The course contains the 15 modules shown below.
1. Welcome
- Why become a management consultant?
- Are you qualified?
- Pitfalls and opportunities of self-employment
2. Running a management consulting business – Part 1
- An introduction to management consulting
- What to consider when establishing your office or workspace
3. Running a management consulting business – Part 2
- How to use questionnaires to work with clients
- How can you be an advisor, project manager, coach and trainer?
- How to help a start up business
- How to help a business that is ‘in trouble’
- How to help a business that needs to expand
4. Helping clients decide on business strategy
- Setting up clear goals Understanding the current business climate
- Making a business/financial plan Cash flow management
- Varying needs of different individuals
5. Improving a client's customer service
- The importance of a customer The cycle of service
- Sales versus customer service
- Using the cycle of service to boost business
- Troubleshooting
6. Increasing a client's sales
- Defining ‘sales’
- A look at some situations
- Topics for expansion
7. Improving a client's market
- Your client's niche The value your client offers that niche
- Features versus benefits
- Marketing their products
8. Improving your client's finances - Part 1
- What to do if you don’t have financial experience
- Follow the money
- Book-keeping/accounting practices
- Financial forecasts
- Sales
- Outsourcing
9. Improving your client's finances - Part 2
- Using the sales ledger to generate business
- Getting control of accounts receivable
- Financing expansion
10. Solving a client's production, operations or productivity problems
- Evaluate how the entire business functions
- Five common problem areas
- Look for ways to make improvements
11. Developing an owner's leadership and delegation skills
- Identification of skills available through associates and colleagues, temporary, part-time and administrative team members.
- Six areas to ensure effective communication delegation of tasks.
- How to accomplish more in less time through delegation.
- Research about the best leaders.
- How to effectively delegate different tasks to different types of team members.
- Progress reporting and how to ensure delegated tasks remain on schedule and within budget.
12. Improving a client's staff recruitment, retention and development
- Defining a job description
- Ways to find qualified prospects
- The interview process
- The offer letter
- How to retain qualified employees
- Employee development
- Building teamwork
13. Speciality consulting – How to help small businesses
- Why many small retailers need a business consultant
- Three types of retailing prospects you can help
- How to get hands-on retailing experience quickly
- Where to find advice and ideas from other experts
- Questions to ask clients before you give advice
14. Marketing yourself
- How to look for work
- 6 ways to look for clients
- Getting experience
- Your first meeting
- Understanding your client’s needs
15. The advanced management consultant
- Types of business
- Your business plan
- Alternative financial resources
- More on finding clients
- How to improve your own sales letter
- How to keep clients happy
- Deciding how much to charge
- Letter of agreement
- Getting paid - chasing your money
