Outcomes
- Real-World Projects: Complete consulting projects for UAE companies remotely during the semester
- Cultural Immersion: Gain knowledge of international business concepts and UAE cultural issues
- Integrated Learning: Apply functional business areas in an international setting.
Objectives
- Cultural Analysis: Analyze cultural and professional differences that exist in other countries
- Business Consulting: Examine international business through the consulting process or case studies
- Team Collaboration: Leverage positive relationships with team members
- Problem Solving: Develop functionally integrated plans to address organizational challenges
- Professional Presentation: Present findings to class and organizational stakeholders
Business Culture
Lean towards the higher context culture. Culture controls the interactions between individuals.
| Feature | UAE | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Feedback Style | Indirect | Direct |
| Criticism | Implied | Explicit |
| Public Feedback | Avoided | Common |
| Hierarchy | Strong | Weaker |
| Goal | Harmony | Clarity |
International Consulting
Consulting Overview
The Strategic "Three Questions"
Before diving into complex frameworks, every strategist must address three central questions to evaluate a company's direction:
- What is our present situation? (Current state analysis).
- What should the company's future direction be, and what performance targets should we set? (Vision and objectives).
- What is our plan for running the firm and achieving good results? (Execution and tactics).
The Foundation: Core Business Pillars
- Consulting: At its heart, consulting is about answering the question: “What should we be tomorrow that is different, more effective, and more efficient than we were yesterday? It uses a structured Consulting Equation: Analysis + Improvement Plan = Performance.
- Strategy: Strategy is a coordinated set of actions taken to outperform competitors and achieve superior profitability. It is essentially about making choices—the "hows" of competing—to create a sustainable competitive advantage.
- Design Thinking: This is an iterative, user-centric approach to problem-solving. It shifts the focus from aesthetics to coordinating multiple disciplines and advocating for the user's latent needs to create viable, novel solutions.
Company/Project Introductions
1. Al Laith Project Services
Industry: Construction & Rental Solutions.
The Context: Established in 1995, Al Laith provides temporary project solutions (like scaffolding and powered access) across the Middle East.
The company faces two hurdles: 50% of their powered access fleet is aging, and their operations rely heavily on paper and spreadsheets.
Task: Build a roadmap to replenish the fleet with sustainable assets and design a “paperless” operating model integrated with their ERP.
2. Emirates District Cooling (EMICOOL)
Industry: Energy (District Cooling).
The Context: Founded in 2003, Emicool provides centralized cooling systems that are up to 35% more efficient than traditional air conditioning.
Emicool needs capital to expand but wants to move beyond traditional financing. Explore and recommend alternative financing—such as green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, or Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
Focusing on the operations of expansion. The objective is to develop a “standardized model” or playbook for growth.
3. ENTROGX AI Digital & Media
Industry: Artificial Intelligence (Start-up).
The Context: A young venture (founded 2022) offering AI solutions for workplace safety and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) compliance.
They have two core products: SafetyVoiceAI (voice-reported safety incidents) and ESGeniusAI (automated ESG reporting).
Task: Develop a go-to-market strategy to expand these products into the mature markets of Europe and the USA.
4. Ehfaaz
Industry: Circular Economy / Waste Management.
The Context: A waste-to-value company that turns waste streams into compost, products, and data. They operate a digital platform called ReVive.
ReVive tracks waste generation and recycling behavior.
Task: Create a strategy to scale ReVive across the Global South, including revenue model innovation and ecosystem partnerships.