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TOP 50 MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGY CONSULTING FIRMS
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For some, climbing the corporate ladder isn’t enough Looking to do more than move up an org chart? Then meet environmental sustainability consultant Rob Whittier. Our corporate lattice approach to careers ensures he’s able to combine his enthusiasm for mountaineering with a drive to help clients improve the environment and their profits. At Deloitte, accelerating your career doesn’t mean compromising your passion. Learn Rob’s story at www.deloitte.com/yourfuture. It’s your future. How far will you take it? As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Copyright © 2010 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved. Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.
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Huron Consulting Group is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, compensate, transfer, promote and train without regard to age, race, color, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, Vietnam era or veteran status, physical or mental disability, creed, citizen status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. Huron Consulting Group helps clients effectively address complex challenges that arise in litigation, disputes, investigations, regulatory compliance, procurement, ¿QDQFLDO distress, and other sources of VLJQL¿FDQW FRQÀLFW or change. The Company also helps clients deliver superior customer and capital market performance through integrated strategic, operational, and organizational change. Huron provides services to a wide variety of both ¿QDQFLDOO\ sound and distressed organizations, including Fortune 500 companies, medium-sized businesses, leading academic LQVWLWXWLRQVKHDOWKFDUHRUJDQL]DWLRQVDQGWKHODZ¿UPVWKDWUHSUHVHQWWKHVHYDULRXVRUJDQL]DWLRQV
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VAULT GUIDE TO THE
TOP 50
MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGY
CONSULTING FIRMS Customized for: Ashmita (
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Copyright © 2010 by Vault.com Inc. All rights reserved. All information in this book is subject to change without notice. Vault makes no claims as to the accuracy and reliability of the information contained within and disclaims all warranties. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Vault.com Inc. Vault, the Vault logo, and “The Most Trusted Name in Career InformationTM” are trademarks of Vault.com, Inc. For information about permission to reproduce selections from this book, contact Vault.com, Inc., 75 Varick Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10013, (212) 366-4212. Library of Congress CIP Data is available. ISBN 13 : 978-1-58131-853-1 Printed in the United States of America
Acknowledgments Thank you to all the Vault editorial, sales, production and IT staff for writing, selling, designing and programming this guide. Special thanks to Sam Reynolds and Tom Gessner for their excellent writing and editorial support, and to Mary Sotomayor and Elena Boldeskou for their production expertise.
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As always, this book is dedicated to the more than 4,500 consultants and 89 consulting firms who took time out of their busy schedules to distribute and complete our survey. Your insights about life at the top consulting firms are invaluable, and your willingness to speak candidly will help job seekers and career changes for years to come.
v
Table of Contents INTRODUCTION
1
A Guide to this Guide ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
THE TOP 50 RANKINGS
3
Ranking Methodology ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
THE VAULT PRESTIGE RANKINGS
9
Prestige Ranking Methodology ............................................................................................................................................................................ 11 Overall Prestige .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Practice Area Rankings ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 14
THE QUALITY OF LIFE RANKINGS
19
Quality of Life Ranking Methodology ................................................................................................................................................................... 20
THE VAULT DIVERSITY RANKINGS
35
Diversity Ranking Methodology ............................................................................................................................................................................ 37 The Best 20 Firms for Diversity ............................................................................................................................................................................ 37 Diversity Rankings ....................................................................................................................................................................................................
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THE TOP 50 FIRMS 1.
Bain & Company ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 42
2.
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc. .............................................................................................................................................................. 48
3.
McKinsey & Company .................................................................................................................................................................................. 53
4.
Analysis Group, Inc. ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 56
5.
The Cambridge Group .................................................................................................................................................................................. 59
6.
Deloitte Consulting LLP ................................................................................................................................................................................ 64
7.
Oliver Wyman ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 69
8.
A.T. Kearney ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 74
9.
Triage Consulting Group ............................................................................................................................................................................... 79
10. Censeo Consulting Group ............................................................................................................................................................................ 84 11. West Monroe Partners .................................................................................................................................................................................. 88 12. Cornerstone Research .................................................................................................................................................................................. 93 13. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ...................................................................................................................................................................... 99 14. Alvarez & Marsal ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 103 15. Trinity Partners, LLC ................................................................................................................................................................................... 108 16. Booz & Company ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 113 17. Milliman, Inc. ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 118
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Table of Contents
18. Strategic Decisions Group .......................................................................................................................................................................... 123 19. PRTM .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 128 20. Gallup Consulting ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 133 21. Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, Inc. ............................................................................................................................ 138 22. Health Advances, LLC ................................................................................................................................................................................ 143 23. Strategos ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 148 24. The Brattle Group ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 152 25. Monitor Group ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 157 26. Alix Partners, LLP ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 163 27. IBM Global Business Services ................................................................................................................................................................... 168 28. OC&C Strategy Consultants ....................................................................................................................................................................... 171 29. Novantas LLC ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 176 30. Putnam Associates ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 181 31. Easton Associates, LLC .............................................................................................................................................................................. 185 32. Accenture .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 189 33. Corporate Executive Board ......................................................................................................................................................................... 194 34. ZS Associates ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 197 35. L.E.K. Consulting ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 202 36. Nera Economic Consulting ......................................................................................................................................................................... 206 37. Hewitt Associates ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 210 38. Bates White ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 215 39. Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLC ...................................................................................................................................................................... 220 40. Quintiles Consulting .................................................................................................................................................................................... 224 41. Simon-Kucher & Partners ........................................................................................................................................................................... 229 42. FTI Consulting, Inc. ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 234 43. Charles River Associates ............................................................................................................................................................................ 239 44. Navigant Consulting .................................................................................................................................................................................... 244 45. Capgemini ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 250
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46. Towers Watson ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 255 47. Mercer LLC ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 257 48. Huron Consulting Group ............................................................................................................................................................................. 260 49. IMS Consulting ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 262 50. Kaiser Associates ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 267
BEST OF THE REST
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Table of Table of Contents
ABT Associates Inc ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 272 The Advisory Board Company .............................................................................................................................................................................. 274 Aon Consulting Worldwide .................................................................................................................................................................................... 277 Arthur D. Little ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 280 Bainbridge ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 282 BDO Consulting ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 284 Buck Consultants ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 286 Campbell Alliance Group, Inc. .............................................................................................................................................................................. 288 The Chartis Group ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 291 CRG Partners Group LLC ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 293 Crowe Horwath LLP ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 295 Dean & Company ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 298 Droege & Comp. .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 302 Ernst & Young ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 304 First Manhattan Consulting Group ........................................................................................................................................................................ 307 Frederic W. Cook., Inc. ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 310 Grant Thornton LLP ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 312 Greenwich Associates .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 314 The Hackett Group, Inc. ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 316 Hay Group ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 318 ICF International, Inc. .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 320 Ingenix Consulting ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 322 KPMG LLP (U.S.) ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 324 Kurt Salmon Associates ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 327 LECG ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 329 Mars & Co. .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 331 North Highland .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 334 Opera Solutions ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 336
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PA Consulting Group ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 338 The Parthenon Group .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 340 Point B ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 343 Prophet ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 346 Protiviti ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 348 Roland Berger Strategy Consultants ..................................................................................................................................................................... 351 Scottmadden, Inc. ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 355
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Table of Contents
The Segal Company ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 357 Stern Stewart & Co. .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 359 Vivaldi Partners .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 363 Zolfo Cooper ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 365
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About the Editor .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 368
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Introduction The year 2009 found the consulting industry picking up the pieces of the economic devastation wrought by the now-infamous Great Recession, a downturn that saw industry revenue decline sharply in 2008. In many ways, 2009 was actually worse than its cruel precursor; not only did revenue continue to fall, but consultants started to feel the crunch of trimmed-down staffing and other cost-cutting measures many firms applied to stay afloat. Corporations across the globe slashed spending and cut jobs en masse, appropriating historic lows to long-term strategy development—considered a luxury expense in light of more immediate concerns. But 2009 will also go down in history as the year in which some light broke through the clouds; there would be no repeat Depression, forecasters said, just a long slog back from the brink. Indeed, it’s one that consultancies have already begun. Anticipating a healthier future, many firms used the lull in business to diversify their service portfolios or implement much of their own strategic advice, improving inefficiencies and emerging leaner and more flexible. Others took advantage of opportunities unique to the economic climate: Many secured lucrative contracts amidst government-funded stimulus projects, and major reforms to healthcare and financial regulations saw businesses turn to consultancies for a clear path forward. Those specializing in cost-reduction and restructuring benefitted the most; to be certain, many of their clients had no other choice but to place their fate in these consultants’ hands. Now, the long slog persists but the prospect of growth looms brightly. To stay on top of which firms in the industry have the brightest prospects in the coming years, we’ve surveyed over 4,500 consultants for the 13th edition of the Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms. Every year, we survey the best of the management and strategy firms, from gigantic multinationals to boutique firms with fewer than 100 employees and focused practice areas. The 89 profiles in this year’s edition are based on detailed research and extensive feedback from current consultants, encompassing everything from company culture to compensation, travel demands and diversity. Check out the top-50 rankings to see which firms have the golden touch—in terms of both quality of life and industry prestige. Our rankings take into account the fact that there are plenty of considerations in choosing a consulting firm—for example, area of specialty, training opportunities, firm culture, compensation—in addition to a measure of prestige, which can put a sheen on any resume and give you access to high-caliber clients and projects. Best of luck with the job search; we’re confident you’ll be able to find your next employer within these pages! The Editors
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Introduction
A GUIDE TO THIS GUIDE If you’re wondering how our entries are organized, read on. Here’s a handy guide to the information you’ll find packed into each firm profile in this book.
Firm Facts Locations: A listing of the firm’s offices, with the city (or cities) of its headquarters bolded. For firms with a relatively small number of offices, all cities are included. Countries for international offices are typically not specified, unless the location is uncommon. Practice Areas: Official departments that employ a significant portion of the firm’s consultants. Practice areas are listed in alphabetical order, regardless of their size and prominence. Uppers and Downers: Good points and, shall we say, less positive points of the firm, as derived from consultant interviews and surveys, as well as other research. Uppers and downers are perceptions and are not based on statistics. Employment Contact: The person, address or website that the firm identifies as the best place to send resumes, or the appropriate contact to answer questions about the recruitment process. Sometimes more than one contact is given.
The Buzz When it comes to other consulting firms, our respondents are full of opinions! We ask them to detail their views and observations about firms other than their own, and collect a sampling of these comments in The Buzz. When selecting The Buzz, we include quotes most representative of the common perceptions of the firms held by other consultants—even if, in our opinion, the quotes do not accurately or completely describe the firm. Please keep in mind when reading The Buzz that it’s often more fun for outsiders to trash, rather than praise, a competing consulting firm. Nonetheless, The Buzz can be a valuable means of gauging a firm’s reputation in the consulting industry, or at least of detecting common misperceptions. We typically include two to four Buzz comments. In some instances we opt not to include The Buzz if we do not receive a diversity of comments.
The Stats Employer Type: The firm’s classification as a publicly traded company, privately held company or subsidiary. Ticker Symbol: The stock ticker symbol for a public company, as well as the exchange on which the stock is traded. Chairman, CEO, etc.: The name and title of the leader(s) of the firm, or of the firm’s consulting business. Employees: The total number of employees, including consultants and other staff, at a firm in all offices (unless otherwise specified). Some firms do not disclose this information; figures from the two most recent consecutive years the information is available (if at all) are included. Revenue: The gross sales (in U.S. dollars) the firm generated in the specified fiscal year(s). Some firms do not disclose this information; numbers from the two most recent consecutive years the information is available (if at all) are included. In some cases, revenue is given in Euro (€).
The Profiles The profiles are divided into three sections: The Scoop, Getting Hired and Our Survey Says.
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The Scoop: The firm’s history, clients, recent company developments and other points of interest. Getting Hired: Qualifications the firm looks for in new consultants, tips on getting hired and other notable aspects of the hiring process. Our Survey Says: Actual quotes from surveys and interviews with current consultants at the firm on topics such as firm culture, diversity, hours, travel requirements, pay, training and more. Profiles of some firms do not include an Our Survey Says section.
Best of the Rest Although the name of this book is the Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, we didn’t stop there—we also added 39 other firms we thought notable and/or interesting enough for inclusion. These firms are listed in alphabetical order.
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VAULT CONSULTING 50
RANKINGS
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Consulting 50 Rankings
RANKING METHODOLOGY In the past, Vault calculated firms’ overall prestige ranking based solely on the votes of consultants at other firms. This year, we used the composite score below to analyze our initial list of 89 firms, which takes into account the votes of a firm’s own employees, as well as those external prestige rankings. While we will continue to publish prestige rankings, we believe that quality of life issues are at the core of a company’s appeal to job seekers. In fact, according to our survey results, the highest percentage of consultants have told us that they chose their current firm based on its culture, rather than its overall prestige in the industry. 25 percent firm culture 25 percent work/life balance 20 percent compensation 20 percent prestige 5 percent overall business outlook 5 percent transparency
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The scores for the first five categories were derived directly from the survey results. The “transparency” category awards a 5 percent bonus to firms that distributed the survey to their consultants. Firms that did not distribute the survey internally received no points in this category. It is our view that, with increasing expectations of transparency and a free market for information, a company’s willingness to encourage employees to share their experiences externally correlates with a work culture where open feedback and self-criticism are valued—attributes that thousands of job seekers tell us are top priorities in searching for a new employer.
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v
CONSULTING 50
THE VAULT 50
VAULT RANKING
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RANK
6
FIRM
SCORE
HQ/LARGEST OFFICE
1
Bain & Company
8.492
Boston, MA
2
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc
8.176
Boston, MA
3
McKinsey & Company
8.159
New York, NY
4
Analysis Group, Inc.
7.251
Boston, MA
5
The Cambridge Group
7.178
Chicago, IL
6
Deloitte Consulting LLP
7.162
New York, NY
7
Oliver Wyman
7.123
New York, NY
8
A.T. Kearney
7.089
Chicago, IL
9
Triage Consulting Group
7.024
San Francisco ,CA
10
Censeo Consulting Group
6.903
Washington, DC
11
West Monroe Partners
6.899
Chicago, IL
12
Cornerstone Research
6.897
San Francisco, CA
13
PricewaterhouseCoopers
6.890
New York, NY
14
Alvarez & Marsal
6.844
New York, NY
15
Trinity Partners, LLC
6.840
Waltham, MA
16
Booz & Company
6.814
New York, NY
17
Milliman, Inc.
6.795
Seattle, WA
18
Strategic Decisions Group
6.774
Palo Alto, CA
19
PRTM
6.769
Waltham, MA
20
Gallup Consulting
6.761
Washington, DC
21
Diamond Management & Technology Consulting, Inc.
6.753
Chicago, IL
22
Health Advances, LLC
6.729
Weston, MA
23
Strategos
6.704
Chicago, IL
24
The Brattle Group
6.696
Cambridge, MA
25
Monitor Group
6.694
Cambridge, MA
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Consulting 50 Rankings
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RANK
FIRM
SCORE
HQ/LARGEST OFFICE
26
AlixPartners, LLP
6.628
Southfield, MI
27
IBM Global Business Services
6.627
Armonk, NY
28
OC&C Strategy Consultants
6.598
London
29
Novantas LLC
6.595
New York, NY
30
Putnam Associates
6.594
Burlington, MA
31
Easton Associates, LLC
6.589
New York, NY
32
Accenture
6.586
New York, NY
33
Corporate Executive Board
6.583
Arlington, VA
34
ZS Associates
6.574
Evanston, IL
35
L.E.K. Consulting
6.463
Boston, MA
36
NERA Economic Consulting
6.405
New York, NY
37
Hewitt Associates
6.360
Lincolnshire, IL
38
Bates White
6.251
Washington, DC
39
Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLC
6.239
New York, NY
40
Quintiles Consulting
6.187
Hawthorne, NY
41
Simon-Kucher & Partners
6.084
Boston, MA/Bonn
42
FTI Consulting, Inc.
5.974
West Palm Beach, FL
43
CRA International, Inc.
5.973
Boston, MA
44
Navigant Consulting, Inc.
5.841
Chicago, IL
45
Capgemini
5.767
New York, NY/Paris
46
Towers Watson
5.679
New York, NY
47
Mercer LLC
5.652
New York, NY
48
Huron Consulting Group
5.517
Chicago, IL
49
IMS Health Incorporated
5.481
Norwalk, CT
50
Kaiser Associates
5.184
Washington, DC
7
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PRESTIGE
RANKINGS
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Prestige Rankings
PRESTIGE RANKING METHODOLOGY Survey respondents were asked to rate each consulting firm in the survey on a scale from 1 to 10 based on prestige, with 10 being the most prestigious. Consultants were unable to rate their own firm, and they were asked to rate only those firms with which they were familiar. Vault collected the survey results and averaged the score for each firm. The firms were then ranked, with the highest score being No. 1, down to No. 50. We also asked survey respondents to give their perceptions of other consulting firms besides their own. A selection of those comments is featured on each firm profile as The Buzz.
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Remember that Vault’s top-50 prestigious consulting firms are chosen by practicing consultants at top consulting firms. Vault does not choose or influence these rankings. The rankings measure perceived prestige (as determined by consulting professionals) and not revenue, size or lifestyle.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Prestige Rankings
PRACTICE AREA RANKINGS
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RANK
12
FIRM
SCORE
2010 RANK
1
McKinsey & Company
8.732
1
2
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
8.275
2
3
Bain & Company
8.130
3
4
Booz & Company
6.637
4
5
Deloitte Consulting LLP
5.999
5
6
Mercer LLC
5.990
8
7
Monitor Group
5.978
6
8
PricewaterhouseCoopers
5.869
7
9
Ernst & Young LLP
5.758
9
10
Oliver Wyman
5.616
10
11
A.T. Kearney
5.500
16
12
Accenture
5.471
11
13
KPMG LLP
5.416
13
14
IBM Global Business Services
5.366
12
15
L.E.K. Consulting
5.072
19
16
The Parthenon Group
4.892
17
17
Towers Watson
4.819
14
18
AlixPartners, LLP
4.709
15
19
Navigant Consulting, Inc.
