Ask Wayne Fox to give a short explanation of the mission of The Center for Business Outreach at Northern Arizona University and he will tell you it is to help Arizona’s rural, tribal and northern business communities to succeed by providing training, information, technical assistance and support services.
But, it is so much more than that.
It provides high-quality business-related training, education, consulting, and information resources to business, non-profit organizations, tribes, and government agencies throughout Arizona's rural and northern communities. It also gives students at the W.A. Franke College of Business hands-on experience while helping pay for their college educations. And last but not least, for the last 33 years, it has hosted a world-class economic outlook event attended by hundreds of people.
Fox, the assistant dean and director of the outreach, said when he took over the center 24 years ago, he had one secretary. Now it has grown to employ 70 full and part-time people and provides service around the state.
These services consist of:
· Economic Impact Analyses
· Feasibility Studies
· Business Skills Training
· Computer Skills Training and Facilities
· Professional Testing Center
· Youth Entrepreneurship Education
· Market Research
· Strategic Planning Assistance
· Business Plans and Consulting Services
· Professional Development
· Economic Development Consulting
The Economic Outlook Conference is one of the highlights for the center. Last year’s drew more than 350 people to hear speakers from the banking, tourism, real estate and public programs.
He said the outreach is made up of six components.
“All these services have their own directors under the umbrella of outreach which allows us to collaborate, share resources and better serve the state of Arizona,” said Fox .
The six components according to the university’s website are:
The Arizona Hospitality Research & Resource Center
This arm of the CBO provides customized research and training for the hospitality industry and much more.
“We do a lot of survey research, both for the hospitality industry, for schools, cities, counties, school districts, just everyone, said Cheryl Cothran director of the center. “People want to understand who the visitor or customer is and what they are doing. They take that research and improve their businesses and services. We are really helping them do a better job at what they do,” she said.
The Arizona Rural Policy InstituteIts mission is to be involved in statewide, regional and national economic business research.
It gives technical assistance to workforce development, grant consultation for non-profit organizations, entrepreneurial training and strategic planning, market research and feasibility analysis and business and operating plans. It also provides labor market analysis, business surveys, economic impact studies and economic modeling.
“We basically analyze business climates in certain areas and government policies and make recommendations and prepare analysis,” said Jeff Peterson, research associate for the institute. “Hopefully in the long run the outcomes of these projects will help bring new business to an area or governments or citizens a view of what certain policies have on a local climate.”
The Center for American Indian Economic Development
Its job is to stimulate and nurture entrepreneurship on Arizona Indian lands and provide technical assistance to the Arizona Indian nations, tribal sub-political entities, tribal enterprises, and Native American businesses and organizations. Doing so, helping them achieve self-sufficiency through economic development.
The Computer Training Center
This entity presents more than 200 training workshops a year to the public. Topics range from computer and internet basics to advanced offerings in preparation for a technical career. Custom and private workshops are offered and presented in the center’s training lab, at the client's site, or with laptop computers and portable projection system. The center also offers a variety of training programs on the internet to give students the opportunity to learn anytime, anywhere. Topics vary from basic computer operation to advanced programming skills. Software courses offered focus on Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access; and also include widely used business applications such as Adobe’s Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and Acrobat.
Elderhostel
NAU Elderhostel offers more than 50 different educational programs throughout the year, tailored to a variety of interests and geographic areas. Since the start in 1983 it has hosted more than 65,000 participants. Typical courses are geology, southwest history, ecology, Native American studies, planetary studies, archeology, fine arts and writing programs.
“Since its beginnings in 1983, the NAU Elderhostel program has become the largest Elderhostel provider in a national network of 330 universities and educational non-profits,” said Rich Stephens, director of the NAU Elderhostel and Road Scholar Programs. “In 2008 the program hosted over 6,000 participants and since 1983 proudly claims over 85,000 alumni attendees on its programs throughout the Southwest. Most programs are somewhere between 3 – 11 nights in length and while they primarily focus on the beautiful natural resources of Northern Arizona, we also host programs in our neighboring states with destinations including Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon, and Zion, Bryce, Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Parks”
“We are so blessed in Flagstaff to be surrounded by world class scenery. Working with the Elderhostel program reminds us daily of this as our participants never stop expressing this sentiment”
The Small Business Institute
In this program small business owners meet with senior business students to review the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations. With faculty supervision, students then conduct an assessment of the business, develop alternative solutions and prepare a comprehensive report. Students get real world experience and the business gets the service at no cost.
To learn more about the Center for Business Outreach call Fox at 928-523-7323.
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