Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer
Warren Riddell
Mentor
Kyle Bruce
Career Development Program
Betty Xiang
Contact via +61 (2) 9850 6561
Ariel Alcantara
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Credit points |
Credit points
8
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
32cp including (MGNT605 and MGNT606 and MGNT607 and MGNT808) and permission by special approval
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This double unit (equivalent to two units) helps students integrate, synthesise and practically apply the knowledge and skills gained over the course of the program, as well as practice the critical “soft” professional skills, in order to develop a proposed solution to a selected business issue, in the context of a real-world organisation.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Students must
The unit mark will be made up of four parts:
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Group case study presentation | 10% | No | As allocated over 10 sessions |
Career development program | 10% | No | 18 and 19 of January 2018 |
Individual reflections report | 10% | No | 6pm (AEST) of 13 March 2018 |
Group consulting report | 20% | No | 6pm (AEST) of 13 March 2018 |
Group presentation to client | 50% | No | Starting session 10 of class |
Due: As allocated over 10 sessions
Weighting: 10%
Duration: 15 - 20 minutes plus class discussion
Format: Group presentation to class - Compulsory attendance for all group members
Case studies and group presentation dates will be introduced to the class in the first session. The case studies will be used to illustrate issues that help students broaden their understanding of potential problem-solving techniques and solutions. Each group will be allocated one case study presentation to answer specific questions. Each group must work collectively to answer the questions and present their findings to the class. Presentations should be by PowerPoint and should draw upon evidence obtained from the case study material and other sources as required. All group members are to participate in the presentation.
All students are required to study each case study and answer the questions so as to contribute to the class discussion following the presentation.
The marking criteria for the group case study presentation assessment will be made available in class.
Due: 18 and 19 of January 2018
Weighting: 10%
Duration: 10 hour workshop over 2 days. Please view unit schedule below.
Format: Seminar workshop - Compulsory attendance
Due: 18 and 19 of January 2018
Please view the unit structure section below for more information on this.
Due: 6pm (AEST) of 13 March 2018
Weighting: 10%
Length: 2 pages maximum
Format: Individual reflective report
Due: 1 x soft copy submission in iLearn on or before 6:00pm (Sydney time) of Tuesday, 13 March 2018
This individual reflection report should detail your personal and professional learnings obtained from the unit. A good tip would be to write a brief reflection each week. Trying to catch up on missed weeks is difficult, given that you may forget what insights you gained from each week’s activities, or you may become confused, as the weeks pass quite quickly.
Submission details
Students are to submit 1 x soft-copy of this assessment on or before the due date as listed in the box above. The soft-copy submission will be submitted to Turnitin via the MGSM iLearn portal, a program used to ensure the originality of the work undertaken by the submitter.
This individual assessment does not need an MGSM individual coversheet attached to it.
Please ensure your full name, student number, unit code (MGNT810), unit name (Professional practice), lecturer(s) (Warren Riddell & Kyle Bruce), and type of assessment being submitted (Individual reflection report) is clearly visible on the front page of your assignment. Please also ensure that the filename of your assessment is appropriately titled (MGNT810-Assess11.2-LastnameFirstname.docx).
Extensions and penalties:
No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for disruption of studies is made and approved. No submission will be accepted after solutions have been posted.
Due: 6pm (AEST) of 13 March 2018
Weighting: 20%
Length: 20 pages maximum (see below for details)
Format: Written report (see below for details)
Due: 1 x hard copy submitted in session 10 of class; 1 x soft copy submission in iLearn on or before 6:00pm (Sydney time) of Tuesday, 13 March 2018
The consulting report must be in three parts
Part 1: Engagement contract that clarifies the issue
This involves clarifying and agreeing on:
Do not underestimate the problems that can result from ambiguity about any of the points listed above. A copy of the engagement contract must be signed and handed to the lecturer(s) by the end of week 3.
Scope the parameters of the issue. For example, it may have “internal” elements, (i.e. something very specific and operational within the organisation). It may also have “external” aspects, i.e. a broad matter of concern on which the client would like a report (e.g. inter-firm alliances in the industry).
The project issue has been deliberately chosen to require some up-front effort to define these clearly. Thus, problem definition is a key management consulting skill and differentiates the project for this unit from most other MGSM units.
Part 2: Identify the methodology - Collect data
This involves intensive investigation of the client’s issue. This should include:
Simply reproducing or restating what is already known is not sufficient – unless it is presented in such a way that it brings new clarity to bear for the client.
Part 3: Develop client report and presentation
This involves compiling a report that:
The report must be original, that is, it must not replicate one (or part of one) which has been prepared previously for some other purpose, whether in-house or as part of an educational qualification.