4.549
24
20
Alvarez & Marsal
4.536
21
21
ZS Associates
4.467
28
22
Capgemini
4.446
23
23
FTI Consulting, Inc.
4.312
20
24
NERA Economic Consulting
4.293
22
25
Hewitt Associates
4.178
26
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Prestige Rankings
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RANK
FIRM
SCORE
2010 RANK
26
Roland Berger Strategy Consultants
4.157
27
27
Huron Consulting Group
4.151
25
28
Grant Thornton LLP
4.049
NR
29
Arthur D. Little
4.026
30
30
PRTM
3.887
31
31
Diamond*
3.858
36
32
Aon Consulting Worldwide
3.818
35
33
Kurt Salmon Associates
3.815
32
34
Cornerstone Research
3.784
37
35
The Cambridge Group
3.760
NR
36
CRA International, Inc.
3.741
29
37
Gallup Consulting
3.709
34
38
Corporate Executive Board
3.642
38
39
LECG
3.600
33
40
The Advisory Board Company
3.543
44
41
Analysis Group, Inc.
3.502
40
42
Hay Group
3.427
39
43
Mars & Co
3.342
43
44
First Manhattan Consulting Group
3.306
46
45
IMS Health Incorporated
3.188
47
46
Milliman, Inc.
3.179
41
47
Zolfo Cooper
3.169
42
48
Bainbridge
3.167
NR
49
BDO Consulting
3.122
NR
50
Buck Consultants
3.121
48
*Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, Inc. NR= Not Ranked
13
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Prestige Rankings
PRACTICE AREA RANKINGS Vault also asked consultants to rank the best firms in several areas of business focus. These areas are business advisory, economic consulting, energy consulting, financial consulting, human resources consulting, operations consulting, and pharmaceutical and health care consulting. Consultants were allowed to vote for up to three firms as the best in each area, other than their own. The following charts indicate the rankings in each practice area, along with the total percentage of consultants who voted in favor of each firm. (Because consultants could vote for up to three firms, the percentages add up to more than 100 percent.)
Economic Consulting
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RANK
14
FIRM
2010 RANK
SCORE
1
NERA Economic Consulting
1
28.28
2
McKinsey & Company
3
28.09
3
Bain & Company
7 (TIE)
16.93
4
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
7 (TIE)
13.19
5
Analysis Group, Inc.
4
12.62
6
CRA International, Inc.
2
11.22
7
Cornerstone Research
6
10.97
8
LECG
5
9.70
9
Deloitte Consulting LLP
8
8.12
10
Booz & Company
9
7.99
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Prestige Rankings
Energy Consulting RANK
FIRM
2010 RANK
SCORE
1
McKinsey & Company
1
41.76
2
Booz & Company
2
18.88
3
Bain & Company
3
15.36
4
Accenture
5
14.40
5
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
4
12.48
6
Deloitte Consulting LLP
6
9.28
7
IBM Global Business Services
10
8.80
8 (TIE)
CRA International, Inc.
8
5.92
8 (TIE)
Navigant Consulting, Inc.
7
5.92
Arthur D. Little
NR
5.76
A.T. Kearney
NR
5.28
9 10
Financial Consulting
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
RANK
FIRM
2010 RANK
SCORE
1
McKinsey & Company
1
31.09
2
Ernst & Young
5
22.20
3
Deloitte Consulting LLP
2
20.39
4
PricewaterhouseCoopers
3 (TIE)
19.96
5
Bain & Company
4
19.74
6
KPMG
7
14.97
7
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
6
13.52
8
Oliver Wyman
3 (TIE)
12.87
9
FTI Consulting, Inc.
8
8.68
10
Accenture
NR
8.46
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15
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Prestige Rankings
Human Resources Consulting RANK
FIRM
2010 RANK
SCORE
1
Mercer LLC
1
55.97
2
Towers Watson
2*
33.82
3
Hewitt Associates
4
28.29
4
Hay Group
5
9.94
5
Deloitte Consulting LLP
6
9.27
6
Aon Consulting Worldwide
8
7.47
7
Oliver Wyman
10
6.80
8
McKinsey & Company
7
6.07
9
Accenture
9
4.47
10
Buck Consultants
NR
3.74
*In June 2009, Towers Perrin agreed to a merger with Watson Wyatt. Our survey was conducted in spring 2009, so the firms appeared separately. In the human resources practice area ranking, Towers Perrin was No.2 and Watson Wyatt Worldwide was No. 3.
Operations Consulting
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
RANK
16
FIRM
2010 RANK
SCORE
1
A.T. Kearney
3
31.29
2
McKinsey & Company
4
30.36
3
Accenture
1
28.80
4
Deloitte Consulting LLP
2
18.87
5
Booz & Company
5
17.93
6 (TIE)
Bain & Company
7
14.52
6 (TIE)
IBM Global Business Services
6
14.52
7
PRTM
9
11.57
8
The Boston Consulting Group
8
10.02
9
AlixPartners, LLP
10
5.59
10 (TIE)
KPMG
NR
3.65
10 (TIE)
PricewaterhouseCoopers
NR
3.65
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Prestige Rankings
Pharmaceutical & Health Care Consulting RANK
FIRM
2010 RANK
SCORE
1
McKinsey & Company
1
30.10
2
ZS Associates
2
23.02
3
IMS Health Incorporated
4
22.55
4
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
3
14.73
5
Bain & Company
6
10.62
6
Deloitte Consulting LLP
5
7.74
7
Mercer LLC
7
7.08
8
L.E.K. Consulting
NR
6.90
9
Health Advances, LLC
NR
5.96
10
Kaiser Associates
NR
5.03
Business Advisory
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
RANK
FIRM
SCORE
1
McKinsey & Company
77.13
2
Bain & Company
61.86
3
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
47.89
4
Booz & Company
15.23
5
Deloitte Consulting LLP
10.30
6
Accenture
9.20
7
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
5.52
8
Ernst & Young
4.97
9
Monitor Group
4.86
10
AlixPartners, LLP
4.15
* This is the first year Vault has included business advisory in its practice area rankings
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17
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
18
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
QUALITY OF LIFE
RANKINGS
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Quality of Life Rankings
QUALITY OF LIFE RANKING METHODOLOGY In addition to ranking other firms in terms of prestige, survey respondents were asked to rate their own firms in a variety of categories. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest and 1 the lowest, respondents evaluated their firms in the following “quality of life” areas: Overall satisfaction
Formal training
Compensation
Interaction with clients
Work/life balance
Relationships with supervisors
Hours in the office
Firm culture
Travel requirements
Selectivity
Overall business outlook
Promotion policies
Firm leadership
Green initiatives
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
A firm’s score in each category is simply the average of consultants’ ratings of their firms in that category. In compiling our quality of life rankings, we only ranked firms that received 10 or more responses from their consultants.
20
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
The Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Vault Quality of Life Rankings
Overall Satisfaction On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means very poor and 10 means excellent, how would you rate your overall satisfaction with your firm?
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
RANK
FIRM
SCORE
1
McKinsey & Company
9.375
2
Bain & Company
9.301
3
West Monroe Partners
8.931
4
Health Advances, LLC
8.879
5
Milliman, Inc.
8.750
6
Analysis Group, Inc.
8.714
7
The Cambridge Group
8.660
8
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
8.629
9
Corporate Executive Board
8.600
10
Easton Associates, LLC
8.500
11
Deloitte Consulting LLP
8.460
12
Strategic Decisions Group
8.375
13
Censeo Consulting Group
8.364
14
AlixPartners, LLP
8.356
15
Trinity Partners, LLC
8.333
16
PRTM
8.288
17
Gallup Consulting
8.275
18
Triage Consulting Group
8.270
19
Strategos
8.267
20
Booz & Company
8.253
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21
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Quality of Life Rankings
Compensation On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is far below average and 10 is far in excess of industry average, how would you rate your firm’s compensation (including salary and bonus)?
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
RANK
22
FIRM
SCORE
1
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
8.749
2
The Cambridge Group
8.638
3
McKinsey & Company
8.625
4
Bain & Company
8.480
5
Analysis Group, Inc.
8.429
6
Trinity Partners, LLC
8.423
7
Corporate Executive Board
8.400
8
Novantas LLC
8.061
9
A.T. Kearney
7.926
10
Oliver Wyman
7.767
11
Diamond Management & Technology Consultants
7.714
12
AlixPartners, LLP
7.700
13
The Brattle Group
7.694
14
Bates White
7.690
15
Health Advances, LLC
7.636
16
Strategos
7.600
17
Milliman, Inc.
7.594
18
Alvarez & Marsal
7.592
19
Cornerstone Research
7.590
20
PRTM
7.519
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
The Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Vault Quality of Life Rankings
Work/Life Balance On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is very poor and 10 is excellent, how would you rate your firm’s efforts to promote a livable work/life balance?
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
RANK
FIRM
SCORE
1
Triage Consulting Group
9.194
2
Censeo Consulting Group
9.000
3
Bain & Company
8.819
4
Strategos
8.600
5
Strategic Decisions Group
8.571
6
West Monroe Partners
8.391
7
Easton Associates, LLC
8.375
8
Analyis Group, Inc.
8.286
9
The Cambridge Group
8.170
10
Gallup Consulting
8.125
11
Putnam Associates
8.107
12
Health Advances, LLC
8.061
13
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
8.017
14
Milliman, Inc.
8.000
15
OC&C Strategy Consultants
7.900
16
Quintiles Consulting
7.800
17
Cornerstone Research
7.725
18
Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLC
7.629
19
McKinsey & Company
7.625
20
Alvarez & Marsal
7.611
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23
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Quality of Life Rankings
Hours in the Office On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means completely unsatisfied and 10 means extremely satisfied, please rank your satisfaction with the number of hours you spend in the office each week.
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
RANK
24
FIRM
SCORE
1
Triage Consulting Group
8.921
2
West Monroe Partners
8.437
3
Analysis Group, Inc.
8.429
4
Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLC
8.394
5
Bain & Company
8.366
6
Gallup Consulting
8.300
7
Strategos
8.267
8
Corporate Executive Board
8.100
9
Censeo Consulting Group
8.045
10
IBM Global Business Services
8.000
11
Health Advances, LLC
7.970
12
The Cambridge Group
7.957
13
Alvarez & Marsal
7.949
14
Easton Associates, LLC
7.875
15
Milliman, Inc.
7.813
16
McKinsey & Company
7.750
17
OC&C Strategy Consultants
7.710
18
AlixPartners, LLP
7.708
19
Putnam Associates
7.704
20
Strategic Decisions Group
7.688
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
The Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Vault Quality of Life Rankings
Travel Requirements On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means excessive and 10 means minimal, how would you rate your firm’s travel requirements?
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
RANK
FIRM
SCORE
1
Cornerstone Research
9.795
2
Bates White
9.619
3
Putnam Associates
9.286
4
Health Advances, LLC
9.242
5
Analysis Group, Inc.
9.143
6
The Brattle Group
9.086
7
L.E.K. Consulting
9.042
8
Censeo Consulting Group
8.955
9
NERA Economic Consulting
8.926
10
Kaiser Associates
8.900
11
ZS Associates
8.797
12
Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLC
8.774
13
OC&C Strategy Consultants
8.677
14
Simon-Kucher & Partners
8.587
15
IMS Health Incorporated
8.576
16
CRA International, Inc.
8.522
17
The Cambridge Group
8.478
18
Trinity Partners, LLC
8.407
19
Hewitt Associates
8.043
20
Mercer LLC
7.750
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25
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Quality of Life Rankings
Overall Business Outlook On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is extremely poor and 10 is excellent, how would you rate the business outlook for your company?
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
RANK
26
FIRM
SCORE
1
McKinsey & Company
10.000
2
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
9.650
3
West Monroe Partners
9.575
4
Trinity Partners, LLC
9.520
5
Bain & Company
9.506
6
Novantas LLC
9.490
7
Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, Inc
9.361
8
Deloitte Consulting LLP
9.336
9
Putnam Associates
9.214
10
PRTM
9.137
11
The Cambridge Group
9.130
12
Booz & Company
9.031
13
OC&C Strategy Consultants
8.967
14
Triage Consulting Group.
8.885
15
A.T. Kearney
8.881
16
Accenture
8.844
17 (TIE)
Easton Associates, LLC
8.750
17 (TIE)
The Brattle Group
8.750
18
Oliver Wyman
8.719
19
Analysis Group, Inc
8.714
20
IBM Global Business Services
8.571
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
The Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Vault Quality of Life Rankings
Formal Training On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being very poor and 10 being excellent, how would you rate your satisfaction with the training offered by your firm?
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
RANK
FIRM
SCORE
1
McKinsey & Company
9.750
2
Bain & Company
9.732
3
Health Advances, LLC
9.152
4
Triage Consulting Group
8.661
5
Strategic Decisions Group
8.500
6
PricewaterhouseCoopers
8.302
7
Accenture
8.200
8
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
8.156
9
Corporate Executive Board
8.111
10
L.E.K. Consulting
7.979
11
Deloitte Consulting LLP
7.976
12
Trinity Partners, LLC
7.815
13
ZS Associates
7.762
14
Cornerstone Research
7.718
15
A.T. Kearney
7.550
16
Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, Inc
7.414
17
The Cambridge Group
7.404
18
West Monroe Partners
7.267
19
The Brattle Group
7.229
20
Censeo Consulting Group
7.227
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27
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Quality of Life Rankings
Interaction with Clients On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with your opportunity to interact with your clients’ top-level management?
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
RANK
SCORE
1
Corporate Executive Board
9.222
2
Milliman, Inc.
9.219
3
PRTM
9.212
4
Gallup Consulting
9.175
5
West Monroe Partners
9.167
6
McKinsey & Company
9.125
7
Bain & Company
9.061
8
A.T. Kearney
9.041
9
Kaiser Associates
9.000
10
Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, Inc
8.991
11
Booz & Company
8.989
12
Novantas LLC
8.958
13
Censeo Consulting Group
8.944
14
AlixPartners, LLP
8.938
15
Deloitte Consulting LLP
8.935
16
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
8.926
17
IBM Global Business Services
8.900
18 (TIE)
Health Advances, LLC
8.813
18 (TIE)
Strategic Decisions Group
8.813
19 (TIE)
Strategos
8.800
19 (TIE)
Towers Watson
8.800
Alvarez & Marsal
8.721
20
28
FIRM
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
The Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Vault Quality of Life Rankings
Relationships with Supervisors On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means very poor and 10 means excellent, how would you rate your relationships with your superiors/supervisors?
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
RANK
FIRM
SCORE
1
McKinsey & Company
9.500
2
Trinity Partners, LLC
9.333
3
Bain & Company
9.300
4
The Cambridge Group
9.255
5
PRTM
9.235
6
Strategos
9.214
7
Novantas LLC
9.163
8
West Monroe Partners
9.145
9
Health Advances, LLC
9.121
10
Strategic Decisions Group
9.071
11
Deloitte Consulting LLP
9.057
12
Milliman, Inc.
9.032
13
Monitor Group
9.000
14
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc
8.947
15
Triage Consulting Group
8.919
16
Censeo Consulting Group
8.909
17
Analysis Group
8.857
18
Corporate Executive Board
8.778
19
The Brattle Group
8.743
20
Booz & Company
8.731
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29
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Quality of Life Rankings
Firm Culture On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is not at all pleasant and 10 is extremely pleasant, assess your firm’s culture.
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
RANK
30
FIRM
SCORE
1
Bain & Company
9.759
2
West Monroe Partners
9.471
3
Analysis Group, Inc.
9.429
4
Strategic Decisions Group
9.313
5
Triage Consulting Group
9.254
6
Censeo Consulting Group
9.182
7
OC&C Strategy Consultants
9.167
8
Trinity Partners, LLC
9.148
9 (TIE)
Easton Associates, LLC
9.125
9 (TIE)
McKinsey & Company
9.125
10
Health Advances, LLC
9.061
11
Cornerstone Research
9.000
12
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
8.936
13
Deloitte Consulting LLP
8.904
14
Strategos
8.857
15
Gallup Consulting
8.821
16
The Brattle Group
8.778
17
Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, Inc.
8.719
18
Milliman, Inc.
8.688
19
A.T. Kearney
8.598
20
The Cambridge Group
8.596
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
The Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Vault Quality of Life Rankings
Promotion Policies On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being very poor and 10 being excellent, how would you rate your satisfaction with your firm’s promotion policies?
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
RANK
FIRM
SCORE
1
McKinsey & Company
9.571
2
Bain & Company
9.084
3
Strategic Decisions Group
8.600
4
The Cambridge Group
8.511
5
Corporate Executive Board
8.500
6
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
8.450
7
PRTM
8.373
8
Trinity Partners, LLC
8.370
9
Novantas LLC
8.333
10
West Monroe Partners
8.318
11
Analysis Group, Inc.
8.286
12
Health Advances, LLC
8.258
13
Deloitte Consulting LLP
8.088
14
Oliver Wyman
8.006
15
Easton Associates, LLC
8.000
16
Monitor Group
7.875
17
Triage Consulting Group
7.774
18
Milliman, Inc
7.710
19 (TIE)
Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, Inc.
7.679
19 (TIE)
Putnam Associates
7.679
A.T. Kearney
7.661
20
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31
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Quality of Life Rankings
Green Initiatives On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is not at all committed and 10 is extremely committed, how dedicated is your firm to pursuing environmentally sustainable (“green”) business practices?
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
RANK
32
FIRM
SCORE
1
Triage Consulting Group
9.197
2
A.T. Kearney
8.739
3
Bain & Company
8.531
4
Trinity Partners, LLC
8.480
5
L.E.K. Consulting
8.417
6
IBM Global Business Services
8.250
7
Deloitte Consulting LLP
8.175
8
PricewaterhouseCoopers
8.140
9
Corporate Executive Board
8.100
10
Gallup Consulting
8.027
11
PRTM
7.959
12
Accenture
7.906
13
Cornerstone Research
7.892
14
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
7.872
15
Censeo Consulting Group
7.700
16
Strategic Decisions Group
7.625
17
The Brattle Group
7.583
18
West Monroe Partners
7.548
19
Navigant Consulting, Inc.
