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  • 1.  Consulting Skills Course

    Posted 11-05-2015 10:22

    Please, post.  Thank you!

     

    I am working on a new capstone course for one of our blended MBA programs, and we are thinking of transitioning the final course to a consulting focus, where they learn consulting skills at the beginning that they then use for a final integrative project. 

     

    I was wondering if anyone has a course that is even similar to that (or even just the consulting piece) who might be willing to share their syllabus/reading materials/projects, etc. with me?

     

    Thanks for your help!

    Liz Welsh

    Associate Professor

    University of St. Thomas

    Twin Cities, MN



  • 2.  Consulting Skills Course

    Posted 11-05-2015 11:09

    Hi Liz.

     

    At UNF, we had the option of doing a consulting gig with a small business in the community that had requested help in addressing a business issue. It was a wonderful experience and I commend your school for tackling this major project!

     

    This was a while ago, but if I recall correctly, we had to have a letter of recommendation from one of our professors and a minimum GPA. The class size was kept to 12 students and we met weekly to discuss progress and to toss around ideas. The project required interviewing (at a minimum) the CEO and employees, in addition to visiting the business/facility for field research. The class was moderated by the professor running the course. Final deliverable was essentially a report to the owner that essentially did a SWOT and environmental analysis on the business and local competitors, then specific recommendations based on the problem area. The owner also weighed in on the paper's analysis and recommendations...and I believe that was also incorporated into the overall grade.

     

    Hope that's helpful.

     

    Kelly

     

    Assistant Professor of Management

    Air Force Language and Culture Fellow

    College of Business and Public Policy

    West Chester University Pennsylvania

    (m) +1.904.305.8445

     

     

     

     

     

    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] On Behalf Of Welsh, Elizabeth T.
    Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2015 10:22 AM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Subject: [OB-LIST] Consulting Skills Course

     

    Please, post.  Thank you!

     

    I am working on a new capstone course for one of our blended MBA programs, and we are thinking of transitioning the final course to a consulting focus, where they learn consulting skills at the beginning that they then use for a final integrative project. 

     

    I was wondering if anyone has a course that is even similar to that (or even just the consulting piece) who might be willing to share their syllabus/reading materials/projects, etc. with me?

     

    Thanks for your help!

    Liz Welsh

    Associate Professor

    University of St. Thomas

    Twin Cities, MN



  • 3.  Consulting Skills Course

    Posted 11-05-2015 12:36

    Liz, I really like your idea – it is a great way to assess their MBA competencies, and I'm glad to share syllabi.  However, have you considered that for your students to be successful, they will need to have the consulting competencies in addition to the MBA competencies – and that the two are different?  This is analogous to someone having raised kids for 25 years and being qualified to be a pediatrician, or saying that just because I'm an academic and an expert in one particular research area that I am qualified to consult in that area.  There are skills and competencies associated with each – some overlap, some don't.   

     

    If you want to talk more, feel free to call me and I can walk you through some of what your students must be able to do to be successful using this .

     

    Drumm McNaughton, PhD

    Chair / CEO, The Change Leader, Inc.

    Faculty Lead (Department Chair), MS Leadership

    Trident University International

    (760) 723-0022

    drumm@thechangeleader.com

    www.thechangeleader.com

     

     

    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] On Behalf Of Fisher, Kelly L.
    Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2015 8:09 AM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Subject: Re: [OB-LIST] Consulting Skills Course

     

    Hi Liz.

     

    At UNF, we had the option of doing a consulting gig with a small business in the community that had requested help in addressing a business issue. It was a wonderful experience and I commend your school for tackling this major project!

     

    This was a while ago, but if I recall correctly, we had to have a letter of recommendation from one of our professors and a minimum GPA. The class size was kept to 12 students and we met weekly to discuss progress and to toss around ideas. The project required interviewing (at a minimum) the CEO and employees, in addition to visiting the business/facility for field research. The class was moderated by the professor running the course. Final deliverable was essentially a report to the owner that essentially did a SWOT and environmental analysis on the business and local competitors, then specific recommendations based on the problem area. The owner also weighed in on the paper's analysis and recommendations...and I believe that was also incorporated into the overall grade.

     

    Hope that's helpful.

     

    Kelly

     

    Assistant Professor of Management

    Air Force Language and Culture Fellow

    College of Business and Public Policy

    West Chester University Pennsylvania

    (m) +1.904.305.8445

     

     

     

     

     

    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] On Behalf Of Welsh, Elizabeth T.
    Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2015 10:22 AM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Subject: [OB-LIST] Consulting Skills Course

     

    Please, post.  Thank you!

     

    I am working on a new capstone course for one of our blended MBA programs, and we are thinking of transitioning the final course to a consulting focus, where they learn consulting skills at the beginning that they then use for a final integrative project. 

     

    I was wondering if anyone has a course that is even similar to that (or even just the consulting piece) who might be willing to share their syllabus/reading materials/projects, etc. with me?

