Multidisciplinary Action Project (MAP) is an integral part of what draws students to Michigan. It dominated our essays and also the explanation of “Why Ross?” during our B-School interviews. Its the crowned jewel in Michigan’s Action Based Learning.

I remember talking to a good friend at another top BSchool during the fall and she was excited about her doing an international immersion during the Winter semester. She said about 20% of the class gets to go. I was happy for her, dug deeper into what they do and finally said “Oh.. its like MAP, but only 20% get to do it”

So it was an exciting time when the MAP projects got released in December. About 120 projects from all over the world ranging from projects at the University of Michigan to ones in China, Sweden and Rwanda and spanning Marketing, Finance, Business Development, HR in  almost all concievable industries (including Non-Profit, Airlines, Start-ups… etc). I went through various iterations bringing down 120 projects down to 60, then to 30, 20 and finally the 10 that I applied for. Here’s a peek into my choices:

  1. Market research for an Israeli start-up trying to enter Europe with innovative health-care solution in UK, Germany & France
  2. The same as above (there were 3 products and I chose 2)
  3. A sales effectiveness study and incentive restructuring for the sales force for a top high-tech corporation in US, Singapore, India & UK
  4. Market study, pricing and supply chain analysis for a clean-tech start up in up-state NY.
  5. Analyzing a sustainable housing solution in Mexico and creating a framework for similar implementations in Africa & Asia for a joint venture by a non-profit organization and governments
  6. Feasibility and Marketing plan for a new clean tech methodology for power generation for one of US’ top energy providers
  7. Analyze Customer Relationships for a top US e-commerce provider by identifying and tracking parameters of symbiosis
  8. Social Media CRM for a company that manufactures stuff for casinos (this was a popular one as it included 5 weeks in Las Vegas)
  9. Bottom of the pyramid strategies for a US Chocolate manufacturer in SE Asia
  10. Marketing strategy and supply chain analysis for a top pharma company in Sweden.

The results are out…. And I will be headed to up-state NY to help a clean-tech firm do market entry which include market analysis, pricing and supply chain aspects of the business. I am meeting my team next week and I can tell its going to be a fun ride come March :)

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