Close
Close
Search this website

Develop a Consultant’s Mindset

In today’s dynamic business environment, every professional can benefit from thinking like a consultant. This executive education program empowers participants to adopt a consultant’s mindset—applying strategic frameworks, analytical tools and problem-solving techniques that drive measurable results. Through this program, professionals will gain the core concepts and practical skills needed to elevate their effectiveness, enhance decision-making, and achieve greater success in any industry.

Program Features

  • Certificate Earned - Executive Certificate in "Thinking Like a Consultant" by Florida International University’s College of Business
  • Location – FIU Main Campus
  • Total Instruction - 20 hours of live instruction (2.5 days)
  • Group Size - 40-50 participants (space is limited)
  • Modality - Highly interactive, in-person program, structured into five 4-hour modular units

Who Will Benefit

The program is ideal for forward-thinking professionals ready to elevate their impact by mastering the mindset of a consultant. It is designed for professionals who lead teams, drive strategy, or solve complex problems and wish to sharpen their ability to think critically, influence effectively, and drive change, including:

  • Mid- to senior-level professionals across industries.
  • High-potential talent identified for leadership development.
  • Managers and directors leading cross-functional strategic initiatives.
  • Internal consultants and project leads involved in change and transformation.
  • Subject-matter experts (SMEs) stepping into advisory or strategic roles.
  • Entrepreneurs and business owners who want to expand their strategic and innovation toolkit.
  • Would-be entrepreneurs seeking to launch successful digital startups.
Professor Pappacena has crafted a wonderful seminar that truly exemplifies the mental frameworks, based on Ned Herrmann's "Whole Brain" model, that modern day executives should strive to emulate. By shifting ourselves into the consultant mindset, we're able to position ourselves in the business partner perspective and truly assess the best approach for our clients’ open needs, ongoing initiatives, and future plans.

Raul Duarte, Managing Partner, RTD Talent Solutions

Topics

Throughout the program, topics are explored under the framework of developing a consulting mindset:

  • The Consulting Mindset
  • What is a consultant? Are all consultants trusted advisors?
  • Modes of consulting and required consulting skills
  • Critical Thinking: The essential foundation of a consulting mindset, including foes and friends of critical thinking
  • Strategic Mindset: Understanding the client's business, including business strategy and business models with a primary focus on strategy in the digital era
  • Analytical Mindset: Structured analytical techniques
  • Structured problem solving and hypothesis-driven consulting
  • Design thinking: how to use process consulting to innovate the business model
  • Presenting like a consultant
  • Interpersonal Mindset: Enabling change in the organizations

General Information/Custom Programs: FIU Business Executive Education can create custom training programs specific to the needs of your organization. Please connect with us by submitting the inquiry form below or contact us 305.348.4217 or fiuExecEd@fiu.edu.

Enhance decision-making, and achieve greater success in any industry

Request More Information

Use this form to request more information about the executive education training we provide and to let us know about your unique needs. A team member will respond shortly.

Program Faculty & Experts

This program is led by Edgardo Pappacena, a seasoned consultant with more than 40 years of experience and is an adjunct professor at Florida International University. He brings invaluable insights and encourages participants to view this program as a steppingstone in their lifelong learning journey.

Financial Assistance & Discounts

FIU Executive and Professional Education certificate programs are noncredit and do not lead to an academic degree. As such, they generally do not qualify for traditional federal student financial aid (FAFSA). However, participants may explore Sallie Mae student loans, FIU discounts, employer-sponsored benefits, and external scholarships or workforce development assistance.

  • We offer several discounts to help make professional development more accessible.

    • FIU Students, Alumni & Staff – 20% Off: Current FIU students, FIU alumni, and FIU staff.
    • Group Discounts – 15% Off: Groups of three (3) or more participants from the same organization.
    • Special Promotions: Additional promotional offers may be available periodically. Sign up here to receive updates and special offers.

    Discounts cannot be combined with other offers and may be subject to program-specific restrictions.

  • Many organizations offer tuition reimbursement, professional development allowances, or educational assistance benefits to employees pursuing career-related training. We encourage you to contact your Human Resources department.

    Under qualifying employer educational assistance programs, employees may receive up to $5,250 annually in tax-free educational benefits, subject to applicable IRS requirements and employer policies.

    Learn More About Employer Educational Assistance – IRS

    Training Grants for Employers

    Employers may also qualify for workforce development grants that help offset the cost of training, upskilling or reskilling employees.

    Florida's workforce development network offers employer-focused training assistance programs, subject to eligibility requirements, funding availability and program approval.

    Explore CareerSource Florida

  • P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE)

    The P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education provides need-based grants of up to $4,000 to eligible women whose education has been interrupted and who are returning to school to gain skills for employment or career advancement.

    Explore the P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education

    Scholly Scholarship Search

    Scholly is a scholarship search resource to help students explore thousands of scholarship opportunities.  Please note scholarship providers determine eligibility, and not all scholarships cover noncredit professional education.

    Explore Scholly Scholarships

    CareerSource South Florida – Workforce Training Assistance

    CareerSource South Florida administers workforce training assistance, including educational scholarships and Individual Training Account (ITA) vouchers, for eligible participants.

    Explore CareerSource South Florida Training Assistance

    Professional Association Scholarships

    Some professional and industry associations offer scholarships or financial assistance for certification preparation, professional development, and career training. Eligibility and funding vary by organization.

    The U.S. Department of Labor's CareerOneStop Scholarship Finder is a resource for researching available awards.

    Search Scholarships Through CareerOneStop

  • Private education financing is available through Sallie Mae. We recommend beginning the loan application process at least two (2) weeks before your program's start date to allow sufficient time for processing and school certification.

    How to Apply

    1. Visit Sallie Mae – Career Training Student Loan.
    2. Select the Career Training Student Loan option.
    3. When prompted, select Certificate as your degree or certificate of study and Continuing Education as your major or specialty, if those options appear.
    4. Use FIU Executive Education school code: 00963598.
    5. Request financing for the exact program fee.
    6. Notify us via email fiuexeced@fiu.edu with your full name, telephone number, and selected program so our team may complete the enrollment process.

    Private loans are subject to lender eligibility requirements, credit approval, school participation, interest rates, and repayment terms. We encourage participants to review all financing terms carefully before borrowing.

Stay in the Know

Sign up to receive notices about program discounts, new start dates and registration deadlines.

Subscribe to our newsletter