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MBA in Strategy And Consulting at GITAM, Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
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About the Specialization
What is Strategy and Consulting at GITAM, Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management Visakhapatnam?
This Strategy and Consulting program at Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM) focuses on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic decision-making skills essential for navigating complex business environments. It integrates theoretical frameworks with practical application, preparing students to advise organizations on growth, efficiency, and market positioning. The Indian industry, undergoing rapid transformation, has a significant demand for professionals who can drive strategic initiatives and offer expert consulting solutions.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for ambitious fresh graduates aiming for impactful roles in management consulting, corporate strategy, or business development. It also suits working professionals seeking to enhance their strategic acumen, lead organizational change, or transition into consulting roles. Individuals with a keen analytical mindset, leadership potential, and a desire to influence organizational direction will find this specialization particularly rewarding.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates can expect diverse career paths in India, including roles as management consultants, business analysts, strategic planners, and project managers across various sectors like IT, manufacturing, and financial services. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 6-10 LPA, with experienced professionals earning significantly more. The program fosters critical skills aligned with certifications like PMP or lean Six Sigma, enhancing growth trajectories in top Indian and multinational companies.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build Foundational Business Acumen- (Semester 1)
Focus rigorously on understanding core management concepts from subjects like Economics, OB, Marketing, and Financial Accounting. Actively participate in class discussions, read business newspapers (e.g., Economic Times, Business Standard), and utilize supplementary online resources to grasp fundamental business principles.
Tools & Resources
NPTEL, Coursera, Business news dailies, Case study groups
Career Connection
A strong understanding of diverse business functions is essential for strategy and consulting, enabling a holistic view of organizational challenges from the outset.
Develop Core Analytical and Communication Skills- (Semester 1)
Pay special attention to Business Statistics and Managerial Communication. Practice solving numerical problems, refine presentation skills through regular practice sessions, and actively seek feedback on written reports. Utilize tools like Excel extensively for data manipulation.
Tools & Resources
Microsoft Excel, Presentation software, Grammarly, Institutional communication labs
Career Connection
These foundational skills are critical for data-driven analysis and effective client interaction, forming the bedrock for any consulting or strategy role.
Engage in Early Industry Exposure- (Semester 1)
Attend guest lectures, industry webinars, and company visits (if organized by the institution) to gain initial exposure to various sectors and business practices in India. Begin researching potential career paths within strategy and consulting.
Tools & Resources
Industry webinars, LinkedIn, Career services office, Company websites
Career Connection
Early exposure helps in understanding industry trends, identifying areas of interest, and preparing for the summer internship, which is crucial for gaining practical experience.
Intermediate Stage
Master Business Analytics and Research Methodologies- (Semester 2)
Deepen expertise in Business Analytics and Business Research Methods. Learn to interpret data, conduct market research, and apply operations research techniques to solve practical problems. Work on mini-projects to apply these skills.
Tools & Resources
R/Python (basic), SPSS/SAS (if available), Advanced Excel, Academic research databases
Career Connection
Proficiency in analytics and research is indispensable for consultants to gather insights, build models, and provide evidence-based recommendations to clients.
Proactively Seek and Excel in Summer Internship- (Summer after Semester 2)
Actively apply for summer internships in consulting firms, corporate strategy departments, or relevant industry roles. Prepare rigorously for interviews and dedicate efforts to delivering exceptional performance during the internship, treating it as a learning and networking opportunity.
Tools & Resources
Career placement cell, Mock interviews, Company research, LinkedIn
Career Connection
A successful summer internship is often a direct pathway to a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO) and provides invaluable real-world experience, enhancing resume and network for future roles.
Build Cross-Functional Management Understanding- (Semester 2)
Focus on understanding the interdependencies between functions like HRM, Operations, and Finance from a managerial perspective. Analyze case studies that require integration of these functions to develop holistic business solutions.
Tools & Resources
Harvard Business School cases, Integrated management simulations
Career Connection
Consultants need to understand how different parts of an organization work together to provide comprehensive strategic advice, making cross-functional knowledge critical.
Advanced Stage
Specialize Deeply and Apply Strategic Frameworks- (Semester 3-4)
Fully immerse in the ''''Strategy and Consulting'''' electives. Actively apply strategic frameworks (Porter''''s Five Forces, SWOT, BCG Matrix etc.) to real-world companies and industries. Participate in advanced case competitions and simulated consulting projects.
Tools & Resources
Strategy consulting frameworks, Industry reports, Specialized books on strategic management
Career Connection
This deep specialization and application of frameworks directly equips students with the intellectual toolkit required to excel in strategic analysis and consulting engagements.
