Management Consulting Symposium Submission Top Qualities

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Guidelines to Ensure

High-Quality Contributions

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Presented by: Jeremy Salmeron

and Jennifer Seyler

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Date: Monday, October 28, 2024

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Why Are We Here Today?

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Provide individuals with insights so their submissions can be considered or accepted

• Are you telling a story?
• Do people want to learn or hear the story?
• Does your submission fill a need?

Today’s Agenda

• MCD Purpose & AOM Relationship
• AOM Symposium Submission Criteria
• MCD Symposium Submission Criteria

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For session slides or other MCD questions

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The 85th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management.

25-29 July 2025.

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In-person event held in Copenhagen, Denmark.

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Dr. Jérémy C. SALMERON

Division Chair, Management Consulting Division

Dr. Carole BOUSQUET

Program Chair, Management Consulting Division

Dr. Ivory SIMMS

Workshop Chair, Management Consulting Division

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�

Papers sessions

Professional Development Workshop

Symposiums

Doctoral Consortium

To provide you with the best possible support, @The Management Consulting Division invites you to 3 information sessions:��🗝 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝘀𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺: Monday 28 October, 1pm EST - led by Jennifer Seyler and Jérémy C. Salmeron, PhD.��📜 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁: Wednesday 30 October, noon EST - led by Carole Bousquet and Jérémy C. Salmeron, PhD.��👩‍🏫 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗣𝗗𝗪? Monday 2 December, 9 am EST - led by Ivory J. Simms, Ph.D. & Pierre EL HADDAD�

Academy of Management

• The Academy of Management is the preeminent professional association for management and organization scholars.
• Worldwide members: Professors, PhD students in business schools at universities, academics in related social science and other fields, and practitioners who value knowledge creation and application.
• Founded in 1936, our global community today is nearly 18,000 strong and spans over 120 countries.
• 24 Divisions
• Management Consulting (MCD)
• Organizational Development and Change (ODC)
• Research Methods (RMD)
• Social Issues in Management (SIM)

The Management Consulting Division (1970)

• Our members are :
• Scholars
• Practitioners

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MCD links transformative research practices with action and intervention models to transform organizations.

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Our aim is to help creating actionable knowledge with tangible impacts for people, teams and organizations.

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We advocate for achievement-based approches that are both sustainable and mutually profitable to organization practices and research.

Scholar-Practitioners

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Management Consulting Division Purpose

(1) advance knowledge and understanding of management consulting, and,

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(2) aid in the development of consultants from the perspectives of research, practice and teaching.

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The Division has a dual focus on both the process of consulting and the consulting industry, with an underlying goal of creating a bridge that integrates scholarship and practice.

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Division of the Academy of Management

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plus 25+ more divisions

All Submissions Go Through AOM Website

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AOM Submission Process Overview

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Submission Order

Submission Formatting

Example

Title Page

Symposium Overview: One Component

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Why symposium is of interest to sponsors

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Example

How Manage Discussion

MCD Symposium Submission Criteria

Topic

• Innovative Idea
• Relevant to Current Management Consulting Practices
• Bridge theory and practice

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Authors/Participants

• Knowledgeable
• Complimentary
• Diverse

Proposal

• Clear & Professional
• Obvious Topic Understanding
• Clearly Defined and Achievable Deliverables
• Practical/Field-Oriented Approach
• Contribute to Management Consulting Theory

Rational for Criteria: Expected Outcome

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For session slides or other MCD questions

• Elevate discussions on consulting theory and practice
• Attract professionals from other sectors or disciplines
• Provide quality engagement
• Impact participants' learning and professional development

Topic Strategies

Innovative Idea & Relevant to Current Management

Consulting Practices

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For session slides or other MCD questions

• Groundbreaking Approach: emphasizes originality and a fresh perspective
• "Our presentation will introduce a groundbreaking approach to customer retention, utilizing predictive analytics to anticipate client needs before they arise, which has shown to improve long-term loyalty by 25%."
• Cutting-Edge Solution: suggests being at the forefront of trends and technologies
• "We propose a cutting-edge solution to streamline supply chain operations using AI-driven automation, reducing lead times and operational costs by over 30%."

