Yesterday afternoon was great. The main reason is that I got to observe while a team of graduating MBAs presented a not-for-profit healthcare organization with a comprehensive five-year plan for “greening” the system’s operations. And based on the reaction of the client, they knocked it out of the park.
The project was part of our Field Consultancy program, in which teams of second-year students tackle strategic consulting assignments for paying clients (the current fee is $15,000, plus approved expenses). Each team is supported by a faculty member and two Executive Partners, but their role is strictly advisory. The students own the project.
Yesterday’s presentation and supporting written report were the culmination of nearly 6 months of hard work on a very real challenge that turned out to be far bigger than simply energy management. The team needed to develop a comprehensive roadmap for change in a complex, decentralized organization. Their recommendations really challenged the client and generated a lot of discussion… and also a lot of agreement and praise. I expect the proposal will end up on the CEO’s desk.
Projects like this can be the best experience of a student’s two years here, or one of the most miserable. What made this one so good? I think there are four factors, and if they all line up, the result can be magical:
- A great problem: one that is integrative, strategic, and meaningful. This project required the students to draw on tools they’d developed from such diverse disciplines as managerial accounting, operations, finance, organizational behavior, marketing, and management communications. If their plan is adopted, it will impact the system for years to come. It will facilitate meaningful, substantive change in the way the organization manages energy… and works across the various facilities in the system.
- An engaged client with real skin in the game. The greening project has CEO attention, and the principal contacts from the healthcare system really partnered with the students to ensure that they were able to get information and access.
- Great Executive Partner support. Great advisors engage, listen, respond and challenge, but don’t mistake themselves for a team member, or worse, the team leader.
- A great team. One of the EPs commented after the presentation that he had never seen any egos emerge. Everyone seemed to embrace the project, and their own share of the heavy lifting. The end result was a unified and impactful plan.
For me personally, yesterday was a real affirmation of the “product” we are putting out at the Mason School of Business. These folks are ready to go out and make real contributions to the organizations they work in.
I get to see another Field Consultancy presentation next week. Another great project, great client, great Executive Partner support, and great team. And I’m anticipating another magical experience!
Jim Olver