Undertake a High-Impact Consulting/Strategy Project- (Semester 4)
Choose a significant Project Work (23FMP201) related to a strategic challenge or consulting problem. Ideally, collaborate with an external organization or leverage internship experience to provide actionable solutions. Focus on delivering measurable impact.
Tools & Resources
Project management software, Primary and secondary research tools, Faculty mentorship
Career Connection
A well-executed project demonstrates practical strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to deliver value, serving as a strong portfolio piece for placements.
Intensify Placement Preparation and Networking- (Semester 3-4)
Refine resumes and cover letters tailored for strategy and consulting roles. Practice multiple rounds of group discussions and personal interviews (including case interviews). Leverage the career services cell for mock interviews and maintain active networking with alumni and industry professionals.
Tools & Resources
Career services cell, Online interview preparation platforms, Case interview books, LinkedIn
Career Connection
Rigorous preparation for specific interview formats and strong networking are paramount for securing desirable placements in strategy and consulting firms.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Bachelor''''s Degree with 50% marks (45% for reserved category) from a recognized university, with valid scores in CAT / XAT / MAT / CMAT / GMAT / ATMA / GAT (PGT) conducted by GITAM.
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Credits: 100 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 40%, External: 60%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23FMM101 | Economics for Managers | Core | 3 | Managerial Economics Nature and Scope, Demand and Supply Analysis, Production and Cost Analysis, Market Structure and Pricing Strategies, Macroeconomic Concepts (GDP, Inflation), Business Cycles and Economic Policies |
| 23FMM102 | Organisational Behaviour | Core | 3 | Introduction to OB and Individual Behaviour, Perception, Learning, and Personality, Attitudes, Values, and Motivation, Group Dynamics and Team Building, Leadership and Power, Organizational Culture and Change Management |
| 23FMM103 | Business Statistics | Core | 3 | Introduction to Statistics and Data Collection, Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion, Probability and Probability Distributions, Sampling and Estimation, Hypothesis Testing, Regression and Correlation Analysis |
| 23FMM104 | Managerial Communication | Core | 3 | Fundamentals of Communication, Verbal and Non-verbal Communication, Business Correspondence (Letters, Memos, Emails), Presentation Skills, Report Writing, Cross-cultural Communication |
| 23FMM105 | Marketing Management | Core | 3 | Introduction to Marketing and Marketing Environment, Consumer Behaviour and Market Segmentation, Product Life Cycle and Product Strategy, Pricing Strategies, Promotion Mix and Distribution Channels, Services Marketing and Digital Marketing |
| 23FMM106 | Financial Accounting | Core | 3 | Introduction to Accounting and Accounting Concepts, Recording Business Transactions (Journal, Ledger), Preparation of Financial Statements (Trial Balance, P&L, Balance Sheet), Cash Flow Statement Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis (Ratios), Accounting Standards and Practices |
| 23FMM107 | Business Ethics and Corporate Governance | Core | 2 | Introduction to Ethics and Business Ethics, Ethical Decision Making, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Corporate Governance Principles and Models, Stakeholder Management, Ethical Leadership |
| 23FMM108 | Management Information Systems | Core | 3 | Foundations of MIS, Information Systems for Business Operations, Database Management, Enterprise Systems (ERP, SCM, CRM), E-commerce and Digital Business, IT Strategy and Security |
| 23FML101 | Managerial Skills and Professional Development | Skill Course | 1 | Self-Awareness and Personal Effectiveness, Teamwork and Collaboration, Problem-Solving and Decision-Making, Presentation Skills Practice, Interview Skills and Resume Building, Professional Etiquette and Networking |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23FMM109 | Business Research Methods | Core | 3 | Introduction to Business Research, Research Design and Types, Data Collection Methods (Primary & Secondary), Sampling Techniques, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Report Writing and Presentation |
| 23FMM110 | Human Resource Management | Core | 3 | Introduction to HRM, Human Resource Planning, Recruitment and Selection, Training and Development, Performance Management, Compensation and Benefits |
| 23FMM111 | Operations Management | Core | 3 | Introduction to Operations Management, Operations Strategy and Design, Forecasting and Capacity Planning, Inventory Management, Quality Management, Supply Chain Management |
| 23FMM112 | Business Analytics | Core | 3 | Introduction to Business Analytics, Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics (Regression, Classification), Prescriptive Analytics (Optimization), Data Visualization, Analytics Tools and Applications (Excel, R/Python basics) |
