Re Upfront, Management October 2002: Management Consultancy – dead or just leaving home?
This article makes number of good points on changes in the management consulting field. However, by classifying independent players as those providing specialist advice in specific skill areas (project and change management are noted), I suggest it misses another significant change.
A number of the “independent” players provide comprehensive management consultancy service to targeted sectors of business rather than offering single technique across all business. These consultants bring with them added abilities as most of their consultants are ex senior executives/managers who have “been there, done that” – further these people usually hold both professional and management qualifications. The application of real “driving seat” experience to solid analytical skills provides balanced views on options for clients.
The company I work for does not target “the world” for its services, rather it specifically supports the energy and utility sector where its staff can provide the “real world” experience that enables specific, quality advice to be provided. There are several other examples in other specific sectors.
G Richard Gibbons, AFNZIM
Principal consultant
Parsons Brinckerhoff Associates
