We are delighted to introduce you to the AGSM Strategic Consulting Projects Program. This guide is designed to explain the underlying process of the Program as well as highlighting how AGSM Strategic Consulting Projects can deliver extraordinary results for your company.
The AGSM MBA Program is consistently rated as Australia’s top-ranked MBA Program* and has a reputation for flexibility and strength.
The Strategic Consulting Projects Program creates, develops and facilitates opportunities for AGSM MBA students to work in teams with clients on issues of strategic importance. In collaboration with senior executives, the AGSM MBA teams define and analyse the business issue and make recommendations for action through written and oral presentations. Conducted over twelve weeks, these projects have the capacity to address a wide range of issues including: • Strategic planning and competitive analysis • Market analysis for business growth opportunities • Re-designing the customer acquisition process • Viability of launching new products in the Australian market • Improvement of organisational performance and measurement • Determining productivity benchmarks and potential efficiencies • Evaluating a pricing strategy • Researching and analysing consumer preferences
STRATEGIC
CONSULTING
PROJECTS
WELCOME
It is proud of its relationship with leading business organisations and peer schools throughout the world. The AGSM MBA Programs are delivered by the Australian School of Business which was formed in 2007 through the merger of the Australian Graduate School of Management and the former Faculty of Commerce and Economics of the University of NSW.
For more information, please contact: Director of Operations & Student Recruitment Email: [email protected] AGSM MBA Programs UNSW SYDNEY NSW 2052 Australia T: 02 9931 9301 F: 02 9931 9549
Application Process
To propose a Strategic Consulting Project, please send an expression of interest by email, including the following information:
• Company name and contact details
• Provide some background information on your company • Brief outline of the business issue
• What are the three key questions that you would like answered by the end of the project?
• Specific requirements in relation to the team members (if applicable)
Strategic Consulting Projects
provide the opportunity for students
to get an inside look at a company
and to experience what it is like to
be on a consulting team.
Professor Grahame Dowling,
Australian School of Business
The MBA Program builds a project scope around the client’s issue, and then assembles a consulting team of 3-5 Masters of Business Administration (MBA) candidates. A Faculty Member who is an expert in the field or industry in question, ensures that the project is completed on time, on budget, and to the client’s satisfaction.
Clients include a wide range of business – from large multinational corporations to entrepreneurial ventures moving into the next stage after a business plan is launched. We invite you to be part of a rewarding business partnership with AGSM MBA Programs.
Strategic Consulting Projects
enable your business to tap into
the collective strength of AGSM
MBA students, who,combined with
leading academics, will deliver
strategic project capability to your
business.
Tony Lund, Chief
Executive, Disabilities Service Australia
The Australia School of Business, which delivers the AGSM MBA Program, is an academic powerhouse with the talent, expertise and resources to help clients with their business concerns. The key benefits that clients will gain from an AGSM Strategic Consulting Project are:
• Unsurpassed business expertise – the MBA students are able to combine a depth of practical application with the latest management techniques. They are experienced in analysing complex problems within a strategic framework and have strong analystical and interpersonal skills.
• A dedicated team to focus on one particular business issue – companies frequently do not have the time and resources to commit a team of individuals to work on a single concern for a lengthy period of time. The AGSM Project Team will work for 10 straight weeks on the business problem or concern.
• Access to the best and brightest MBA candidates – with a diverse team that is motivated and interested in your company and industry. The AGSM MBA Program offers its clients a high-potential recruiting resource. By working with the Project Team, clients may find a good fit for talented candidates who will soon be completing their MBA studies.
• Consultancy-style work at a fraction of the cost of hiring consultancy firms – when the budget is tight yet consulting is optimal, AGSM Management Projects perfectly fill the gap. Clients receive professional quality results at a fraction of typical consulting costs.
• Renowned MBA Program faculty members – with experience and expertise, the MBA Program faculty provide the most up-to-date academic knowledge to advise and support the Project Team and the client.
• An external view – as a third party, the Project Team is able to collect and gather information in an objective fashion and reach results that the client might otherwise be unable to attain.
The Project Team
In the project planning phase, the AGSM MBA Program is responsible for forming the project team. Each team is comprised of 3-5 MBA candidates, and a Faculty member.
The MBA candidates have a diverse background and a unique approach to the business problem. As a team, they work together to successfully complete the rigorous demands of the project.
The Faculty member is one of the MBA Program’s esteemed academics, selected as a result of their experience and expertise in the field or industry in question. The faculty member provides unique insights as a ‘subject-matter expert’ to support and guide the team and review the work performed.
The project was
fantastic. The team’s
analysis of the business
was particularly
good – they gave us
an outsider’s view
of the commercial
viability of our business
services operations
and highlighted our
vulnerability
BENEFITS OF AN
AGSM STRATEGIC
Pre-project planning
Once the client submits a Project Request, the AGSM MBA Program discusses and evaluates the scope and objectives of the potential Strategic Consulting Project. The purpose is to evaluate the project itself (importance of the problem, value that the AGSM MBA Program can add, potential to complete the project within the 12-week schedule, etc), and confirms the client’s commitment to the project. Once the project is thoroughly scoped to satisfaction, and the AGSM MBA Program and client are in agreement, the MBA Program Project Team is formed and preparation is made for the project start date.
