[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/FocusTeam2007.jpg” caption=”DeGroote MBA students (left to right) Aman Dhillon, Kara Loeffler and Ryan Liddell have taken over Focus Business Consulting.”]Focus Business Consulting, the student-run consulting firm operating in partnership with the DeGroote School of Business, has begun its third year of operation with a new team of directors and expectations of growth and profitability in 2007.

DeGroote MBA students Aman Dhillon, Ryan Liddell and Kara Loeffler have taken over as the directors of the business, which provides consulting services to a variety of local organizations.

Focus began operations in 2005, under the direction of DeGroote alumni Mohamed Bhamani, Nathan Notwell and Stephen Weir. The business was set up on an annual cycle, in which a team of three DeGroote MBA students manage the business from January until the completion of their studies in December. The success of the first team carried over to the 2006 team, managed by DeGroote alumni Tim Berezny, Richard Borrelli and Meghan Toll.

This year's team plans to keep the momentum of the business moving forward, using leads carried over from the 2006 team and acquiring new clients through various marketing activities.

“We have a great headstart this year, thanks to the previous teams,” says Ryan Liddell, director of business development for Focus. “It gives us the foundation to go out and secure new clients. As well, new leads are always coming in from our network of sources.”

The Focus team is supported by a resource team of university professors, community leaders and seasoned industry professionals, who pass on potential leads and act as a source of information on projects.

“Most consulting firms don't have access to that level of expertise, and that is a definite competitive advantage for Focus,” says Kara Loeffler, director of finance for the 2007 team.

The services offered by Focus Business Consulting are diverse and the team adapts its solutions to solve clients' business problems. Previous projects have ranged from marketing plans for small start-ups to feasibility studies for large multinationals.

“We're not trying to compete with the large consulting firms,” says Aman Dhillon, director of communications for Focus. “We don't have those kinds of resources. But we have the knowledge and support network to provide value to a market that is looking for business solutions.”

To learn more about Focus Business Consulting and its services, visit www.focusbusinessconsulting.com or contact them at 905-525-9140, ext. 26009.