Real Business Experience at Butler University

The Real Business Experience (RBE) is an experiential education course designed to expose sophomore students to both content and process of small business development and internal capacity building through a comprehensive approach to learning.  The curricula integrates lecture, readings, exercises, case studies, targeted to establish a strong foundation and practical application in team building, critical thinking, innovation, problem solving, decision making, risk taking, change management,  resilience, and self efficacy.

Mandatory for all College of Business sophomores, RBE (MG101) focuses on business start up education and implementation from idea conceptualization, formation, structure, marketing, operation of proof of concept or pilot stage, business plan development, and presentation to a funding committee comprised of faculty, business professionals and entrepreneurs. This intense learning initiative takes place in one semester. Students are invited to continue their unique and experiential learning experience with registration in RBE 2 (MG201) where funded business initiatives are implemented in full engagement for the next semester or beyond.

Both courses provide content and process as they build upon the concepts and skills introduced in MG101 (Freshman Business Experience).  The course is designed to further the student’s understanding of a broad range of principles, concepts, and terminology relating to many areas of business. The central organizing theme is solving real world business problems.  The central project is to create a viable business. Students learn through the practical applications of ideas and tools within the paradigm of developing a viable small profit-seeking business idea.

The program is uniquely supported by at least four professional Mentors who represent leaders in the business and entrepreneurial community.  These Mentors attend each class and serve as coaches and learning facilitators for individual business teams.