Global Consulting Project

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

None

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Bachelor of Commerce students will be assigned in small groups to a host organisation in the respective country. Working in teams, they will undertake a structured business planning or business development exercise. This will be supported by seminar work providing approaches, tools, techniques and reporting format. During the Industry Project, in-depth work will be undertaken in identifying the scope, opportunities, constraints and recommendations of the exercise. Students will learn to work in an international context with unstructured and incomplete information in real business settings, to develop research and networks to support their enquiry, to work successfully in teams, to present their findings and seek and received constructive feedback in a range of settings. Students will also be encouraged to plan, reflect upon and modify their approaches to improve the outcomes of their efforts in managing the business project.

• Apply theory and practice of undergraduate level studies in commerce to resolving real-world business issues;
• Research, analyse, evaluate and propose practical business solutions within the bounds of the exercise;
• Identify key strategic questions, assess options related to the exercise, communicate progress and check direction with team members, academic mentor and the Industry project organisation;
• Demonstrate key attributes sought by employers including cross-cultural communication skills, interpersonal skills, time management, commercial acumen, initiative, independent learning and team skills.

Team presentation to host company, including brief report of 1,000 words (30%) to be completed at the end of two weeks in-company placement. Presentation to be assessed by the Subject Coordinator;

Full team report on project (with accompanying file of resources) of 5,000 words in length (40%) to be submitted 3 weeks after return from in-company placement;

Peer review assessment (10%) and reflective individual essay of 2,000 words (20%) to be submitted four weeks after return from in-company placement.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Verbal and written communication skills through discussion and assigned tasks;
• Project management, including accurate scoping of project, development of approaches, timelines, execution and timely completion;
• Teamwork demonstrated by good communication within the group, understanding of skills brought by individual members, organising for achievement and presenting group report;
• Communication skills in an international business context;
• Research, problem solving and critical thinking;
• Documentation preparation and presentation skills through assigned tasks and the practicum exercise;
• Interpersonal skills through the practicum exercise and assigned tasks.