     

    Thanks for your help!

    Liz Welsh

    Associate Professor

    University of St. Thomas

    Twin Cities, MN



  • 4.  Consulting Skills Course

    Posted 11-05-2015 12:17
    Hi Liz,

    At St Thomas in Minneapolis John Conbere and Alla Heorhiadi have a strong connection to the Socio-Economic Approach to Management. David Boje and I have been using it to great effect at New Mexico State University for years.

    You can find the simple and effective 23 step process in the Boje Saylors chapter in the book summarizing presentations at a conference at your university: "Facilitating the Socio-Economic Approach to Management: Results of the First SEAM Conference in North America (Research in Management Consulting)"

    I was hired at Washington State University to teach our small business consulting course, the capstone for all of our business students. 

    Contact me directly if I can be of any help,

    -Rohny Saylors, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship
    Carson College of Business, Washington State University


    On Nov 5, 2015, at 7:22 AM, Welsh, Elizabeth T. <wels2749@STTHOMAS.EDU> wrote:

    Please, post.  Thank you!

     

    I am working on a new capstone course for one of our blended MBA programs, and we are thinking of transitioning the final course to a consulting focus, where they learn consulting skills at the beginning that they then use for a final integrative project. 

     

    I was wondering if anyone has a course that is even similar to that (or even just the consulting piece) who might be willing to share their syllabus/reading materials/projects, etc. with me?

     

    Thanks for your help!

    Liz Welsh

    Associate Professor

    University of St. Thomas

    Twin Cities, MN



  • 5.  Consulting Skills Course

    Posted 11-05-2015 13:53
    Liz,

    Our undergraduate business majors are required to take such a course, and we have found it very valuable for both students and their clients. We have a lot of connections with small businesses and municipalities in the area that could never afford to hire a consultant, so we are providing a service to them.

    Students are typically put in groups of four according to their major (finance, marketing, etc) and the need of the client. They are given a mentor with the appropriate background (usually alums who want to give back) who coaches them in the process throughout the semester (in addition to the instructor who has extensive consulting experience). At 3 points in the semester (beginning, middle and end) they present their progress to a panel of executives who help shape their ideas and give constructive criticism. The last meeting includes the client as well, who is also given a written document with analysis and recommendations.

    I realize it will be much different for MBAs--some of them will already have such experience. But I like the idea of having mentors guiding them in the process.

    Deborah Windes, PhD
    Associate Professor of Business
    Trinity Christian College
    6601 College Ave.
    Palos Heights, IL 60443




    ________________________________
    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] on behalf of Welsh, Elizabeth T. [wels2749@STTHOMAS.EDU]
    Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2015 9:22 AM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Subject: [OB-LIST] Consulting Skills Course


    Please, post. Thank you!



    I am working on a new capstone course for one of our blended MBA programs, and we are thinking of transitioning the final course to a consulting focus, where they learn consulting skills at the beginning that they then use for a final integrative project.



    I was wondering if anyone has a course that is even similar to that (or even just the consulting piece) who might be willing to share their syllabus/reading materials/projects, etc. with me?



    Thanks for your help!

    Liz Welsh

    Associate Professor

    University of St. Thomas

    Twin Cities, MN


  • 6.  Consulting Skills Course

    Posted 11-05-2015 15:49
    Liz

    SUNY Fredonia is a small comprehensive and we have integrated a consulting approach as our capstone project.   The beginning of the semester is spent on developing skills on competitive analysis, environmental/industry analysis and different strategic approaches.   The last 2/3 of the semester has the student teams (5-6) working with a local business.   Each client is different so the implementation is different.   Having taught this model for the last 8 years, I find myself spending more time on basic consulting skills such as entry, needs assessment, primary research etc, in addition to the analytic methods.  

    Projects range from working with a million dollar stamp collecting/distributor to an international munitions manufacturer, thus I am finding we need to spend more time behind the scenes and with client visits so the students can really understand the companies and industry.   Typically teams spend one day in the classroom with me and the other as a work day (makes client visits easier to schedule).

    Happy to share more if it is relevant to you.

    Sue


    Sue McNamara, Ph.D.
    Assistant Professor of Management
    SUNY Fredonia - School of Business
    Internship Advisor for School of Business
    Enactus - Sam Walton Fellow, Student Entrepreneurship Club Adviser
    716 680-2309

    On Thu, Nov 5, 2015 at 10:22 AM, Welsh, Elizabeth T. <wels2749@stthomas.edu> wrote:

    Please, post.  Thank you!

     

    I am working on a new capstone course for one of our blended MBA programs, and we are thinking of transitioning the final course to a consulting focus, where they learn consulting skills at the beginning that they then use for a final integrative project. 

     

    I was wondering if anyone has a course that is even similar to that (or even just the consulting piece) who might be willing to share their syllabus/reading materials/projects, etc. with me?

     

    Thanks for your help!

    Liz Welsh

    Associate Professor

    University of St. Thomas

    Twin Cities, MN