby, become actively engaged in the implementation of plans which they have helped to develop.