ECON 15
Introduction to Management Consulting Winter 2023

This course provides a broad overview of the management consulting industry from the perspective of an experienced practitioner. The objectives of the class are to provide a real world view as to what consultants do and to help prepare students who are considering joining a management consulting firm post-Williams. The class will begin with a broad discussion of the differences in the types of business consulting and how management consulting firms are utilized by corporations and private equity firms. The next section will introduce the complexities in developing successful business strategies and review common frameworks for structuring strategic analysis. Students will then be provided instruction on (and practice with) the tools utilized by strategy consultants to analyze markets, evaluate competitive environments, synthesize customer information, and perform financial analysis in order to develop growth strategies. Additionally, one class session will be devoted to tips for getting a job in management consulting including how to ace case interviews. The final small group project will entail the development and delivery of a consulting presentation for a business with a strategic need.