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Overview
This Austin Elliot Consultancy Skills course leads to a CMI Level 5 Certificate in Professional Consulting and is designed for current and aspiring professional consultants. It equips learners with the practical tools, frameworks, and interpersonal techniques necessary to operate effectively as consultants. The course not only addresses structured consultancy approaches but also focuses on developing the mindset and behaviours required to build client trust and become a valued advisor. Delivered by experienced consultants, the programme encourages reflective learning through real-world practice and feedback.
Prerequisites
This course does not require formal qualifications but is best suited to professionals who:
- Are working in or aspiring to work in consultancy roles
- Are seeking to build practical consulting skills and approaches
- Are comfortable participating in reflective learning and discussion
Target audience
This course is ideal for:
- Professionals currently in a consultancy role
- Individuals seeking to transition into consultancy careers
- Those responsible for leading internal consultancy initiatives or advisory functions
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Understand the purpose, ethics, and principles of consultancy
- Structure and manage consultancy interventions from initiation through to disengagement
- Develop effective client relationships and communicate persuasively
- Demonstrate enhanced interpersonal and emotional intelligence skills
- Apply consulting tools to solve complex business challenges
- Collaborate effectively in team environments
- Conduct structured research and gather meaningful data
- Analyse problems and present findings in professional formats
- Design and deliver sustainable change interventions
What will the course cover?
Being a consultant
- Defining the purpose of consultancy
- Consultant roles and integration
- Operating principles and professional ethics
- Structuring consultancy projects
Business acumen for consultants
- Securing consultancy work
- Developing action plans and work breakdown structures
- Estimating project costs
- Contracting and commercial agreements
Interpersonal skills for consultants
- Developing a consultant’s mindset
- Building rapport and trust with clients
- Influencing and negotiating techniques
- Managing the client relationship
- Emotional intelligence and Core Strengths SDI 2.0 assessment
- Resilience and stress management
- Personal productivity strategies
Planning and managing consultancy projects
- Environmental and contextual assessment
- Planning methodologies and tools
Working in a team
- Understanding team development stages
- Characteristics of high-performing teams
- Integrating effectively within new teams
Research and data collection
- Research principles for consultancy
- Designing data collection strategies
- Understanding cognitive bias and thought processes
- Designing and conducting interviews and surveys
Analysis and problem-solving
- Workshop design and facilitation
- Using the DMAIC framework for structured problem solving
Presenting findings and recommendations
- Structuring consultancy reports
- Designing and delivering client presentations
Implementation
- Planning for change delivery
- Conducting stakeholder analysis
- Selecting implementation approaches
- Managing and supporting change
Communicating change
- Creating a Government Communication Service (GCS) standard plan
- Measuring communication impact
- Addressing human reactions to change
Disengaging from the project
- Sustaining implemented changes
- Project closure procedures
- Ensuring effective knowledge transfer
- Identifying opportunities for follow-on work
Exams and assessments
There are no formal exams in this course. Learners are assessed via two scenario-based written assignments that reflect real-world consultancy challenges.
Hands-on learning
This course is delivered in two face-to-face blocks, each lasting four days. Between blocks, learners are expected to apply new skills and reflect on their experiences. The programme includes:
- A Core Strengths SDI® personal assessment
- Practical fieldwork exercises
- Scenario-based tasks for skill application
- Team collaboration and consulting simulations
Frequently asked questions
How can I create an account on myQA.com?
There are a number of ways to create an account. If you are a self-funder, simply select the "Create account" option on the login page.
If you have been booked onto a course by your company, you will receive a confirmation email. From this email, select "Sign into myQA" and you will be taken to the "Create account" page. Complete all of the details and select "Create account".
If you have the booking number you can also go here and select the "I have a booking number" option. Enter the booking reference and your surname. If the details match, you will be taken to the "Create account" page from where you can enter your details and confirm your account.
Find more answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQs: Bookings & Cancellations page.
How do QA’s virtual classroom courses work?
Our virtual classroom courses allow you to access award-winning classroom training, without leaving your home or office. Our learning professionals are specially trained on how to interact with remote attendees and our remote labs ensure all participants can take part in hands-on exercises wherever they are.
We use the WebEx video conferencing platform by Cisco. Before you book, check that you meet the WebEx system requirements and run a test meeting to ensure the software is compatible with your firewall settings. If it doesn’t work, try adjusting your settings or contact your IT department about permitting the website.
How do QA’s online courses work?
QA online courses, also commonly known as distance learning courses or elearning courses, take the form of interactive software designed for individual learning, but you will also have access to full support from our subject-matter experts for the duration of your course.
Once you have purchased the Online course and have completed your registration, you will receive the necessary details to enable you to immediately access it through our e-learning platform and you can start to learn straight away, from any compatible device. Access to the online learning platform is valid for one year from the booking date.
All courses are built around case studies and presented in an engaging format, which includes storytelling elements, video, audio and humour. Every case study is supported by sample documents and a collection of Knowledge Nuggets that provide more in-depth detail on the wider processes.
When will I receive my joining instructions?
Joining instructions for QA courses are sent two weeks prior to the course start date, or immediately if the booking is confirmed within this timeframe. For course bookings made via QA but delivered by a third-party supplier, joining instructions are sent to attendees prior to the training course, but timescales vary depending on each supplier’s terms. Read more FAQs.
When will I receive my certificate?
Certificates of Achievement are issued at the end the course, either as a hard copy or via email. Read more here.