Introductory description

The primary aim of this module will be to introduce you to consulting from a historical perspective and to generate an understanding as to why consulting is a large and growing industry.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The module syllabus will introduce students to the world of consulting. Firstly, participants will be presented with consulting and the requirement for consultants in the context of global business. Secondly the stages of a consulting project will be analysed from a process perspective; with an initial focus on consulting proposals, including developing an understanding of case studies. Finally, human factors that impact the performance of the management consultant will be evaluated.
Introduction

1. Why consulting?
2. What is consulting? An overview of the history and origins of consulting and the range of consulting roles in existence today.
3. Understanding the wider role of consultancy including further context - where consulting is of most use - examples of (good and bad) consulting interventions.
4. Overview of the consulting landscape.
5. Modern developments in consulting- the role of technology.
   The Consulting Process.
6. An introduction to the methodology and generic processes that enable successful consulting assignments: entry, client brief, diagnosis, data collection, selecting principles, developing solutions and evaluating alternatives, implementation and project closure. Including an introduction to diagnostic tools and techniques.
7. Proposals and assignment management: planning, budgeting, preparation of the assignment, diagnosis, evaluation of the existing situation, choice of methodology, presentation of the process, getting paid.
8. The typical application process – the unique value that is given to case studies.
   The Management Consultant
9. The organisational structure of a typical consultancy – levels, accountabilities and responsibility at these levels.
10. The make-up of a consultant - personal factors and skills.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the history of consulting and define what consulting in the 21st century looks like, including some typical reasons for needing consulting services.
• Describe the breadth of consulting services that typically exist.
• Highlight the positive and negative outcomes of consulting through a small number of examples.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the current consultancy market, and in particular, the major firms involved.
• Briefly describe how technology is changing technology and analyse the potential effect on future consulting roles.
• Describe the typical structure of a consulting firm and understand some basic responsibilities of each consulting role
• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of fundamental consulting principles and methods, including an understanding of the basic consulting process
• Demonstrate an understanding of the typical interview process and be able to complete a case study problem.

Indicative reading list

Students will be encouraged to read the books listed below over the course of both modules (in order of importance):
Baaij, M. G., (2014), An Introduction to Management Consultancy, Sage Publications.
Cheng, V., (2012), Case Interview Secrets, Innovation Press.
Kotter, J., (2006), Our Iceberg is Melting: Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions, Macmillan.
Dean, C., (2014), Successful Business Leadership, Carlos Dean Leadership.
Johnson, S., (1999), Who Moved My Cheese: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life, Vermillion.
Block, P., (2011), Flawless Consulting, Wiley and Sons.
Badaracco, J. P., (2002,), Leading Quietly: An Unorthodox Guide to Doing the Right Thing, Harvard Business Review Press.
Green, C.H., Howe, A. P., (2012), The Trusted Advisor Field book, Wiley and Sons.

Subject specific skills

Demonstrate an ability to be able to plan and implement a consulting project, specifically to outline / support: the development of the client brief, the proposal, the diagnostic approach, data collection methods, the analytical approach and implementation plan, including specifying the key project budget elements.

Transferable skills

Demonstrate an understanding of the personal factors that are required to be a successful consultant.
Demonstrate team work.
Demonstrate strong oral and written skills.