About Us
Welcome and thank you for visiting the Butler
Business Accelerator website. I encourage you to explore our
website and experience what we consider to be one of the most
innovative programs in the country.
Developed through the generosity of the Lilly Endowment, the
Accelerator represents an exciting stage in the evolution of the
College of Business. As the outgrowth of the college's real
life, real business defining theme and principle, the
Accelerator is committed to providing students with opportunities
to not only learn about business, but to experience business
first-hand.
Operationally, the Accelerator is a consulting business designed
to serve middle market companies in Indiana. Teams led by
professional consultants supported by faculty and students work
directly with these companies - helping them to grow and
simultaneously providing a living laboratory in which undergraduate
and MBA students learn and experience real business problems and
situations. Since 2006, the Accelerator has made 2,085
contacts with students through classroom collaborations with
College of Business faculty, and 20 professors have worked
with the Accelerator on client projects.
As of the fourth quarter, 2011, the Accelerator has successfully
completed 100 projects with 36 clients in 19 industries since its
inception. Through service offerings that include Business
Strategy, Operational Discipline, Organizational Development,
Marketing Services, and CFO Services, the Accelerator has helped
clients to see real results. One company experienced a 35% increase
in sales, resulting in a four-fold increase in free cash
flow. Another company's first quarter sales increased by 25%
after the Accelerator assisted management in constructing an
annual, growth-focused profit plan that better utilized the
company's resources. A third client experienced an annual
treasury savings of $35,000. The Accelerator revealed over $2
million in inventory reduction opportunities to a fourth client.
There are more of these success stories on our Real Results
page.
It is my distinct pleasure to lead the Accelerator as we work to
impact the Indiana economy, assist in reversing the state's brain
drain and transform the delivery of business education at Butler
University.
Larry O'Connor
Executive Director