06200849 - Consulting Project - Business Case

Diploma level
Credit hour 5
Total number of hours 44
Number of hours for lectures 44

Directors

Silvia DIDIER

Goals

During 3 sessions the participants form a consultant team and have the task to resolve a strategic and international business issue for a company in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alps region. Offering their expertise and knowledge acquired during their IMBA year and their prior working experience, they contribute to the international development of a local company.

This collaboration meets the following objectives:
  • For the participants it is the opportunity to put into practice their skills and to solve as a multicultural team an international business issue in an extremely short time frame. Their benchmark for success is the company’s satisfaction.
  • For the company it is an opportunity to work with a group of highly professional and motivated individuals that will have a fresh look on the business topic following a proven consulting methodology. The diversity of the participants enables an “out of the box” approach which can go beyond recommendations from a classical consulting agency.

Estimation of private study (outside of contact hours): 20h

CSR DIMENSION
The participants are encouraged to act and consult in accordance with the ethical standards and norms defined by iaelyon School of Management (Charte de Responsabilité Sociétale et des engagements des membres de la communauté iaelyon)

TARGETED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
  • Skills, methods and tools of a consultant in international management
  • Communication skillls
  • Team work and team management skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Project management skills
  • Leadership skills (project manager, team leader)

Content

1 Introduction
1.1 Team building
1.2 Briefing from the company
1.3 Company visit to gain a deeper understanding of the business issue

2 Planification and Framing
2.1 Defining the problem
2.2 Redefining and structuring the problem
2.3 Setting up the project structure

3 Information gathering
3.1 Preparing the information gathering
3.2 Gathering information (including Q&A session with the company)

4. Analysis and interpretation
4.1 Drawing of conclusions
4.2 Coming up with recommendations

5. Presentation of the results

6. Debriefing

Bibliography

BOOKS USED AS REFERENCE:
  • HENRY, Jane E. and HARTZLER, Meg (1998), Tools for Virtual teams, Quality Press, Milwaukee.
  • RASIEL, Ethan M. and FRIGA, Paul N. (2002), The McKinsey Mind. Understanding and Implementing the Problem-Solving Tools and and Management Techniques of the World's Top Strategic Consulting Firm, McGraw-Hill, New York.

ADDITIONAL READINGS:
  • KERZNER, Harold and BELACK, Carl. (2010), Managing Complex Projects, International Institute for Learning, New York.
  • KERZNER, Harold and SALADIS, Frank P. (2009), Value-Driven Project Management, International Institute for Learning, New York.
  • MINTO, Barbara (2002), The pyramid principle. Logic in Writing and Thinking, Prentice Hall, London.

EMBLEMATIC BOOKS OR RESEARCH PAPERS REGARDING THE SUBJECT OF THE COURSE
  • O'MAHONEY, Joe and MARKHAM, Calvert (2013), Management consultancy, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Tests

Final Exam
Oral, 2h: Final group presentation of the outcomes and recommendations of the consulting project / business case = Final presentation for the client (50%)

Continuing Examination
Written: Students are requested to write a learning diary about their journey during the business case (50%)

Additional Information

TEACHING METHODS

This course consists in solving a real business problem for a company of the AURA region. The company provides an international and strategic issue that they ask the IMBA participants to resolve within a 4 to 6 weeks period.
  • The participants have the challenge to deliver useful and applicable recommendations for the company.
  • 3 key moments of the project are the kick-off meeting & company visit during the first session, the questions and answers session with the company (limited to some of the participants) and the final presentation of the deliverables at the end.
  • During the course participants will learn how to work, act and think as a business consultant: project management skills, structured problem solving approach, team and self management, clients' management, presentation techniques and skills.
  • To guarantee tangible outcomes with a real benefit for the participants and the company (win-win-situation), the participants are coached and guided by a professional in consulting and international development.

TEACHING MATERIAL:
PPT presentation, videos, individual and group work, break-out sessions, class discussions and presentations.

TECHNOLOGY ENHANCED LEARNING:
Use of collaborative online tools


PRE-REQUISITE
Participants should have a solid knowledge in international management and a good understanding of the major functions within a company.
First experience and knowledge about project management are helpful.

The course offers also the possibility (if wished for by the participants) to take on new roles or styles: e.g. project manager, team leader in order to develop and improve team management and leadership skills.

Academic programs using this class