Tom SpencerIt is common for top consulting firms to subject consultants to a rigorous “up or out” policy. What this means is that consultants are required to advance to the next level of responsibility within a certain period of time or leave the firm. Consultants normally receive regular performance feedback and so have frequent opportunities to […]
“Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.” ~ George Orwell (slight mis-quote) [Diminutive is a synonym for “small”.]
A consultant who enjoys a successful career progression within the consulting industry will be promoted up through the ranks and hold various different roles along the way. Job titles will vary by firm. An entry level consultant may be called a business analyst or junior associate. New recruits who hold an advanced degree (e.g. MBA, […]
If I were a betting man, at this stage my money would be on Trump to win the American presidential election. This is not an endorsement, or a show of support of any kind. I think a Trump victory would be a horrible outcome. So, why do I think Trump has more than a 50/50 chance? And what […]
China comes up for criticism in modern times for stealing software technology from the West. Software is a language (or a set of languages) which can be used to make computer hardware do marvelous things, and because software is easy to copy (or reverse engineer), it’s easy to steal. But if there is software stealing going on in China and elsewhere, […]
On Thursday 23rd of June, the British people voted by a majority of 52% to 48% to leave the EU. This is a monumental event, and it is worth trying to piece together what happened, and what some of the implications might be. The voter turnout was strong with around 72% of voters casting a ballot. However, the results […]
Are you trying to build a work environment that is more sanitised or more sanitary? There is a difference. A sanitised work environment is generally inoffensive, and is designed to satisfy the strict (and habitually self-serving) requirements of the HR checklist. A sanitary work environment, on the other hand, is one that’s designed to be favourable for the health and proper functioning of […]
The traditional consulting career model employed by top consulting firms like McKinsey was to develop generalist consultants who could apply general business principles and frameworks across different industries, sectors and functional areas. Clients increasingly value industry experience and specialized knowledge, and so firms are evolving the traditional consulting career model to accommodate these changing client demands. […]
When things go badly, the optimist is likely to respond with a reference to forces outside her control, “our competitors got lucky this time!” When things go well, the pessimist is likely to respond in a similar way, “I got lucky this time!” In both situations the person is making a call to destiny. The optimist believes that things will go well […]
Executives often rely on the advice of management consultants. Was it always this way? Where did it all begin? The management consulting industry, as we know it, originated in America. The very first management consulting firm was Arthur D. Little, founded all the way back in 1886 by a professor at MIT whose name was […]
I am currently living in Beijing, lecturing strategy and finance courses to undergraduates. One observation I’ve made is that the people here are good at identifying opportunities for profit. And I use the word profit not in a financial sense, but with the broader meaning of the French verb profiter, which means “to make the most advantage of”. This […]
We have commented on consulting jargon before, but we will do it again. Organisations hire management consultants to provide advice on their most challenging business problems. Senior management are busy people, and so consultants need to communicate as clearly as possible. The need for clarity, however, has not prevented consultants from developing an industry jargon all […]
If you are a high achieving undergraduate or MBA student, then you are likely to be considering various highly paid and prestigious career options. This post provides you with a high level comparison of management consulting and investment banking. 1. Nature of the job Management consultants assist organisations by providing advice to address specific problems […]
The wonderful thing about financial markets is that they help to get funds from people who have them to people who have a productive use for them. In other words, they help to make things more efficient by enabling money to be put to good use. The problem with financial markets, though, is that more […]
Management consulting is a nice perch, but it is not for everyone. Many people go into consulting with a plan to gain a few years of experience and then apply for B-school or pivot into industry or entrepreneurship. This is a legitimate strategy, but it can also be a cop out with many people leaving […]
We live in an increasingly digital and technology enabled world, which is increasing the level of competition between organisations. Why is this the case? There are three key reasons. Firstly, technology is helping to lower barriers to entry. It has never been easier to create new goods and services, and get them noticed by your […]
The consulting industry provides many services and covers many industry sectors, and so the domain knowledge and expertise that a consultant needs will vary depending on the industry focus and services that the consultant actually provides. That being said, there are some generic skills that every consultant will need to have. As a starting point, […]