7.429
20
OC&C Strategy Consultants
7.333
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
The Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Vault Quality of Life Rankings
Promotion Policies On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being very poor and 10 being excellent, how would you rate your satisfaction with your firm’s promotion policies?
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
RANK
FIRM
SCORE
1
McKinsey & Company
9.571
2
Bain & Company
9.084
3
Strategic Decisions Group
8.600
4
The Cambridge Group
8.511
5
Corporate Executive Board
8.500
6
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
8.450
7
PRTM
8.373
8
Trinity Partners, LLC
8.370
9
Novantas LLC
8.333
10
West Monroe Partners
8.318
11
Analysis Group, Inc.
8.286
12
Health Advances, LLC
8.258
13
Deloitte Consulting LLP
8.088
14
Oliver Wyman
8.006
15
Easton Associates, LLC
8.000
16
Monitor Group
7.875
17
Triage Consulting Group
7.774
18
Milliman, Inc
7.710
19 (TIE)
Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, Inc.
7.679
19 (TIE)
Putnam Associates
7.679
A.T. Kearney
7.661
20
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33
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Quality of Life Rankings
Firm Leadership On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being very poor and 10 being excellent, how would you rate your overall level of confidence in your firm’s leadership?
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
RANK
34
FIRM
SCORE
1
McKinsey & Company
9.600
2
Bain & Company
9.506
3
West Monroe Partners
9.333
4
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
9.229
5
Trinity Partners, LLC
9.160
6
Analysis Group, Inc.
9.000
6
Health Advances, LLC
9.000
6
Novantas LLC
9.000
7
Deloitte Consulting LLP
8.917
8
PRTM
8.885
9
Alvarez & Marsal
8.676
10
Milliman, Inc
8.655
11
OC&C Strategy Consultants
8.567
12
The Cambridge Group
8.543
13
A.T. Kearney
8.517
14
Censeo Consulting Group
8.476
15
AlixPartners, LLP
8.441
16
PricewaterhouseCoopers
8.388
17
Strategic Decisions Group
8.375
18
Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, Inc.
8.349
19
Triage Consulting Group
8.328
20
Accenture
8.297
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
DIVERSITY
RANKINGS
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Diversity Rankings
DIVERSITY RANKING METHODOLOGY Vault’s survey asked consultants to rate their firm’s diversity with respect to women, with respect to minorities and with respect to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender individuals. When asking consultants to assess their firm’s diversity in these categories, we asked them to think about hiring, promoting, mentoring and other programs.
THE BEST 20 FIRMS FOR DIVERSITY To determine an overall diversity score, we took the average of the scores firms received in each of the three diversity categories (women, minorities and GLBT).
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RANK
FIRM
SCORE
1
Bain & Company
9.083
2
Strategic Decisions Group
9.042
3
IMS Health Incorporated
8.838
4
Easton Associates, LLC
8.821
5
Health Advances, LLC
8.814
6
Deloitte Consulting LLP
8.725
7
Gallup Consulting
8.711
8
Corporate Executive Board
8.700
9
Trinity Partners, LLC
8.680
10
Cornerstone Research
8.649
11
IBM Global Business Services
8.560
12
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
8.537
13
Accenture
8.389
14
Analysis Group, Inc.
8.349
15
The Brattle Group
8.304
16
The Cambridge Group
8.291
17
Hewitt Associates
8.272
18
West Monroe Partners
8.265
19
McKinsey & Company
8.200
20
Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLC
8.177
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Diversity Rankings
Diversity—Women On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means needs a lot of improvement and 10 means exemplary, how receptive is your firm to women in terms of hiring, promoting, mentoring and other programs?
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RANK
38
FIRM
SCORE
1
Easton Associates, LLC
9.750
2
Health Advances, LLC
9.515
3
Corporate Executive Board
9.300
4
Trinity Partners, LLC
9.280
5
The Cambridge Group
9.239
6
Analysis Group, Inc.
9.143
7
Bain & Company
9.125
8
Cornerstone Research
9.108
9
Triage Consulting Group
9.097
10
IMS Health Incorporated
9.030
11
Gallup Consulting
9.026
12
Deloitte Consulting LLP
8.992
13
Strategic Decisions Group
8.875
14
McKinsey & Company
8.800
15
Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLC
8.793
16
IBM Global Business Services
8.750
17
CRA International
8.696
18
Hewitt Associates
8.604
19
The Brattle Group
8.583
20
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
8.517
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Diversity Rankings
Diversity—Minorities On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means needs a lot of improvement and 10 means exemplary, how receptive is your firm to minorities in terms of hiring, promoting, mentoring and other programs?
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RANK
FIRM
SCORE
1
Censeo Consulting Group
9.100
2
Bain & Company
8.756
3
Strategic Decisions Group
8.688
4
Deloitte Consulting LLP
8.566
5
Gallup Consulting
8.564
6
Trinity Partners, LLC
8.520
7 (TIE)
Accenture
8.500
7 (TIE)
IBM Global Business Services
8.500
8
PRTM
8.420
9
IMS Health Incorporated
8.394
10
The Brattle Group
8.361
11
Health Advances, LLC
8.303
12
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
8.282
13
West Monroe Partners
8.233
14
PricewaterhouseCoopers
8.163
15
The Cambridge Group
8.156
16
A.T. Kearney
8.126
17
Cornerstone Research
8.108
18
Pearl Meyer & Partners
8.103
19
Hewitt Associates
8.098
20 (TIE)
Corporate Executive Board
8.000
20 (TIE)
Easton Associates, LLC
8.000
20 (TIE)
McKinsey & Company
8.000
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39
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Vault Diversity Rankings
Diversity—GLBT On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means very poor and 10 means excellent, how would you rate your firm’s commitment to diversity with respect to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender individuals?
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RANK
40
FIRM
SCORE
1
Strategic Decisions Group
9.563
2
Bain & Company
9.367
3
IMS Health Incorporated
9.091
4
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
8.812
5
Corporate Executive Board
8.800
6
Cornerstone Research
8.730
7
Easton Associates, LLC
8.714
8
Health Advances, LLC
8.625
9
Deloitte Consulting LLP
8.617
10
Simon-Kucher & Partners
8.587
11
Gallup Consulting
8.543
12
Monitor Group
8.491
13
Novantas LLC
8.479
14
IBM Global Business Services
8.429
15
Analysis Group, Inc.
8.333
16
PRTM
8.271
17
Accenture
8.246
18
Bates White
8.244
19
Trinity Partners, LLC
8.240
20
Hewitt Associates
8.114
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
TOP 50
FIRMS 1-50
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms
PRESTIGE RANKING
1
BAIN & COMPANY
131 Dartmouth Street Boston, Massachusetts 02116 Phone: (617) 572-2000 Fax: (617) 572-2427 www.joinbain.com
UPPERS • “The level of entrepreneurship we still embrace, even given our size” • “Continuous opportunity to grow and learn” • “The smart and fun people drive a thriving and dynamic culture” • “Results-oriented culture”
LOCATIONS Boston, MA (HQ) 42 offices in 27 countries
PRACTICE AREAS Change Management • Corporate Renewal • Corporate Strategy • Cost & Supply Chain Management • Customer Strategy & Marketing • Growth Strategy • IT • Mergers & Acquisitions • Organization • Performance Improvement • Private Equity
DOWNERS • “Intense, unpredictable and grueling, at times” • “Difficult to predict what the client will want and when” • “We can always be better when it comes to diversity” • “Lack of control in scheduling”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.joinbain.com
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company Chairman: Orit Gadiesh Worldwide Managing Director: Steve Ellis 2010 Employees: 4,800 2009 Employees: 4,800
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
42
“Set the bar (with McKinsey) in terms of prestige” “Overworked, hard-driving” “Great for management consulting” “More travel than is sold to applicants”
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Bain & Company
THE SCOOP Secrecy and success With 42 offices in 27 countries, Bain & Company is one of the world’s leading consulting firms. Since its founding in 1973, it has worked with over 4,400 major multinationals, small and midsized businesses, private equity firms and nonprofits on issues of strategy, operations, marketing, organization, technology, and mergers and acquisitions. The firm’s 4,800 consultants are experts in a number of industries, including the automotive, consumer products, energy and utilities, financial services, health care, industrial machinery, media, mining, nonprofit and public sector, retail, services, technology, telecommunications and transportation services sectors. Founded with an eye toward making real change, rather than just writing reports, Bain has always been a consulting firm with a difference. Named for founder Bill Bain, the firm is fiercely dedicated to its clients, and they to Bain—a relationship that derives at least in part from Bain’s extraordinary secrecy and emphasis on client confidentiality. A measure of the firm’s commitment to its clients is that in the early days, it promised clients it would only work with one company per industry. Bain redefined its commitment in response to clients who did not value industry exclusivity, but rather expected deep industry expertise that comes from working for multiple companies in an industry. To this day, however, the firm’s client list still remains a closely guarded secret, with very few details of its engagements ever making their way into the public eye. According to Bain (and attested to by calculations from PricewaterhouseCoopers), its clients’ stock prices outperform the market by four to one. The firm works with both small and midsized firms from the Fortune 2000 ranks as well as two-thirds of the Global 500, and has established a reputation as a leader in private Additionally, the firm invested during the downturn to improve its competitive position, and is now seeing the positive results from that, having just logged the best six months of its history. Business is currently up over 30 percent compared to the first half of 2009, and the firm is returning to the trend of long-term share gain.
Calling all “Bainies” In a 1989 feature article on the firm in The New York Times Magazine, Bain consultants were referred to as “troops”—also known in the industry as “Bainies”—with an iron discipline. Since 1993, Bainies have answered to Israel-born Chairman Orit Gadiesh, a former Israeli military intelligence officer and Baker Scholar from the Harvard Business School, who is currently based in Paris. The first female to lead a consulting firm of Bain’s size, Gadiesh has repeatedly been listed in Forbes as one of the world’s 100 Most Powerful Women, was named one of Fortune’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business, earned the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award from Consulting magazine and is on the board of directors at the World Economic Forum. On the flip side of the coin is Bain’s worldwide managing director, Steve Ellis. Prior to taking the top spot and replacing outgoing director John Donohoe (who would go on to become CEO of eBay), Ellis managed the firm’s San Francisco and Palo Alto offices. Compared to the military-trained Orit Gadiesh, Steve Ellis is the entrepreneur of Bain’s leadership, having joined after co-founding a Silicon Valley firm, and then lending his leadership to help build the firm’s technology and telecommunications practice, as well as its private equity group. He has also taken a considerable role in the firm’s nonprofit relations—he holds a seat on the board of The Bridgespan Group, which operates as an independent affiliate to Bain & Company to extend its consulting know-how to charities and foundations.
Private equity pioneer In 1994, Bain became the first consulting firm to establish a private equity practice. The unit provides fund strategy, sector screening and deal generation, due diligence, portfolio company performance improvement and exit planning for clients—mostly buyout firms, hedge funds and sovereign wealth funds. Having carved quite a niche for itself in this area, Bain’s private equity practice today is over three times larger than its nearest competitor.
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M&A Q&A Much of Bain’s reputation has been built on its proven approach to mergers and acquisitions, an expertise stemming from extensive experience with corporate and private equity clients. Over the last 10 years, the firm has conducted over 3,900 private equity and corporate diligences, integrated over 500 companies, and advised clients on hundreds of joint ventures and divestitures. Although the odds for acquisition success in the current market are, to say the least, poor (over half the deals in the market fail to generate excess returns), Bain maintains a disciplined approach to navigating the deal cycle, and has generated roughly 20 percent higher excess returns for its integration clients.
Aid for the distressed Just as the subprime mortgage loan crisis pushed the economy into a downward spiral in 2007, Bain opened a new business group that provides turnaround services to distressed and severely underperforming companies. The well-timed unit—named the Bain Corporate Renewal Group—focuses specifically on the needs of owners and future owners of financially stressed midmarket businesses, and on turning around their companies to preserve value. For companies in trouble, Bain CRG has the capacity to assess a company’s financial health, drive the restructuring and turnaround, and has the capacity to serve in an advisory, chief restructuring officer or interim management capacity until the business is healthy again.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Bain & Company
Delivering social impact Since its founding, Bain has been committed to giving back to the community. The company does extensive work with clients in the nonprofit sector, supporting educational organizations, helping with economic and community development, assisting arts and sports groups, and working with foundations and venture philanthropy funds. It also collaborates with for-profit clients on issues such as environmental sustainability and corporate responsibility. Moreover, Bain’s community engagement program—Bain Cares—allows Bain employees to volunteer in their local communities, serve on boards of nonprofits and social enterprises, and lead fundraising drives for causes they believe in. Bain has committed to building up its socialsector practice most notably through founding and continuing to partner closely with Bridgespan, the leader in non-profit consulting. The firm is also committed to corporate sustainability, continually working to reduce its carbon footprint through the initiative of Green Teams in every local office.
GETTING HIRED Given its status as one of the industry’s truly elite consulting firms, it’s unsurprising that Bain’s hiring process is exceptionally rigorous and selective. Quite simply, it’s a matter of people; the firm only looks at (let alone hires) the very best that MBA and undergraduate schools have to offer. It isn’t enough to have years of experience in your field or high scores on aptitude tests (though both are important). Over the course of at least three rounds of interviews, the firm looks for the precise qualities that it has identified as essential to one’s success in the organization. “Passionate, driven, humble and curious” is how one consultant describes the ideal candidate (note the very-important presence of “humble” among the other requisites). The meat of the interview process is rather standard, taking the form of straightforward case interviews, in which candidates are expected to show that they possess “the analytic horsepower to crack our clients’ toughest problems.” It’s a results-oriented business, so it makes sense that the process would focus on just that. Candidates can also expect to be evaluated based on their ability to perform and communicate under pressure and, perhaps most importantly, their capacity to work fluidly with a team of similarly elite colleagues.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: If you aren’t in awe of Bain’s quality of life scores you should, at the very least, be humbled by the quotes emerging from its consultants. Bain continues to deliver employee satisfaction of paramount quality, shaming competitors and critics alike.
Overall Satisfaction • “I don’t think there is another job that can deliver for me in the way this one does. It’s a unique combination of learning, lifestyle, apprenticeship, rewards, fun and impact with amazing people.” – New York insider • “I’m consistently fascinated by the work I do day to day.” – Consultant • “Every job has its challenges. At Bain, I have the luxury and pleasure of working with people, above and below, who make those challenges easier to overcome.” – Experienced strategist • “Bain is relentlessly working to improve the employee value proposition and it shows!” – Canadian higher-up
Firm Culture
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• “I can be myself at Bain, period. I am not only respected for this, I am loved. There is no other company I’ve seen, in my 10 years of professional experience, with a stronger, healthier culture.” – Strategy consultant • “Undoubtedly best culture on the block. There’s no competition, everyone is willing to help each other out—even at odd hours. We support each other as friends, colleagues and individuals.” – Business advisor • “Bain’s culture is incredibly strong. It breeds a tight-knit family, in a sense. These are my co-workers, but they are also my closest friends.” – Associate consultant • “Bain’s culture is incredible—informal without being unprofessional, incredibly zany and quirky, and so much fun always. Some of the smartest, most awesome people you will ever meet in your life.” – California insider
Supervisor Relationships • “I feel like I can go toe-to-toe with my supervisors. They really value my input. They are also very smart and experienced, so I have to be on top of my work.” – Los Angeles midlevel • “In general, my office is very family friendly. Many of the senior associates and partners have young children, and they seem to understand the importance of life outside of the office.” – Los Angeles associate • “Supervisors really take my personal and professional development to heart.” – Entry-level source
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Bain & Company
• “My supervisors are exceptional. I have learned more from them than from any other mentor I’ve had in my life. They have me and my husband for dinner in their homes, they advise me on my career and my life, they teach me hard and soft skills, and they genuinely care about me.” – Boston insider
Interaction with Clients • “It’s the best feeling when we can jointly make change with our clients, hear the clients’ appreciation for our work, and then see it actually bear results. We are very passionate about seeing our clients succeed; that’s a big reason why we work so hard.” – Consultant • “We take pride in our ability to relate to our clients, and this increases our ability to deliver results.” – Associate • “I have had some pretty impressive client relationships—getting to reach out to senior people, as well as developing those relationships into ones where I’m trusted.” – Midwestern associate consultant
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Bain became an elite institution by demanding the utmost from its talented employees. But consultants can expect reciprocation from the firm leadership, who strive to keep their staff comfortable and content in any circumstance.
Work Hours • “Flexibility for time off and part-time roles enable long-term sustainability.” – Consultant • “Very reasonable; it’s all about being efficient. This is not a face time climate.” – Associate consultant • “I work a lot, but there is little yield loss and no face time needed.” – Atlanta insider • “My work hours are long but not unmanageable, and the flexible nature of our jobs makes the difference. The hardest hours are hours away from home.” – Consultant • “Pay is fair and appropriate for effort and results delivered.” – Consultant
Work/Life Balance • “As long as I’m taking care of my work, I can set my own schedule and work from wherever makes the most sense.” – Associate consultant • “It is a demanding career, but yes, I have been able to have a very rewarding personal life over my last 10-plus years at Bain!” – Toronto staffer • “Absolute respect for vacation and training—no questions asked, and absolutely no recourse on leaving for (approved) vacation in the middle of a project.” – Midlevel consultant • “The firm has structural policies in place, but it is up to you and your case team to determine how these policies will be applied to the case in question.” – West Coast insider
Travel Requirements • “We only travel when we need to because we are staffed locally. It makes a world of difference. We always travel as a team and rarely, if ever, have to travel alone.” – Consultant • “Bain is really reasonable about travel. If the client or situation requires it, you’ll travel. If not, you won’t.” – Senior source • “Travel is very much case dependant. However, I feel like Bain does a great job of only travelling when the team needs to. If it won’t help us make a positive impact for the client, then we won’t travel.” – Strategy advisor
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• “Totally binary. For the last year-plus, I traveled less than one day per week. The two years before that, three to four days per week, every week, for two years. There is balance over time, I have averaged less than two days/week on the road - it just pours when it rains.” – Atlanta staffer • “While the compensation structure suggests “market” rates, in practicality very few associates can reach the appropriate level of billable work in order to receive full pay increases and significant bonuses.” – Senior associate
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: As the firm sets its sights on across-the-board perfection, training is one area that needs little improvement. Consultants gush about Bain’s annual training offerings—think “amazing,” “incredible” and, perhaps most unique, “hugely enjoyable.”