Topic Strategies

Innovative Idea & Relevant to Current Management

Consulting Practices

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• Disruptive Strategy: indicates an idea that challenges traditional methods
• Forward-Thinking Initiative: focuses on future-oriented and visionary elements
• Next-Generation Concept: highlights progressive or evolving ideas
• Transformative Methodology: underscores the potential to create significant change
• Novel Framework: suggests a new structure or approach to solving problems
• Pioneering Idea: conveys leadership in introducing new ideas to the field
• Creative Strategy: suggests a unique or unconventional approach
• Revolutionary Insight: signals a radical shift in thinking or practice

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Topic Strategies:

Bridge Theory and Practice

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For session slides or other MCD questions

Take academic concepts, frameworks, and models, and apply them to real-world organizational problems in a practical, actionable way

• Makes complex theories accessible
• Helps ensure that consulting recommendations are grounded in proven principles

Symposium Overview - Theory and Practice Bridge

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Read through linked document

Topic Strategies:

Bridge Theory and Practice

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"Management consulting is a field that thrives at the intersection of rigorous academic theory and practical, real-world challenges. This symposium will focus on demonstrating how theoretical frameworks—such as change management models, leadership theories, and organizational behavior principles—can be translated into actionable strategies that drive organizational success."

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"This presentation will illustrate how Agile methodologies, often associated with tech companies, can be adapted for use in non-tech industries such as healthcare or retail. We will explore how Agile principles like iterative development and cross-functional teams can be customized to improve operational efficiency across a wide range of organizational contexts."

Authors & Participants

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• Knowledgeable
• Complimentary
• Diverse

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Authors & Participants

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Knowledgeable

• Highlight credentials
• List notable accomplishments
• Demonstrate thought leadership

"Our speakers bring deep expertise in management consulting, including Dr. Amy Edmondson, a professor at Harvard Business School and a recognized leader in organizational behavior and leadership, and Jeff Sutherland, co-creator of the Agile Scrum framework. Both are respected thought leaders with decades of experience transforming global organizations through innovative approaches to leadership and project management."

Authors & Participants

Knowledgeable

Authors & Participants

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Complimentary

• Different perspectives
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Synergy between methods and sectors

"This panel brings together a balanced mix of academic and practical expertise. Dr. Herminia Ibarra from London Business School focuses on leadership transitions and identity development, while Jennifer Brown, a corporate diversity consultant, will offer insights into building inclusive cultures within organizations. Together, their perspectives complement each other by addressing both personal leadership growth and organizational change, creating a holistic approach to leadership development."

Authors & Participants

Complimentary

Authors & Participants

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For session slides or other MCD questions

Diverse

• Ethnic and gender diversity
• Cross-industry and global perspectives
• Diverse methodologies and approaches

"Our panel represents a diverse range of voices and experiences. Linda A. Hill, an African-American scholar from Harvard Business School, brings insights into public sector innovation, while Salim Ismail, founder of ExO Works, shares an entrepreneurial perspective on digital transformation. This diversity spans not only ethnicity and gender but also industries and consulting methods, ensuring a broad and inclusive dialogue on leadership and organizational change."

Proposal

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For session slides or other MCD questions

• Clear & Professional
• Obvious Topic Understanding
• Clearly Defined and Achievable Deliverables
• Practical/Field-Oriented Approach
• Contribute to Management Consulting Theory

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Clear & Professional

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For session slides or other MCD questions

Conciseness: The proposal and presentation should be direct and to the point, avoiding unnecessary jargon or overly complex language

Logical Structure: Information must be organized in a coherent flow, with clear sections (introduction, key points, conclusion)

Polished Presentation: The use of professional language, error-free writing, and well-designed visuals such as slides or diagrams are key

Engaging Delivery: Demonstrate the ability to communicate in a way that captures the audience’s attention, using appropriate tone and emphasis

Structure Idea

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Obvious Topic Understanding

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Deep Knowledge: The speaker should demonstrate expertise in the topic, referencing relevant theories, models, or case studies

Contextual Awareness: Show understanding of how the topic fits within the broader field of management consulting, including its current challenges and trends

Up-to-date Information: The speaker should be aware of the latest research, industry developments, or innovations related to the topic

Clear Explanations: Complex ideas must be explained clearly and simply, demonstrating a strong command of the subject matter

Real-World Insight: Incorporating experiences from consulting work that align with the topic can illustrate deep knowledge in action

Clearly Defined and Achievable Deliverables

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Specificity: Clearly outline what the audience will gain from the session, whether it’s frameworks, tools, or actionable strategies

