Consulting Skills

Code

BUSI4656

School

Nottingham University Business School

Level

4

Credits

10

Semesters

Spring Malaysia

Summary

This module emphasises the vital skills and knowledge needed for success in business consulting or an internal consultant role within an organisation. It builds upon a student’s prior learning in finance, marketing, strategy, and more. Throughout the module, they will apply their accumulated knowledge and skills to manage real-world consulting projects, offering practical solutions and ethical recommendations. Students may work directly with clients or other third parties, receive industry feedback, or engage with industry case studies to address complex business challenges. This experience will enhance research, interpersonal, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, client focus, and influencing abilities.

Target Students

Only available for students registered on taught postgraduate programmes in FASS.

Classes

• One 2-hour lecture each week for 11 weeks

Assessment

• 70% Individual Coursework: 3,000-word essay
• 30% Group Presentation: 30 minutes with Q&A

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

This module develops a knowledge and understanding of:  

• The dynamics of the global economy and international business &/or an awareness of cultural, legal/regulatory, political, and economic differences across countries &/or an appreciation of management issues from a global perspective. 
• Markets - the development and operation of markets for resources, goods and services   
• Customers and stakeholders - customer expectations, service and orientation  
• The management of projects 
• Tools and techniques for transforming (big) data into useful information for business analysis and decision support 
• Communications – the comprehension and use of relevant communications for application in business and management, including the use of digital tools  
• Business innovation – creativity, intrapreneurial – and entrepreneurial behaviour and enterprise development, and the management and exploitation of intellectual property   
• The importance of sustainability issues, including an understanding of the challenges  and opportunities arising from the activities of people and organisations on the economic, social and environmental conditions of the future. 
• Leadership and management of people within organisations – leadership, organisational behaviour and motivation  
• Strategic management - the development and implementation of appropriate strategies within a changing environment 

Intellectual Skills: This module develops: 

• Being able to think critically and be creative: manage the creative processes in self and others; organise thoughts, analyse, synthesise and critically appraise. This includes the capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence, detect false logic or reasoning, identify implicit values, define terms adequately and generalise appropriately 
• Being able to solve complex problems and make decisions: establish criteria, using appropriate decision-making techniques including identifying, formulating and solving business problems; and the ability to create, identify and evaluate options; the ability to implement and review decisions  

Professional Practical Skills: This module develops: 

• The ability to conduct research and enquiry into business and management issues either individually or as part of a team through research design, the collection and analysis of qualitative data, synthesis and reporting 
• The ability to conduct research and enquiry into business and management issues either individually or as part of a team through research design, the collection and analysis of quantitative data, synthesis and reporting 
• Effective performance within team environments and the ability to recognise and utilise individuals' contributions in group processes and to negotiate and persuade or influence others; team selection, delegation, development and management.  Leadership and performance management: selecting appropriate leadership style for different situations; setting objectives, motivating, monitoring performance, coaching and mentoring 
• The ability to recognise and address ethical dilemmas, corporate social responsibility and sustainability issues, applying ethical and organisational values to situations and choices 

Transferable (key) Skills: This module develops:  

• Effective communication: networking, listening, oral and written communication of complex ideas and arguments, using a range of media, including the preparation of business reports 
• High personal effectiveness: critical self-awareness, self-reflection and self-management; time management; conflict  resolution, displaying commercial acumen, the ability to continue to learn through reflection on practice and experience 
• Soft skills: understanding the needs of others and empathy towards them; sensitivity to diversity in people and in different situations 

Conveners

• Ganesh Nadarajah