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We all know that consulting is a process. We define the problem, we gather data, we analyze, we synthesize, and we make recommendations. There are countless frameworks and methodologies out there DMAIC, the scientific method, the McKinsey 7-step problem-solving process , and many more. Its not just following a process.
Strategy consulting isnt just about analyzing data and advising clientsits also about communicating complex ideas in a clear, persuasive, and compelling manner. In strategy consulting, clarity of purpose is paramount. Create The Presentation A well-structured outline is the backbone of any consulting presentation.
It comes from the classic business book: The Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto. Minto was the first female consultant at McKinsey and developed these ideas to help consultantscommunicate complex ideas clearly. From here, this is often the message you would start with when communicating externally.
Consulting is a term thats tossed around in boardrooms, business school campuses, and everyday conversation. Yet, what do consultants actually do? Despite common stereotypes and vague assumptions, the consulting profession is multifaceted and demanding. Consulting can be divided into several kinds of work.
In consulting, you use frameworks all the time. Consulting projects at big firms typically collect enormous amounts of information. Consulting firms get made fun of for turning these into hundred-page decks. .” Do you have a toolkit for businessproblemsolving?
It could help you appear more confident if you worked on communicating with more energy.” #5 It could help you appear more confident if you worked on communicating with more energy. Do you have a toolkit for businessproblemsolving? I’m happy to observe your next talk and provide feedback on your progress.
Example 7: Customer Support Channels Original Breakdown: Phone Support Email Support Live Chat Support Social Media Support Why it is MECE: Each support channel is a distinct method of communication with customers, and together they cover all major avenues for customer service.
I was taking part in the Basic Consulting Readiness training and talking to my new friend Josh. He detailed how he had decided in high school, after getting into Stanford, that he would work in strategy consulting. I downloaded the book in 2006 to prepare for my consulting interviews.
When interviewing for my first job in consulting, I spent a lot of my time practicing applying business frameworks to hypothetical case interview questions. I read Case in Point and Case Interview Secrets and spent a long time trying to find every last business framework via google. Second, I wasn’t thinking long-term.
What I got wrong about problem-solving What are the most important skills you need to be successful? Communication? Effective communication tops a lot of lists (it is even the answer I got when I asked ChatGPT this very question). But what is problem-solving? Why is problem-solving at the core of consulting?
To demonstrate this, I asked Bard , googles AI chat tool, the following question: “What are three ways someone might use a tool like Bard that would help them work like a strategy consultant?” This information can then be analyzed to identify trends, patterns, and insights that would be helpful to a strategy consultant.
But I didn’t appreciate how rare that was until working at consulting firms where I found it incredibly hard to do that same level of work. From working with many different organizations as a consultant, I’ve started to notice that the companies that are able to build a culture of excellence all have a few things in common.
” or “What is the best way to communicate our product changes to the customer?” ” And when you are responsible for figuring these things out you end up spending a lot of time doing analysis, research, interviews, and then structuring your findings to communicate to other people in your organization. So remember.
What’s the difference between an “associate consultant,” “business analyst,” or “associate”? In terms of responsibilities and time in role, the roles at the top three consulting firms (McKinsey, Bain, and BCG) are very similar. When Do Most Consultants Leave Consulting?
In 2012, I was first exposed to the world of freelance strategy consultants while working for a-connect. For example, early in my career, I would tell people “I am trying to break into consulting.” Test out “I’m making the leap to become a freelance consultant.” If it doesn’t feel right, you may want to re-think your move.
And does it even matter outside of consulting?” But even if I hadn’t gone on to work in consulting, I now know that MECE is a valuable tool for anyone who wants to think more clearly and solveproblems more effectively. Check out this video for a deeper dive into MECE and other strategy consulting skills.
“Strategy” is a word that attracts a lot of excitement in the business world. In consulting, I worked with many companies helping them to develop strategies. Although these were often focused on different levels of the business and different topics, all of the “strategies” were similar.
This book is one of the seminal texts in the consulting world and is increasingly popular in the broader business world. If you’d like to go to the previous section you can find the following links to each: Logic In Writing Logic In Thinking Logic in Problem-Solving Logic In Presentation. And why does this matter?
Barbara Minto’s The Pyramid Principle has been one of the most influential books for business writing. It has sold millions of copies and shaped the nature of work done at the top consulting firms, especially McKinsey & Company, where she first popularized her ideas. Overall I find both Minto and her ideas compelling.
“Consulting” is a broad term in today’s world. When people think about consulting, they often think about the most famous firms: McKinsey, Bain, and BCG. The most famous kinds of consulting The three biggest areas of consulting are strategy and operations, technology, and financial and transaction advisory.
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