Formal Training • “Training could not be better. College was a waste of time after the 10 days of Bain training.” – Associate consultant • “We invest tremendously in training as a firm. Instead of using professional trainers, we pull our best and brightest people out of the field to train. Every Bainie goes to at least one formal offsite training program a year, starting with the legendary ACT, a two-week program for our new associate consultant hires.” – Boston manager • “Unbelievable formal training and continuous learning programs. Bain did not cut a dollar from training in the downturn, which highlights the
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45
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2010 Edition Bain & Company
dedication to it.” – Consultant • “Bain invests a lot in official training. The annual tenure-based global training sessions are really incredible. Additionally, in-office training and mentorship programs provide a lot of support for day-to-day experiences.” – Dallas midlevel
Promotion Policies • “Promotion points occur roughly every two to three years. I think it is extremely clear and well run. You know exactly what you’ll be rated on, as well as when you’ll be rated. And, most importantly, you are judged fairly based on your merits. The clarity of the promotion ladder is a big plus for my satisfaction at Bain.” – Midlevel strategist • “Some flexibility on time to promotion, but if people aren’t moving quickly enough, they often choose other options.” – Strategy executive • “The promotion policy is fair and balanced—not too fast so that promoted individuals fail at the next level, not too slow that learning plateaus.” – Senior source
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: Recruitment is highly merit-focused, but respondents rave about Bain’s diversity efforts, feeling like the firm seeks out the best consultants from unique backgrounds.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “Exceptional, nondiscriminatory practices.” – Atlanta executive • “Huge firmwide attention on attracting, retaining and promoting women.” – Consultant • “We can always be better, but we do a lot of recruiting for women, minorities and GLBTs. It’s a war for talent, though, and we’ve got to up our game and get to them earlier.” – Consultant • “Outstanding with respect to women and GLBT. We put in tremendous effort on minority hiring as well, but our traction is lower than we’d like it to be.” – East Coast staffer
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: utmost quality, and consultants have confidence in the firm’s “innovative and caring” leaders.
Overall Business Outlook • “It is incredibly busy right now. We’re looking to gain share versus our competition: BCG and McKinsey. We invested heavily in people during the downturn, so that should put us in good position to continue growth as the economy comes back.” – Senior consultant • “As the clear market leader in private equity consulting, we will have a strong year in 2010 due to the return of private equity activity.” – Midwest insider
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• “Our firm’s leadership is focused, well prepared and open minded.” – Strategy consultant
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© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
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PRESTIGE RANKING
2
THE BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP, INC.
1 Exchange Place, 31st Floor Boston, Massachusetts 02109 Phone: (617) 973-1200 Fax: (617) 973-1339 www.bcg.com
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.bcg.com/careers
UPPERS
Boston, MA (HQ) 69 offices in 40 countries
• • • •
PRACTICE AREAS
DOWNERS
Functional Practice Areas Corporate Development • Global Advantage (Globalization) • Information Technology • Marketing & Sales • Operations • Organization • Social Impact • Strategy
• “Nit-picky accounting and reimbursement system” • “We don’t always follow our own best practices and are inefficient” • “You have to be a part of the club” • “Heavy feedback culture promotes paranoia and low selfesteem”
LOCATIONS
Industry Practice Areas Consumer & Retail • Energy • Financial Institutions • Health Care • Industrial Goods • Insurance • Public Sector • Technology, Media & Communications
“Individuality is respected—no cookie cutter mentality” “Strong, steep learning curve” “Fringe benefits” “Thinking about problems at both 40,000 as well as 4,000 ft”
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company President & CEO: Hans-Paul Bürkner 2010 Employees: 4,500 (consulting staff only) 2009 Employees: 4,400 (consulting staff only) 2010 Revenue: $2.75 billion 2009 Revenue: $2.67 billion
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
48
“Excellent reputation; top of the heap” “Snooty” “Out-of-the-box thinkers” “Quirky professors”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
THE SCOOP Boston’s best The name may sound local, but The Boston Consulting Group’s reach—and expertise—is anything but. With 4,500 consultants in 69 offices in 40 countries, the firm ranks as one of America’s Largest Private Companies, according to Forbes magazine. Clients typically include many of the world’s 500 largest companies, but BCG also counts among its clients midsized businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies in North and South America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Australia. The firm’s consultants—who have included notables such as Indra Nooyi, CEO of Pepsi; Jeff Immelt, CEO of General Electric; Jim Koch, founder, CEO and Brewmaster of Boston Beer Company; Sally Blount, dean of the Kellogg School of Management; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; and Grammy Award winner John Legend—are experts in a number of industries, including consumer goods, retail, financial services, industrial goods, social impact and nonprofit, energy, health care, insurance, technology, media, and telecom. The firm helps clients with a number of specific management needs within its broad functional practice areas, such as growth strategy development and execution; business portfolio management; mergers and acquisitions; postmerger integration; productivity and efficiency improvement; marketing and pricing; supply chain management; IT infrastructure; customer and supplier relationship management; sustainability; turnaround; and private equity, among other services. In 2010, M&A Advisor named BCG the Turnaround Consulting Firm of the Year for its work in advising the U.S. Treasury Department on the Chapter 11 reorganization of General Motors and Chrysler.
The Henderson legacy BCG was founded in 1963 by Bruce D. Henderson, a former Bible salesman and Harvard B-school dropout. Challenged by the CEO of The Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Company to form a consulting arm for the organization, Henderson responded with an aggressive strategy. While his first month’s billings amounted to $500 and his office had a staff of just two by the end of his first year in business, Henderson’s subsequent success is impossible to deny—and it was driven largely by expansion. In 1966, BCG became the first Western strategy consulting outfit in Japan, and a string of offices throughout Europe soon followed. By 1976, half of the firm’s revenue was being generated outside the U.S.—a year after Henderson laid out a plan for employee stock ownership that saw the firm fully owned by BCGers in 1979. Such was Henderson’s reputation within the business world that, following his death in 1992, no less a publication than the Financial Times wrote that “few people have had as much impact on international business in the second half of the twentieth century as the founder of The Boston Consulting Group.” In 1998, BCG established the Strategy Institute, a sort of consulting think tank set up to apply insights from a variety of disciplines to the strategic challenges facing both business and society. Among the concepts developed by the firm over the years are the experience curve (which charts improvements in efficiency as experience is amassed), time-based competition (an approach that recognizes speed as an essential component of success), disease management (an approach to patient care that takes a more systemic view of quality and costs than traditional approaches), richness versus reach (the trade-off inherent in the economics of information), trading up and trading down (consumer spending phenomena) and globality (the post-globalization era in which everyone from everywhere competes for everything).
Not the stuff of fairytales
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Perhaps the innovation that the firm is best known for, however, is its growth-share matrix. While a tool that utilizes images such as cows, stars and dogs might sound fanciful, the matrix is one serious piece of business methodology—and one that has become a core tool used by businesses the world over. A graphic representation of a firm’s money flow, the growth-share matrix divides a company’s assets into four categories—the three mentioned previously, plus question marks. While a full description of the methodology is available on BCG’s website, the basic meaning of each category is as follows: a cow represents a “cash cow,” a low-growth, high-market share pursuit (generally the bread and butter of any business); a star is an enterprise that both uses and generates a lot of money, usually on the way to achieving cow status; a dog tends to be labor-intensive but provides little return on investment; and question marks are to be avoided at all costs—basically representing money pits that absorb resources but produce little revenue.
Falling in line While many of BCG’s consultants come from some of the best business schools in the world—including the University of Chicago, Harvard, INSEAD, Kellogg, Stanford and Wharton—not everyone working at the firm has a business background. A number of consultants have degrees that range from economics, biochemistry and engineering, to psychology, classics and law. Whatever their background, the firm organizes its brainpower into formal practice areas, which include the functional and industry areas listed above, as well as timely issues such as managing through the downturn, cloud computing, megatrends, operational transformation and turnaround, sustainability and talent management.
Paying it forward BCG is big on being good. Its social impact practice network, which functions like one of the firm’s formal practice areas, works with clients on socially conscious issues, including public health, education, community and economic development, environmental preservation, hunger, and arts and culture. The network chose its focus areas based on the UN Millennium Development Goals, which set targets for combating poverty, illiteracy and disease for the world’s poor by 2015. Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
Building the business canon As might be expected of a company with so many experts and a dedication to research, BCGers put out their fair share of publications—so many, in fact, that in 2006, the firm collected some of its biggest thoughts over the past 40 years into one volume, entitled The Boston Consulting Group on Strategy. Aimed at executives across all industries, the anthology offers both the now-established wisdom as the company conceived it years ago, as well as more recent thoughts on the state of business. The themes, in many cases, have remained consistent over the decades: Retain competitive advantage, break compromises, realize the value of time, and remain aware of second- and third-order causes. In the past year, BCG experts have published two books: Accelerating Out of the Great Recession (February 2010) and Women Want More (September 2009).
GETTING HIRED “On the surface, getting hired at BCG is similar to getting accepted to the top Ivy League schools. Like the latter, this prestigious firm looks meticulously at an applicant’s records, combing through candidates and selecting only the near-perfect. “I am blown away by the caliber of students applying for jobs each fall,” one consultant says. “It is so competitive, even the slightest mistakes in interviewing reduce your chances meaningfully.” The firm recruits from the best undergraduate, MBA and PhD programs in the world. Accordingly, just getting an interview at BCG is an accomplishment in its own right. Once inside the process, candidates shouldn’t expect any let-up in the firm’s selectivity metrics. “Somewhere between one and five interviewees out of 100 will receive an offer,” says one insider, highlighting the sobering reality all candidates face. “Don’t let your guard down. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is judging you throughout the whole process,” offers another. The ultimately successful candidate (yes, they do exist) will have endured four to seven interviews, and will have impressed consulting staff of all levels with their “extreme intelligence, analytical capacity and general presentability.” These qualities matter more than any amount of direct experience could; “working stiffs with great credentials but no personality are not welcome.”
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Having already reached the top, BCG consultants can rest assured that they work in an exceptionally noncompetitive environment. Here, consultants need only worry about delivering for the client—the firm takes care of the rest.
Overall Satisfaction • “Outstanding place to work. Incredible colleagues, incredible clients, incredible impact.” – Associate • “BCG is a fantastic place to work. They go the extra mile to invest in their consultants—for example, they are sending me on a special training program in Europe to help further my development. The work is interesting, the people are brilliant, and the compensation and benefits are second to none.” – Health care consultant • “We deliver tremendous value for our clients while always stretching our own thinking and development. I can’t imagine a better place to work.” – Chicago partner • “I have learned a great deal here in a short period of time, expanded my network and am now going to go to business school on the firm’s tab. That said, this is probably not something I will want to do for the rest of my life—it can be a pretty high-burn job.” – Associate
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Firm Culture • “BCG’s culture is collaborative, nonhierarchical and very collegial. All employees are encouraged to contribute their ideas at all times, to share their opinions and their beliefs. The senior members of the firm have created an atmosphere that welcomes participation, and demands truthtelling for our clients.” – Operations consultant • “It’s diverse, and yet people are always curious and engaged in all topics. Dinner conversations are always memorable and office/business events are generally something to look forward to.” – California consultant • “We have a set of shared values that defines the ‘BCGer,’ but we also highly value individualism and diversity, and no two BCGers are exactly alike.” – Consumer and retail consultant • “BCG is a meritocracy, filled with high-performing, ambitious people. However, I do not consider it competitive overall. I have been staffed on projects with peers from my cohort, and I never felt that we were being judged against each other.” – Midwest staffer
Supervisor Relationships • “One of the things I like most about our firm is the mentorship-based culture. Partners and managers are really willing to engage with and invest in the consultants and associates. This produces a positive work environment in which you can learn a lot.” – Consultant • “Very intelligent, thoughtful and considerate partners. They are interested in your development, invest in the people and make a point of supporting you both inside and outside of work.” – Los Angeles midlevel • “You’re treated as an equal in thought, and only a lesser in experience —which is fair—and it really makes for a good working environment.” –Consultant
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• “Everyone is too driven by performance fear to really invest in anything outside of their own performance.” – Associate
Interaction with Clients • “The client relationships at BCG are fantastic and are a main reason why I keep traveling. We try our best to help them, no matter what.” – Boston staffer • “I’ve had incredible client exposure for my tenure. I’ve learned a lot about engaging with a client—from working with one, to generating business insights, to building datasets, to presenting to senior clients.” – Health care consultant • “Excellent value creation for clients, and thus excellent client interactions.” – New York partner • “We have great relationships with clients once we prove our worth. On the whole, clients often have a bad opinion of consultants because of past bad experiences. However, in most cases, we overcome this.” – Associate
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Despite the intense hours requirements, no one at BCG feels like they’re being needlessly overworked. BCG consultants are utterly dedicated to their chosen professions, and are more likely to enjoy the constant travel than gripe about it.
Work Hours • “Recognizing it’s a challenging profession, the firm does everything it can to lower hours.” – Canadian source • “We work hard at BCG—but that comes with the level of challenges that we take on and the very high level of value that we deliver to our clients. We have a very good level of control over how we work, so that we can balance our workload with the things that are important to us outside of our job.” –Retail consultant • “People make sacrifices at times, but the firm tries to manage these appropriately. I find I usually do not have to work at all on weekends, which is important to me.” – Senior consultant • “Make no bones about it—consulting is not a cushy job, and BCG is not a ‘lifestyle’ firm. That said, most of my peers and I find the hours to be a fair trade-off for the training, challenge and relationship development it’s possible to enjoy in consulting at BCG.” – West Coast associate
Work/Life Balance • “BCG cares about the sustainability of our work, and has spent a lot of time and resources launching a number of programs to make our work more predictable.” – Boston principal • “We have a terrific effort called ‘predictable time off,’ which, while it does not make a tough job easy, does make a tough job better.” –Consultant • “I have two kids and triathlon training, and I am able to balance all of it with BCG.” – East Coast consultant • “If I feel things are getting out of hand, I always feel empowered to raise the issue with my manager, and there is usually a solution involving reprioritization that can be worked out.” – San Francisco midlevel
Travel Requirements • “We never go anywhere just to have face time—it is always to engage with clients on a deeper level. That requires a good chunk of time away from home. But we always ask each other whether a trip is necessary.” – Health care insider • “Right now, I haven’t had to travel in a month, but my last project was four days a week on the road for two months, so there is high variation.” – Chicago associate
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• “I enjoy traveling for work and visiting the client site regardless of where they might be located. I travel a lot, but many times it is by choice to be closer to the rest of our team and clients.” –Senior consultant • “There are times when I feel like I’m traveling more than is absolutely necessary for me to get my work done, but that’s oftentimes based more on client expectation than on BCG culture. In any case, there’s probably room to improve here.” – Minneapolis insider
Compensation • “BCG provides excellent compensation, and it is a reflection of the high level of value that we consistently deliver to our clients. Recently, some of our competitors decided to reduce salaries for incoming consultants and BCG did not, which now makes BCG’s compensation significantly better than our primary competitors.” – Retail consultant • “BCG gives associates a 50 percent salary increase at 21 months, which is extremely generous. Furthermore, BCG funded full bonuses for 2009.” – Midlevel consultant • “Best compensation for coming out of undergraduate of any top consulting firm, hands down. Significant flexibility options, retirement matching, potentially huge bonus and great health insurance.” – Dallas first-year • “I always feel poor in New York, but BCG offers a very generous base salary and a solid overall incentive package.” – Entry-level respondent
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: BCG provides just enough “world-class” formal opportunities to effectively complement the on-the-job training culture that pervades at the firm. Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
Formal Training • “There is an enormous array of training opportunities—some are required and many are opt in.” – Consultant • “I have attended three separate training sessions in the last year with very timely, appropriate content.” – Philadelphia junior • “Regular global trainings with direct peers have been some of my favorite travel/affiliation experiences. It really helps build your personal global network.” – Senior consultant • “Most of the learning takes place on the job, but there are plenty of more formal options to explore interests and areas for development (Friday workshops, office lunches, web trainings).” – Associate
Promotion Policies • “It is a strict up-or-out policy, but we all feel that there is room for promotion if we are able to perform up to standards. We don’t feel like we are competing with each other for a small number of spots.” – Chicago consultant • “You are expected to be promoted to the next level every 21 to 27 months, with some exceptions for specialized career paths. Once you are a principal, it is three to five years to partner.” – Midlevel source • “I am very impressed by 1) transparency, 2) openness of dialogue, and by 3) quickness. Associates can earn an MBA salary after 24 to 30 months.” – East Coast staffer • “There does seem to be a fair amount of attrition. Standards are rigorous, but the firm recognizes hard work and improvement.” – Atlanta consultant
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: Though a bit male-centric at the top, BCG excels in recruiting a wide variety of talented consultants from all backgrounds. Even more impressive is the culture of warmth and acceptance the firm continues to cultivate, tending to diversity issues with the same skill and attention the firm is known for.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “I’m a minority, and have a vast amount of additional resources for that reason; the office is one of the most diverse places I’ve ever experienced. I had not met many GLBT people until I started working, and some of them have become some of my best friends at work.” – Los Angeles first-year • “BCG’s culture embraces diversity in all of its forms—ethnicity, gender, background, experience, etc. In this regard, I have been thoroughly impressed.” – Atlanta consultant • “BCG has to be the best firm in regard to support and celebration of GLBT community. They sponsor several conferences, host specific recruiting dinners at core schools, and host global and regional meetings every year to ensure connection and strong affiliation.” – Associate • “The firm tries hard here, but the industry isn’t that conducive to retaining women, especially after they have kids. There’s too much travel and irregular hours. But BCG puts a lot of energy into making it easier.” – Senior consultant
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: BCG certainly held its own as the recession took its course. After a banner year amid 2009’s recessionary gloom, anything less than top-of-the-pile would seem like a letdown in 2010.
