Management and Practice of Consulting

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/E_BA_MPC

Course Objective

By following this course, students advance their understanding of the way consultants are organised and work with their clients in order to critically reflect on the practice of consulting and make informed career choices. The course not only aims to develop strong writing skills but also to familiarize students with various communication styles which are essential for consultants to master. Academic and Research Skills By following this course, you will be able to:
- Use literature to explain how consultants work and how consultancy is organised as a business and as a profession;
- Use the literature to identify and critically assess different approaches to consulting work; Knowledge of Theory + Methods and Solving Complex Problems By following this course, you will be able to:
- Use theoretical lenses and scientific insights to better understand, frame and act on complex and unstructured questions; Professional Social Skills By following this course, you will be able to:
- Get across your ideas by adapting your communication style to your audience; Self-Reflective Professional By following this course, you will be able to:
- Take charge of your learning path and make informed decisions about your career;

Course Content

This course will introduce you to the field of consulting, with a specific focus on how consultants are organised and what they do. We will cover topics such as:
- History of consulting and current trends like digitalisation
- The organisation of consulting and other professional firms
- The consultancy process
- The roles of consultants
- Careers in consulting In the seminars, you will experiment with argumentation and communication styles central to the practice of consulting (writing a journal article, preparing arguments, presentations for clients, etc.)

Teaching Methods

Lectures (4h a week), seminars (2h a week, mandatory)

Method of Assessment

Individual/group assignments, exam

Literature

Schein, E.H. 2009. Helping: How to offer, give, and receive help. SanFrancisco: Berret Koehler Publishers. ISBN: 157675863X (or paperbackversion). Articles will be announced in the course manual.