2018/2019
International Consulting
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
5
Contact hours:
60
Course Syllabus
Abstract
This is an elective course in the minor programme in International Business, designed as introduction for the 2rd year students to the theory and practice of the international consulting. The course is designed to provide students with a set of theoretical and applied knowledge about the basics of consulting and the world practice of consulting services. International consulting is of great importance for a highly competitive market in the conditions of problems and challenges that can be caused by both external and internal circumstances on local and global markets. Career perspectives in international consulting will be interesting for smart and hardworking students from different academic programmes.
Learning Objectives
- The overall objective of the course is to discuss and analyze international consulting and to develop the students' life skills in the field of consultants’ activities.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Students are capable of self-development, personal growth, initiative and leadership qualities
- Students find, define and use the information from different sources required for solution of assignments, cases and course project development
- Students use effectively business communication skills in English and Russian languages in oral, written and graphic forms; accept freely, analyze and critically evaluate oral and written business information in Russian and English
- Students are capable to apply knowledge and skills about the functioning of international organizations in a global context, including international consulting
- Students are capable to put into practice the methodology of international consulting, evaluate the conditions and consequences of decisions made
Course Contents
- Introduction / International ConsultingHistory of International Consultancy. Consulting: definitions and concepts. Consulting objectives. consulting activities. Key industry players.
- World consultancy marketOverview and principals of consultancy. Structure of consultancy industry. Consulting services: types and classification Business outlook.
- Drivers for consultingConsulting as a Business. The need for consultancy. Organizational culture. Organizational development. Managing change. Consultancy marketing.
- Consulting as a professionConsulting as a career. The role of consultant. Competences of consultants. The attributes of a consultant. Assessing skills, knowledge, experience. Managing of clients’ relationships. Consulting Lessons Learned.
- Consulting fundamentalsRoot cause analysis and creative problem solving. Selling fundamentals. Delivery fundamentals. Setting-up.
- Consulting MethodologyConsultancy models. Problems and solutions. Contracting and assignment initiation. Conducting a consultancy assignment – tools and technics. Diagnosis and solution definition. Solution appraisal and evaluation. Follow up and business development. Delivering Results
- Practice of International ConsultingConsulting services portfolio. Consultant Best Practices
- International Consulting Case StudiesThe case of Arthur D. Little, A.T. Kearney, Booz Allen Hamilton, McKinsey & Company, Cambridge Analytica, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young.
Assessment Elements
- HomeworkCourse project
- In-class activityClass activities, including assignments, teamwork, case studies, problem discussions
- Final examFinal exam will be conducted in the written form - multiple-choice test. The test is based upon the lectures’ and seminars’ material. It includes 40 questions with 4 possible answers.
Interim Assessment
- Interim assessment (4 module)0.4 * Final exam + 0.24 * Homework + 0.36 * In-class activity
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Block, P. (2011). Flawless Consulting : A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used (Vol. 3rd ed). San Francisco: Pfeiffer. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=356164
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Andler, N. (2011). Tools for Project Management, Workshops and Consulting : A Must-Have Compendium of Essential Tools and Techniques (Vol. 2nd rev. and enlarged ed). Weinheim: Publicis. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=398566
- Phillips, J. J., Phillips, P. P., & Trotter, W. D. (2015). Maximizing the Value of Consulting : A Guide for Internal and External Consultants. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=996595
- Rasiel, E. M., & Friga, P. N. (2001). The McKinsey Mind : Understanding and Implementing the Problem-solving Tools and Management Techniques of the World’s Top Strategic Consulting Firm. Chicago, IL: McGraw-Hill Professional. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=66530