The "Course in Practical and Applied Business Consulting" is designed for professionals and aspiring consultants who want to develop hands-on consulting skills. Focusing on real-world applications, this course takes participants through each step of the consulting process, from client engagement to solution implementation.

Participants will start with an introduction to business consulting, exploring various types of consulting services and the essential role of a consultant in problem-solving and business improvement. Consulting frameworks and methodologies, including SWOT, PESTLE, and Porter’s Five Forces, will be covered to provide participants with structured problem-solving approaches and decision-making tools.

A significant portion of the course will focus on client engagement and relationship management, including best practices for building strong client relationships, managing expectations, and maintaining open communication.

Business analysis and needs assessment will equip participants with the tools and techniques necessary to identify client challenges and understand their business goals. Participants will learn about data collection and analysis, which will serve as the foundation for developing effective solutions.

In solution development and implementation planning, participants will learn strategies to create actionable, impactful plans. Change management will also be a key focus, as participants learn techniques for managing resistance, promoting client buy-in, and supporting successful transitions.

Data-driven decision-making is crucial in consulting. Participants will gain practical skills in analyzing and visualizing data to make informed recommendations.

Project management skills are essential for delivering consulting projects effectively. This segment will focus on managing time, budgets, and resources to ensure project success.

Real-world case studies will provide participants with valuable insights into successful consulting projects, and participants will apply course concepts to real or simulated consulting scenarios.

The course culminates in a capstone consulting project, where participants will conduct a full consulting engagement, from needs assessment to final recommendations, receiving feedback to refine their skills further.

• Introduction to Business Consulting

  • Overview of business consulting and industry trends
  • The role of a business consultant
  • Types of consulting services and their applications

• Consulting Frameworks and Methodologies

  • Popular consulting frameworks (e.g., SWOT, PESTLE, Porter’s Five Forces)
  • Structured problem-solving approaches
  • How to select and apply frameworks effectively

• Client Engagement and Relationship Management

  • Techniques for building and maintaining client relationships
  • Understanding client needs and setting expectations
  • Communication and negotiation skills

• Business Analysis and Needs Assessment

  • Identifying business challenges and objectives
  • Conducting comprehensive needs assessments
  • Data collection methods and analysis for informed insights

• Solution Development and Implementation Planning

  • Strategies for developing effective business solutions
  • Creating actionable implementation plans
  • Assessing potential impacts and risks of proposed solutions

• Change Management in Consulting

  • Principles of change management in consulting projects
  • Managing resistance and promoting client buy-in
  • Tools for monitoring and supporting change initiatives

• Data-Driven Decision-Making

  • Leveraging data in consulting projects
  • Techniques for data analysis and interpretation
  • Visualizing data for client presentations

• Project Management for Consultants

  • Basics of project management tailored to consulting projects
  • Tools for planning, tracking, and managing projects
  • Meeting project deadlines and budget constraints

• Case Studies and Real-World Applications

  • Analyzing real-world consulting case studies
  • Applying course concepts to real or simulated consulting scenarios
  • Lessons learned from successful and challenging projects

• Capstone Consulting Project

  • Conducting a full consulting project from start to finish
  • Developing solutions and presenting recommendations to clients
  • Peer feedback and refinement of consulting skills