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Dan McGurrin Introduces Business Collaboratories at April CIMS Meeting

A key part of that new approach is to help companies and organizations manage innovation at the functional level, McGurrin said while discussing Business Collaboratories. “That’s the level at which it’s sustainable.”

It was an appropriate setting, as tools and research-based knowledge from CIMS form a key foundation of the resources made available to companies that select Business Collaboratories for their executive education programs. Also, Paul Mugge, CIMS director, also serves as executive director of the college’s executive education programs and guided its evolution into the new model.

McGurrin traced the evolution of executive education as taught in the nation’s business schools, going back to education made available to soldiers returning from World War II. Over the decades, it became clear that executive education was a critical part of a business school’s offerings. But while many schools manage their executive programs separately from their degree programs, Business Collaboratories “is a different model,” he said.

“What we have is a model” that incorporates the “amazing array of resources and activities going on at NC State University,” he said.

Business Collaboratories taps the expertise of faculty in NC State’s Poole College and its centers and initiatives, other colleges at NC State University, and experts in the business community. For example, it make available to participating companies assessment and diagnostic tools and research-based knowledge developed through the college’s Center for Innovation Management Studies.

Companies choosing the custom collaboratories option work with the Poole College team in an approach that is based on listening, analyzing and collaborating to solve problems with the company, McGurrin said. “We are consultative, not consultants,” he said.

Business Collaboratories’ new website was also launched last week, providing details about the program and testimonials from previous participants, including Lou Arp, vice president and general management supply operations for Eisai.