Overall Business Outlook • “We are winning against our competition, and had our best year ever in 2009 while the competition was down. It has been so good through a tough economic time that even insiders are surprised at how well we are doing.” – Chicago associate
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• “We gained share and grew revenue during the recession. We also promoted people on time, moved up start dates and paid full bonuses.” – Consultant • “We have bid wins pouring in the door. Staffing is so tight—I wish we’d hired more people last year!” – Health care consultant • “We are riding a strong wave of business development with many major wins and almost 100 percent utilization.” – Private equity insider
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “We have a very focused, strong and dedicated leadership—globally and in the Americas. The new Americas chairman is continuing the great work of the prior chair, but creating an even more open and engaging culture around our growth.” – Telecommunications consultant • “Our leaders are strong communicators. Transparency helps increase employee morale and create cohesiveness.” –Toronto consultant • “Hans-Paul clearly has a growth aspiration and makes the time to stay connected to the people. I think he visits every office at least once a year.” – Health care principal • “Given our strong performance in the downturn, I have a high degree of confidence in the flexibility and wisdom of BCG’s leadership.” – Atlanta consultant
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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MCKINSEY & COMPANY
55 East 52nd Street New York, New York 10022 Phone: (212) 446-7000 Fax: (212) 446-8575 www.mckinsey.com
UPPERS • “Great top client access” • “Heavily invested in development and training”
DOWNERS LOCATIONS More than 95 offices in over 50 countries
• “Pressure to deliver” • “The lifestyle, hands down”
PRACTICE AREAS
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
Functional Practice Areas Business Technology Office • Corporate Finance • Marketing & Sales • Operations • Organization • Risk • Strategy Industry Practices Automotive & Assembly • Consumer • Financial • Global Energy & Materials • Healthcare • Media & Entertainment • Private Equity & Principal Investing • Public Sector • Social Sector Office • Technology • Travel, Transport & Logistics Special Initiatives McKinsey Global Institute • Sustainability & Resource Productivity • McKinsey Asia Center • Proprietary Knowledge/ McKinsey Solutions
www.mckinsey.com/careers
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company Managing Officer & Chairman: Dominic Barton 2010 Employees: 16,000 (approx.) 2009 Employees: 16,000 (approx.)
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“The gold standard, but they invented the industry” “Type-A, Type-A, Type-A” “Develops their people” “Lots of big thinking, not a lot of doing”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition McKinsey & Company
THE SCOOP The McKinsey mystique McKinsey & Company is a privately owned management consulting firm. Roundly considered to be the most prestigious company of its kind, it has achieved a level of renown so great as to be known even to laymen, despite shrouding details of its work—and its client list—in secrecy. In its practice areas, it addresses strategic, organizational, operational and technological issues, always with a focus—according to the firm—of doing what is right for the client’s business, not what is best for McKinsey’s bottom line. As for the range of those specialties, the list of industrial sectors the firm serves encompasses everything from commodities and natural resources to the worlds of media, entertainment and high tech. While it doesn’t give up the names of its clients (even in case studies it refers to them with pseudonyms such as “BigBank”) the firm does claim to serve more than 70 percent of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies list, roughly 90 percent of the top-100 corporations worldwide and 80 percent of the 100 largest U.S.-based companies. In addition to its regular consulting brief, the firm also operates a sustainability and resource productivity (read: climate change) special initiative to address challenges associated with the move to a low-carbon economy, serving both the public and private sectors. The initiative brings to bear the firm’s expertise on abatement cost curves (a fact-based understanding of the size and cost of measures for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions), process changes, emissions trading, biofuel options and new asset valuation in light of regulatory changes.
The early days In 1926, James O. McKinsey, CPA and University of Chicago management professor, founded the business to give local companies financial and accounting advice. Before long, he realized that clients’ financial data could be interpreted to help make better management decisions. Thanks to this innovation, McKinsey is credited with the idea of using consultants, or “management engineers” for the first time. And although the firm is his namesake, it was one of his protégés, Marvin Bower, who is most remembered for shaping the direction of the firm. Most notably, Bower is known for molding the McKinsey culture, mainly through a three-part code of conduct outlining certain ideals consultants were to uphold—something that remains in place today. Among these values are putting client interests ahead of those of the firm, giving superior service and maintaining the highest ethical standards. Consultants are also instructed to be absolutely truthful with the client, regardless of whether the client disagrees. Perhaps the most infamous part of the code is to protect the privacy of clients; to this day, McKinsey never publicizes its big-name clients, nor does it tout successful engagements. Despite this, the firm doesn’t lack for publicity, since the secrecy surrounding its work is itself often the focus of media attention.
The MBA draft Another of Bower’s policies was to concentrate hiring efforts on recent MBAs from top schools, as opposed to bringing on experienced managers from other organizations. Bower reasoned that demand for seasoned talent would too quickly eclipse supply, leaving mediocre candidates with high price tags who would turn out to be poor investments. Moreover, recent graduates could offer fresh ideas and insights, rather than replicating old, predictable methods that had been entrenched by years of rote service. In recent years, McKinsey has begun hiring more broadly, with most of its offices witnessing a steady influx of undergraduates, postgrads and industry professionals joining as consultants, in addition to MBA students.
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Without a home McKinsey claims to have no headquarters office. The base of operations for former Managing Director Rajat Gupta was for many years New York, and that held true for the London office, when Ian Davis was at the helm. Dominic Barton, who became the new managing director in July 2009, will be based primarily in London, while keeping an office in Shanghai. The company is officially run as a decentralized partnership, allowing for a global network of staff that can be chosen based on suitability for a project, rather than geographic availability. The managing director is elected for a threeyear term—with a three-term limit—following a vote by the current directors.
Knowledge factory McKinsey experts frequently produce works of business scholarship, whether in the form of reports and studies, or in the pages of the McKinsey Quarterly, the firm’s business journal and platform for expounding on issues of management, strategy and finance. The publication also includes articles by external experts. And in 2009, the firm launched a blog—What Matters—which covers topics of global importance, featuring essays by world experts, as well as its own consultants. McKinsey consultants have also written a number of best-selling business books. One of the earliest and best-known examples is Thomas Peters’ and Robert Waterman Jr.’s In Search of Excellence, a 1982 tome that identified the unique strengths of American companies, reigniting confidence in domestic business at a time when Japan seemed to have an unshakeable advantage. It went on to become one of the highest-selling business books in publishing history.
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Additionally, the firm operates the McKinsey Global Institute, a research group concentrating on critical economic trends around the world. All MGI studies are funded by McKinsey, rather than any outside business, government or other entity. It is staffed by consultants serving assignments of six months to one year, after which they return to client work.
Social betterment In addition to its social sector office, which helps leading institutions address societal challenges, McKinsey also undertakes pro bono services through its local offices, which serve numerous nonprofit and/or public-sector organizations. Nearly 50 percent of the firm’s consultants participate in nonprofit work during their tenure, and many serve as board members of nonprofits.
GETTING HIRED A brief look at the firm’s recruitment site reveals the utter transparency of its interview process. With a host of videos and resources describing each portion of the interview and offering advice on how to best approach them, it’s clear that the firm wants its candidates to be exceptionally wellprepared—and that’s no surprise given the high demand for positions within the prestigious firm. Candidates who forego a perusal of the site the site shouldn’t worry; as one recent hire explains, “McKinsey provides case coaches before each round of interviewing—very helpful!” Because of the sheer volume of resumes received, applicants are meticulously prescreened; only those with the utmost qualifications, including decorated working histories, will receive an initial interview. Once on site, candidates should expect to give a detailed account of their personal, working and academic background. At this point, recruiters already know your achievements; now, they want to know what led to them and what resulted from them. It’s a similar experience in the case interview; “We’re more interested in how you go about dealing with the problem, than in the specific answers that you give,” the firm urges. Also look to the site for in-depth examples of case studies, and advice on how to handle them.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere McKinsey, a longtime industry heavyweight, demands maximum commitment from its consultants. While this can lead to a fair bit of exhaustion and stress, most find it an acceptable tradeoff for the “tremendous development and growth opportunities” passed down by “very caring partners.” Another insider corroborates the reports of heavy hours and travel requirements, admitting that “although I do occasionally feel overworked, I cannot imagine a more interesting place to work or a better set of folks to work with.” Firm culture is widely discussed among staffers as source of genuine satisfaction. Amidst such high-pressure, high-reward surroundings, some are surprised to find real sincerity and friendship. One associate describes his colleagues as “a great group of very smart and motivated people who are good at working in team settings. People here work hard together and develop strong bonds.” A co-worker affirms that team-based atmosphere, stating, “For the most part everybody gets along well and is willing to offer help to those needing it.”
Hours & Pay
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McKinsey consultants identify their typically long hours and work/life balance as the firm’s primary drawbacks. While some call hours “generally manageable,” others would prefer better consistency between projects. “The range is extreme, depending on the study,” a health care consultant reports. “Certainly, some studies are very manageable. Others make it difficult to meet personal commitments.” Travel requirements certainly don’t help, tipping the balance in favor of work, though we’re told that managers do their best to be flexible and responsive to personal needs. “McKinsey is focused on efficiency, zero face time and trying to optimize people’s individual needs,” a source states. The firm notes that it offers a variety of flexible working arrangements, and has been named one of the 100 best companies for working mothers in the U.S. by WorkingMother magazine for three years running.
Professional Development Insiders gush about McKinsey’s “impressive and exhaustive” formal training offerings. “It’s simply the best training and development anywhere,” one New Yorker remarks. “I’ve never seen another organization more focused on people development,” a colleague confirms. “There are several formal trainings a year, and an almost endless number of informal training opportunities.” Appreciation for training is widespread, perhaps in part due to the help it offers consultants trying to get ahead. Respondents tell us that the firm operates as a “meritocracy to the fullest.” And despite the scramble for promotions and recognition, the atmosphere isn’t cutthroat. As one insider puts it, “up-or-out is overstated. It is meritocratic advancement in a supportive environment.” With regard to its meritocratic environment, the firm notes that it is committed to developing recruits into leaders. The firm was ranked No. 4 on Fortune’s 2009 global ranking of top companies for leaders—the only professional services firm included in the top 25.
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PRESTIGE RANKING
4
ANALYSIS GROUP, INC.
111 Huntington Avenue Boston, Massachusetts 02199 Phone: (617) 425-8000 Fax: (617) 425-8001 www.analysisgroup.com
LOCATIONS Boston, MA (HQ) Chicago, IL Dallas, TX Denver, CO Los Angeles, CA Menlo Park, CA New York, NY San Francisco, CA Washington, DC Montreal
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company Managing Officer & Chairman: Martha A. Samuelson 2010 Employees: 500 2009 Employees: 475
UPPERS • “Strong camaraderie amongst analysts” • “Integrity of the partnership”
DOWNERS • “Ineffective, disorganized and antisocial managers” • “Stress from the intellectually demanding nature of the work”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT PRACTICE AREAS
www.analysisgroup.com/analysisgroup/careers.aspx
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Accounting & Litigation • Antitrust • Bankruptcy & Restructuring • Commercial Litigation & Damages • Energy • Entertainment & Media • Environmental Economics • Financial Institutions • Healthcare Consulting Services • Intellectual Property • Labor & Employment • Securities & Financial Instruments • Strategy & Analytics • Tax • Telecommunications • Valuation
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Good working environment” “Geeky; antisocial” “Up and coming, heavily academic” “Run with a heavy hand from the top”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2010 Edition Analysis Group, Inc.
THE SCOOP Analyze this Boston-based Analysis Group, Inc., provides economic, financial and business strategy consulting to law firms, corporations and government agencies. Much of the firm’s work is grounded in economic analysis—whether that be a quantitative assessment related to a litigation or developing a model for a client’s corporate strategic planning exercise. To date, Analysis Group has provided support in litigations for attorneys at more than 500 law firms, including the 25 largest firms in the country, and has worked with Fortune 100 executives, including general counsels and senior executives. For law firms, the group helps with pretrial discovery, development of economic and financial models, preparation of testimony, critique of opposing experts’ analyses and providing expert testimony, in addition and other aspects of litigation. The current economic crisis has resulted in a big uptick in engagements involving analysis of complex securities, such as derivatives and credit default swaps, as well as the securitized assets at the center of the subprime housing fallout, and assisting troubled and bankrupt companies. Corporate and government clients, meanwhile, call on the firm for help with a variety of business issues, including financial planning, tax issues, company and asset valuations, cost-effectiveness analyses, market analyses, and evaluation of mergers and acquisitions. The firm also helps clients analyze market dynamics and organization capabilities to improve product pricing and marketing strategies, and to identify new market opportunities.
Close – but not inside – the ivory tower Former Arthur D. Little consultants Bruce Stangle and Michael Koehn founded Analysis Group in 1981 in Belmont, Mass. The two PhD-carrying brains sought to fuse academic practice with business litigation by applying economic research. The firm primarily consulted on mergers and acquisitions to start; today, its consultants, working from 10 offices in North America, have experience in all areas of economics as it applies to the legal and business world, including securities, health care, intellectual property, antitrust and commercial damages.
Principled professionals The firm adheres to four operating tenets, which give shape to a kind of business philosophy. First is access: Analysis Group maintains close ties to specialists—top minds in academia, leaders in industry and government insiders—to ensure that clients have access to the best people and ideas. Consultants work closely with a network of experts to offer clients quantitative analysis and hands-on experience to help resolve business and legal hurdles. Second, collaboration, sees the firm encourage strong relationships within consulting teams and between teams and clients, which ultimately improves communication, effectiveness and satisfaction. Next is responsiveness, a result of being able to rapidly identify specialized experts for a case, and a flexible structure that allows teams to quickly scale up or down as needed. And finally, pragmatism: Analysis Group believes all strategies should focus on relevant, applicable solutions. For each client engagement, Analysis Group’s 500 professionals are grouped into teams, which are tailored according to the needs of the project and the client. Often, these teams are supplemented by academic or industry experts from the firm’s external network.
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GETTING HIRED Analysis Group is actively hiring, with a bevy of on-campus events planned for undergraduates this fall throughout the U.S. (including Brown, Duke, Harvard, Stanford and Williams, among other schools). Prospective applicants would do well to emphasize their quantitative and analytical skills and experiences, while “attention to detail and accuracy” are other qualities recruiters covet. “My firm looks for two qualities,” a recent hire explains. “Does the person have the analytical capabilities and attention to detail that are necessary to do the job? And, does the person fit in well socially with the other analysts?” For candidates interested in associate or consulting positions, it’s likely that those without advanced degrees in economics, finance, law, accounting or management won’t get too far. Candidates lacking advanced degrees must, at the very least, demonstrate an enthusiasm for the industry that may lure them back to school in the imminent future. Qualified candidates that make it to the interview rounds should be prepared to answer questions about “experiences, education and goals,” and many will be asked to complete realistic case studies or “probability questions.” The process typically kicks off with a “30-minute in-office first round,” an initial face-to-face hurdle that features basic background questions. This round could also take place over the phone. From there, candidates spend an entire “morning interviewing in the office,” facing questions from “various staff members” who pry for details about personal professional experiences. If it’s determined that a candidate is a likely fit, aptitude tests or case studies follow. By then, the firm has already identified its “very few” targets for hire.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Analysis Group consultants describe a “good working environment,” where colleagues “are treated with respect and professionalism.” “We are a very collaborative meritocracy,” an insider reports, noting that there’s “lots of mentoring” between senior consultants and less experienced employees. Others appreciate their “high-quality colleagues” who share the “relaxed, hardworking, cooperative” workplace ethos, and a high degree Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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of professionalism. Moreover, analysts share “close-knit and sociable” relationships at the firm. But at the other end of the spectrum, though, “upper management” can appear “conservative, unapproachable and cold.” That said, there are those lucky consultants who are paired with more open supervisors, and some report that they share “excellent” relationships with their mentors. “Managers are sociable, encouraging and very grateful for any work I do,” one associate offers.
Hours & Pay “We strive for a normal 40-hour workweek,” a senior consultant states. While it doesn’t always pan out that way, Analysis Group does deliver a work/ life balance that’s envied by competitors throughout the industry. We’re told that the typical consultant can expect to work “40 to 50” hours a week. Insiders admit that “there are peak periods,” even those that could see “80 to 100” hour weeks, but consultants are acutely aware that their firm offers a very favorable workload relative to competitors. “I am able to coach my children’s baseball teams and nobody bats an eye when I leave early for a game or practice,” says one unwitting pun artist, appreciative of the opportunity to spend time with family. “The firm promotes mutual trust between colleagues,” a colleague adds, “so they know I will meet all of my work commitments and that I will respect their life outside the office when they have to leave during normal business hours.” Analysis Group consultants also benefit from “very infrequent and reasonable” travel requirements; as one junior respondent echoes, “most people don’t travel at all.” To top off their favorable work/life balance, employees enjoy salaries that are “very competitive with the market.” “My firm has great compensation,” says one grateful AG veteran, also admitting that “overtime compensation would serve as a better incentive to stay late.” According to a senior consultant, “Value is placed on more than just billable hours and business generation,” noting that “as people become more senior, a greater portion of the salary is in the form of the bonus,” which tends to be lucrative.
Professional Development Formal training at Analysis Group is limited to the very basics; new hires can expect to see classes on “SAS, Excel and writing,” but little else. “Selfmotivated people do well here,” explains one independent associate. “Training is all unofficial and done through peer mentoring programs,” a colleague offers. Others admit that mentoring can be “difficult, since the random pairings don’t always encourage an atmosphere of learning and questioning. “It’s expected that you learn as you go,” an analyst echoes, “but in turn, it’s difficult to measure what you should know at different points in your work.” The vast majority of a consultant’s professional education is acquired in an on-the-job, “learning-by-example setting.” Those that require a hand to hold will likely struggle at Analysis Group.
Diversity Respondents give high marks to the firm’s diversity efforts—or lack thereof. “We don’t have specific programs; we hire and retain the best,” an associate declares. “We don’t care where they come from or what their gender or personal preferences are.” Despite Analysis Group’s stated apathy, the firm does retain a reasonable degree of diversity, though “admittedly mostly at the junior levels.” “Perhaps 20 percent of our firm is immigrants,” reports a keen observer, also adding that “our CEO is a woman.” Colleagues cite further evidence of a strong female presence, noting that “three of the last four people to make partner are women,” and adding the firm “does hire a lot of women in a field that typically does not.” Retention of women can be an issue though. As one analyst explains, “the firm does not provide a great atmosphere for women with successful careers and families to stay. Since arriving in August 2009, four women have left the firm, including three with families. No men have left.”
