Our Mentored, Professional Consulting Engagement: Scary?

The Catlins, an excellent place to explore south of Dunedin.

One of the great things about NZ is the ease of access. With a population of just 4.4 million people, our Otago MBA team has access to many of the most senior business executives and government officials in the country. For instance, Lauren Rosborough, Senior Economic Adviser at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, will meet with our 2014, MBA 38 students.  Try arranging that in the U.S.

Our BUSI 540 Consulting Project

Back to business, this post explains how our BUSI 540 consulting project works; why it isn't as scary as you may believe; and why this experience is better than placement. 

Okay, stretch your right hand out flat in front of you, at eye level: that's your client.  This client may be Z Energy, Downer, or ANZ Bank, some of the largest corporations in NZ; an adventure/sports related business Mons Royale, Icebreaker, Kathmandu, Siliconcoach or Real Journeys; an NGO like the Cancer Society of NZ or Mines Advisory Group; or a company located in another part of the world: BBC or Otto Group.  All of these companies have been past clients and we endeavor to place you on a stage with a high-profile client, with the chance to gain entry into the right industry, company and/or professional network.

Now, extend your left hand out flat in front of you, about 15 cm (6 in) lower than your right hand: that's you.  A level playing field does not exist between you and your client.  The client can make your head spin with the amount of immediate, context-specific information available. This can feel scary. Even so, clients are often confused, the reason why they need our help.

It's your job to bring the available information back and allow us to help you structure a credible BUSI 540 consulting engagement.  We (you & our team) abstract away from immediate data and irrelevant noise to say: "It's this kind of problem, requiring this kind of solution."  We frame the project within the relevant business discipline (e.g., marketing, finance, economics or sustainability) and design analyses that lead to substantive conclusions and recommendations.  Stated simply: we level the playing field and place you in a position to interact with the client as an equal, with an independent voice and something valuable to say.  

The BUSI 540 professional consulting engagement isn't so scary, 

with us in your back pocket.   

How is this better than placement?  Placement is passive, with you a less-than-active collaborator in managing your own career.  We don't leave you on the sidelines.  We offer you a platform (the 540) to demonstrate your worth to potential employers and earn a position.  Some students secure a position immediately; others parlay the experience to gain entry in the right industry; and still others leverage new contacts to secure a position.  You decide: would you rather be in a position to drive your own career or remain dependent on someone from placement for your career?

I am personally responsible for mentoring students through our BUSI 540, so I

invite you to apply and look forward to working with you.

David

See also: Conceptual Thinking; Placement? You're kidding, right?; and Past Projects