Course Objectives
This course is for students interested in strategy consulting, e-consulting, or other management consulting areas, or who intend to do consulting within a firm. The objectives of the course are two-fold: gain knowledge of the methodologies used in the consulting process, and to develop the skills that are essential to becoming a manager or partner. The course draws on readings, cases, and invited speakers to illustrate the complex roles and issues consultants face and the ability to manage their clients. The instructor’s goal is to give each student a practical foundation before they embark on their consulting career, which will place them ahead of other new hires.

Defining a consulting engagement is not an easy task because each company and project is so different. This course will apply a 5-step consulting process model: 1) Project Entry, 2) Diagnosis of the Situation, 3) Solution Development, 4) Implementation Challenges, and 5) Exit Strategy. This first half of the course will cover many of the tools used by consultants at the various stages of a project to devise solutions and avoid pitfalls during the engagement.

In the second half we will discuss many of the challenges facing a consultant. We will cover the following topics that are essential to a consultant’s development: client relationship skills; marketing services; differences in internal consulting; international engagements; managing consultants; e-strategy; strategy consulting; and independent consulting. The last session discusses career issues and the need to keep your skills current, and how to stay sane in an intense, competitive career.

Several prominent executives from management consulting firms will guest lecture to give broad exposure to issues that affect the industry. The guest speakers have been chosen for their consulting knowledge and experience.

The course will draw upon the years of experience the instructor has in all forms of management consulting and advising management on a variety of strategic issues.