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Overall Business Outlook In a disastrous economy, Analysis Group “had no layoffs or office closings,” and an insider points out that “we have grown over the past year.” “AG was able to weather last year’s economic storm, and is well positioned to increase its presence and prestige in the academic community,” reports an upbeat consultant. Insiders attribute much of the firm’s recessionary successes to its private ownership. “The firm makes decisions based on longrun factors,” a staffer explains. “Because we are private, we do not have to answer to shareholders every quarter; as a result, we have the flexibility to make better and smarter decisions.” Others echo the sentiment, taking pride in Analysis Group’s visions for the future: “We are not public and don’t plan to be.”
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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THE CAMBRIDGE GROUP
227 West Monroe Street, Suite 3200 Chicago, Illinois 60606-5058 Phone: (312) 425-3600 www.thecambridgegroup.com
UPPERS • • • •
“Unbeatable exposure” “Minimal travel” “Properly awarded for efforts” “People I love to grab a beer with”
LOCATIONS Chicago, IL (HQ)
PRACTICE AREAS Brand & Business Portfolio Strategy • Global Growth Strategy • Go to Market Optimization • Innovation • Market Entry Strategy
DOWNERS • “Analysts are data monkeys” • “Substandard health plan” • “Resources are stretched thin” • “I miss my children”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT THE STATS
www.thecambridgegroup.com/careers
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Employer Type: Private Company (Subsidiary of The Nielsen Company) Managing Officer & Chairman: Rick Kash 2010 Employees: 100
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Small, but really good work” “Please, sir, may I do another segmentation?” “Strong reputation” “Researchers, dreamers”
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THE SCOOP Supplying the demand If the consultants at The Cambridge Group were your Economics 101 professor, you would not have learned supply and demand, but rather demand and supply. The simple belief that demand should be placed before supply is the principle that differentiates TCG from other consulting firms. The firm’s expertise lies in identifying profitable new demand opportunities, optimizing portfolios of products or services, driving innovation, reinventing categories, enhancing brand equity and optimizing pricing. For all these areas, demand is either the means or the ends of TCG’s services. The firm unleashes its demand-side expertise onto clients in the business-to-business, consumer packaged goods, healthcare, media, retail/leisure, financial services and telecommunications industries. Some of the world’s most successful brands have benefitted from TCG’s recommendations, including Merrill Lynch, Anheuser Busch, Hershey and Best Buy.
Capital ideas While the firm’s demand strategy is straightforward on paper, gathering and analyzing the data necessary to improve a client’s performance is a rather difficult task. In order to handle this, TCG relies on its intellectual capital, which is designed and implemented by its consultants, directors and Economic Center of Excellence (ECE). Among the intellectual capital at the firm’s disposal is Palate Maps and Benefit Domains, which identifies and quantifies emerging and latent demand in the marketplace. The firm also utilizes the Safari research method, whereby senior consultants and creative teams determine ways to optimize innovation and positioning by analyzing products and services with target customers.
Kash is king TCG may be CEO and founder Rick Kash’s main focus, but it is far from the only thing on his plate. Kash is also the co-founder of Spectra Marketing Systems, an information system used by over 90 percent of packaged goods and beverage marketers, and he is a member of the United States Senate Business Forum, a group of 36 businesspeople who meet quarterly with cabinet members and senators to discuss national economic and business matters. Kash is also an author, sharing his revised view of economics in his 2002 book THE NEW LAW OF DEMAND AND SUPPLY: The Revolutionary New Demand Strategy for Faster Growth and Higher Profits and HOW COMPANIES WIN – Profiting from Demand-Driven Business Models no Matter What Business You’re In, co-authored with David Calhoun, chairman and CEO of The Nielsen Company, slated to come out in October 2010. In THE NEW LAW OF DEMAND AND SUPPLY, Kash outlines a six-step plan to implement demand strategy and also discusses how the strategy has worked for some of the biggest and most successful companies in the world, including McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and IBM.
GETTING HIRED As a smaller firm with grand aspirations, there’s a lot of talk around TCG about hiring only “top caliber” consultants. As far as new hires are concerned, this means culling the best from top undergraduate and MBA programs; being a Chicago-centric firm, most of the firm’s recent graduates hail from local schools (Northwestern, University of Chicago, Michigan). Recruiters look for students with exceptional talents for quantitative work and relevant majors. For experienced hires, they try to poach laterals from the prestigious firms (McKinsey, Bain, BCG), assuming that they were prized by the bigger fish for a reason.
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Insiders report that “academic all-stars” can expect to be recruited directly from campus, taking part in two rounds of on-campus interviews in which top performers are weeded out from the rest. Their prize for passing these first tests? Another round of interviews, conducted in TCG’s office. At this point, candidates will meet with and be evaluated by a wide array of staffers, including would-be peers and senior-level execs. “Expect one or two final-round interviews where you dive deep into a partner’s current project at very high level,” warns one midlevel consultant. To pass with flying colors, candidates will need to display “very strong analytic skills, curiosity, logical problem solving, creativity, enthusiasm and strong work ethic.”
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: TCG consultants find their firm to be energized, social and free of office politics. They are generally satisfied with their casework, and feel that they are making an impact for clients.
Overall Satisfaction • “I feel very lucky to have found TCG. I am constantly challenged and enjoy the work and the people. As a testament to the great experience I have had, I’m the only one of my friends from business school who has not switched companies since leaving school.” – Senior consultant • “I love my job. I get to work on the most interesting growth strategy challenges with the best clients and with awesome people. Clients are generally very happy to see us because we’re not cutting costs, but making their business bigger.” – Executive-level respondent • “The firm makes it possible to have a very rewarding long-term career in consulting. We have the privilege of working with great clients on their most
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important growth issues. I have tremendous respect for the intellect of my colleagues and enjoy working in teams with them.” – Strategy executive • “I am generally very satisfied with my job. I get to work on blue chip Fortune 50 clients and advise on strategy. Sometimes the work is extremely data-heavy, especially at the more junior level.” – Chicago analyst
Firm Culture • “Socially, the people at TCG are fun and friendly. We all have fun together whether it is sitting down for lunch, playing intramural sports or meeting up for happy hour.” – Midlevel consultant • “Intelligence is valued more than anything at TCG. Everyone brings something unique to the table, and people are very diverse socially. I would say that the one thing that differentiates TCG from other firms is that there is no pressure to conform here—the differences are what make us stronger.” – Analyst • “Given the office-based business model, you get to know a broad cross-section of the firm pretty quickly because people aren’t always on the road.” – Senior consultant • “The firm has a very young culture, and I have enjoyed working with a vast number of people on multiple projects. There is always a group that is pro-fun and leading the social initiative. There is no political slant, but the firm can do a better job of not being passive-aggressive when dealing with firm problems and concerns of sensitive matters.” – Entry-level source
Supervisor Relationships • “I look to my managers and directors as personal and professional role models. I feel very comfortable talking to senior leadership about many types of issues.” – Analyst • “I have had great relationships with the vast majority of my supervisors. My project supervisors are always very helpful and accessible for issues and questions.” – Midlevel consultant • “Supervisors keep a relatively upbeat atmosphere, and most are fun to be around.” – Entry-level respondent
Interaction with Clients • “Client relationships are very strong. A lot of our work is repeat engagements with existing clients.” – Executive insider • “Since we are a firm that focuses on growth strategies, our clients love us and are excited to work with us (i.e., no one is losing their jobs after the engagement).” – Junior consultant • “We have great relationships with individuals who we have worked with. The vast majority of former clients are very strong advocates of The Cambridge Group.” – Senior consultant
Hours & pay Vault’s Verdict: With the firm’s minimal travel policy and reasonable work schedule, consultants are able to maintain a favorable work/life balance. And to top it all off, consultants feel pretty good about their compensation, too.
Work Hours • “Hours are on the low end of what you would expect from a professional services firm. TCG is able to do this because they are good with scoping their studies.” – Experienced source • “Hours definitely get better as you get more senior in the firm. It’s definitely not as bad as at other consulting firms, and less travel.” – Senior consultant
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• “Sometimes there are late nights, early mornings or weekend work to accommodate client schedules, reach a deadline or talk with people in other countries, but it’s not constant and it’s for a good reason.” – Analyst • “Around 60 hours per week is typical. It kind of sucks, but then again you don’t have to pay for dinner.” – Junior source
Work/Life Balance • “Flexibility is the key to keeping a balance. I know when I am going to hit peak times and can plan ahead. When days or weeks come where I am less busy, I can take advantage of that. Also, we are able to work from home evenings or weekends on most occasions, and can work from home during the day now and again.” – Senior consultant • “The limited amount of travel means I’m home most nights. I may work later at night from home, but the flexibility allows me to keep things in balance.” – Midlevel consultant • “It’s good having a life outside of work in the place where I actually live. Nothing against Applebee’s, but I am glad it’s not my best dinner option four out of five weeknights. And maybe I’m spoiled, but I’d never give up the option of having friends and significant others that aren’t of necessity also my co-workers.” – Experienced consultant • “If you accept that there will always be some weekend work, and that it’s better to check in while on vacation, then you can minimize frustration.” – Chicago higher-up
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Travel Requirements • “The firm has a policy of traveling only when needed. Because most of the work can be done in the office, there is not a great amount of travel for the lower levels.” – Junior consultant • “There’s one gauge: Consultants reach elite status on airlines quite infrequently.” – Analyst • “When I travel abroad, it’s typically for global strategy projects. So you get to hit the big cities (e.g., London, Paris, Milan, Tokyo, Shanghai), which can be fun in small doses.” – Senior source
Compensation • “TCG has always been very generous with its compensation policy. I have always been very happy with my salary level. Bonuses are determined based on your annual performance.” – Senior consultant • “We seem to be among the best-paid consultants. Certainly we have the highest base salary.” – Strategy analyst • “I am pretty positive (at least for post-undergrad) that you are not going to find a firm that is better than The Cambridge Group when it comes to compensation.” – Midlevel respondent • “Compensation is changing a bit due to the Nielsen acquisition, so things still need to be sorted out there, there but we have higher analyst starting salaries than the Big 3 which is a huge strength.” – Entry-level insider
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: TCG is only beginning to acknowledge and address the trouble with its meager training provisions. When corrected, formal training will complement the firm’s dedication to informal training and mentoring.
Formal Training • “As of the past few years, TCG has implemented much more formal training, so I’d say what we have is reasonably comparable to other consulting firms at this point. There is also a formal mentoring program and many opportunities for informal mentoring and training on client work.” – Senior consultant • “We complete training via TCG, but also have access to a wide array of training through our parent company.” – Executive-level source • “We give a crash course on intellectual capital and analytics over the first two weeks. Since the work of the analyst is so data-driven, there’s no way to possibly cover everything in two weeks.” – Analyst • “Training was essentially nonexistent when I and two other analysts joined the firm—this portrayed a very poor image of the firm. However, the firm is making concerted efforts to revamp training across all levels, which is refreshing.” – Midlevel consultant
Promotion Policies • “I am very happy with TCG’s merit-based promotion policy based on strong performance. It is not up or out, and individuals get promoted once they are clearly demonstrating the skills required at the next level. Based on this meritocracy, my fellow consultants and I have been advanced at a good pace.” – Senior consultant • “We have target timeframes for promotions, but we are a meritocracy and promote people when they are ready—that may be sooner or later than the target.” – Experienced source • “We are not up or out, but rather perform or out.” – Midlevel respondent
Diversity
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Vault’s Verdict: Insiders are proud to report that their managing director is a black woman, and feel that that speaks volumes about the firm’s commitment to maintaining a diverse community.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “We have an excellent track record. Enhancing diversity continues to be a focus for us.” – Executive-level source • “Our professional staff is over 50 percent female across all levels, and six of 12 principals are women. Our managing director is an AfricanAmerican woman.” – Strategy consultant • “While there are no specific programs to encourage diversity, our people are exceptionally open-minded. I do not believe that race or sexual preference enters into the equation with hiring decisions—and it shows in our people.” – Senior advisor • “There is no glass ceiling to really speak of. We have a fairly diverse office in terms of race, as well. No one is ‘out,’ so to speak, but I’m not sure if it’s a function of the fact that people aren’t gay or that people aren’t comfortable coming out.” – Midwest midlevel
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: The pipeline is nearly bursting at TCG, sending analysts, consultants and partners alike scrambling to deliver the quality results that have earned them this influx of work.
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Overall Business Outlook • “We performed exceptionally well in the very difficult climates of 2008 and 2009, and are positioned to continue to grow as the economy rebounds.” – Junior staffer • “Our clients have been extremely happy with the work we have been doing. Business has held steady even though the recession, and outlook at this point is extremely positive.” – First-year analyst • “We are now owned by the Nielsen Company, providing us with a level of stability not typically available at a smaller consulting firm.” – Senior source
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “We have a very seasoned and effective leadership group. To add to that team, we have access to the Nielsen Company leadership team, giving us an incredibly rich and deep talent well of ideas.” – Midlevel consultant • “[Leadership is] very strong. They have their pulse on the organization, and they do what is in the interest of the firm and its employees. I am very impressed.” – Experienced consultant • “When an issue comes up, the partners fix it, but generally there aren’t many issues. The partners keep selling work, so there aren’t any problems.” – Entry-level analyst
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• “There is some question about the future of the leadership, since we were bought by Nielsen last year. So far, so good.” – Midlevel consultant
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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DELOITTE CONSULTING LLP
1633 Broadway New York, New York 10019 Phone: (212) 492-4000 Fax: (212) 492-4743 www.deloitte.com
UPPERS • “Most everyone is excited to be here, loves what they do and has a passion for their work” • “Significant breadth of expertise” • “MBA sponsorship for high performers” • “An army of people to support you”
LOCATIONS New York, NY (HQ) Over 50 offices in the US
PRACTICE AREAS
DOWNERS • “Frustrating administrative activities and nuances” • “Overly expense conscious at this point” • “Too many extracurricular activity expectations” • “Too complex to navigate”
Human Capital • Strategy & Operations • Technology
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT THE STATS
deloitte.com/us/careers
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Employer Type: Subsidiary of Deloitte LLP, the US member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (DTT) Deloitte LLP Chairman & CEO: Barry Salzberg Deloitte Consulting LLP Chairman & CEO: Punit Renjen 2009 Employees: 42, 367 (Deloitte LLP); 16,000 (Deloitte Consulting LLP) 2008 Employees: 44, 375 (Deloitte LLP) 2009 Revenue: $10. 7 billion (Deloitte LLP); $3.64 billion (Deloitte Consulting LLP) 2008 Revenue: $11.04 billion (Deloitte LLP); $3.53 billion (Deloitte Consulting LLP)
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Good global firm; deep bench” “Overworked, pay not relative to hours” “Seem to be on the way up” “Big and bureaucratic”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Deloitte Consulting LLP
THE SCOOP Do it with Deloitte Deloitte Consulting LLP, based in New York, operates in three primary areas—human capital, strategy and operations, and technology—and serves clients in a number of industries, including federal and state government; health care and life sciences; financial services; consumer products; retail, manufacturing; technology, media and telecommunications; as well as energy and resources. Deloitte consistently ranks at the top of the great employer lists, including Fortune’s annual 100 Best Companies to Work For and Bloomberg BusinessWeek’s Best Places to Launch a Career, capturing the No. 1 spot in 2007 and 2009. Gartner, Inc. ranked Deloitte as the worldwide leader in the consulting marketplace based on aggregate revenue, growth and market share for 2009. In an interview last spring with Consulting magazine, CEO Punit Renjen described his vision for the practice in this way: “When you have difficult, complex problems, the firm to go to is Deloitte. We have the ability to take world-class insights and use those insights to develop tangible results. I don’t think there are very many firms that can do that, and that puts us in a very unique place…We are a category of one.”
Under the DTT umbrella In the United States, Deloitte LLP is the member firm of the 169,000 person-strong Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (DTT) organization, which includes a worldwide network of audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management and tax services. Each member firm of DTT provides its services independently as distinct legal entities, but participates as members of DTT under the leadership of its global CEO. The parent organization itself does not provide services to clients and is not liable for anything any of its units do, whether bad or good. Not only does this structure help the mother ship dodge any stray bullets, it also helps its worldwide network firms adapt more easily to local laws and regulations. DTT’s American operation, Deloitte LLP, does not provide services, either. It, too, oversees the operations of its subsidiaries, including Deloitte Consulting LLP, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP and Deloitte Tax LLP. Each Deloitte LLP subsidiary is separately capitalized, has its own chairman, CEO and board of directors, and provides distinct services.
Many functions, one identity Deloitte Consulting’s strategy and operations practice, with a double-digit share of the global market, consistently ranks in the top 5 firms in the industry. The practice works with senior executives to help them solve their toughest and most complex problems from strategy to execution. Deloitte Consulting focuses on “executable strategy” services, which it defines as “insights that help our clients produce tangible and measurable results.” Services offered support such activities as corporate strategy, marketing and sales strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and innovation; manufacturing operations including supply chain; sector-specific service operations; infrastructure operations including outsourcing advisory and shared services; and financial management. The organization is also well known for its human capital practice, the second-largest human capital practice in the world, with access to more than 10,300 consultants operating out of 55 offices around the globe. The practice specializes in integrating talent issues with business strategy, with the aim of helping clients enhance their performance, productivity and profitability. Key services in this area include HR transformation, global mobility, organization change and talent strategy, workforce and safety analytics, employment services for multinational organizations, actuarial and risk, and “total rewards,” including benefits such as health care, retirement and compensation.
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The firm’s technology practice is regarded as one of the most developed tech consultancies in the world, delivering a holistic portfolio of support to clients, ranging from advisory services through to implementation and operations assistance. The practice aims to help clients in their efforts to align technology with the core of their business strategy to deliver measurable results. Key services support such activities as technology strategy and innovation, information management, business analytic architecture, technology enabled business transformation, and technology integration and optimization.
