Course Highlights

The course for internal consultants will:

  • Present a framework for identifying issues, crafting data-supported solutions, and evaluating those ideas.
  • Provide suggestions and tools for managing stakeholders and facilitating change.
  • Guide participants in creating and delivering concise presentations.

Program Overview

A strong internal consulting group can drive improvements across all aspects of a business. From streamlining processes to developing new products and methodologies, internal consultants possess valuable insights into their organizations. This three-part program focuses on essential areas that every internal consultant should navigate, including the project finding and problem-solving process, stakeholder management and communication, and presentation skills.

Segment One Objectives

By the end of this segment, participants should be able to:

  • Explain the role of an internal consultant, the required skillset, and common challenges.
  • Determine their level of involvement: describing, prescribing, or implementing.
  • Describe current and future workstreams.
  • Articulate goals and objectives.
  • Identify assumptions, knowns, and unknowns.
  • Differentiate symptoms from root causes.
  • Assess the significance and viability of potential solutions.
  • Craft a focused problem statement.
  • Build an issue tree.
  • Explain the MECE principle.
  • Identify solutions and gather supporting data to validate and evaluate their feasibility.
  • Formulate hypotheses supported by data.
  • Evaluate, select, prioritize, or eliminate solutions.
  • Define success criteria and associated measurements.

Segment One Modules

  • Establishing a Solid Foundation: Defining the Role, Responsibilities, and Workstreams
  • Charting the Course: Articulating Goals, Objectives, and Assumptions
  • Distinguishing Symptoms and Root Causes: Confirming Problems
  • A Versatile Toolkit: Trees and Other Tools
  • Transitioning from Statement to Solutions: Exploring Options
  • Assessing and Selecting: Choosing the Right Path

Segment Two Objectives

By the end of this segment, participants should be able to:

  • Identify stakeholders involved in a project.
  • Determine roles and assemble a team.
  • Identify and address any influence or talent gaps.
  • Communicate purpose, expectations, boundaries, and other essential information.
  • Assess stakeholder influence and buy-in and plan accordingly.
  • Use questions to guide thinking.
  • Explain the importance of unbiased questioning and neutrality in assessment.
  • Select an appropriate communication strategy.
  • Determine the level and frequency of communication.
  • Socialize ideas and solutions.
  • Address common problems and challenges.

Segment Two Modules

  • Identifying the Key Players: Stakeholder Identification and Team Roles
  • Starting Off on the Right Foot: Communicating Purpose and More
  • People Management: Understanding Influence and Attitude
  • Guiding with Questions: Thinking Direction and Neutrality
  • Following the Plan: Getting Communication Strategy Right

Segment Three Objectives

By the end of this segment, participants should be able to:

  • Identify the purpose and goal of a presentation.
  • Segment the audience and determine key points for each group.
  • Determine the appropriate level of information.
  • Choose a framework and identify content pillars.
  • Make design decisions based on how the audience will engage with the presentation.
  • Use headings to aid audience comprehension.
  • Craft impactful slide headlines that convey main messages.
  • Eliminate common distractions using a checklist.
  • Anticipate questions and prepare supplementary materials.
  • Utilize the “this slide is about…, and it’s important because…” framework.
  • Simplify complex slides and charts.
  • Increase efficiency with templates and story frameworks.

Segment Three Modules

  • Expressing the Goal and Purpose: Discovering the Why
  • Crafting the Narrative: Developing a Compelling Story
  • Communicating Concisely: Using Headlines and Time-Saving Techniques
  • Removing Distractions: Enhancing Charts, Graphics, and Text
  • Delivering with Impact: Maintaining Focus
  • Refining and Repeating: Creating Templates and Frameworks

By the conclusion of this three-part course, participants should be equipped to explain the role of internal consultants, navigate an engagement framework, manage relationships, and deliver concise presentations.