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Creating Transitions: New Models for Development Consulting

The International Business Relations Program, The Hitachi Center for Technology & International Affairs, The Fletcher Consulting and International Development Clubs present this exciting discussion among select development consulting leaders, the IFC at the World Bank, Fletcher faculty and students, as well as select students from Harvard University.

In many countries, the private sector has begun to replace government as the engine of economic growth and development. However, many of these firms lack the resources and managerial know-how to successfully compete. As the private sector takes on an ever-larger role in development, consulting firms are looking to adapt their model to the needs of the individual firm. The symposium will address these critical questions: 

• Do development-consulting firms need to shift their business model from a macro-economic approach to a more firm-specific micro-economic focus? If so, How?
• What trends are likely to drive this transition and at what pace? 
• How can development-consulting firms effectively service the needs of the emerging private sector? Are development-consulting firms over reliant on clients such as USAID and multilateral lending organizations such as the World Bank? 
• What will be the client base of the future? What are the best mechanisms to adapt to this changing client base?
• What organizational models, fee structure, markets, and service offering will be required to ensure future success? What competitive landscape will emerge?
• What expertise profile and skill set will future development consultants require? 

For more information: http://fletcher.tufts.edu/symposium/