View from the top Being CEO of Deloitte is, in some ways, like being president, in that both jobs come with a term limit. In Deloitte’s case, that limit is four years, after which time an election for a new leader takes place—a process that doesn’t preclude the incumbent from serving an additional term. The current occupant of the U.S. CEO seat is Barry Salzberg, who was elected to the post in July 2007, after 30 years of service to the organization. That same year, Sharon Allen—the first female chair of a major professional services organization—was re-elected as chairman for a second four-year term. Heading up Deloitte Consulting in the U.S. is Punit Renjen, a position he was elected to in November 2009. Renjen has been with the firm for over 23 years, and since 2007 served as the global and U.S. leader of Deloitte Consulting’s strategy and operations practice, which has maintained a doubledigit share of the global market for strategy advisory work. In 2007, he was named one of Consulting magazine’s Top 25 Most Influential Consultants, most notably for his work in the M&A space.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Deloitte Consulting LLP
GETTING HIRED In the words of one consultant, Deloitte Consulting is made up of “incredibly smart, analytical and strategic people.” Simply put, if you don’t meet these very basic standards, you shouldn’t (and probably wouldn’t) be applying to join the Deloitte team. In truth, the firm’s hiring process goes far deeper than this, with recruiters seeking “candidates that have demonstrated strong academic performance, leadership abilities, great analytical skills and excellent people skills,” among a myriad of other positive qualities. We’re told that to identify candidates who fit among the firm’s personalities and culture, “Deloitte uses the ‘airport test’—where interviewers determine if they would like to be stuck in an airport for four hours with this person.” Applicants will be relieved to know that Deloitte’s interviewing and selection processes are streamlined, and MBA new hires start together in a cohort in early fall with a comprehensive onboarding program. Even better, they get to forgo the mind-games; “we tend to emphasize logical thinking more than other firms, spending a lot of time focusing on our practitioners’ thought processes versus having them do math tricks.”
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Make no mistake, Deloitte is a giant in the consulting industry. Despite its size, consultants feel strongly about their corporate culture, and offer generally positive feedback on their overall satisfaction.
Overall Satisfaction • “Deloitte in 2010 is an unbelievable place to be. We are the future of consulting.” – California staffer • “I started with Deloitte right out of undergrad, and I have been exposed to all sorts of business issues across a variety of industries and service lines. Fantastic experience!” – Midlevel strategy consultant • “Nine out of 10 days I love my job. It’s challenging, dynamic and rewarding to help clients solve their most difficult problems.” – Finance consultant • “The work that Deloitte engages in is incredibly interesting, and we have a unique breadth of expertise that allows me to bring many pieces together to create a holistic approach to solving problems for my clients. And the people I work with are second to none in their enthusiasm, intellect and integrity.” – Health care consultant • “Recently, utilization has been extremely high and people are feeling the burn, however the firm is taking steps to relieve this, including ramping up hiring.” – New York consultant
Firm Culture • “The culture is very flat and organic. Grassroots efforts are very encouraged. For the most part, everyone is dead serious about client work, and downright playful when it is time to unwind.” – Business analyst • “There is very little competition among peers, and I am always willing to help out my colleagues (as they would for me). Also, Deloitte is very open to change, and employees are empowered to affect this change.” – Strategy consultant • “The people at Deloitte are of the highest caliber, with multiple dimensions, and are extremely down to earth. You could walk into the CEO’s office anytime or send him an email and he will respond—whether you are a principal or business analyst.” – West Coast consultant • “Teamwork is in Deloitte’s DNA. Staff share common goals of making a positive impact on clients, raising the bar on performance, and having fun doing it.” – Operations practitioner
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Supervisor Relationships • “There is a very collaborative culture here. I work hand-in-hand with my supervisors and clients. We all sit in a team room and actually have fun working together.” – HR consultant • “Deloitte is a partnership; as such, we work in an apprenticeship model. In addition, the environment is very entrepreneurial. We don’t call people supervisors—we work in teams, with dedicated roles. While there is a hierarchy on the team, it is role-based.” – San Francisco senior consultant • “If you get the right supervisors, they are amazing. I truly think Deloitte has some of the best partners in the world. Despite almost always knowing more than you do, they treat everyone as equals on the team.” – Business analyst
Interaction with Clients • “I would have never anticipated that less than a year after graduating undergrad, I would be working with C-suite executives on a day-to-day basis. The client exposure I’ve had over the last two years has been great experience, and has really helped me develop my business skills and grow my network.” – Detroit consultant • “We partner with our clients, and I like the collaboration. Ultimately, I know we deliver a better product as a result. Our partners listen to practitioners on all levels. This is critical to getting all the best ideas out on the table.” – Experienced business consultant
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• “Relationships with clients are based on delivery of top work, an undying focus on creating value, and a focus on making our clients personally successful.” – Strategy practitioner
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Deloitte fancies itself among the very top firms industry-wide, and the stringent hour and travel requirements it imposes on its consultants certainly reflect that. Compensation, however, seems to have suffered with the recession.
Work Hours • “I have been generally satisfied with our hours per week. At times, it can get a little more hectic during peak client times, or with our strong focus toward extra-curricular activities.” – Cincinnati practitioner • “It is cyclical—most weeks it is manageable, but every once in a while you are working toward a deliverable, final presentation, etc., which makes it longer. There is a ton of internal work as well, as part of the culture and firm building, which can take anywhere from three to 15 additional hours.” – Operations consultant • “The risk-reward benefit algorithm remains true at Deloitte. You will be as successful as you want depending on how much velocity you wish to drive your career. For global roles and engagements, this becomes more challenging, and yet equally more rewarding.” – Entry-level practitioner
Work/Life Balance • “The firm isn’t going to stop asking for more—it’s up to each individual to set boundaries, and frankly, not many of us are good at that. I’ve given up more nights and weekends than I care to think about, but the opportunities that I’ve created through that commitment are significant.” – Health care consultant • “Work/life balance involves a series of tradeoffs that each individual must make. Travel three to four days a week makes it difficult, but I manage with flexible use of my non-travel days for personal errands and events, and compartmentalizing my workweek heavily into my time on the road.” – Midlevel consultant • “[Work/life balance] only happens once you’ve earned your stripes. After you’ve established yourself as an asset, the firm always tries to meet your work/life needs.” – Minneapolis consultant • “I love my work, so it doesn’t bother me much. But any claims of 45-hour workweeks are completely off base. Between travel, project work and firm activities, work/life balance comes in bursts and is fleeting, at best.” – Junior-level consultant
Travel Requirements • “I am at the client site four days a week, on average. There are opportunities to challenge this average on some sorts of projects, but much of our work occurs hand in hand with our clients, and travel is required.” – Experienced strategy consultant • “We don’t try hard enough to challenge our need to be present with a client. The norm is to fly out on Monday and return on Thursday.” – Senior source • “We rarely staff people on local engagements because of timing. Focus has been developing national staffing capabilities within practices—put the right people on the right clients.” – Atlanta consultant • “Deloitte serves the most prestigious companies in the U.S. and globally. Our practitioners need to travel to serve these clients.” – Operations practitioner
Compensation • “Of course compensation could always be higher, but Deloitte does pay nice salaries and rewards top performers.” – Finance consultant
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• “Our compensation packages are quite aggressive and competitive right out of MBA programs, but the annual bonus program is a nascent one that doesn’t yet appear to compare favorably to competitors’.” – Ohio staffer • “Raises and bonuses were cut severely last year due to the economy, which I believe has had a negative effect on employee morale and corporate culture.” – Business associate • “Analysts and consultants are not eligible for bonuses. 401(k) contribution is low.” –Consultant
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: One might think that Deloitte’s oft-referenced apprenticeship model might facilitate an utter lack of formal opportunities, but that couldn’t be further from the truth: Training programs, particularly for new hires, are of the highest class.
Formal Training • “There is an exhaustive list of training courses available, online and in class, across industries and sectors, at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.” – Senior consultant • “We have two weeks of formal training when we start at the firm, an additional week of training with each promotion, and 40 hours of required formal learning via the firm.” – Cincinnati junior source • “The onboarding training program is world class. They do an excellent job of immersing you in a simulated project to prepare you for real Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Deloitte Consulting LLP
ones.” – Entry-level consultant • “While our formal training has improved dramatically over the past three to four years, most of our training is done on the job. After all, this is an apprenticeship.” – Minneapolis practitioner
Promotion Policies • “We have an up-or-out policy, which I think is needed. Consulting isn’t for everyone, and as you progress, capabilities need to change. Consultants do have the opportunity to advance very quickly.” – Experienced practitioner • “It’s typically two to four years before receiving a promotion. Including business school, it’s a seven- to eight-year timeframe from post-college until becoming a manager.” – Houston consultant • “There is clarity around the path to partner and expectations between levels. ‘Up or out’ is a bit too strong for our culture. If someone does not meet promotion expectations, there are conversations around what additional support is needed to move to the next level, and there are conversations evaluating whether it is even the right path.” – West Coast insider • “There’s too much lip service around meritocracy, not enough action. Direct hires leapfrog home grown consultants, even though, in many cases, they are risky.” – Senior consultant
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: As far as the top consulting firms go, Deloitte outshines its competitors by grabbing the finest diverse talent—and supplementing it with a steadfast commitment to professional development.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “While we need to continue to focus on diversity from a hiring perspective, we have extensive programs to help diverse practitioners succeed, including formal mentoring programs that have been in place for many years.” – Strategy consultant • “I have never been anywhere more diverse. For example, on my current team of 10, there are two Hindus, a Muslim and a conservative Jewish person. Dinner conversation is very lively sometimes.” – Seattle practitioner • “Deloitte offers minority-targeted on-campus recruiting events.” – Entry-level consultant • “The firm is very supportive of GLBT individuals. Minorities have tended to be brought in from minority-focused schools. Women are given equal opportunities.” – Atlanta consultant
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Deloitte has designs of being the industry’s go-to firm, and current business prospects are in line with that goal. The only issue in these uncertain times? Too much work to handle. In short, if you are looking for a consulting opportunity, Deloitte is hiring.
Overall Business Outlook • “We are extremely well positioned, having come through the downturn very well and now growing rapidly again.” – Senior source • “Deloitte’s comprehensive strategy, people, process, technology, risk and tax offerings across the globe position us uniquely to be a preferred partner for the business transformation that is growingly needed to compete in this post-recession world.” – Strategy consultant • “We are sold out. Our trajectory is like a hockey stick.” – San Francisco senior consultant • “We are winning work over competitors; we are very busy and getting positive industry recognition. We are actively hiring and in a very strong position coming out of the economic downturn.” – Business consultant
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• “We’re oversold now, and continue to win in the marketplace. Right now, the greatest threat is due to overutilization of our talent. We need to focus on retention and morale.” – West Coast staffer
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “Our leadership is outstanding. Our portfolio of businesses is really well run. We weathered the downturn better than our competitors and are coming out stronger.” – Senior consultant • “Leadership is well balanced—conservative, but opportunistic.” – Texas senior consultant • “Punit Renjen, though a new CEO, has already started to make his mark on our practice. Punit is widely recognized as one of the leading consulting minds, and will lead our practice to greater heights.” – Midlevel business analyst • “Our new CEO is able to communicate vision, inspire others and build practices. I expect big things with his leadership. The partnership that surrounds him consistently demonstrates prudent financial management, which has and will position the firm to make investments for the future.” – Cincinnati strategy consultant
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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OLIVER WYMAN
1166 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10036 Phone: (212) 345-8000 www.oliverwyman.com
UPPERS • • • •
“Ideas and creativity rule” “International travel opportunities” “Strong quantitative talent” “Very little pretentiousness”
LOCATIONS New York, NY (HQ) Over 40 offices in 16 countries
PRACTICE AREAS Actuarial • Automotive • Aviation, Aerospace & Defense • Business Transformation • Communications, Media & Technology • Corporate Finance & Restructuring • Organization Design & Change (Delta) • Energy • Finance & Risk • Financial Services • Health & Life Sciences • Industrial Products & Services • Leadership Development • Marketing & Sales • Operations & Technology • Retail & Consumer Products • Strategy • Surface Transportation
DOWNERS • “A little geeky” • “High risk of attrition at mid and senior manager levels” • “Public corporate owner” • “The decentralized nature of training, learning and staffing”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.oliverwyman.com/careers
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., a Public Company Ticker Symbol: MMC (NYSE) President & CEO: John P. Drzik 2010 Employees: 3,300+ 2009 Employees: 4,000 2009 Revenue: $1.28 billion 2008 Revenue: $1.55 billion
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“McKinsey of financial services” “Lots of travel and long hours” “Very international” “Balkanized; eat what you kill”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Oliver Wyman
THE SCOOP Tracing the family tree New York-based Oliver Wyman is part of the Marsh & McLennan Companies, a global professional services network with brands and affiliates in more than 100 countries. The largest component of the Oliver Wyman Group—a collective that also includes NERA Economic Consulting and the brand and identity consultancy Lippincott—the firm has around 3,000 consultants working out of offices in over 40 cities spread across some 16 countries. Today’s Oliver Wyman is the result of three consulting firms (Mercer Oliver Wyman, Mercer Management Consulting, Mercer Delta Organizational Consulting) joining forces under the name Oliver Wyman in 2007. Prior to the merger, each of the companies was a veteran of the consulting industry in its own right, and each brought a different specialty to the new entity’s consulting practices. In early 2009 Harvard Business School published a case study on the Oliver Wyman’s successful rebranding—only the second case study the school has published on a management consulting firm. The firm’s consulting services cover the automotive, aviation, aerospace and defense, communications, media, financial services, industrial products and services, health and life sciences, retail and consumer products, and surface transportation sectors. Its clients include numerous Global 1000 companies, more than 80 percent of the world’s largest 100 financial institutions and heads of Fortune 1000 companies.
Global reach Although Oliver Wyman is headquartered in New York, the firm has a very cosmopolitan flavor. While the firm has more offices in North America than on any other continent, more than half of its offices are located elsewhere. Additionally, more than 50 percent of its employees are European, while the firm maintains a footprint on five continents. Further boosting the company’s geographic and business reach, meanwhile, is the fact that the other companies owned by parent company MMC are available, should opportunities arise for collaboration with Oliver Wyman.
Nonprofit knocks The firm is committed to the concept of work/life balance and, as part of that commitment, it offers several programs for staff to recharge their batteries or pursue other interests. One example is the Non-Profit Fellowship program, in which employees can choose to work for a nonprofit organization for three to six months, while the firm pays a stipend equivalent to 40 percent of their salary. In addition, since May 2008, Oliver Wyman has had an alliance with micro-lending organization Kiva.org, operating a formal externship program that dedicates consulting staff to supporting Kiva’s expansion. Oliver Wyman has been involved with the online person-to-person lending organization since its inception, when consultants participating in the firm’s Non-Profit Fellowship program helped Kiva get its website off the ground, and has provided a steady stream of support for its subsequent expansion. In fact, the current president of Kiva is an Oliver Wyman alum. Oliver Wyman has also established long-term partnerships with select nonprofits organizations to provide pro bono consulting services. For example, it has worked with Room to Read, which aims to transform the lives of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. In addition, Bill Wyman, one of the founders of the firm’s financial services practice, created Wyman Worldwide Health Partners, which strives to help improve primary health care delivery in rural, impoverished areas of Rwanda in eastern-central Africa.
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It’s not enough for Oliver Wyman’s consultants to know their industries—they have to know them well enough to be able to publish frequent reports on the state of those industries. For example, the firm has been putting out a “State of Financial Services Industry” report every year since 1997, and in 2007 it began publishing a “State of the Communications, Media & Technology Industry” report. Additionally, Oliver Wyman conducts research each year with the World Economic Forum and parent company MMC on global risks. The results are published in MMC’s “Annual Global Risk Report,” which identifies all the major global risks, assesses their economic impact and recommends mitigation solutions. The firm’s partners are also regularly quoted in financial and business publications, and leading industry trade publications. In fact, between 2007 and 2009, Oliver Wyman has consistently been one of the most cited consulting firms in The Economist, The Financial Times, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal.
GETTING HIRED According to one insider, “It’s easier to get into an Ivy League school than land a spot with Oliver Wyman.” We can’t corroborate this report with complete confidence, but we can continue to quote from the flood of similar responses offered to us: “The resume screenings are ridiculously tough,” a consultant notes, underscoring the difficulty of landing even an initial interview. Those who make it past the initial stages will be excellent all-around candidates, possessing strong analytical and communication skills in equal measure. The good news is that, for successfully screened applicants, the subsequent interview process is straightforward, if not lengthy. Candidates face a series of up to four interviews, all with current Oliver Wyman consultants and partners, ranging from case studies to more informal personality evaluations. “We look for people who will be excited—rather than daunted—by the many things they have to learn,” details one source, reflecting the attitude with which one should ideally approach the process. After the last interview, “the good news is that they tell you yes or no right away,” an associate explains. “If it’s ‘yes’, the firm really rolls out the red carpet with dinners, welcome packages and a nice signing bonus.” Oliver Wyman
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recruits primarily from Ivy League schools and other top-ranked universities, but others are welcome to apply via the firm’s website—and they are definitely not out of the running. The firm’s on-campus schedules can be found on the careers section of its site.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Make no mistake—with its extensive travel requirements and challenging, high-profile projects, life at Oliver Wyman can be intense. It must be the culture then, and above all the people within it, that make it so equally satisfying.
