Strategic Management & Consulting

(This course is also known as the Business Solutions Center.)

Students are engaged in a real consulting project solving a real business problem for a real client. The focus will be on addressing highly analytical business problems, learning industry tested project management processes/techniques, and improving business writing/presentation skills.
(3 credits)

Advanced quantitative analysis techniques with management applications; multiple regression, time series, monte-carlo simulation, and linear, nonlinear, and discrete optimization; emphasis on spreadsheet-based modeling. Prerequisite: 06N:216 or consent of instructor.
(3 credits)

Students learn to use Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) in Microsoft Excel. Basic programming concepts are explored in VBA, macros, and models for decision making in Finance, Marketing, Operations, and Accounting. No prior programming experience is required.
(3 credits)

Preparation for managing projects and project portfolios; project selection, project planning and budgeting, scheduling, resource allocation, project control; integration of project planning tools, including project management software.
(3 credits)

This course provides a hands-on experience during which regional companies, at the cutting edge of applying this technique sponsor students in RCI teams during Spring Break. Consent of instructor required.
(3 credits)

Introduction to cost accumulation, reporting, cost management systems; managerial and divisional performance evaluation; appropriate use of cost data for short- and long-run decisions; product costing in manufacturing and service industries. Prerequisite: 06N:215
(3 credits)

Structured problems and cases in corporate financial policy decisions; financial decision models, current and fixed asset administration, cost of capital, capital budgeting, dividends, cash flow projections, cash management, mergers and acquisitions. Pre-requisite: 06N:225.
(3 credits)

Builds an understanding of the process of capital acquisition and cash flow management. Studies techniques, applications, projections, valuations and measurements used in both, with specific application to new and growing ventures. Prerequisites: 06N:225, 06F:212, 06F:215.
(3 credits)

Management issues encountered in international business settings; assessing international politico-economic and socio-cultural environments; managing a multicultural workforce; forming international structures and alliances; developing international business strategy. Offered periodically through Exploration China only.
(3 credits)

Predictable aspects, dynamics of all bargaining experiences; simulations, experiential exercises to foster skills needed to negotiate effectively in almost any situation.
(3 credits)

Major theories; determinants of leader effectiveness, personal and career success; practical development of leadership, managerial skills to enhance individual, organizational effectiveness. Prerequisites: 06N:212
(3 credits)

How congruence in organizational strategy, structure and culture, job design, and employee characteristics produces effective organizations; emphasis on managing organizational effectiveness. Prerequisites: 06N:212.
(3 credits)

Managerial applications of marketing re-search techniques, including methods of design, analysis, interpretation of marketing research studies; assessing value of information, sampling, sources of bias, instrument construction, interpretation of scanner data, geodemographic data, applications of integrated research systems. Prerequisites: 06N:211 and 06N:216.
(3 credits)

Techniques of new product development; idea generation, concept screening, product design, market testing, forecasting, brand management strategies within the firm. Pre-requisites: 06N:211 and 06N:216.
(3 credits)

Marketing communications as dialogue between producers and consumers, how promotional mix evolves; emphasis on advertising, sales promotion, branding. Prerequisite: 06N:211.
(3 credits)

Experience in planning, designing, carrying out, reporting on a marketing research project for a profit or nonprofit client organization; communication with managers, application of marketing research, meeting deadlines, converting research findings into action recommendations for management. Prerequisites: 06N:211 and 06N:216. Recommended: 06M:230.
(3 credits)

An introduction to the entrepreneurial process from conception to birth of a new venture; attributes of successful entrepreneurs, innovation and creativity, opportunity recognition, venture screening, identification of resources, feasibility analysis. Prerequisite: 06N:215.
(3 credits)

Team participation in solving unique problems of early-stage opportunities: experience writing proposals, developing final reports. Prerequisite: 06T:220.
(3 credits)