| 23FMM113 | Financial Management | Core | 3 | Introduction to Financial Management, Time Value of Money, Capital Budgeting Decisions, Cost of Capital, Working Capital Management, Dividend Policy and Capital Structure |
| 23FMM114 | Entrepreneurship and Startup Management | Core | 3 | Nature of Entrepreneurship, Idea Generation and Opportunity Analysis, Business Plan Development, Funding Strategies for Startups, Legal Aspects for Startups, Growth and Exit Strategies |
| 23FMM115 | Legal Aspects of Business | Core | 2 | Indian Contract Act, 1872, Sale of Goods Act, 1930, Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, Companies Act, 2013, Consumer Protection Act, 2019, Intellectual Property Rights |
| 23FMM116 | Operations Research | Core | 3 | Introduction to Operations Research, Linear Programming (Formulation, Graphical, Simplex), Transportation and Assignment Problems, Network Models (PERT/CPM), Decision Theory, Game Theory |
| 23FML102 | Computer Applications in Business | Skill Course | 1 | Advanced Excel for Business Analysis, Data Management with MS Access, Presentation Tools (PowerPoint), Cloud Computing Concepts, Introduction to Business Intelligence Tools, Cybersecurity Awareness |
| 23FMP101 | Summer Internship | Internship | 2 | Industry Exposure, Application of Theoretical Concepts, Problem Identification and Resolution, Report Writing and Presentation, Networking Skills, Professional Development |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23FME SC 101 | Strategic Management | Elective (Strategy and Consulting) | 3 | Concept of Strategy and Strategic Management Process, External and Internal Environment Analysis, Strategy Formulation (Business, Corporate, Functional), Strategic Choice and Implementation, Strategic Evaluation and Control, Mergers, Acquisitions, and Alliances |
| 23FME SC 102 | Strategic Human Resource Management | Elective (Strategy and Consulting) | 3 | Introduction to SHRM, HR Planning and Talent Acquisition, Performance Management and Reward Systems, Employee Engagement and Retention, HR Analytics and Technology, Change Management in HR |
| 23FME SC 103 | Strategic Marketing | Elective (Strategy and Consulting) | 3 | Strategic Market Planning Process, Customer Analysis and Value Creation, Competitive Strategies, Product-Market Strategies, Brand Management and Communication Strategies, Digital and Global Marketing Strategies |
| 23FME SC 104 | Innovation Management & Design Thinking | Elective (Strategy and Consulting) | 3 | Introduction to Innovation Management, Types of Innovation and Innovation Process, Design Thinking Process (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test), Open Innovation and Co-creation, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Innovation Metrics and Culture |
| 23FME SC 105 | Strategic Cost Management | Elective (Strategy and Consulting) | 3 | Introduction to Strategic Cost Management, Activity-Based Costing (ABC), Target Costing and Life Cycle Costing, Lean Accounting and Kaizen Costing, Value Chain Analysis, Performance Measurement (Balanced Scorecard) |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23FME SC 106 | Business Intelligence & Decision Making | Elective (Strategy and Consulting) | 3 | Introduction to Business Intelligence (BI), Data Warehousing and Data Mining, BI Tools and Technologies, Managerial Decision Making Models, Data Visualization for Decision Support, Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics in BI |
| 23FME SC 107 | International Business Strategy | Elective (Strategy and Consulting) | 3 | Introduction to International Business Environment, Theories of International Trade and Investment, Entry Strategies into International Markets, Global Strategic Alliances, Managing International Operations, Cross-cultural Management |
| 23FME SC 108 | Management Consulting | Elective (Strategy and Consulting) | 3 | Nature and Scope of Management Consulting, Consulting Process Stages (Entry, Data Collection, Diagnosis), Consulting Methodologies and Tools, Client Relationship Management, Consulting Ethics and Professionalism, Types of Consulting Engagements |
| 23FME SC 109 | Strategic Quality Management | Elective (Strategy and Consulting) | 3 | Concepts of Quality and Total Quality Management (TQM), Quality Gurus and their Contributions, Quality Management Systems (ISO 9000), Six Sigma and Lean Management, Quality Awards and Benchmarking, Statistical Process Control (SPC) |
| 23FME SC 110 | Strategic Alliances and Mergers & Acquisitions | Elective (Strategy and Consulting) | 3 | Introduction to Corporate Restructuring, Motives for Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), Valuation of Target Companies, Post-Merger Integration Challenges, Strategic Alliances Formation and Management, Joint Ventures and Franchising |
| 23FMP201 | Project Work | Project | 4 | Literature Review, Problem Identification, Research Methodology Design, Data Collection & Analysis, Report Writing, Presentation & Viva Voce |
