The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one. – Mark Twain
Campus Connection
Honest Advice from Successful Students
Tag Archives: Business
From the Classroom to Consultancy #7
Catch-up with the previous episode here.
Our team nailed our client proposal presentation!
Both our module leader and our client were very pleased with both the delivery and content, except for one ‘slight’ comment to be made about the latter.
We had to outline our project plan, including our research methods and the feasibility of our solution. When it all came down to it, we had actually put too much on our plate! It’s a good thing our module leader pointed it out, because not only were we way over our heads in work, but also we now no longer need to wonder if we’re doing enough.
We’re In Over Our Heads!
We need to figure out two things:
1. How to narrow things down (tough because all the areas we have researched seem equally important!)
Sometimes it makes sense to do less and do it well, rather than take on more and run out of time.
2. Create a detailed schedule of what will be done – when, and by whom.
This will probably have to be done before we attempt anything else. That way each team member will be assigned a specific role in the group, ensuring we are better organized and our time is spent more efficiently and productively from now on.
Getting Started
We’ve talked to our clients,and now it’s time to kick-start our market research. Within days we will be joining in some form of activity, event, or service offered by the organisation. We will shadow the activities and briefly interview the participants in order to gain some insight. We will essentially try to uncover why there are less males than females among the existing service users for our clients and whether the users, especially the men, have any suggestions on how to address this situation.
Meanwhile, I’ll be working on my individual project plan (worth 10% of our overall grade) that’s due by the end of the month.
Do I vow to finish it ahead of time and not pull another all-nighter?
Not really, no, because let’s face it: Procrastination is part of being a student, right?
Barbara Oberc is a StudentEvents.com Campus Ambassador at the University of Newcastle in the UK! Each week she’s updating us on her progress through her epic final year management consultancy project!
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From the Classroom to Consultancy #3
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From the Classroom to Consultancy #2
Like most introductory lectures delivered at the beginning of a semester to a group of students ranging from the naively eager to those blatantly doubting whether they’re in the right place, the introductory session to the module of Management Consultancy did not fail in serving its main purpose: to scare the living daylights out of us.
Basically, there is going to be a lot of work.
Besides working for a real-life company (“you will have to produce results!”), the assessment of the module will consist of four assignments; a 2500-word project plan, an 8000-word client report, a 20-minute client presentation, and a 7000-word reflective report (to be done individually).
But wait, that’s not all. Some of the work will not be assessed but must be done anyway, and that includes a 10-minute client proposal presentation, a 10-minute client progress presentation, a formative peer review, a summative peer review, and a personal reflective diary. At least this blog will help with the latter.
But the main issue at this point in time is:
What project (or company) will I be assigned to?
The lecture gave a basic presentation of the seven possible clients, all of which we will get to know better next Monday at a brief meet-and-greet.
So I definitely need to look sharp, have some copies of my CV to hand out and be informed about the clients so as to know what I’m talking about and what to ask. If I make a good impression, they may request for me to be on their team of consultants!
Being expected to complete a total of 222 hours of fieldwork, I’m concerned about where certain clients are based. If I can get there by metro, it’s all good, but a lot of those located farther away require getting there by train or car. And as most students can understand, spending precious time and money is something I will desperately try to avoid.
So I, too, will get to express my preferences to the module leader regarding what company I’d like to work for. However, it was made clear that our choices may not be taken into consideration at all. Because this, as well as not being able to choose your team members, is all part of
“simulating a real-life work situation…”
Post by Barbara Oberc, Campus Ambassador for University of Newcastle, UK
2 Events with Incredible Prizes
Money and goodies: two of the best reasons to participate in a competition!! There are lots of great competitions out there, but the news of these competitions rarely reaches its target audience. That’s why we’ve decided to locate and list some of the best that also offer some of the coolest prizes.
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Field: Technology & Engineering; Architecture
Open to: Bachelor, Master
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Field: Medical
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Deadline: 4 October 2013
Prize Offered:
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2nd Place:$2,500,000
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Want to stay updated about all competition listings? Sign-up for event alerts now – it’s FREE!
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