ProgramsSpring 2024 Industry Capstone ProgramProjectsInstant-transfer Industry Analysis

Project Title: Instant-transfer Industry Analysis

FLEX Payment Solutions

Details
Project Title Instant-transfer Industry Analysis
Project Topics Growth Strategy Marketing Operations
Skills & Expertise Business Analysis & Strategy Market Research Qualitative Research Quantitative Research
Project Synopsis: Challenge/Opportunity
This project is with Flex Payment Solutions, and the corporate partner is Mike Biegalski, Vice President of Sales and Operations for the organization.

Company Information:

Since 2015, Flex Payment Solutions has been focused on being your safety net in the ever-changing world of payment processing. We understand the challenges of adapting to regulations in the financial industry because we have been operators ourselves in this space for over 20 years. Because of this, we have sought out an array of unique banking relationships that specialize in alternative payments to help keep your business cash flow working for you.
 
Our corporate office is located in the St. Louis, MO market but our sales team is throughout the United States. Flex offers a variety of innovative proprietary solutions that are designed to increase speed, and decrease frustration during the payment process.  Some of the industries we specialize in are consumer finance, online, and CBD businesses.

New industry placement for instant fund transfer programs; FLEX is one of few companies in the country with such a deep instant transfer product suite and the team wants to find new verticals (most opportunity, least headwind) to work into with this differentiating attribute.

For more information about the organization, please visit the following link: https://www.flexpaymentsolutions.com
Project Synopsis: Activities/Actions Required
The student team, with the support of the faculty advisor, will work on tasks/deliverables related to: 

  • Product(s) comprehension 
  • Market research
  • Qualitative/quantitative analysis 
  • Marketing/vertical entry plan - High level 
  • Digest findings, present recommendation(s)

Preferred Skills:
  • Students with refined business and marketing skills
  • Students with experience working with data and analytics
Project Synopsis: Expected Results
Industry suggestions to sell instant-transfer programs for 2024 with both qualitative/quantitative reasoning for suggestion + high level action plan for FLEX team.

Project Timeline

FLEX Payment Solutions - Instant-transfer Industry Analysis
Due Date
Activities
Deliverables
Status
Action
Tue, 01/02/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Initial Onboarding Information
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
The application for the Industry Capstone Program closed on December 29th. Starting on January 2nd, the Graduate Management Team will begin reviewing student resumes and applications. Over the next week or so, students will receive individualized emails with their project match, registration information, and next steps.

Once a student accepts their project match, they will be manually registered for the correct section of MGT 809. Please note that this is a three-credit course. Afterwards, students will be e-introduced to their faculty advisor, MBA (team) Lead, and student team members. 

If you have any questions regarding our application matching process, please email businessprojects@stevens.edu for support. 

All matched students will receive an email before January 12, 2024.
Wed, 01/17/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
First Day of Classes & Academic Calendar
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Location: Virtual
Event Description:
The first day of classes is January 17, 2024. All matched students will have received their project match and onboarding information (via email) prior to this date. Most teams will have their initial, virtual, meeting within the coming week or so.

Students should be checking their Stevens email for important messages from their faculty advisor, MBA Lead, and Kate Marsden (Manager, Industry Capstone Program). Students should also view/save a copy of the academic calendar so that they are aware of important dates for the semester ahead:

https://www.stevens.edu/office-of-the-registrar/academic-calendar
Wed, 01/17/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Stevens Brand Guidelines
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
The Stevens Brand Guidelines webpage is a helpful resource to utilize throughout the semester!

https://www.stevens.edu/brandguide

Feel free to download a virtual background (from this webpage) to utilize for Zoom meetings with your faculty advisor, student team, and corporate partner(s). We also encourage students to utilize a professional background for the midterm & final presentations.

