A class project has turned into a win-win situation for some Cambrian College Business Administration students and four independent business owners from across Ontario.
As part of their Marketing course, students developed marketing plans for participating companies, with a goal of having the plans put into action.
Owners of small and medium-sized businesses often lack the resources, time, and expertise to research, develop and implement a full marketing plan.
The collaboration with Cambrian students gives business owners access to this expertise and resources, while students get to put into practice what they learn in the classroom.
“It's one thing to talk about marketing concepts; it's another to create a strategy that can be implemented and works in the real world,” says Jean Beauchemin, a professor in Cambrian’s School of Business and the lead faculty on this project, in a press release.
“Working with these terrific partners has helped us build a better learning environment for students and contribute to our community. What's more, these tactics help students gain a competitive advantage as they enter the workforce.”
Participating businesses included Leblanc Decorating (Sturgeon Falls), Pop Rivets Hair and Beauty Emporium (Sturgeon Falls), Harvest King Food Services (Sudbury), and Rootham Gourmet Preserves (Guelph).
Lynn Courville of Sudbury was one of the students working on a marketing plan for
Leblanc Decorating in Sturgeon Falls.
“This was a fantastic experience,” said Courville, in the press release. “Helping Leblanc Decorating gave us real hands-on experience. I will take what I learned from preparing the marketing plan with my team into my future career. It was an honour and privilege to help a local business.”
“It was very eye-opening to see all the great ideas students had to help grow my business,” adds Zak Leblanc, owner of Leblanc Decorating. “Being from a small town, I wouldn’t have thought to ever have an opportunity like this; it was much appreciated.”
For Guelph-based Rootham Gourmet Preserves, taking part in this project was a way to hear new ideas and give back to the community. Students pitched the idea of new products with a uniquely Northern Ontario twist.
“Our business started more than 30 years ago with the support of community partners and mentors,” said owner Will Rootham-Roberts. “Having the option to pay it forward is a humbling experience. We look forward to reviewing the marketing plans, and if relevant, we will launch this new line of sauces representing Northern Ontario.”
One of the students who worked on the marketing plan for Rootham Gourmet Preserves was Laura Battaoin.
“Our biggest takeaway was the value of supporting local businesses during times of uncertainty,” she said. “Working with a real business was more meaningful because it gave us a way to help support the local economy and create opportunities for growth. Overall it was a great learning experience.”
“I’m a strong advocate for real-life learnings and want to congratulate Cambrian College for taking the initiative to bridge students with local entrepreneurs,” said Denis Goupil, President of Harvest King Foods in Sudbury. “I look forward to reviewing the plans and further discussing the world of business with Cambrian’s students.”
Hunter Currie was on the team that developed a marketing plan for Harvest King Foods. “Getting the opportunity to apply the concepts we learned in class to help and provide value to a local business in the community has been an incredibly rewarding experience."
Pop Rivets Hair and Beauty Emporium is a new business launched in Sturgeon Falls by Christian Rivet. “The presentations and the Marketing Plans provided insights that will be extremely helpful in marketing our new business. We now understand the value of having a solid marketing plan, and have a much better picture of what to do and how to separate ourselves from the competition.”