You will be assessed on your ability to structure a logical flow of reasoning and to argue in a tight, compelling way:
Submission details
Please ensure all group members’ full names, student number, unit code (MGNT810), unit name (Professional practice), lecturer(s) (Warren Riddell & Kyle Bruce), and type of assessment being submitted (Group consulting report) is clearly visible on the front page of your assignment of both the hard copy and soft copy version. For the soft copy version, please ensure that the filename of your assessment is appropriately titled (MGNT810-Assess11.3-GroupName.docx).
Other report requirements
Assignments longer than the prescribed limit will be penalised. If you need to include extra material, you can do so in a small number of appendices that are clearly numbered and referred to in the body of the report. Appendices will only be read if they are relevant and useful. The client will have major input to the assessment and grading of the group presentation and the report.
Hard copy submission: Please also ensure a hard copy of your group consulting report is submitted to the lecturer on the due date as listed in the box above.
Please ensure that the MGSM group coversheet is filled out and signed by all members of the group. The MGSM group coversheet is to be attached to the front of your hard copy group consulting report.
Soft copy submission: One student from each group will submit a softcopy of this assessment on behalf of their group in iLearn on or before the due date as listed in the box above. The soft-copy submission will be submitted to Turnitin via the MGSM iLearn portal, a program used to ensure the originality of the work undertaken by the submitter.
The soft-copy group consulting report does not need an MGSM group coversheet attached to it as this document should be attached to the hard copy and signed by all group members.
Extensions and penalties:
No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for disruption of studies is made and approved. No submission will be accepted after solutions have been posted.
Due: Starting session 10 of class
Weighting: 50%
Each group must make a presentation of the key report findings to the client. This presentation will be assessed and graded with major input from the client. Group presentations must be no longer than 20 minutes, after which the group will take questions from the client and the lecturer(s).
In addition, the group may be requested to make separate presentation/s to the client organisation. These are strongly encouraged but will not be marked/assessed as part of the unit.
There is no required textbook for this unit.
The web page for this unit can be found at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MGSM
Access to a personal computer is required to access resources and learning material from iLearn.
Each week of the unit will focus on a range of issues central to professionalism and the development of a business case. This will involve lectures and discussions. Each week will vary in format but predominantly comprise of three parts:
Each group must prepare a short (1 to 2 pages) ‘project status report’ (PSR) to be submitted at each scheduled lecture. The PSR will be written with the client as the target audience. It should discuss the group’s progress with the consulting project, including elements such as a list of key milestone dates, an outline of the group’s approach to the consulting problem, and preliminary findings. Issues regarding scope, key risks being managed, critical inputs/information required and any resource constraints, should also be flagged. Each group may also bring along work papers and analyses for discussion with the lecturer(s). Should there be more immediate concerns group members are expected to escalate these matters immediately to the lecturer(s).
These sessions, however, will not be adequate alone for the groups to deal with the engagement content. Outside of the formal sessions, group members are expected to visit the client’s premises as necessary and meet with members of their group to progress their project.
Because the group assignment is crucial to achieving course learning objectives, interaction with the lecturer(s) and client representatives will take place via individual group coaching sessions in class, as well as formal lectures.
This intensive unit will broadly follow the following structure:
Preparation
This preparation stage is essential. By completion of this preparation stage, you will be required to:
Career development program
You will develop a comprehensive understanding of the career planning and its relevance to life-long learning. You will also reflect your own strengths, weaknesses in order to optimise future career choices. You will work with your group and your class on developing employability and job application skills that are essential for Australian workplaces.
Practice
In this stage, you will work in structured ways with your allocated group, your class, and designated representatives of the business, to investigate and assess a designated business issue, and apply the relevant tools and techniques to develop your group’s proposed business solution. You and your group will also need to prepare a professional and persuasive presentation of your business solution.
Presentation
You and your group will have one week to finalise and practise your presentation. In the final week, you are required to deliver your presentation to the managers of the business.
Students are required to attend all classes (including the career development workshops [CDW] and client meet). The unit will be presented over 10 weeks as follows:
Please note: You must also attend all additional corporate client-facing sessions – remember that these corporates are giving up their valuable time to provide you with the opportunity to learn by addressing real business problems.