Measurable Outcomes: Provide deliverables that are concrete and measurable, such as templates, implementation plans, or KPIs

Realistic Goals: Ensure the deliverables can be realistically achieved within the time frame of the presentation

Applicability: Ensure deliverables are practical and relevant to the work of consulting professionals; they should be tools that can be used immediately in practice

Audience-Centric: Tailor the deliverables to the needs and skill levels of the audience; ensure they provide value to both new and experienced consultants

Practical/Field-Oriented Approach

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Actionability: The content should focus on how theoretical frameworks and models can be applied to real-world consulting situations

Real-World Examples: Include case studies or examples from recent consulting work to demonstrate the practical implementation of theories

Problem-Solving Focus: Show how the topic addresses specific challenges faced by organizations, such as change management, digital transformation, or operational efficiency

Pragmatic Solutions: The speaker should emphasize solutions that have been tested in the field and are proven to work in a variety of organizational settings

Contribute to Management Consulting Theory

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Theoretical Rigor: Demonstrate a strong grounding in relevant academic theories and frameworks; show understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of consulting practices

Innovation: Introduce new ideas, models, or adaptations that advance or challenge existing management consulting theories.

Critical Analysis: Analyze gaps, limitations, or outdated aspects of existing theories, and propose how they can be improved or expanded

Contribution to Knowledge: Show how the speaker’s ideas add to the body of knowledge in management consulting, offering new insights for both practitioners and scholars

Future-Focused: The speaker should discuss how evolving trends, such as technological innovation or changing workforce dynamics, might shape future consulting practices and theoretical developments

Contribution to Future Research

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Future Directions: Suggest ways your paper can guide further research (Bansal & Corley, 2011)

Long-Term Impact: Show how your paper influences future studies (De Rond & Miller, 2005)

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Bansal, P., & Corley, K. (2011). From the editors: The coming of age for qualitative research: Embracing the diversity of qualitative methods. Academy of Management Journal, 54(2), 233-237.

De Rond, M., & Miller, A. N. (2005). The rhetoric of management consulting. Academy of Management Review, 30(1), 1-19.

Conclusion

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Think dual focus on both the process of consulting and the consulting industry, with an underlying goal of creating a bridge that integrates scholarship and practice.

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Think what will be useful to the audience.

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For session slides or other MCD questions

Please complete post-session evaluation

Appendix

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Topic Strategies

Innovative Idea & Relevant to Current Management

Consulting Practices

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For session slides or other MCD questions

• Disruptive Strategy: indicates an idea that challenges traditional methods
• "This presentation will explore a disruptive strategy for reshaping leadership development through peer-to-peer learning models, challenging the traditional top-down mentorship approach."
• Forward-Thinking Initiative: focuses on future-oriented and visionary elements
• "We’ll share insights on a forward-thinking initiative to integrate sustainability metrics directly into financial reporting, empowering companies to drive profit while achieving environmental goals."

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Topic Strategies

Innovative Idea & Relevant to Current Management

Consulting Practices

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For session slides or other MCD questions

• Next-Generation Concept: highlights progressive or evolving ideas
• "Our focus is on a next-generation concept for remote workforce engagement, incorporating immersive VR environments to foster collaboration and innovation across global teams."
• Transformative Methodology: underscores the potential to create significant change
• "This session will outline a transformative methodology for agile project management, where continuous feedback loops radically enhance adaptability in fast-changing markets."

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Topic Strategies

Innovative Idea & Relevant to Current Management

Consulting Practices

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For session slides or other MCD questions

• Novel Framework: suggests a new structure or approach to solving problems
• "We will introduce a novel framework for digital transformation, blending organizational culture change with emerging technology adoption to ensure sustainable success."
• Pioneering Idea: conveys leadership in introducing new ideas to the field
• "Our pioneering idea for business growth leverages community co-creation platforms, enabling customers to directly shape product development and drive innovation."

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Topic Strategies

Innovative Idea & Relevant to Current Management

Consulting Practices

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For session slides or other MCD questions

• Creative Strategy: suggests a unique or unconventional approach
• "This presentation will focus on a creative strategy for competitive differentiation, utilizing behavioral economics principles to influence consumer decision-making."
• Revolutionary Insight: signals a radical shift in thinking or practice
• "We’ll deliver revolutionary insights into transforming traditional HR practices by implementing AI-powered talent acquisition tools, resulting in more diverse and qualified candidate pools."

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