Introduction to Management Consulting from Coursera

Management consultants are paid well because they help executives to break down complex problems, make difficult decisions, and implement lasting change. Consultants know how to work smart and fast.

Companies like McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Deloitte, EY, PWC, KPMG, and Accenture have trained thousands of consultants on useful skills, tools, methodologies. Taught by an ex-consultant from Deloitte, John Kim will give you a quick introduction to management consulting:

• What do management consultants do?

• What are the benefits of a consulting career?

• How can you learn these consulting skills?

• Why do clients hire management consultants?

• What is an example of a consulting skill?

This is the first course in the specialization on management consulting.

What's inside

Syllabus

Management Consulting 101

Management consulting is an exciting industry and a wonderful career path for smart, curious, and diligent professionals. Consultants help executives to break down problems, make difficult decisions, and create change.

What Do Consultants Do?

Globally, there are more than 1 million people who describe themselves as consultants. They work in all industries (telecommunications, oil and gas, financial services) and all functions (marketing, operations, finance). So what exactly do these highly-paid professional do?

Supercharging Your Career

I have 15+ years experience as a management consultant. After working at Deloitte Consulting and Philips Healthcare consulting, now teach at Emory University and also train new consultants. There are many reasons you might want to join a consulting firm and gain these skills.

Consulting Skills and Tools

Consultants have a toolbox of skills, methodologies, and tips to help them work smart. Yes, they vary by consulting firm, industry, and professional preference. This specialization will focus on the top 30 that you definitely need to know, starting with "client interviewing" skills.

How to Develop Consulting Skills

Consulting is an apprenticeship. Yes, you can study (like this course), but you learn from experience. Experience doing difficult analysis and creating wonderful graphs. Experience on working with clients. Experience working with senior practitioners.

Why Clients Hire Consultants

Why do clients hire consultants? After all, don't clients know their business better than outsiders? Also, management consultants are not cheap; it's common for consulting projects to be $millions of dollars.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces core skills and tools that consultants use to solve problems and drive change

Provides insights from ex-consultants with deep experience in industry

Covers the benefits of pursuing a career in management consulting

Explores why clients seek the expertise of management consultants

Designed as an introductory course to a larger specialization on management consulting

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Management Consulting with these activities:

Read 'The McKinsey Way'

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Gain insights into the practices of a leading management consulting firm by reading 'The McKinsey Way'. This book will provide valuable knowledge and perspectives to complement the course content.

View McKinsey Management Techniques (EBOOK BUNDLE) on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow a copy of 'The McKinsey Way'.
Read the book thoroughly and take notes on key concepts.

Organize course notes and resources

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Stay organized by compiling your course notes, assignments, and other resources. This will help you easily access and review the materials throughout the duration of the course.

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Create a dedicated folder or notebook for the course.
Regularly add and organize notes, assignments, and any additional resources.

Practice active listening skills

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Practicing active listening skills can help you better understand the needs of clients and colleagues, which is essential for success as a management consultant.

Browse courses on Active Listening

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Identify a conversation partner and ask them to share their thoughts and experiences.
Listen attentively to what they have to say, without interrupting.
Ask clarifying questions to show that you are engaged and interested.
Summarize what you have heard to ensure understanding.
Reflect on the conversation and identify areas where you could improve your active listening skills.

Nine other activities

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Review basic problem-solving

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Start by refreshing your problem-solving skills through guided tutorials. This will provide a solid foundation for the analytical thinking required in management consulting.

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Identify online tutorials or workshops on problem-solving techniques.
Complete the tutorials and practice the concepts.

Attend consulting workshops

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Participate in consulting workshops to gain insights from experienced professionals. These sessions will provide valuable networking opportunities and enhance your understanding of industry practices.

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Identify consulting workshops or seminars.
Attend the sessions and actively engage in discussions.

Attend industry events and connect with other professionals

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Attending industry events and connecting with other professionals can help you build your network and learn about new opportunities in management consulting.

Browse courses on Networking

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Identify industry events that are relevant to your interests.
Register for events and attend in person or virtually.
Introduce yourself to other attendees and exchange contact information.
Follow up with new contacts after the event.
Join professional organizations and participate in online forums.

Analyze case studies

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To enhance your analytical abilities, dedicate time to practicing case study analysis. This will equip you with the skills to break down complex problems effectively.

Browse courses on Case Study Analysis

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Find case studies related to management consulting.
Analyze the cases, identifying key issues and potential solutions.

Attend workshops on management consulting topics

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Attending workshops on management consulting topics can help you learn new skills and develop your knowledge of the industry.

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Identify workshops that are relevant to your interests.
Register for workshops and attend in person or virtually.
Actively participate in workshops and ask questions.
Take notes and review them after the workshop.
Apply what you have learned to your work or personal life.
Follow up with workshop instructors and attendees.

