Accenture & OMI Training Session

Leadership and Effective Teaming

Project Structure

Project Proposal

Secondary

Research

Research Design

Field Work

Research

Report

Project Evaluati

on

Team ActivityBackground:Client: MPI, a small NGO in Ecuador with an existing Small Business Training Programme but no previous experience in microfinance

Research Project:Assess the viability of a new microfinance programme in the community Rumiloma and adjacent villages

Recommend ways ways to expand MPI’s current Small Business Training Programme

TASK: Divide the proposal into sub-sections and distribute the research work among team members.

Research Proposal

Business Analysis• Past analysis

o Analysis of past attempts at lending

• Situation Analysiso Human resourceso Small Business Training

Programmeo Financial Resources

• Prospect Analysiso Financial Modelo Funding

Market analysis• Country Background

o Cultural and social factorso Macroeconomic factorso Microfinance in Ecuador (Best

Practice approach)o Political stabilityo Legal environment

• Local market analysiso Socio-economic backgroundo Market segmentation and target

communitieso Supply of Microfinance Services

in the areao Demand for Microfinance

Services in the Area

Effective TeamingDOs & DONTs

Structure is your best friend • task-organised and person-organised Gantt charts

• http://gantto.com/

Teamwork at Oxford

• Two thirds of employers say Oxford students are average or below average at teamwork

• They tend to be bad at communication, sharing information and delegating tasks

• They are perfectionist and bad at admitting weaknesses

• Oxford is an exciting and busy place. Many students, while enthusiastic, are overcommitted

→ time management, communication and personal integrity are key

Time Management

• Consulting for OMI is different from your academic environment.

• Deadlines matter! Your team members and your client are relying on you.

• Plan your term ahead. Factor in OMI from the start of term before you make other commitments.

• Structure your week. Set a time for OMI.

Communication

• I was going to do it, but…… I had an essay crisis… got really drunk at a college bop/crew date… my job application deadline was yesterday… I had to train for Summer VIIIs

• But I will definitely do it this week (every week!)• I know I have exams and a performance with my

drama society, but I’m sure I can fit the research in.

Communication

• I will be busy in 5th week due to a drama performance, so won’t be able to do any research. What needs to be done before that?

• I have underestimated my course work for this week. Which parts of my research are essential for you to be able to progress?

• I have an unexpected job interview and cannot attend the meeting. Can I prepare a summary of my work this week and send it to you beforehand?

Communication

→ Communicate early

→ Communicate frequently

→ Communicate honestly

Any communication is better than than no communication.

Personal Integrity

• Do not make promises you cannot meet. Do not raise expectations beyond what is realistic.

• It is okay to make mistakes. Help is available. Ask for it, and do so early!

• A healthy culture of critique is vital. Criticise respectfully, take critique positively.

• Trust is the currency of team work. Share your knowledge, trust your team members.

Planning

• Weekly meeting time• Agenda for every meeting• More time working and less time planning

together• Meetings of sub-groups• Email the results of the week’s research around

before the meeting (unless you like printing loads…)

Internal and External Communication

• Emails – Professionalism is key:→ structure, rather than trail of consciousness→ can you get the information yourself?→ Treat your email like a letter: correct address and signature, grammar, punctuation and style.→ clear numbering of sub-categories and clear distribution of responsibilities

• Let the client know by which date you need certain documents or information

• Information sharing: Dropbox, Groupspaces