WEEK 1 Project launch & proposal WEEK 2–5 Research & analysis WEEK 6–7 Progress update report WEEK 8–12 Final analysis & presentation
STRATEGIC
CONSULTING
PROJECTS
Week 1: Project launch and
proposal
After the pre-project planning is completed, the project is launched in accordance with the MBA term schedule. It starts with an initial briefing in Week 1 between the Project Team and the client, which provides a full overview of project issues. Following this, the team creates and finalises a project proposal to outline methodology and analysis framework, time schedule, expenses and resource requirements. Both the Project Team and the client agree upon this proposal before moving ahead.
Week 2–5: Research and
analysis
Throughout this process, the team will need to meet regularly with the client contact. Depending on the nature of the project, the team may need to perform the work on your company’s premises. Interviewing may be necessary as well as assistance with gathering internal information and feedback.
Week 6–7: Progress Update
Report
In Week 6 and 7, the AGSM MBA Program team arranges with the client a suitable time to present a mid-term progress update. This is intended to keep your company up to date on the project’s preliminary findings and next steps.
Week 8–12: Final analysis and
presentation
After the final analysis is completed, the project culimates in two key deliverables: a presentation and a report. At the end of the twelve weeks, the team will deliver a professional presentation to the client. Typically, this includes key executives and decision-makers involved in the business
problem – it may also include secondary groups such as others in the company who need to be aware of the problem or clients who will be interested in the results. Following the presentation, the team will provide a final report that will deliver the outcomes/recommendations, as well as details of data collected and the analysis performed.
• Reviewed the global residential property market, including USA, Canada, UK and Australia
• Researched trends and forecasts for financial services in Australia
• Identified a business strategy that would allow better alignment of online and offline sales and marketing activities
• Created a marketing plan for a company launching an imported beverage into the Australian market
• Re-designed the customer acquisition process as part of an overall performance management approach
• Completed a study of capital raising in the industrial property market • Determined productivity benchmarks and potential efficiencies to improve
worker productivity and efficiency based on an assessment of policies, procedures and practices within the organisation
• Analysed leadership techniques critical to outstanding business success • Performed investment appraisal for an Australian office of a transportation company • Researched and evaluated the feasibility of creating a manufacturing
subsidiary in the Phillipines
• Created a plan to increase visitation to a major tourist attraction in such a way that strengthened their engagement with the community
• Developed a strategic plan for internet presence of a niche bricks-and-mortars consumer goods business
• Analysed information technology training needs in Australia for a multinational corporation
AGSM Strategic Consulting Project teams have performed strategic consulting for over 100 organisations from the corporate, government and non-profit sectors since 1996. Clients include: • Merck Sharp & Dohme • Hewlett Packard • BT Financial Group • News Interactive • Telstra • Deutsche Bank • Australian Stock Exchange • Qantas • AMP • TNT Asia • Disabilities Services Australia • Zurich Australia • Federal Airports Corporation • IBM Global Services • Australia post • Colliers International • SAP Australia • Austrade • SBC Warburg • IBM Global Services • Commonwealth Bank • Mayne Nickless • Cochlear • CSIRO • South Australia Water Corporation • Energy Australia • Sony • Fujitsu Australia • Dupont Australia • Westfield Holdinhs • Defence Equity Organisation • Royal Botanical Gardens • Tyco • George Weston Foods • Australian Capital Partners • Bain International • Lucent Technologies • Macquarie Bank •
EXAMPLES OF
PAST PROJECTS
Chris Noll, National Executive
Director, Colliers Internation
The AGSM Strategic
Consulting Project
was conducted
with the utmost
professionalism. The
project students and
staff worked with
Colliers collaboratively
to understand our
business and left
us with a valuable
research report which
will clearly result
in positive business
outcomes.
Types of Projects
As a top business school in the Asia Pacific region, the ASB has a full range of business expertise. The AGSM MBA Program’s major focus areas include:
• General Management • Marketing
• Finance and Accounting • Organisational Behaviour
AS00808/060611 Please note: All information in this document is correct at the time of printing.
Prices and fees are subject to change at short notice. The AGSM MBA Program reserves the right to make changes to the program content, delivery and completion requirement as required.
CRICOS Provider Code: 00098G
Confidentiality of information
AGSM MBA Program is aware of the need for confidentiality in business problems, so the entire team is bound to an Agreement of Confidentiality provided by the AGSM MBA Program. This provides our clients with the confidence to provide proprietary information to the project.The project was a great
opportunity to work
with entrepreneurs in
a ‘real-world’ context
and apply some of the
skills and knowledge
gained during the MBA
at AGSM. The project
allowed us to work
closely with senior
management and
we were able to get
great insight into the
decisions that business
owners and operators
face on a daily basis and
in forming the
long-term strategic direction
of an organisation.
Oren Danziger,
MBA graduate 2008
