Helping charities succeed
29 June 2012
Cardiff Business School students have been working to help local charities and not-for-profit organisations develop their business ideas.
Students of the management consultancy module of the MBA have been working in collaboration with PA Consulting Group to offer business proposals to local organisations to improve their business strategies.
Cardiff Foodbank, 3G's Zero Waste, Play on the Move and Victim Support have all received the students' consultancy advice.
Practical training and support was provided to the students by PA and the initiative culminated in a prize-giving event attended by all involved. .
Graeme Pauley, expert in decision science and strategy at PA Consulting Group, said: 'This is the second year PA has worked with Cardiff Business School to support this initiative, which is modelled on our approach to developing staff through pro bono work.
"It is particularly exciting for me and my colleagues to experience the enthusiasm and professionalism of the students first-hand. The future for the management consulting industry and its clients looks bright."
Tracey Bancroft, founder of not-for-profit organisation Play On The Move Ltd, added: "I found the students interested and enthusiastic about my organisation. Visits were made to ensure they got a valuable grasp of the values, mission and overall objectives of the organisation.
"The questions raised by the students were thought provoking - making me challenge how things are being addressed within the organisation. My involvement with the students was not onerous or an imposition - it was a joy to have 'consultants in training' working with me - to drive my organisation forward."
Director of the MBA, Emmanuel Ogbonna said: "Our partnership with PA Consulting Group and the various organisations involved in this project has been very successful. It has provided our students with a wonderful opportunity to apply lecture room based learning to practical management issues and problems.
"We feel certain that this will help to prepare them for some of the challenges they will face in their careers."