Solve case studies and business problems

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Solving case studies and business problems can help you develop the analytical and problem-solving skills that are essential for success as a management consultant.

Browse courses on Case Studies

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Identify a case study or business problem that is relevant to your interests.
Analyze the case study or problem, and identify the key issues.
Develop a solution to the problem, and present your solution to others.
Reflect on your solution and identify areas where you could improve your problem-solving skills.

Create a presentation on a management consulting topic

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Creating a presentation on a management consulting topic can help you develop the communication and presentation skills that are essential for success as a management consultant.

Browse courses on Presentations

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Choose a management consulting topic that you are interested in.
Research the topic and gather information from a variety of sources.
Develop a presentation outline that includes an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Create slides that are visually appealing and easy to understand.
Practice your presentation and get feedback from others.

Develop a consulting proposal

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To showcase your understanding of consulting practices, create a sample consulting proposal. This will allow you to apply the concepts you've learned and demonstrate your strategic thinking.

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Choose a specific business challenge or opportunity.
Research and analyze the problem.
Develop a solution and outline your proposed approach.

Contribute to open-source consulting projects

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Engage with real-world consulting challenges by contributing to open-source projects. This will allow you to apply your skills, gain practical experience, and build your portfolio.

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Find open-source consulting projects on platforms like GitHub.
Review the project description and identify areas where you can contribute.
Reach out to the project maintainers and offer your assistance.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Management Consulting will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Consultant

Consultants are highly sought after for their expertise in problem-solving, making them invaluable assets to companies looking to improve their operations. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to management consulting, covering everything from the basics of the industry to the specific skills and tools you need to succeed in this field. Whether you're just starting out in your career or looking to make a switch to consulting, this course will give you the knowledge and skills you need to get started on the path to success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Management Analyst

Management analysts help organizations improve their performance by analyzing their operations and identifying areas for improvement. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles and practices of management consulting, giving you the skills you need to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to gather and analyze data, develop recommendations, and communicate your findings to clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Analyst

Business Analyst

Business analysts help businesses understand their operations and make better decisions. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the field of management consulting, giving you the skills you need to succeed as a business analyst. You'll learn how to analyze data, identify trends, and develop solutions to business problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Systems Analyst

Systems analysts design and implement computer systems to meet the needs of businesses. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles and practices of management consulting, giving you the skills you need to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to gather and analyze requirements, develop system designs, and implement and test new systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Operations Research Analyst

Operations research analysts use mathematical and statistical techniques to solve business problems. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles and practices of management consulting, giving you the skills you need to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to develop and analyze models, and use them to make recommendations for improving business operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst

Data Scientist

Data scientists use data to solve business problems. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles and practices of management consulting, giving you the skills you need to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to gather and analyze data, develop models, and communicate your findings to clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts evaluate the financial performance of companies and make recommendations for investment. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles and practices of management consulting, giving you the skills you need to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to analyze financial data, develop models, and communicate your findings to clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Market Research Analyst

Market research analysts study consumer behavior and trends to help businesses make better decisions. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles and practices of management consulting, giving you the skills you need to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to design and conduct surveys, analyze data, and develop recommendations.

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Product Manager

Product managers are responsible for the development and marketing of products. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles and practices of management consulting, giving you the skills you need to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to develop product strategies, conduct market research, and manage product launches.

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Project Manager

Project managers plan and execute projects to achieve specific goals. This course provides a solid foundation in the principles and practices of management consulting, giving you the skills you need to succeed in this role. You'll learn how to develop project plans, manage budgets, and track progress.

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Software Engineer

Software engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. This course may be useful for software engineers who want to learn more about the principles and practices of management consulting. You'll learn how to gather and analyze requirements, develop system designs, and implement and test new systems.

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Web Developer

Web developers design and develop websites. This course may be useful for web developers who want to learn more about the principles and practices of management consulting. You'll learn how to gather and analyze requirements, develop system designs, and implement and test new systems.

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Data Analyst

Data analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make better decisions. This course may be useful for data analysts who want to learn more about the principles and practices of management consulting. You'll learn how to gather and analyze data, develop models, and communicate your findings to clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Business Development Manager

Business development managers are responsible for generating new business for their companies. This course may be useful for business development managers who want to learn more about the principles and practices of management consulting. You'll learn how to develop and execute sales strategies, identify new business opportunities, and manage customer relationships.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns to promote their companies' products and services. This course may be useful for marketing managers who want to learn more about the principles and practices of management consulting. You'll learn how to develop and execute marketing plans, conduct market research, and manage marketing budgets.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager