University Guest Speaking Documentation

Overview

This documentation provides evidence of recurring guest speaking engagements at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management, where I served as a subject matter expert for students studying entrepreneurship and consulting project management.

Course Details

Course: MGMT 48400-001 “Management of Entrepreneurial Ventures” Institution: Purdue University, Krannert School of Management Instructor: Professor Richard Makadok, Brock Family Chair in Strategic Management Format: Live Q&A sessions via Skype Frequency: Annual guest appearances (2016-2019 documented)

Academic Integration

My book “How to Manage a Consulting Project” was incorporated as required reading material for the course curriculum. The course syllabus specifically lists the book among required texts for students learning consulting methodologies.

View Complete Course Syllabus (PDF)

Student Impact

Professor Makadok noted the positive reception, stating students “identified it as one of the highlights of the semester.”

Amazon Review by Professor

Course Context

The entrepreneurship course was designed to teach students practical skills for becoming entrepreneurs, working in start-ups, or joining venture capital firms. The curriculum followed a structured progression through the key phases of venture development:

Course Progression:

Opportunity Identification – Students learned to identify market opportunities and unmet needs
Business Model Formulation – Development of innovative business models using frameworks like the Business Model Canvas
Business Planning & Financing – Creation of formal business plans and understanding funding strategies
Launching & Operating – Practical aspects of starting and running a business

Real-World Application: Students worked in teams to provide actual consulting services to aspiring entrepreneurs through the Purdue Foundry, a leading startup business incubator. These clients had completed the Foundry’s 10-week LaunchBox program and were ready to develop formal business plans.

Consulting Skills Focus: The course emphasized evidence-based entrepreneurship and hands-on consulting experience. Students learned to:

Conduct customer discovery and market validation
Manage client relationships with real entrepreneurs
Apply structured consulting methodologies (T.E.A.M. F.O.C.U.S. framework)
Deliver professional business plan recommendations
Present findings to clients and industry experts

Expert Integration: My guest sessions provided students with practical insights into professional consulting project management – skills directly applicable to their team consulting projects with Foundry clients. The Q&A format allowed students to ask specific questions about managing client expectations, project timelines, deliverables, and communication strategies they were encountering in their real consulting engagements.

This integration of academic theory with practical consulting experience, supported by industry expert guidance, created a comprehensive learning environment that prepared students for entrepreneurial careers.

Documentation Included

Email correspondence between Professor Makadok and Richard Lowe Jr. (2016-2017)
Course syllabus (MGMT 48400, Fall 2016) showing required reading assignment
Amazon review posted by Professor Makadok endorsing the book’s value for the course

Academic Recognition

Professor Makadok posted a five-star review on Amazon, further validating the book’s academic merit and its contribution to student learning in the entrepreneurship curriculum.

These guest speaking engagements demonstrate ongoing collaboration with higher education institutions and recognition as a subject matter expert in consulting project management within academic settings.