An organisation’s approach to strategy will always depend on the circumstances. Who are the organisation’s competitors? There will be existing competitors, and outsiders who might threaten to compete in future. And who are the organisation’s customers? There will be existing customers, and larger groups that the organisation wants to target. By understanding the external environment, an organisation will then be […]
Consultants work on projects of varying lengths, and are often required to travel to work on site with the client. The specific tasks that a consultant undertakes will depend on which firm she works for, the project requirements, as well as her level of seniority and experience. Projects typically follow a predictable cycle which involves […]
Not enough, or more than you need. It’s generally one, or the other. Are you working for the money, with grand plans for what you will do when you one day finally have “enough”? Or are you just happy to be here, every day, because you can’t believe they are paying you to do what […]
There are many different types of consulting. As an aspiring consultant, you would be well advised to understand your options so that you can make an informed decision about which kind of consulting is right for you. Here are five (5) of the main types of consulting that might interest you: Strategy: Think BCG, McKinsey and Bain […]
If you are using your talents in a way that interests you for the benefit of other people, then that’s a good thing. Charities, non-profits and religions may come to you for aid, but it’s valid to refuse if your gifts to them would detract from the good work you are already doing Giving more than you […]
“Consulting” is a pretty general term, and doesn’t really give you a clear idea of what consultants actually do. The Oxford dictionary indicates that “to consult” means to “seek information or advice from someone (especially an expert)”. In other words, consultants are people who provide expert advice. We are interested mainly in the consultants who provide advice […]
This past week there has been fear circulating among founders and private investors who hold stock in certain early stage startups that have achieved sky-high valuations. Why the fear? The startups in question are privately held, meaning that the founders and early stage investors own shares in the companies, but shares have not yet been offered for sale […]
Consulting is an appealing career choice for many graduates. Consultants have the potential to travel with work, network with Fortune 500 executives, earn six figure salaries, develop high-level transferable business skills, and benefit from lucrative exit opportunities. What’s not to like? Well, for all its benefits, the life of a consultant is not necessarily a bed of […]
Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter argued back in 1985 that there are three generic strategies that an organisation can follow to achieve above average performance. You can operate at low cost, provide distinct value to customers, or focus on doing one of these things while targeting a specific niche in the market. The unfortunate fallacy that Porter introduced is […]
If you have gone through the consulting interview process and are not offered a position with your target firm, then you should find out why. There are two reasons this is important. Firstly, getting specific feedback on your performance is the only way you can learn and improve. Secondly, you may discover that the firm has […]
Back in September last year, the Wall Street Journal wrote an article about how low oil prices could lead to a global recession. An article by the Guardian last Friday repeated the sentiment with a suggestion that low oil prices could hurt the stock market. Look out, Chicken Little, the sky is falling! The doom and gloom argument appears […]
If you have received an offer of employment from the consulting firm of your choice, you may still want to negotiate the terms of the offer. How should you go about doing this? Use your bargaining power Your ability to negotiate the terms of your offer depends on how much bargaining power you have. The consulting […]
Builders intuitively know that if you are building a house then you need both bricks and mortar, and they need to be arranged in a certain way in order to construct a safe, functional and attractive residence. The bricks provide strength, the mortar holds it all together, and the architect’s plan ensures that they are arranged in […]
If you are offered a position with a consulting firm (and are happy with the terms of the offer) then feel free to accept it. You can talk to the recruitment management to let them know your decision, and you will also need to sign, date, and return a copy of the offer letter. Be sure to […]
Merry Christmas to you, dear reader! This is a special time of year when people give gifts and send messages of happiness, peace and good will to family and friends. Christmas is a unique and valuable tradition because the practice of gift giving reminds us what life is all about. As social animals, our identity, survival and prosperity depends on being part […]
Many people are afraid to fail. Terrified of flunking a test, getting fired, having their heart broken, or being laughed at. Loss is painful, yes, it truly can be. The problem with this way of experiencing life, though, is that it represents fixed thinking. A belief that things can stay the same and a desire to preserve the way things were. […]
(Source: Flickr) We have talked at length all year about consulting interviews, and in this post we provide three (3) thoughts on what to do after the interview comes to an end. Confirming the next step: To find out about the next step in the recruitment process, talk to the recruitment manager (this will probably be someone other […]
