How to turn an MBA into a consultant

Aneeta Madhok ies, simulations and highly in~ consulting assignment for the
teractive methodologies. While students. They plan the assign-
this domain knowledge is im- ment, collect data, collate infor-

A
SK ANY ~anagement
student in India as portant, some B-Schools have mation; diagnose problems,
well as abroad what recently included special sub- make applications of knowledge
his dream job is and al- jects in the training of prospec- and recommend changes for im-
most 50percent of the time you tive management consult~p.t§, provement. No wonder B-school
will find the name of a consult- NMIMS University Off'1 grads make for readymade ma-
ing firm like McKinsey, PWC an elective on "Cons teriallapped up by the consult-
Global, Booz Allen, Deloitte, Ac- ing to Management ing firms at placement time.
centure, Infosys, TCS crops up. Symbiosis Cent Students enter B-schools as
The excitement in these place- for Manageme: unpolished diamonds. The pol-
ments comes from being a part added "Manage ishing process is delivered by
of a team that delivers knowl- ment Consl faculty in the classroom as well
edge-based solutions to global tancy" Tola: as outside. If a student emerges
and domestic clients. Access to Institute still unpolished, it is the skills of
knowledge and models that have the faculty members that were
evolved through research and missing. The moment of truth
experience, applications of in the teaching-learning process
these across verticals and sec- lies inside the classroom. It is a
tors, best practices of what magical process of transform-
works and where. With the for- ing raw material into fmished,
mulation of creative solutions produ.ct. Like any other polish'
for clients and its implementa- ing process, so too, teaching-
tion in the corporate context, learning involves painful grind-
there is a win-win for both the ing, buffing, shaping, cutting
consultant and the client. And processes to build the knowledge
these jobs pay well too. skills and attitudes needed to
Business schools are also shine above the others.
gearing up their curriculums to Next time you bunk a class,
meet the ever-rising demand for oversleep, miss a team meeting,
knowledge workers. A. closer fudge an assignment, or suffer
look at the syllabus will reveal a from a bout of cognitive lazi-
strong focus on functional area IllUSTRATION, SEBASTIAN ness, remember it is your loss
content and expertise. Domain in Gujarat also offers consult- signments, managing copsult- that will deprive you of the op-
knowledge is becoming increas- ing skills as a very popular elec- ing operations, preventing portunity to shine and glow.
ingly specialised and more com- tiveJor all students who want to scope creep, report writing, all Success is not an accident. So,
plex. The students' ability to in- enter the profession. Topics like go to build the consulting skills if your dream job is in manage-
ternalise this knowledge and the consulting process, scoping of the management graduate ment consulting, make the most
make it instantly retrievable is a consulting assignment, writ- and prepare him for a consult- of your B-school education.
a crucial part of the learning ing a winning proposal, pricing ing career. The writer is President, The Institute of

-.
process reinforced by case stud-
i1~!;P!!i
1iIJiflA,.. .fill
and billing for consulting as- The summer project is a mini-

.. .#18
Management

-
Consultants of India.
BUSINESS
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