Patricia Perlman-Dee, University of Manchester
When students are asked why they choose to do their MBA at Alliance Manchester Business School, the answers are fairly uniform; because of the real-life client’s consultancy project. Throughout their MBA, students will conduct three consultancy projects. This infographic focus detail on the first consultancy project the students undertake; The Not-for-Profit (Nfp) project. Consultancy Project in MBA education is considered to better help preparing MBA students for work through experimental and action learning. (Heriot et al., 2008) Field based consultancy experience as a pedagogical method is not new (Rink et al., 2019; Sciglimpaglia and Toole, 2009). However, the Nfp-project has several features that makes it unique, but still replicable and easily implemented in other educational settings. The students will work with charities and not-for-profit organisations advising them on resolving a business issue or looking at a development opportunity. The charities do not pay for the services of the MBA students (AMBS do charge a fee for the other two consultancy projects). Wharton University has tried to incorporate a similar approach but linking projects to community services (Friedman, 1996). What makes Nfp-project at AMBS unique? 1) To be able to provide the charities with a value added service and real problem-solving solutions and recommendation that many would normally never engage with due to financial constraints. 2) Giving back -working with charities will sometimes introduce or already enhance student’s involvement, understanding and opportunity to give back to the society, a gift we all have, but one that often gets lost in the hectic world of instant gratification and self-focus we often experience. 3) Engagement with local organisations.
Many of the charities are smaller, local charities that are not necessarily well known. By being part of Nfp, they increase their profile and overall broader reach. It also enhances the student’s local engagement. 4) Academic foundation -the Nfp-project is the first of the student’s consultancy projects. The learning curve is steep, but one useful throughout and beyond the MBA. This presentation will truly inspire you and make you realise that we can all give back and that we can do it through our teaching in the Business Schools. It is very easy to implement, particularly considering how much can be gained by all parties. This presentation will assist you in teaching your students beyond the classroom and make a real difference to people’s life.
References:
Friedman, S.D., 1996. Community involvement projects in Wharton’s MBA curriculum. Journal of Business Ethics 15, 95–101. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00380265(accessed 21/04/22)
Heriot, K.C., Cook, R., Jones, R.C., Simpson, L., 2008. The Use of Student Consulting Projects as an Active Learning Pedagogy: A Case Study in a Production/Operations Management Course. Decision. Sciences. Journal of Innovation Education. 6, 463–481. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4609.2008.00186.x(accessed 21/04/22)
Rink, D.R., Preece, G.L., VanAlstine, J.E., 2019. Establishing field-based consulting experience for MBA students: Lessons learned by a small-sized university. Knowledge Performance Management, Volume 3, 31–45. https://doi.org/10.21511/kpm.03(1).2019.04(accessed 21/04/22)
Sciglimpaglia, D., Toole, H.R., 2009. Use of Student Field-Based Consulting in Business Education: A Comparison of American and Australian Business Schools. J. Educ. Bus. 85, 68–77. https://doi.org/10.1080/08832320903253619(accessed 21/04/22)