module specification

This module aims to enable the student to understand the processes of contracting, working with and addressing the recommendations of consultants, within the sustainable business framework. The module, by introducing the methods of consultancy, will help prepare the student themselves for eventual career development in this area.

The module aims to introduce students to the different skills necessary for the management of the contribution to an organisation of external advisors in the field of sustainable business development.

The aims of the module are:
1 To provide students with an understanding of the role of the consultant in developing sustainable businesses.
2 To be able to define when the need for consultancy arises
3 To manage the appointment of consultants
4 To work with, guide and learn from the contributions of consultants
5 To be able to manage the process of incorporating the advice of consultants within the company

The role of the consultant in developing sustainable businesses. 1

To be able to define the circumstances when the need for consultancy arises

To manage the appointment of consultants. 2

To work with, guide and learn from the contributions of consultants

To be able to manage the process of incorporating the advice of consultants within the company.

Managing the post consultancy period.

The module will be delivered by tutor/s with wide experience in consultancy.

The module will deliver a series of seminars and practical sessions given by researchers and practitioners from the Business School and from selected external organisations.

Seminars will insist upon adequate preparation by students for all seminars so that as far as possible the learning process is prompted by the students’ progress, for example the preparation of (unexamined) short presentations on a weekly basis to initiate sessions. This process will be closely related to the Assessment 1 requirement.

The mix of lectures and talks will be supported by seminars and workshops. The latter will involve discussions of consultancy case studies, which will provide the basis for understanding the overall activity cycle of the consultancy contract and the consequent actions and results.

1. On successful completion of this module the student will be able to critically assess the need for, search for, contract, and monitor the activities of the consultant. 

2. Further to the completion of the consultancy report or activity, the student should be able to critically evaluate and take up those proposals made to the company in a manner best suited to the effective development of the company.

The module will be assessed through two pieces of work:

(a) The first will be a group presentation of the results of discussions in work- shops of their own experience of advisory/ consultancy interventions at their own previous or current workplaces. (30%)

(b) The second will be an individual essay, analysing a selected case of consultancy activity, which will demonstrate the student’s capacity to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the particular consultancy effort, and the reasons for these. (70%)

Students will receive detailed ongoing feedback on their preparatory work for the group presentation, so ‘formative’ assessment of the presentation itself.

Summative feedback for both pieces of course work is provided in line with University regulations.

Core Text

O’Mahoney, J. and Markham, C. (2013) Management consultancy. Oxford University Press.

Schein E.H.  2016 Humble Consulting: How to Provide Real Help Faster  

Schein E.H.  2013 Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling 

Other Texts
Baaij, M. (2013) An introduction to management consultancy. Sage.

Biech, E. 2011 The Business of Consulting: The Basics and Beyond Pfeiffer (ebook, kindle)

Biggs, D. (2010) Management consulting: a guide for students. South Western CENGAGE learning.

Block, P.l  2011 Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used Wiley
(also as companion: Block, P., Markowitz, A. The Flawless Consulting Fieldbook and Companion : A Guide Understanding Your Expertise Pfeiffer)

Christensen, C. M., Wang, D. and van Bever, D. (2013) Consulting on the Cusp of Disruption. Harvard Business Review. Oct 2013.

Curnow, B., and Reuvid, J. 2003 The international guide to management consultancy eBook: Kogan Page.

Kiechel, W. 2010 The Lords of Strategy: The Secret Intellectual History of the New Corporate World Markham, C. 2003 Practical Management Consultancy; ICAEW. 4/E

Kipping, M. and Clark, T. (2012) The Oxford handbook of management consulting [electronic resource] Oxford : Oxford University Press

McDonald, D. 2013 The Firm: The Story of McKinsey and Its Secret Influence on American Business (ebook)

Shu, S. 2015 The Consulting Apprenticeship: 40 Jump-Start Ideas for You and Your Business Steve Shu Consulting 
Weiss, A. 2011 The Consulting Bible: Everything You Need to Know to Create and Expand a Seven-Figure Consulting Practice (ebook)

Weiss, A. 2011 Million Dollar Consulting Proposals: How to Write a Proposal That's Accepted Every Time 

Wickham and Wickham (2016) Management Consulting: delivering an effective project [Electronic Resource ] Prentice Hall.