06201114 - Consulting and Research Knowledge Diffusion

The aim of this course is to gain a profound understanding of the consulting industry in the 21st century (in Europe). Students are provided with four key perspectives on the consulting industry: 
1. A description of what management consultancy is
2. An understanding of the problem-solving process
3. A critical analysis of the industry (ethics)
4. Some advice for a consultant’s career

The goal is that participants get a hands-on-approach on what management consultants do and how they do it (case studies, discussions, presentations)

This course will help students to train their analytical skills, to train their strategic skills and competencies, practice intercultural group work and leadership and gain to some degree insights into change management

Estimation of private study (outside of contact hours): 15 - 20 hours (preparation of final presentation and individual assignment included)

DIMENSION OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The participants are encouraged to act and consult in accordance with the ethical standards and norms defined by the IAE Lyon (Charte de Responsabilité Sociétale et des engagements des membres de la communauté de l'iaelyon)

One part of the course is about ethics and ethical behaviour in consultancy and as a consultant.

TARGETED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

Know methods and tools of a consultant in international management
Be able to train and use analytical skills 
Improve and use communication skillls
Work in teams and deploy team management skills
Be able to use some project management skills 
Develop and learn more about leadership skills (project manager, team leader)

COURSE OUTLINE

1 Introduction

2 The Descriptive Perspective
2.1 The Consulting Industry
2.2 Types of Management Consultancy

3 The Practitioner's Perspective
3.1 Clients, Procurement, and the Request for Information
3.2 The Consulting Life-Cycle
3.3 Consulting Approaches, Methods and Tools (Problem Solving)
3.4 Consultancy Skills
3.5 Running a Consultancy

4 The Career Perspective

5 The Critical Perspective - Ethics of Consultancy

PRESCRIBED TEXTS AND PUBLICATIONS

1. O'MAHONEY, Joe and MARKHAM, Calvert (2013), Management consultancy, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
2. Consultation and continous reading of thought leadership articles from international consultancies like McKinsey, Bain, Boston Consulting Group, AT Kearny…

RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND PUBLICATIONS - EMBLEMATIC BOOKS OR RESEARCH PAPERS REGARDING THE SUBJECT OF THE COURSE

1. HENRY, Jane E. and HARTZLER, Meg (1998), Tools for Virtual teams, Quality Press, Milwaukee.
2. KERZNER, Harold and BELACK, Carl. (2010), Managing Complex Projects,  International Institute for Learning, New York.
3. KERZNER, Harold and SALADIS, Frank P. (2009), Value-Driven Project Management, International Institute for Learning, New York.
4. MINTO, Barbara (2002), The pyramid principle. Logic in Writing and Thinking, Prentice Hall, London.
5. 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.

Continuing Examination
Presentation of a tech trend relevant to the field of consulting
30 min presentation + preparation of the presentation

Final Exam
Article of thought leadership on a relevant business topic

Proportion weight: 50% - 50%

TEACHING METHODS
PPT presentation, case studies, videos, individual and group work, break-out sessions, class discussions and presentations.

TEACHING MATERIAL: 
PPT, videos, case studies, individual reflection, group discussions, team presentation, role play…

TECHNOLOGY ENHANCED LEARNING:
The presentation topics that the students can choose from are mostly with a link to technology, sustainablilty and business (ex. McKinsey Tech Trends). The starting point of choice and reflection comes from one of the top management consultancies (Mc Kinsey).

PRE-REQUISITES IN TERMS OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Good analytical thinking skills
• Interest in solving complex business problems
• Good knowledge about business and business functions
• Open mindedness and curiosity
• Self-awareness and self-organization – Open to feedback
• Ability to work in international / intercultural teams

ADDITIONAL READINGS: 
• Articles of thought leadership from international management consultancies (eg. McKinsey Quartely, Newsletters from BCG, Bain, AT Kearny...)

RESOURCES AVAILABLE: 
• Numerous books, articles, ressources are available in the library of the University and on the digital library. 
• Databases like eg. Factiva and Xerfi (eg. Market studies about the Consulting market) should be used activily by the students