MBA Leads: Please download the PowerPoint Presentation Template for your midterm and final presentations. Kate Marsden will also contact each MBA Lead, prior to these presentations, with instructions & specifics.
Wed, 01/17/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Industry Capstone Program Webpage & Resources
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
For information regarding the Industry Capstone Program, please visit the following link:

https://www.stevens.edu/industry-capstone

If you need any support, throughout the semester, please contact Kate Marsden. Kate is the Manager for the Industry Capstone Program and can be reached via email at businessprojects@stevens.edu with any questions, comments, or concerns that you may have. She is also available for 1-1 appointments, upon request, either via Zoom or on-campus. 
Sat, 02/10/24
11:59 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Student Pre-Kick-off Self-Assessment Form
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
Student Pre-Kick Off Self Evaluation | January 2024

All Industry Capstone Program students are encouraged to complete surveys, via CapSource, throughout the semester. These surveys help provide our Graduate Management Team with important feedback about the course and overall experience.

Ideally, students should complete this form as early as possible in the Spring 2024 Semester. We understand that the first 1-2 weeks of the semester are typically spent onboarding, getting to know your team members, etc. This form will be available until 01/31/24 at 11:59 PM EST.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support. 
Fri, 02/23/24
11:59 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Student Temperature Check
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
#1 Student Temperature Check | January - February 2024

All Industry Capstone Program students are encouraged to complete surveys, via CapSource, throughout the semester. These surveys help provide our Graduate Management Team with important feedback about the course and overall experience.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support. 
Mon, 03/18/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Midterm Presentation Information
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
The chronological mid-way point of the semester is March 6th. Ideally, midterm presentations should be held during the weeks of March 18th or March 25th. No presentations will be held during the week of spring break. 

Kate Marsden will outreach to each MBA Lead to determine the best day & time for a virtual, midterm presentation. Once a day/time is solidified, she will send the faculty advisor & student team members a calendar invite with a Zoom link. She will also send the MBA Lead for each team important instructions and best practices for a successful presentation. Each presentation is scheduled for 45 minutes: students will have about 20-25 minutes to present, followed by Q&A from our Stevens Graduate Management Team.

Please note that corporate partners are not included in the midterm presentations, just the final presentations in May.
Mon, 04/01/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Midterm Presentation Submission
Required Action Item
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
View Calendar
Description:
The MBA Lead for each team is responsible for uploading a copy of their midterm presentation here. If you have any questions or issues, please email Kate Marsden at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support.
Deliverable Instructions:
The MBA Lead for each team is responsible for uploading a copy of their midterm presentation here. If you have any questions or issues, please email Kate Marsden at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support.
Mon, 04/01/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Final Presentation Information
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
Kate Marsden will outreach to each MBA Lead, in early April, to schedule final presentations. 

Once a day/time is solidified, she will send the faculty advisor, corporate partner, and student team members a calendar invite with a Zoom link. She will also send the MBA Lead for each team important instructions and best practices for a successful presentation. Each presentation is scheduled for 45 minutes: students will have about 20-25 minutes to present, followed by Q&A from our Stevens Graduate Management Team and corporate partner.
Fri, 04/05/24
11:59 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Student Temperature Check
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
#2 Student Temperature Check | Post-Midterm Presentation

All Industry Capstone Program students are encouraged to complete surveys, via CapSource, throughout the semester. These surveys help provide our Graduate Management Team with important feedback about the course and overall experience.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support. 
Tue, 05/14/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Final Presentation Submission
Required Action Item
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
View Calendar
Description:
The MBA Lead for each team is responsible for uploading a copy of their final presentation here. If you have any questions or issues, please email Kate Marsden at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support.
Deliverable Instructions:
The MBA Lead for each team is responsible for uploading a copy of their final presentation here. If you have any questions or issues, please email Kate Marsden at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support
Tue, 05/14/24
11:59 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Student Post-Engagement Self-Assessment Form
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
Student Self Reflection Survey | End of Spring 2024 Semester

All Industry Capstone Program students are encouraged to complete surveys, via CapSource, throughout the semester. These surveys help provide our Graduate Management Team with important feedback about the course and overall experience.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support. 
Fri, 05/17/24
11:59 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Industry Mentor Post-Engagement Team Assessment Form
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
Thank you for participating in our Industry Capstone Program, this Spring 2024 Semester. If interested, please complete the following survey to describe your experience. If you have any questions or additional feedback, please contact Kate Marsden at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support. Wishing you a great summer ahead!