Introduction to Management Consulting
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Introduction to Management Consulting
This course is part of Management Consulting Specialization
Instructor: John Kim
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What you'll learn
What do management consultants do? What are some of the tools and skills that I can apply to my work? Why is problem solving a super-power?
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There are 6 modules in this course
Management consultants are paid well because they help executives to break down complex problems, make difficult decisions, and implement lasting change. Consultants know how to work smart and fast.
Companies like McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Deloitte, EY, PWC, KPMG, and Accenture have trained thousands of consultants on useful skills, tools, methodologies. Taught by an ex-consultant from Deloitte, John Kim will give you a quick introduction to management consulting: • What do management consultants do? • What are the benefits of a consulting career? • How can you learn these consulting skills? • Why do clients hire management consultants? • What is an example of a consulting skill? This is the first course in the specialization on management consulting.
Management consulting is an exciting industry and a wonderful career path for smart, curious, and diligent professionals. Consultants help executives to break down problems, make difficult decisions, and create change. This can super-charge your career.
What's included
5 videos2 readings1 discussion prompt
5 videos•Total 17 minutes
- 1.0 Introduction to Management Consulting•3 minutes
- 1.1.1 Recent graduates and new hires•3 minutes
- 1.1.2 Corporate managers•4 minutes
- 1.1.3 Solo entrepreneurs•4 minutes
- 1.2 What will you learn from this course?•4 minutes
2 readings•Total 13 minutes
- Management consulting background (1926 - Today)•3 minutes
- Course outline for note taking•10 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 4 minutes
- Optional - Say hello to others•4 minutes
Globally, there are 1 million+ people who describe themselves as consultants. Consulting spans all industries and all functions, but (seriously) what do these highly-paid professional exactly do?
What's included
5 videos1 reading1 assignment
5 videos•Total 34 minutes
- 1.3 Consultants help executives•6 minutes
- 1.4 Which executives hire consultants?•6 minutes
- 1.5 Breaking down problems•7 minutes
- 1.6.1 Help decision-makers to create change•8 minutes
- 1.6.2 Which projects are best?•7 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
- 10 steps for breaking down problems•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 12 minutes
- What have we learned about consulting?•12 minutes
Why does 14% of Harvard University's graduating class go into management consulting? Find out. . .
What's included
2 videos2 readings1 assignment
2 videos•Total 17 minutes
- 1.7 Top 5 reasons to become a consultant•8 minutes
- 1.8 Consulting is a profession and mindset•9 minutes
2 readings•Total 8 minutes
- Why 14% of Harvard goes into consulting?•5 minutes
- How much money do consultants make?•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 12 minutes
- What are the benefits of a consulting career?•12 minutes
Consultants have a toolbox of skills, methodologies, and tips to help them work smart. Yes, they vary by consulting firm, industry, and professional preference. This specialization will focus on the top 30 that you definitely need to know, starting with "client interviewing" skills.
What's included
3 videos2 readings
3 videos•Total 21 minutes
- 1.9.1 Be a structured thinker•7 minutes
- 1.9.2 Practice with 1-page PPT•5 minutes
- 1.10 Conduct effective client interviews•9 minutes
2 readings•Total 15 minutes
- Learn from great interviewers•10 minutes
- Listen to great interview podcasts•5 minutes
Consulting is an apprenticeship. Yes, you can study (like this course), but you learn from experience. Think of it like learning "how to cook" under a master chef. We need to practice, listen, fail, improve, achieve, and learn. Winning.
What's included
2 videos2 readings1 assignment
2 videos•Total 11 minutes
- 1.11.1 Learn through apprenticeship•6 minutes
- 1.11.2 Become a practitioner•5 minutes
2 readings•Total 12 minutes
- Use strategy in your career•4 minutes
- What is deliberate practice?•8 minutes
1 assignment•Total 12 minutes
- How to develop consulting skills•12 minutes
Why do clients hire consultants? After all, don't clients know their business better than outsiders? Also, management consultants are not cheap; it's common for consulting projects to be $millions of dollars.
What's included
4 videos2 readings1 assignment1 peer review
4 videos•Total 23 minutes
- 1.12 Twelve reasons clients hire consultants•9 minutes
- 1.13 Vignette: A good consulting project•8 minutes
- 1.14 What is problem solving? Why is it important?•5 minutes
- Congratulations on finishing course #1•2 minutes
2 readings•Total 22 minutes
- Client satisfaction = perception - expectations•20 minutes
- Please take 2 min and review the course•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 12 minutes
- Why do clients hire consultants?•12 minutes
1 peer review•Total 90 minutes
- Your consultant journey•90 minutes
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Reviewed on Mar 21, 2024
The instructor is amazing, and the slides are excellent.
The way he teaches makes it easy to understand and learn quickly. I've taken many courses and this one is one of the top ones.
Reviewed on Oct 5, 2023
Very engaging course! The instructor is very passionate about consulting, which makes the course even more enjoyable. I am looking forward to the rest of the courses in this specialization.
Reviewed on Nov 13, 2025
Thanks John for this introductory course. It truly felt like a gateway into the world of consulting, and it has motivated me to continue with you into the next module of the program.
Frequently asked questions
This course is made specifically for three groups of people:
1) Graduates are recruit - learn how to "think like a consultant" and go into the industry with your eyes open.
2) Managers - learn to be an "internal consultant" in your company; be effective, network with VP, and get things done.
3) Solo entrepreneurs - learn how to launch your own consulting business. Find clients, write proposals, build a business.
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
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