Session | Date | Location | Topic |
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1 |
6pm to 10pm Tuesday 9 January 2018 |
Macquarie University City Campus (MUCC) |
Introduction to the unit
Professionalism, personal brand and career choice What is professionalism, and why it is relevant:
Required readings for class discussion (available for download on the MGNT810 class iLearn webpage):
Introducing the business projects
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2 |
6pm to 10pm Tuesday 16 January 2018 |
Macquarie University City Campus (MUCC) |
Understanding business and industry The importance of understanding the 'big picture' and your role in it:
Required reading for class dicussion (available for download on the MGNT810 class iLearn webpage):
Case study presentation and discussion Case study: Auchan in Syldavia: Formulating a Strategy for the New Subsidiary - Part 1 - presentation and discussion - (available for download on the MGNT810 class iLearn webpage): Questions:
Applying case study learnings to each business project:
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9am to 5pm Thursday 18 January 2018 |
MGSM North Ryde Campus | Career development program - Part 1 | |
9am to 1pm Friday 19 January 2018 |
MGSM North Ryde Campus | Career development program - Part 2 | |
3 |
6pm to 10pm Tuesday 23 January 2018 |
Macquarie University City Campus (MUCC) |
On-boarding - Meet your client Defining/framing the business issue and approach to the project, including:
Producing a consulting project
Case study presentation and discussion Case study: Auchan in Syldavia: Formulating a Strategy for the New Subsidiary - Part 2 - presentation and discussion - (available for download on the MGNT810 class iLearn webpage): Questions:
Applying case study learnings to each business project:
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4 |
6pm to 10pm Tuesday 30 January 2018 |
Macquarie University City Campus (MUCC) |
Culture, organisation and behaviour We are not the same - Understanding the behavioural landscape and organisation:
Required exercise before class, complete this on-line test and bring your result to class: https://kingdomality.com/the-personal-preference-profile-test/ Case study presentation and discussion Case study: SkillsForTomorrow: A Management Team in Crisis - Part 1 - presentation and discussion - (available for download on the MGNT810 class iLearn webpage): Questions:
Applying case study learnings to the business project:
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5 |
6pm to 10pm Tuesday 6 February 2018 |
Macquarie University City Campus (MUCC) |
Innovation, disruption and project management Recognising that professionalism must be flexible as companies and career choices change.
Case study presentation and discussion Case study: Ken Private Limited: Digitization Project - presentation and discussion - (available for download on the MGNT810 class iLearn webpage): Questions:
Applying case study learnings to the business project:
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6 |
6pm to 10pm Tuesday 13 February 2018 |
Macquarie University City Campus (MUCC) |
Project review with client Status update and direction review with your client, followed by class discussion on:
Case study presentation and discussion Case study: SkillsForTomorrow: A Management Team in Crisis - Part 2 - presentation and discussion - (available for download on the MGNT810 class iLearn webpage): Questions:
Applying case study learnings to the business project:
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7 |
6pm to 10pm Tuesday 20 February 2018 |
Macquarie University City Campus (MUCC) |
Differentiating and creating a competitive edge Competitive strategies and professionalism;
Case study presentation and discussion Case study: RoboTech: Storming into the US Market - presentation and discussion - (available for download on the MGNT810 class iLearn webpage): Questions:
Applying case study learnings to the business project
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8 |
6pm to 10pm Tuesday 27 February 2018 |
Macquarie University City Campus (MUCC) |
Group presentation to MGSM sounding board |
9 |
6pm to 10pm Tuesday 6 March 2018 |
Macquarie University City Campus (MUCC) |
Effective communication and relationship management Doing justice to who you are and what you offer – it is your responsibility;
Case study presentation and discussion Questions:
Applying case study learnings to the business project
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10 |
6pm to 10pm Tuesday 13 March 2018 |
Macquarie University City Campus (MUCC) |
Group presentation to client Submission of individual reflections report Submission of group consulting report
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Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Assessment tasks: Group case study presentation has been added. Assessment weighting of group presentation has been reduced from 60% to 50%
Delivery and resources: Required textbook has been removed.
Unit schedule: Changes of topics for most sessions, as well as the order they are presented in. Some case studies have been added.
The interactive environment of the classroom is central to the MGSM experience. Students are required to attend the full duration of all classes for the units in which they are enrolled. We recognise that exceptional circumstances may occur, such as unavoidable travel on behalf of your organization or the serious illness or injury of you or a close family member.
Special consideration may be given for a maximum of 20% non-attendance for such circumstances as long as lecturers are contacted in advance, and supporting documentation provided, to request exemption from attendance. Failure to abide by these conditions may result in automatic withdrawal, with academic and/or financial penalty. The full Student Attendance Policy is published in the MGSM Student Handbook at https://students.mgsm.edu.au/handbook.
These unit materials and the content of this unit are provided for educational purposes only and no decision should be made based on the material without obtaining independent professional advice relating to the particular circumstances involved.
Date | Description |
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11/01/2018 | Changed email address of Warren Riddell from warren.riddell@gmail.com to warren.riddell@mgsm.edu.au as Warren now has an MGSM email account set up and activated. |