Consulting Presentations and Storytelling from Coursera

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Syllabus

Consulting Proposals and Statements of Work

Management consultants are master storytellers because they understand their audience, don't over-promise, and know how to "sell without selling". If you want to see a great deliverable, start by looking at a project proposal; the consultants cautiously scope the problem without over-promising, but also demonstrating enough professional credibility to keep the client interested. They collaborate with clients to create a statement-of-work (SoW) that outlines a lot of benefits, but also sets accountability and expectations. Artwork.

Storytelling and Storyboarding

We are all biologically "wired" for storytelling because our ancestors told stories long before there was a written language. So it's no surprise that client executives (and their organizations) need to understand the "so what" of consulting recommendations. Real change management needs to satisfy the head, heart, and the hands: 1) Satisfy the client’s intellectual questions (head) 2) Reduce the client’s fears and give them courage (heart) 3) Provide a thoughtful plan and actionable steps (hands)

Pyramid Principle and Storytelling Frameworks

Business executives are pulled in multiple directions; they are busy, expensive, and often impatient. Final presentations need to start with the executive summary, where you provide the "answer first", then give supporting analyses.

Good (and Bad) Data Visualization

Effective data visualization is both an art and a science. An art because a seasoned data scientist, designer, or consultant can select the right chart form for the message. A science because there are many design principles to remember when making charts: a) keep it simple b) consider the audience c) reinforce the key message.

Effective PowerPoint Presentations

Management consultants are (in)famous for their PowerPoint presentations. Effective presentations are choreographed many weeks before "game day." The rough-draft storyboard started the first week of the project and was continually refined with new analysis and the client input. After multiple review-cycles with consulting senior managers / principals, the presentation tells a coherent, credible, and persuasive story. Done correctly, the consultants have socialized the final presentation with key decisions makers many days before the formal presentations. Using the political legislation terminology, "they know they have the votes."

Executive Presence and Consulting Success

Executive presence is both important and also annoying. It's important because people's perception of your work and professional brand matter for teamwork and promotions. It's annoying because this is often quite subjective and biased. In a perfect and clinical world, you would be measured by your work and nothing else. However, consulting is a people business, and therefore, we need to be ourselves (on our best day).

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores consulting approaches, assumptions, and decision-making processes, which are essential for effective consulting

Emphasizes clear and persuasive communication skills through PowerPoint presentations and data visualization, which are vital for successful consulting engagements

Builds on previous courses in the specialization, providing a comprehensive understanding of consulting practices

Suitable for aspiring and current management consultants looking to enhance their presentation and storytelling skills

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 Consulting Presentations and Storytelling with these activities:

Review Storytelling Techniques

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Refresh your storytelling skills to enhance the impact and persuasiveness of your consulting recommendations.

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Read articles or watch videos on storytelling techniques.
Practice telling stories in different settings.

Customized Consulting Proposal

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Develop a persuasive and tailored consulting proposal that effectively outlines the project scope, objectives, and potential value to enhance your client engagement skills.

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Identify a specific business problem or opportunity.
Research the client, industry, and market to understand their needs.
Develop a clear project scope and deliverables.
Outline the consulting approach, methodology, and timeline.
Craft a proposal that highlights the value proposition and potential benefits.

Review Management Consulting Frameworks

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Enhance your problem-solving abilities and prepare for the challenges of consulting by reviewing different management consulting frameworks.

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Go through the frameworks covered in the course
Research additional frameworks that are commonly used in consulting
Practice applying the frameworks to real-world business scenarios

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Review: PowerPoint Presentation Tips

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Get a simple walkthrough of how to create engaging and informative PowerPoint presentations that are tailored to your clients.

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Find a YouTube tutorial on creating PowerPoint presentations.
Take notes on key tips and best practices.
Create a practice presentation using the tips you learned.

Read Book: The Pyramid Principle

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Familiarize yourself with the Pyramid Principle, a structured approach to writing clear, logical, and persuasive arguments. This will enhance your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively in consulting presentations and deliverables.

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Read the book thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting key concepts.
Practice applying the Pyramid Principle to your own writing, such as emails or reports.
Attend an online workshop or webinar on the Pyramid Principle.

Practice Role-Playing Consulting Scenarios

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Develop your consulting and communication skills by participating in role-playing exercises with peers.

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Organize a group of peers
Create different consulting scenarios that involve typical challenges and situations
Take turns playing the roles of consultants and clients
Provide constructive feedback and insights to each other

Attend Live Webinar on Data Visualization

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Participate in a live webinar on data visualization best practices. This will enhance your ability to create clear and impactful data visualizations that effectively communicate insights to clients.

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Register for a live webinar on data visualization.
Attend the webinar and take notes.
Apply the techniques learned in the webinar to your own data analysis projects.

Practice Storytelling Techniques

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Develop your storytelling abilities by studying and practicing proven storytelling techniques.

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Review the principles of storytelling, such as the Hero's Journey or the Freytag Pyramid
Practice telling stories by starting with personal anecdotes or case studies
Ask feedback from peers or mentors to refine your techniques

Develop a Consulting Proposal

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Create a comprehensive consulting proposal that outlines the scope of work, deliverables, timeline, and budget for a sample client project. This will enhance your understanding of the planning and proposal process in consulting.

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Identify a potential consulting project and define the problem statement.
Research the client, industry, and competitors.
Develop a proposed solution and deliverables.
Create a project plan and budget.
Write and submit the consulting proposal.

Review the Pyramid Principle

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Develop stronger presentations by reviewing the principles of the Pyramid Principle to improve communication skills.

