International Consulting in Practice:
Consulting Project Case Study in Stockholm

Our Approach:

Each Consulting Project is uniquely designed to meet the specific needs of our clients. For this project, students were organized into teams and partnered with companies based in Stockholm, Sweden. Over several months, the teams collaborated to develop practical solutions to their assigned business challenges, culminating in an in-person presentation where students shared their insights and recommendations with clients and peers.

#1: Project Introduction & Alignment:

After meeting with the faculty to understand their academic goals and reviewing the structure of the student teams, the ISP team matches each student group with a Swedish company. Once companies were selected, ISP facilitated communication between company representatives and student groups to align on project goals and business challenges. During this phase, students defined the project scope, established expectations and built rapport with the client.

In this case, the students were matched with a range of organizations, including Husqvarna, Fotografiska, HP Inc., the Nobel Prize Museum, Vattenfall and Sparc Group.

#2: Research, Analysis & Finding a Solution:

Over several months, student teams collaborated closely with one another and with their company representatives. Their work included rigorous data collection, market analysis and an extensive review of relevant literature, ensuring a well-informed understanding of each business challenge. Throughout this phase, teams regularly checked in with their company contacts to share progress and validate insights.

Once research was complete, teams moved into the analysis phase, examining their findings to uncover key patterns and actionable insights. Through continued discussion and refinement, students aligned on a tailored, innovative solution designed to address the client’s objectives, constraints and industry best practices.

#3: On-site Engagement:

After months of preparation, students traveled to Stockholm for the on-the-ground portion of the project, where they met with their partner companies, presented their findings and gained firsthand exposure to Swedish culture.

Throughout the week, the teams visited their respective companies to deliver final presentations, each followed by a Q&A session and direct feedback from their peers and company representatives.

In addition to the consulting work, students explored Stockholm through cultural experiences such as fika (traditional Swedish coffee breaks), visits to Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town and iconic museums including the ABBA Museum, the Vasa Museum and the Nobel Prize Museum.

On the final full day, students participated in a networking event, connecting with Durham alumni living and working in Stockholm.