The Alliance Bank Business Outreach Center:
An Economic Development Administration University Center for Entrepreneurship

Press releases for 2012–2013 year HERE.

The FCB houses several agencies committed to serving the greater Flagstaff and larger Arizona communities, all under the Alliance Bank Business Outreach Center (ABBOC). ABBOC 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. These services consist of:

• The annual Economic Outlook Conference
• 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 units work closely together yet each has their own areas of expertise. After a review of the following information you may realize that one or more of the units can be of assistance to your business or organization.

AHRRC was created in 1989 by the Arizona Legislature to provide research for one of the state’s largest industries – Tourism. Specializing in customized market research (surveys, economic impact, etc.), AHRRC also provides workforce training programs (online or in-person) for hospitality enterprises. We help you understand your tourism market, measure its impact, and improve workforce efficiency.

CAIED was established in 1985 by the Arizona Legislature. Their purpose 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.

CTCenter presents over 200 training workshops a year. Topics range from computer and internet basics to advanced offerings in preparation for an IT career. Custom and private workshops are offered and presented in the CTCenter's training lab, at the client's site, or with laptop computers and portable projection system. The CTCenter also offers a variety of training programs on the internet to give students the opportunity to learn anytime, anywhere.

NAU Road Scholar offers over 80 different Life-long Learning programs throughout the year, tailored to a variety of interests and geographic areas. Since our beginning in 1983 as an Elderhostel sponsor we have proudly hosted over 90,000 participants throughout the Four Corners and the Southwest.

The RPI pays particular attention to the information needs of northern Arizona and rural communities throughout the state. Involvement in statewide, regional, and national economic and business research activities is critical to the bureau's goals.

The Testing Center supports student success by offering exams that students may need to get into college, to obtain college credit, to place in college classes, and to prepare for life after college. Some of the most common tests we administer include: , CLEP, Accuplacer, DANB, MAT, HESI, SAT, LSAT, ASE, MBTI, and Strong. In addition, we are a certified PearsonVUE Select site and offer the GMAT and NREMT tests on a regular basis. Lastly, we partner with several other schools within the state and across the nation to facilitate proctored exams.

The Alliance Bank Business Outreach Center (ABBOC) was founded in 1999. ABBOC comprises the outreach service units of Northern Arizona University's The W. A. Franke College of Business. Each of these well respected entities came together with the purpose of pooling their professional expertise into a strong, collaborative team. As this union evolved, the mission of ABBOC was established: to enable Arizona's rural, tribal, and northern business communities to succeed by delivering training, information, technical assistance, and support services.

The FCB National Advisory Board serves as the primary link between NAU-FCB and our alumni, friends, and the business community. Board members share a desire to help shape the learning experiences and opportunities for tomorrow's business leaders. National Advisory Board members provide advice and counsel to the dean on matters involving business relationships between NAU-FCB and the greater community; representing The W.A. Franke College of Business, its mission, needs, focused vision, programs, and graduates to the general public; and to use their expertise to provide broad perspectives to the curriculum and co-curricular development to keep the College in constant movement forward. Learn about our current board members here.

The Community Advisory Council of The W.A. Franke College of Business serves as the primary link between NAU-FCB and the Flagstaff & Arizona business communities by providing the college with a better understanding of local developments and community needs.

The goals and responsibilities of the FCB Community Advisory Councils are to:

• raise community awareness of the outreach services the college offers;
• help FCB obtain needed student resources by identifying and opening doors for internships, interviews, and career placement; and
• advise the Dean on matters of concern to businesses and the community.

Learn about our current board members here.

The Accounting Advisory Council (AAC) is comprised of professionals who represent public accounting, industry, and government. The purpose of the AAC is to advise the Accounting Area and accounting faculty on the mission of the Accounting Area and on issues related to area planning, curriculum development, student recruitment and placement, and area fund raising.

Learn about our current board members here.

The Computer Information Systems (CIS) Advisory Council (CISAC) is comprised of industry and government professionals. The purpose of the CISAC is to advise the CIS Area, including faculty and students on issues related to area planning, curriculum development, student recruitment and placement. Some of the goals of the Advisory Council are:

• To provide guidance that correctly targets the curriculum to develop a skill set in our graduates which best meets market demands.
• To enhance the career placement opportunities for our students and help develop student job search and selection skills.
• To discover and promote strategic alliances leading to internship opportunities for our majors.
• To create and enhance a student's experience in the classroom through appearances, presentations and discussions with information technology leaders from the Advisory Council or their representative organizations.
• To provide industry information helpful in promoting and sustaining faculty currency with practices in information systems.
• To create opportunities for faculty research partnerships with business organizations and information technology professionals.
• To provide guidance on CIS area direction and resource allocation within the constrained resources available of program delivery.

Learn about our current board members here.

NACET is transforming Innovation into Business and the FCB is part of that transformation.

NACET fosters business growth and economic vitality, creating high-quality jobs for the region. Partnering with a wide variety of non-retail, service, manufacturing, high technology, science and renewable energy firms, NACET offers a hands-on business incubation engagement program designed to transform innovation into viable companies.

NAU-FCB is one of NACET's partners. As such, Dr. Marc Chopin serves on their Board of Directors and our students are able to apply for their Student Business Incubator Program (see Melissa Meno and Wearearth.com). The program is a 12-month extracurricular activity designed to provide a nurturing, supportive environment to Northern Arizona University and Coconino Community College students who want to start their own business and guide them toward becoming sustainable, contributing members of a strong economic community.

The Executive Speaker Series is a partnership between NAU FCB and NACET with the Flagstaff Chamber, City’s Economic Vitality Division and SBDC as supporting agencies. The series is designed to allow the community to hear firsthand business stories from some of the world’s top business leaders.

The FCB student organization NetImpact NAU is using the power of business to create a more socially and environmentally sustainable world. Founded in the Fall of 2009 with the mission “To use the power of business to create a more socially and environmentally sustainable world,” NetImpact NAU is moving forward with their 2011 project.

In their proposed City of Flagstaff Sustainability Program, Net Impact will provide business sustainability audits and education for Flagstaff area businesses. Net Impact’s partnership and community engagement will assist in providing support to local businesses which in turn helps build a community with a strong economic profile and a healthy, self-renewing environment.

In 2010 NetImpact NAU hosted a number of speakers and obtained a grant to install water bottle refill stations in FCB. Two stations were installed by the close of the academic year.

If you would like to learn more about NetImpact and our projects, please contact us through NetImpactNAU@groupspaces.com or “like” us on facebook at facebook.com/NetImpactNAU.