(Source: Flickr) Most people are familiar with the expression “the pen is mightier than the sword”, but where does it come from? According to the BBC, the expression first appeared in Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s 1839 play Cardinal Richelieu. This may have been the first usage in English, but Bulwer-Lytton appears to have borrowed from a longer tradition. Napoleon Bonaparte, known more […]
(Source: Flickr) If you want to practice case questions, I highly recommend Marc Cosentino’s book Case in Point. You can also access sample case questions from various consulting clubs here, and from the following consulting firm websites: McKinsey & Company; Bain & Company; Oliver Wyman; Deloitte; A.T. Kearney; Accenture; and L.E.K. Consulting. [For more information on consulting […]
Overview The competitive nature of business today is stronger than it has ever been, and so it is important for companies to use all of the tools at their disposal. There are many new innovations that allow companies to finance purchases creatively in order to meet their goals over the long term. Here are four (4) examples […]
(Source: Flickr) Humans and chimpanzeees (our closest genetic relatives) are both social animals that have the ability to form groups and communicate between themselves. Why is it then that humans have populated the globe (7 billion and counting) while chimp numbers continue to fall (currently standing at around 250 thousand or less)? A key difference between us […]
The product-market expansion matrix may prove useful in the consulting case interview and is relevant when considering growth strategies. It might be used on a standalone basis or as part of a larger profitability framework. There are four ways that a company can pursue growth: Market penetration: A strategy to increase sales to existing customers […]
There are different kinds of capital that individuals and organisations use to pursue their goals and deliver value. Employees usually trade human capital (their individual talent, skills, knowledge and efforts) and intellectual capital (their thoughts and ideas) in exchange for financial capital (money). Effort, ideas and money are not, however, the only forms of capital that […]
The outsourcing matrix may prove useful in the consulting case interview, either as a standalone framework or as part of a larger profitability framework. With the view to reducing costs, there are three questions that a firm would do well to consider: How long will it take to reduce major cost drivers? Are the activities strategically […]
Motivation is about being in the moment, and being fully present; in that state, deciding what you want and then taking steps towards it tend to happen naturally. How often do you hear of a baby that failed to learn to walk? The strange thing about motivation though is that it can often feel illusive. Why […]
While you may not directly use the 7 S Model in the consulting case interview, it will give you a deeper understanding of how to examine the inner workings of an organisation, identify strengths and sources of competitive advantage, as well as weaknesses and reasons why an organisation may not be operating effectively. The 7 […]
(Source: Flickr) What do the painter, the author and the tech entrepreneur all have in common? They are all in the business of creation; producing new works for the benefit of their target audience. And what about the professional gambler or the Wall Street prop trader? They are both in the business of appropriation; placing calculated […]
While it may not be a core framework for solving consulting case questions, the BCG Growth Share Matrix can help to broaden your understanding of how a company might want to allocate cash between products and business units. The framework is based on the idea that the amount of cash a product uses is proportional […]
You don’t always need proof that a threat exists in order to take action. You don’t need to know everything, you just need to know enough to get moving. In behavioural economics the common human bias towards doing nothing is called the “status quo bias”. Faced with a difficult decision in the midst of uncertainty, […]
I recently bought a coffee from Quarter Horse Coffee, my new favorite Oxford coffee house. Not having exactly the right change, I asked the friendly bearded hipster behind the counter whether they accept card payments. He told me that they accept payment by card, but they charge a 20P surcharge for amounts under five pounds. I […]
2020 Delivery is a management consultancy committed to improving public services and bringing about lasting change within public sector organisations. I recently had the good fortune to talk briefly with Mike Meredith who is a Director at 2020 Delivery, and leads the firm’s people development function. Please read the edited transcript of my discussion with […]
Value Chain Analysis is another tool that may prove useful during the consulting case interview. It can be used to analyse the cost structure of a company as part of a declining profitability case, or to analyse the supply chain as part of an operations case. To understand which activities provide a company with a competitive […]
Four P’s Analysis is a framework that may prove useful for solving consulting case questions. It can be used to evaluate the marketing strategy for a product. 1. Price The pricing strategy that a company employs will affect its market share and profitability. There are three key pricing strategies to consider. Competitive pricing: How do prices compare with […]