INFORMATION REGARDING THE COVID-19 SITUATION

The literature test (1.10.2020 8am) as well as both kick-off dates (8. and 9.10.2020) will be held physically on Campus WU. PHYSICAL ATTENDANCE FOR THE LITERATURE TEST AND BOTH KICK-OFF DAYS IS MANDATORY.

In "E&I Consulting" students adopt the role of "E&I Consultants". They work in teams on real innovation projects. The project partners are typically well-known and established multinationals (e.g. Microsoft, Generali, Mondi, P&G, REWE and ÖBB). The problems typically relate to the strategy and innovation management of the companies and are very diverse. Examples are benchmarking analyses to improve the range of products and services, the development of an internal idea management system, the identification of hidden competitive advantages or the identification of new fields of innovation. The projects are carried out in very close cooperation with the project partners. In many cases the project partners' executive suite is involved as well, as the companies have a high interest in the implementation of the developed solutions.

Problems in E&I consulting are rather fuzzy, thus, the problem-solving process is relatively open at the beginning of the semester. The understanding of the actual situation, the problem definition and analysis, the objective and structuring of the project as well as the development of a concrete procedure, are an essential part of the course. On the basis of well-founded analyses (e.g. collection of primary data, literature analysis, database research and evaluation using analysis tools), students develop their own creative concepts for solving the problem.

In addition to working together with the project partners, the students are supported in workshops and network events by consultants from renowned management consultancies. Through close contacts in practice, students gain very realistic insights into the consulting industry and the innovation management of established companies. It is not uncommon that job opportunities emerge through these contacts.

The E&I Consulting course is one of the application-oriented project courses. The aim of the course is to deepen and extend the theoretical skills of the students through practical application to a real case.

After positive completion of E&I Consulting,

•     students know how real management consulting processes work in practice,
•     students understand the approach within the framework of management consulting,
•     students can use different analysis tools and methods,
•     students can structure complex problems,
•     students are able to systematically evaluate different solution options,
•     students are able to develop offers and project presentations, as they are common in management consulting.

In addition, participants expand their soft skills (communication, presentation, project and time management) by working with team members, coaches and external partners.

To complete this course with a positive grade, students must attend 80% of scheduled classes (exception: 100% attendance at literature test, kick-off and E&I Touchdown event).

E&I Consulting consists of classes for all students and individual team coaching sessions. There are three coaching sessions à approx. 1.5 hours. Each team individually schedules a time slot with the lecturer within the time period of

• November 04-06, 2020
• Dezember 02-04, 2020
• January 13-15, 2021

Other than the coaching session, there is no class taking place on these days.

Furthermore there will be a mid-term and a final presentation of the project. Each team individually schedules a time slot with the lecturer and the project partner within the time period of

• 10.-15.12.2020 (mid-term presentation)
• 25.-29.01.2021 (final presentation)

• Self-study (literature package)
• Teaching and discussion of theoretical basics on two kick-off days (lecture, working on the project assignments, group discussions, team work)
• Group-based work on real and relevant projects in close cooperation with established companies under the supervision of the course instructors and practical coaches
• Workshops and coaching by external partners (Experts working at top consultancies)
• Peer feedback
• Documentation and presentation of work progress and results

Performance is assessed on the basis of ongoing oral participation, working papers and midterm presentation during the semester as well as the final report and final presentation.

Grading system:

• 10% Literature test - on October 1st 2020, 8:00 - 9:30 am (Basic literature and course-specific additional literature according to the literature list in Learn@WU) (Individual assessment)
• 5% Peer Feedback
• 10% Midterm presentation
• 10% midterm report
• 20% final presentation
• 20% final report
• 10% ongoing participation and project management
• 5% Touchdown pitch slide
• 10% reflection essay (individual assessment)

In order to be able to pass the course, you are not allowed to miss more than two lectures. Additionally, attendance is compulsory for the following dates:

1. The literature test (October 1st 2020)

2. The project course kick-off (October 8th & 9th 2020)

3. The E&I Touchdown (January 21st 2021)

Add. 1. Literature test

The literature test examines the basic and in-depth knowledge that is absolutely necessary for the participation in the projects.If you fail the literature test, you will be automatically transferred to the Analyst Support Program. As a student in the Analyst Support Program (ASP), you will work individually instead of working on a group-based project during the semester. The course instructors are responsible for the design of the program. In case of non-participation (exclusively due to illness) a medical certificate must be presented. For this purpose, a substitute exam will be offered.

Add. 2. Attendance policy
In order to be able to pass the course, you are allowed to miss 20% of the classes at most (Exception: Compulsory attendance for literature test, Kick-off and E&I Touchdown). If you are not present at both Kick-off days, you already fall below the minimum attendance limit and thus, are not able to pass the project course.

Students enrolled in the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Specialization Program.

Please note that course registration is binding. The moment your registration is received, it is regarded as a clear commitment on your part. Students cannot transfer to another course (once the add/drop period is over) with no exceptions, as it would be unfair to other students (who might not have gotten into the course of their choice because of the spot you registered for). The number of students accepted to the course will only be expanded if there is no space in any other course 4/5.

Attention: the obligatory literature test will be held on 1 October 2020 between 8 and 9 am. Course participation is only possible by passing the literature test – if you cannot attend the test, we kindly ask you to not register for this course. Detailed information regarding contents and location of the test will be provided after the registration phase for this course. The literature test in this course overlaps with other courses within Course 4&5 of the specialization Entrepreneurship & Innovation. A parallel attendance of these courses is not possible.

Consultation / Office hours: Please make an appointment by mail to caroline.fabian@wu.ac.at and sophie.quach@wu.ac.at.

ATTENTION: Mandatory and most important dates at the beginning of the semester

Literature test: October, 1st 8:00am - 9:30am ( 8:30am - 9:30am short introductory event)

Kick-Off: October, 8th 9:00am - 8:00pm & October, 9th, 9:00am - 1pm

All other dates shown are subject to change! More detailed information can be found at the introductory event and at the kick-off. Most dates are either arranged individually with course instructors and project partners or take place externally. This is not unusual for innovation projects. Exact dates for the presentations, workshops and coachings will follow at the Kick-off.

The literature package (basis for the literature test) is available as download on Learn (https://learn.wu-wien.ac.at).

Attention: the obligatory literature test will be held on 1 October 2020 between 8 and 9 am. Course participation is only possible by passing the literature test – if you cannot attend the test, we kindly ask you to not register for this course. Detailed information regarding contents and location of the test will be provided after the registration phase for this course. The literature test in this course overlaps with other courses within Course 4&5 of the specialization Entrepreneurship & Innovation. A parallel attendance of these courses is not possible.