Course Schedule and Catalog

Long Title: PROFESSIONAL SERVICE FIRMS

Department: Management

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1.5

Description: Professional service firms – consulting, money management, private equity, venture capital, advertising, medical service, and law firms – are confronted with significant challenges as they experience increased competition from boutique firms as well as global and international competitors. Clients are more demanding, and there are significant, strategic and organizational challenges which require different approaches from traditional approaches. One observer noted that this competition has moved from gentlemanly competition to a “blood sport”. Interestingly, the service sector in the US furnishes 68 percent of the GDP1 and this is growing in emerging economies; for example, the service sector in India contributed 56 percent to the GDP during 2008-09. Additionally, many of these firms’ leaders are overwhelmed by the expectation of a dual role where they are not only managers but also high profile producers. As such, it is important for a course to examine the strategy and leadership challenges these firms face and likewise to expose students to the challenges they will face as professionals in one of these organizations, and ultimately as leaders in such professional service firms. The course will also include visits from managers associated with professional service firms. Repeatable for Credit.