The One Planet MBA reckons it can help. The program’s new module, Transitioning Into Management Consultancy, helps MBAs shift into the sector.
Consulting has long been a popular career path for b-schoolers. The fat salaries, rapid progression, and prestige that comes with an elite firm is alluring.
For the One Planet MBA, the new module is one of a number of initiatives designed to help students who wish to work in the consulting industry. It features PwC, IBM, SAP, and ex-Accenture consultants, who share their experiences.
The MBAs are also tasked with completing a “live” project, for example with a large railway operator on the optimization of the energy consumption of its fleet.
It ties into the ethos of the program, which is focused on how social, environmental and technological disruptors are reshaping the role of the professional manager.
Below, we speak to Chris Atkins, MBA faculty and session lead. Previously, Chris was a partner with Andersen Consulting, which became Accenture. He holds an MBA from INSEAD.
Can you provide an overview of the module?
The module introduces students to the field of applied management consulting and develops an understanding of the principles, tools and processes involved.
It is a practical experience designed to develop consultancy and other transferable skills. The module is organized around an individual consultancy assignment with a real client, which the business school might have sourced, or a consultancy project that students might have sourced for themselves.
In some circumstances, the project can be linked to an internship and/or new venture creation. The module requires students to design and negotiate a project task, apply a range of frameworks to structure analytical thinking, apply techniques to complete the required research, and demonstrate effective communication skills in delivering the final results to their clients.
Consulting is a highly competitive field. Does learning from established consultants give One Planet MBAs an advantage?
There are three main ways in which students can get an “edge” through the consulting project. First, the lecture component of the module provides information on the consulting process and methodologies used in the profession; second, in projects where students work alongside existing consultants there is the opportunity to gain on-the-job experience and coaching; finally, all students have a project supervisor who provides advice throughout the project.
How does management consulting fit into the ethos of the One Planet MBA — such as social impact, or sustainability?
Consulting, amongst many other things, helps clients change their operations. This change is always determined in the light of the clients’ objectives and context. If those include social impact and sustainability, then the alignment is very strong.
What opportunities are there for MBAs in consulting in terms of digital disruption — another pillar of the One Planet MBA?
Management consulting is a very broad area and a lot of it involves the tech/IT sector (certainly with IBM and Accenture Digital). During the module a number of the business school’s partner organizations presented project opportunities to the students, and many of them were digital-disruption-related, for example some “big data” projects.
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