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Go over the Pyramid Principle with a partner or in a study group.
Work on clarifying your thoughts, ideas, and concepts
Link your points together logically
Summarize the key points effectively

Create a Slide Deck for a Consulting Presentation

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Develop your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively by creating a slide deck for a consulting presentation.

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Identify the key message and audience for the presentation
Research and gather relevant data and insights
Develop a storyboard and outline for the slide deck
Design visually engaging slides using appropriate graphics and visuals
Practice presenting the slide deck and gather feedback

Read 'Made to Stick'

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Learn effective communication strategies by reading 'Made to Stick' to enhance your ability to craft memorable and persuasive messages.

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Read the book carefully and take notes
Identify the key principles and techniques discussed in the book
Apply these techniques in your communication

Learn Advanced PowerPoint Presentation Techniques

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Enhance your PowerPoint presentation skills by following online tutorials and practicing advanced techniques.

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Search for online tutorials on advanced PowerPoint techniques
Practice creating visually appealing and engaging slides
Incorporate interactive elements and multimedia to enhance audience engagement

Data Visualization Exercise

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Refine your data visualization skills and practice creating compelling visuals that effectively convey insights and support your recommendations.

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Gather a dataset related to a business problem.
Create multiple visualizations using different chart types.
Analyze and interpret the results.
Write a brief report explaining the insights gained from the visualizations.

Practice PowerPoint Presentation Skills

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Improve your PowerPoint presentation skills by practicing in front of a small group or using video recording. This will build your confidence and ensure effective communication during client presentations.

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Choose a topic and create a PowerPoint presentation.
Practice delivering the presentation multiple times.
Get feedback from peers or colleagues.
Record yourself delivering the presentation and review the recording to identify areas for improvement.

Develop a Consulting Proposal

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Gain practical experience in the consulting process by creating a comprehensive consulting proposal that outlines your approach and solution to a real-world problem.

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Define the problem and scope of the project
Conduct research and analysis to gather relevant data
Develop a solution and outline the benefits and expected outcomes
Create a visually appealing and persuasive proposal document

Tutor a Junior Student in Management Consulting

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Reinforce your understanding of the course material and help others by mentoring a junior student in management consulting.

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Reach out to a junior student who is interested in consulting
Offer to provide guidance and support on coursework, case studies, and other aspects of consulting
Share your own experiences and insights from the field

Consulting Case Study Discussion

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Engage in discussions with peers to analyze and solve real-world consulting case studies, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

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Form a study group with 2-3 peers.
Select a consulting case study relevant to the course material.
Analyze the case, identify key issues, and develop recommendations.
Present your findings to the group and discuss alternative solutions.

Career center

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

Management Consultant

Management Consultants work within organizations to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. This course can help develop the skills necessary to understand and analyze complex business problems, develop effective solutions, and communicate your recommendations clearly and persuasively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Consultant

Consultants analyze a company's operations and suggest ways to improve them. This course can help develop the skills necessary to understand and analyze complex business problems, develop effective solutions, and communicate your recommendations clearly and persuasively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Strategy Consultant

Strategy Consultants work with clients to develop and implement strategies for growth. This course can help develop the skills necessary to understand and analyze complex business problems, develop effective solutions, and communicate your recommendations clearly and persuasively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Strategy Consultant

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data. They then use this data to answer questions and make predictions. This course can help Data Analysts move beyond basic data analysis skills by helping you develop the skills necessary to make your findings understandable and actionable.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. This course can help develop the skills necessary to understand and analyze complex project requirements, develop effective solutions, and communicate your recommendations clearly and persuasively.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers oversee the daily operations of a business. This course can help develop the skills necessary to understand and analyze complex business problems, develop effective solutions, and communicate your recommendations clearly and persuasively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts analyze and design computer systems. This course can help develop the skills necessary to understand and analyze complex systems, develop effective solutions, and communicate your recommendations clearly and persuasively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Product Manager

Product Managers oversee the development and launch of new products. This course can help develop the skills necessary to understand and analyze complex user needs, develop effective solutions, and communicate your recommendations clearly and persuasively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Business Analyst

Evaluate a business's processes and make suggestions on how to improve them. Look for ways to improve efficiency and productivity. Understanding how to craft clear, persuasive presentations will help Business Analysts improve their ability to bring stakeholders along throughout the analysis process, making it easier to enact change based on your recommendations.

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Investment Banker

Investment Bankers provide financial advice to companies and governments. This course can help develop the skills necessary to understand complex financial issues, develop effective solutions, and communicate your recommendations clearly and persuasively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

Public relations manager

Public Relations Managers plan and execute public relations campaigns. This course can help develop the skills necessary to understand and analyze complex public relations issues, develop effective solutions, and communicate your recommendations clearly and persuasively.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts research, analyze, and make recommendations on investments. This course can help develop the skills necessary to make clear, persuasive presentations to clients and stakeholders, which is essential for the work of any Financial Analyst.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers oversee the sales team of a company. This course can help develop the skills necessary to understand and analyze complex sales data, develop effective solutions, and communicate your recommendations clearly and persuasively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Market Research Analyst

Market Research Analysts conduct research to understand consumer behavior and trends. This course can help develop the skills necessary to understand and analyze complex data, develop effective solutions, and communicate your recommendations clearly and persuasively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers plan, develop, and execute marketing campaigns. This course can help develop the skills necessary to understand and analyze complex data, develop effective solutions, and communicate your recommendations clearly and persuasively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

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