This Subject is not available to be undertaken as a Single Subject.

Main Aim(s) of the Unit:

The unit provides the opportunity for students to demonstrate, in a real world environment, what they have already learned about a specific aspect of commercial management.  It also enables them to develop useful consultancy skills.

Appropriate assignments are obtained in advance based on local private/public sector organisations.  On allocation of the projects, an appropriate area of academic theory is identified in consultation with the project tutor.  The student is then required to carry out a piece of independent academic research into the relevant area.  This gives students the opportunity to synthesize existing knowledge with the research undertaken and based on their research a client report addressing the selected issue is produced.

This unit is student-centred and requires students to effectively develop, manage and co-ordinate their work from inception to completion.

Main Topics of Study:

• Identification of essential/useful consultancy skills
• Establishing the problem or opportunity to be investigated
• Preparation and agreement of consultancy proposal
• Appropriate methods of approaching assignments and suitable research methodologies
• Analysis and presentation of findings, conclusions and recommendations
• The consultancy report
• Methods of conducting secondary research, synthesizing literature and presenting findings

Learning Outcomes for the Unit

At the end of this Unit, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of one or more specific areas of commercial management, both theoretical and applied.
2. Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse and evaluate theoretical and research findings.
3. Critically assess stated client problems and requirements and develop an appropriate methodology to investigate these.
4. Demonstrate the ability to develop arguments analytically and coherently.
5. Synthesize knowledge from appropriate areas of commercial management theory and practice.
6. Demonstrate skills in time-management, self-organisation and self-discipline

The numbers in the boxes below show which of the above unit learning outcomes are related to particular cognitive and key skills.

Learning and teaching methods/strategies used to enable the achievement of learning outcomes:

During the early stages of the unit, contact time will combine lectures and discussion with tutors.  Contact time will be used to identify the key approaches and components of consultancy work, methods of problem identification and research, and techniques for conducting academic research.  The need for appropriate professional and practical skills and effective communication techniques will also be addressed.  Tutor contact will focus on providing support and advice for the particular project undertaken.

Over the following weeks, students should make regular appointments with their supervision tutor to discuss their individual academic research and their project.  At the same time, the students may be developing their consultancy and communication skills through regular meetings and contact with the target organisation where appropriate.

Assessment methods which enable student to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the Unit:
Written report
(Incorporating the project proposal, literature review, methodology, results, conclusions and specific recommendations) 100%

Indicative Reading for this Unit:

Main text:
The Commercial Manager – T. Boyce & C. Lake (ICM)

Note: There is no single recommended text for this unit.  Most importantly, reading should incorporate the latest information on the target organisation where appropriate.

Additional Sources of Information:
Cooper H (1998), Synthesising Research: A Guide for Literature Reviews, 3rd ed, Sage

Gill J & Johnson P (1991), Research Methods for Managers, Paul Chapman

Markham C (2004), The Top Consultant – Developing your Skills for Greater Effectiveness, 4th Edition,  Kogan Page

Wickham P A (1999), Management Consulting, Pitman

Website references:
A variety of associated websites on areas such as consulting including:

http://www.mckinsey.com/locations/london/index.asp ^[1]

http://www.consultant-news.com/BCG.asp ^[2]

http://www.adl.com/insights/prism/ ^[3]

http://www.environment-risk.com/ ^[4]

Guideline for Teaching and Learning Time (10 hrs per credit)

Lectures / Seminars / Tutorials / Workshops 50 hours
Tutorial support provides assistance on developing the project research and completing the written report and may vary by college according to local requirements.

Directed learning: 50 hours
Advance reading and preparation / Class preparation / Background reading.

Self managed learning: 100 hours
Working through the research project including literature review, data collection and completing the report as required will take up the bulk of the learning time.  In addition students are expected to engage with the tutor and target organisation where appropriate and to undertake further reading using the web and/or written material.