FTMBA2022_I Workshop Consulting Management in the Digital Age

Over the last fifty years, management consulting has not only been proven as a powerful approach to solve complex non-ordinary business problems, management consulting has become an often admired global service industry with global multi-billion $ corporations like McKinsey, BCG, PwC or Accenture and a long tail of specialized functional and national players. Indeed, the profession has become a highly attractive working ground for top students at business schools and beyond.

Course code

WS019

Course type

FT MBA Course

Weekly Hours

1,33

ECTS

Term

FS 2022

Language

Englisch

Lecturers

Dr. Jürgen Ringbeck

Please note that exchange students obtain a higher number of credits in the BSc-program at WHU than listed here. For further information please contact directly the International Relations Office.

Course content

Management Consulting has by purpose driving innovation of management principles and tools since its foundation in the early 20th century. Many famous frameworks and tools of strategic and functional management have been invented by leading consulting firms (e.g. BCG matrices).

As the consulting industry experienced a new period of flourishing driven by the mega trend of digital business transformation during the last couple of years, our course also focuses on the implications of digitalization and – driven by Corona – the emerging “new normal” business environment on practices and standards of management consulting.

This course thus also focuses on the questions: Which are the new key challenges and expectations towards consultancies and consultants in the future? Which topics and capabilities will be relevant? And, how will the industry structure and the day-to-day business look like?

Class dates

Date	Time
Thursday, 10.02.2022	08:45 - 16:00
Friday, 11.02.2022	08:45 - 16:00

Learning outcomes

This course gives an introduction into the consulting industry and its core methods and tools. It highlights key frameworks and raises new perspectives of management consulting with a focus on strategy and digital transformation. Students have the chance to try out selected tools in a case study.

Literature

In order to make this workshop as interactive and engaging as possible, students will be asked to read the articles from the prereading list below: Christensen, C. M., Wang, D., & van Bever, D. (2013). Consulting on the Cusp of Disruption. Harvard Business Review, 1-10.Leinwand, P., & Mainardi, C. (2010). The Coherence Premium. Harvard Business Review, 1-6.Turner, A. N. (1982). Consulting is More Than Giving Advice. Harvard Business Review, 120-128.

Learningmethods

Interactive (hybrid) teaching

Case study analysis and presentation

On-side company visit

Guest lecture and discussion

Exam

1.1. In order to make this workshop as interactive and engaging as possible, students will be asked to read the articles from the prereading list below:

Christensen, C. M., Wang, D., & van Bever, D. (2013). Consulting on the Cusp of Disruption. Harvard Business Review, 1-10.
Leinwand, P., & Mainardi, C. (2010). The Coherence Premium. Harvard Business Review, 1-6.
Turner, A. N. (1982). Consulting is More Than Giving Advice. Harvard Business Review, 120-128.

1.2. Each student needs to prepare one of the three papers above, prepare a PPT answering key questions and present the results during the first session

1.3. Each student is required to work on a case study and present the results in class

Requirements

The students shall bring intrinsic motivation to learn more about management consulting and digitalization to the table. In addition, enthusiasm about solving problems and dealing with case studies is highly recommended.

Total workload