Overall Satisfaction • “In no other line of work can I work with this many talented people, interact with so many different types of clients, and experience such a multitude of challenges and rewarding successes. Though my job energizes, frustrates, motivates, irritates, inspires and aggravates me, every day I love it.” – Senior source • “I am thrilled to be working at such an innovative firm.” – Consultant • “During the financial crisis, I was given the opportunity to literally work in the ‘eye of the storm,’ advising both banks and regulators on strategy and risk management. Though the work is stressful at times, its relevance and high-profile status make it extremely fulfilling.” – New York staffer • “At Oliver Wyman, you have extremely talented colleagues, interesting work, good locations and above-market compensation. It’s travelintensive, but that’s not bad if you’re young.” – Experienced employee
Firm Culture • “The firm has always been distinct in its youthful and collegial nature, and its emphasis on a flat hierarchy.” – Senior consultant • “Open, vibrant, geeky, fun, driven, entrepreneurial, fair.” – Partner • “There is a strong culture of eating, traveling and socializing together outside of working hours, and a tradition of extremely strong friendships developing over the course of work here.” – Consultant • “We only see our officemates once a week on Fridays, and everyone is so warm and welcoming. There are tons of extracurricular activities (ski day, Friday drinks, etc.), and a real sense of belonging.” – First-year
Supervisor Relationships • “Relationships with supervisors are extremely positive, as they are very willing to provide feedback and focus work modules around individual needs and desires.” – Experienced consultant • “Oliver Wyman operates with an incredibly flat structure. There are few egos and people trying to prove their rank. I’ve been on cases with people many levels above me, and we’ve adopted a divide-and-conquer approach to casework.” – Boston insider • “There is a mixture of peer relationships and hierarchy, depending on case or project. This creates a more collaborative environment.” – Entrylevel respondent
Interaction with Clients
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• “Oliver Wyman exposes you to clients right away, which is both challenging and exciting. Now that I have a few years of experience, I am thrilled that I’ve had the opportunity to lead a CEO presentation!” – Consultant • “I have only had one project experience were the client was not absolutely thrilled with the work we performed. Most of the client teams I’ve worked with have insisted on staying in touch, and still reach out to me to give updates or solicit advice.” – East Coast staffer • “We’ve shown over the last two years of work that our clients appreciate our effectiveness, insight and experience, as well as humility in these tough circumstances. We are partners in our clients and each others’ success or failure, and we take that seriously.” – Partner
Hours & pay Vault’s Verdict: Insiders report working, on average, 55 to 65 hours per week. Understanding that hours in consulting can vary greatly from week to week and project to project, these consultants seem to take their work demands in stride.
Work Hours • “Work hours are much better than my fellow grads at other consulting firms, and I blow my I-banking friends out of the water.” – Experienced source • “Nobody should be unhappy with the number of hours they have to work. They always have the chance to say no. For what we get paid, 50 to 60 hours per week, including travel, is a pretty good deal.” – Consultant • “Gould would describe it as ‘punctuated equilibrium.’ Consistently reasonable, but there will always be a few late nights mixed in.” – Partner • “The hours at OW have been consistently increasing over the past few years … This is in part due to increasing business levels, as well as an Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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influx of new partners that have come from different areas of industry.” – Consultant
Work/Life Balance • “We have a no-face-time culture, so if you need to be at your kid’s school play, you can usually work it out.” – Partner • “The work is tough, but we have a flex program that allows us to take leaves of absence and take a break. I went on safari in Kenya for three weeks and traveled across Asia for another two weeks. A friend of mine went to Rwanda to help in a medical clinic founded by Bill Wyman, one of the founders of the firm.” – New York insider • “I have three young children and am consistently the only dad at most of their events. I do this by working around their events.” – Partner • “Long term, the firm pays close attention to not burning out consultants at all levels. Partners that burn out consultants with understaffed projects are financially penalized, since they ruin morale for everybody.” – Consultant
Travel Requirements • “Travel is a love-it-or-hate-it sort of thing. We travel a lot and there’s no denying that.” – New York staffer • “If you’re on a client, you’re [usually] at their site.” – Entry-level consultant • “The typical model is to work in the client’s offices Monday through Thursday every week, back in Oliver Wyman’s office on Friday. For international assignments (I was recently in Australia, Africa and throughout Europe), consultants normally are away for a month at a time.” – Partner • “If you’re in the New York office, travel could be limited since there are many clients in the city.” – Consultant
Compensation • “Pay is excellent for a consulting firm, and higher than my peers at Bain and McKinsey. Year-end bonuses can be in the 60 to 70 percent of base salary range. It was a bit lower last two years, a bit higher the two before.” – Consultant • “Compensation is generous. When the business is performing especially well, it is possible for the bonuses of every member of the staff to rise meaningfully higher than the already solid levels.” – Boston Partner • “Base pay is above average, and we have a host of long-haul salary increases for cases abroad.” – Canadian first-year consultant • “Compensation would be great if the workweek were 10 hours shorter.” – Consultant
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Oliver Wyman is banking on the fact that its high-caliber recruits won’t need any handholding when it comes to finding their way. As such, the firm allocates few resources to train its consultants.
Formal Training • “Ninety percent of what you learn comes from on the job experience, not formal training sessions.” – Chicago associate • “Formal training is offered on an attend-if-you-can basis (if you aren’t swamped with work).” – First-year source • “Training is improving at the company, particularly with our junior entry-level hires. They have also made a commitment in recent years to increase senior management and partner training (rainmaker sessions, etc).” – Experienced consultant • “I’ve never felt myself wanting for more formal training.” –New York partner
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• “It’s a very fast promotion process; faster than most firms. Some people leave if they don’t get promoted as quickly as their friends, [but] if you are good, you’ll get promoted as quickly as you are ready.” - Consultant • “I’ve seen people transition to internal roles (like chief of staff or marketing roles), which seems to work out well for them.” – Consultant • “It’s not up or out at all. The review process is very transparent and fair, and it is understood that people will progress at different rates through different levels. I think the feedback and development practices at Oliver Wyman are light-years ahead of what I’ve seen at other firms.” – East Coast insider • “It’s a very defined process … It’s all based on performance, with 360-degree feedback.” – Partner
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: Networking groups for LGBT employees and women have gained serious traction of late, a positive sign that the firm is mobilizing to accommodate its increasingly diverse community.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “As a gay man, I felt particularly drawn to Oliver Wyman due to its hiring efforts being particularly targeted to the LGBT population.” – Entrylevel staffer • “Recently, two great employee resource groups were formed: WOW (Women at Oliver Wyman) and GLOW (Gay and Lesbian at OW). Both
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groups have been well received and supported.” – Consultant • “We have difficulty retaining female consultants.”” – Consultant • “The lack of women and minority partners is very [apparent]. We do a poor job being flexible and working to bring people back into the firm in line roles.” – Senior source
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: The firm is “expanding very aggressively” out of the recessionary blocks. It’ll be successful in this pursuit as long as consultants on the ground can avoid burnout.
Overall Business Outlook • “We are running extremely hot, with near-record utilization rates.” – Consultant • “Despite the economic situation, in many parts of the firm and across several geographies, things have never looked better. In places, the backlog of sold work is such that we have to defer projects.” – Consultant • “There are a lot of off-cycle hires right now to keep up with demand.” – New York insider • “There’s way too much work being sold. We’re expanding very aggressively.” – First-year
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “Our leaders are all great people, homegrown. Excellent consultants, learning how to be great managers.” – Experienced consultant • “We have made a couple of HR mistakes in the last two to three years—first hiring too many people without anticipating the economic crisis, and then reducing the staffing pool too much, such that we are having trouble dealing with demand. However, I think we are getting back on track.” – Consultant • “Many of our leaders started as analysts, which gives them a unique perspective for taking care of all parts of the pyramid.” – Senior source
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• “John Drzik has done a great job. He’s a real class act.” – Consultant
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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A.T. KEARNEY
222 West Adams Street Chicago, Illinois 60606 Phone: (312) 646-0111 Fax: (312) 223-6200 www.atkearney.com
UPPERS
LOCATIONS
DOWNERS
Chicago, IL (HQ) Offices in 37 countries
• “Branding—we do not believe in marketing ourselves” • “Overemphasis on operations” • “Can sometimes be pigeonholed into a type of work or work area” • “Relatively small size compared to competition”
PRACTICE AREAS Industries Aerospace & Defense • Automotive • Communications & High Tech • Consumer Products & Retail • Energy & Process Industries • Financial Institutions • Pharmaceutical & Healthcare • Public Sector • Transportation • Utilities
• • • •
“Nonhierarchical, entrepreneurial environment” “The ‘new firm’ culture post-management buyout” “High IQ environment without A-Type personalities” “International transfers are very easy”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT atkearney.com/index.php/Careers/careers.html
Services Complexity Management • Innovation • Manufacturing • Marketing & Sales • Mergers & Acquisitions • Organization & Transformation • Procurement & Analytic Solutions • Strategic IT • Strategy • Supply Chain Management • Sustainability
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company Managing Officer & Chairman: Paul A. Laudicina 2010 Employees: 2,700 2009 Employees: 2,700 2009 Revenue: $786 million 2008 Revenue: $910 million
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Supply chain specialists” “Lost in the woods” “Good culture” “Old school”
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition A.T. Kearney
THE SCOOP An ascendant descendent As a consultancy, A.T. Kearney has a rich heritage that takes it back to the setup of McKinsey & Company and the arrival of consulting as a profession in 1920s Chicago. When James Oscar McKinsey set up his original firm in the city in 1926, one of the first partners he was to hire three years later was a certain fellow by the name of Andrew Thomas Kearney. Following McKinsey’s death in 1939, the firm’s two offices—based in New York and Chicago—split, with Kearney taking the latter and focusing the company’s attention on operations and manufacturing. Today, that office has become a monster of a firm, with a truly global reach; it has offices in 37 countries across the world. And, of course, as it has grown over its 80-plus-year history, the company has diversified its operations. Now boasting a workforce of some 1,900 consultants, it proudly focuses on what it calls “CEO-agenda concerns,” a list that ranges from merger, growth and IT strategies, to supply chain management, innovation and complexity management, and enterprise services transformation.
A failed romance Looking at its more recent history, A.T. Kearney walked into what can only be described as a loveless marriage in 1995 with Texas-based tech monolith Electronic Data Services (EDS), now a unit of HP. Initial intentions seem clear enough: EDS was looking to boost its flagging consulting arm, while giving A.T. Kearney’s specialists access to some of its high-profile clients. The reality, however, failed to live up to the intentions, and the partnership lasted a mere 10 years. Various factors, including a drop in EDS’ earnings, cultural differences at an executive level and a general dislike among A.T. Kearney’s management of the notion of being a subsidiary of a publicly held company soon led to a parting of the ways. That officially occurred in January 2006, when more than 170 of the firm’s leading consultants (from no less than 26 countries) participated in a management buyout to take the firm private. Following the buyout, A.T. Kearney officers elected an international 11-member board of directors, which is headed up by Managing Officer and Chairman Paul Laudicina, who has been in charge since 2006. Laudicina, only the seventh person to lead the firm, joined the company in 1991, and has more than 25 years of global consulting and management experience in industry, government and research institutions.
Elite council A key plank of A.T. Kearney’s reputation is based on its Global Business Policy Council. Established by Laudicina as a forum for corporate, government and academic leaders to discuss relevant issues, the council is limited to the world’s top CEOs and business-minded leaders. The group meets regularly to discuss topics such as globalization, foreign direct investment and offshoring.
Retail detail In addition to the advice and implementation work the firm does for its clients, A.T. Kearney leverages its expertise by producing a wide variety of studies each year that track trends in a range of industries. Since 2001, for example, the firm has released an annual Global Retail Development Index, which details retail investment attractiveness in global markets.
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GETTING HIRED A.T. Kearney is notorious for its narrow recruiting window, selecting candidates from only the most elite MBA programs nationwide. “Good luck getting in if you aren’t from a core recruiting school,” quips one young associate. After securing a preliminary interview slot, one can expect the process to be exceptionally rigorous, specifically designed to eliminate those lacking the requisite qualities of an ATK consultant. “A.T. Kearney looks for candidates that are smart, analytical, take initiative and demonstrate tremendous leadership,” offers an insider, failing to cite confidence and charisma as further necessities for any applicant. The process culminates in an “extremely nerve-racking” final interview, in which the candidate must withstand a battery of timed examinations and even deliver a 30-minute presentation. Arriving successfully (or simply intact) at the other side is “a very impressive accomplishment,” according to one survivor of the process. Not to worry, though; those who can’t claim this lofty prize shouldn’t fall too far. As one midlevel consultant says, with only a hint of smugness, “Many of those rejected by our firm end up at top-tier competitors.”
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: The firm places an emphasis on maintaining a uniquely collaborative atmosphere within its ranks, one that fosters constructive relationships between colleagues of all levels and clients.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition A.T. Kearney
Overall Satisfaction • “A.T. Kearney has provided tremendous project experience, training and personal interaction.” – A.T. Kearney insider • “My level of satisfaction is industry-related, not firm-specific. I am not convinced it would be any higher with any other top-tier management consulting firm.” – Health care associate • “I have found A.T. Kearney to be a wonderful mentoring environment with a very real team atmosphere. The support from all levels has been fantastic, especially when working on the very difficult projects.” – Dallas consultant • “I feel needed, and as a result, am treated with professionalism and respect. At times the workload is a little overwhelming due to the rounds of layoffs. I expect this problem will get worse as the gap from the “lost generations” (classes of 2008-2010) will not be sufficient to form an experienced junior associate class as things continue to get busy.” – Midlevel associate • “What drew me back to A.T. Kearney post-business school was the entrepreneurial environment—regardless of your level, you are able to take on as much responsibility (get involved in selling, etc.) as you can handle.” – Midlevel consultant
Firm Culture • “People-wise, I think that A.T. Kearney is one of the most casual, down-to-earth firms around, which is a great fit for me.” – Recent MBA grad • “The culture of ‘niceness’ seems to discourage us from addressing the real organizational and performance issues we may have, as individuals and as a firm.” – San Francisco-based respondent • “We have a national footprint, but seem small enough that everyone has at least a colleague in common, and generally knows someone in each office to go to for local help.” – Entry-level associate • “Unlike other firms, [there are] incentives in place drive a collaborative environment.” – Experienced consultant
Supervisor Relationships • “My supervisors are excellent. Very available, very involved, very responsive. This is the best part of the job.” – Recent hire • “A.T. Kearney has an excellent leadership team—they ‘walk the talk’ in terms of being collegial, collaboration, client service, etc.” – Detroit source • “Even as an analyst, I am included in almost all meetings. I always have a good view of what the higher-ups are doing, and get plenty of feedback and direction from them.” – Entry-level strategist
Interaction with Clients • “Consulting is a relationship business. A.T. Kearney has one of the highest repeat rates in the consulting industry, and that is a result of longterm relationships with clients.” – Midlevel consultant • “One of the greatest benefits of our client-site working model is that we forge very strong, collaborative relationships with all levels of the client organization.” – Health care professional • “We leave very tangible results behind for our clients, which I think is a main driver of our great client relationships.” – New York-based consultant
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: While the firm reaps the benefits of an intensive “client is king” policy, the consultants on the ground often find it difficult to fulfill outside commitments with such a demanding schedule.
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• “Somewhat long, but manageable hours.” – Financial executive • “Everyone, from partners to analysts, works hard. We’re all on the same page in terms of accelerating the firm’s reputation and position with our clients.” – Entry-level strategist • “Although we work extremely hard during the week, the vast majority of teams are able to separate personal weekend time from client-facing work time.” – DC consultant • “We work long hours while on the road. 8am to midnight is pretty common, although it varies greatly from project to project.” – Industry newcomer
Work/Life Balance • “Most project managers at A.T. Kearney are fairly good about planning the work well and not requiring too much of a work/life imbalance.” – California veteran • “Weekend work is flexible in terms of when and where. Common goal: client service.” – Strategy consultant • “Work/life balance is all about working efficiently and effectively during work hours and being able to manage expectations. Many people have not been able to strike up the right mix yet, but it just takes experience.” – New York staffer • “One of the firm’s strengths is being able to provide the time and space needed in ‘critical circumstances’ (death in the family, personal
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relationship problems, illness) for employees—the smaller day-to-day balance is more challenging.” – A.T. Kearney insider • “[There is an] extreme expectation of work ethic—most consultants have to put in a significant amount of weekend time as a matter of routine, on top of an intense week that typically involves four days of travel.” – Midlevel consultant
Travel Requirements • “The firm policy is four days at the client site, one day at the home office. Not unexpected [for] a typical consulting firm.” – Operations consultant • “Old-school partners tend to demand travel every week, even when not necessary. I don’t mind it, but it does wear some folks down, especially those with families.” – East Coast midlevel • “The client is king. Being at the site is better for the client, so we go to the client.” – Entry-level source • “Everyone hopes that travel will decrease with the firm’s goal be been carbon-neutral, but too few partners support this in practice to have changed much.” – DC midlevel • “While the firm requires you to be on site four days a week, about half of the NY office is staffed in local projects.” – Entry-level consultant
Compensation • “Always very competitive compensation—annual benchmarking is conducted by the firm.” – Experienced consultant • “In line with top-tier consulting firms, which I believe is more than generous.” – New York associate • “Base compensation is outstanding at the associate level. However, it does not seem to keep pace at the higher levels, where the bonus becomes more of a factor in total compensation.” – Atlanta first-year • “Bonuses have been averaging 75 to 100 percent of base salary [for partners only], even during difficult economic times. There’s also a generous 401(k) matching program and retirement package partially funded by the firm.” – Partner
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: The firm’s demonstrated commitment to training its consultants is genuine; many will need it in order to climb ATK’s highly competitive, up-or-out promotion ladder.
Formal Training • “This has been the most thorough and the most useful training I have ever had, and there are many programs going forward.” – Experienced newcomer • “The firm has put a lot of emphasis on more official training in the past couple of years. They have stuck to that plan. The national training days have made a big difference in terms of attendance.” – San Francisco veteran • “This firm believes in training, from analyst all the way through partner.” – Energy consultant • “[It is] difficult to fit [training] into the project schedule—but getting better.” – Entry-level insider
Promotion Policies • “A.T. Kearney provides sufficient time to develop and demonstrate ability to work at the next level.” – Detroit midlevel • “The relatively slow growth of the industry is extending timelines to be promoted, and those that are promoted work excessively.” – Chicago respondent
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• “We have an increased focus on commercial viability for promotion to higher ranks—it is no longer enough to be a great consultant.” – Energy executive • “A.T. Kearney does employ some force ranking, but the promotion timing can vary based on the individual consultant’s history with the firm and future potential (e.g., fast track, on track, behind track). Consultants typically advance every two to four years, on average, from the analyst level all the way through manager.” – Retail consultant
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: Respondents are typically content with A.T. Kearney’s efforts concerning diversity—we’re told the firm has recently launched a global diversity and inclusion initiative with support from an external consulting firm—although they do note that the firm’s client-facing demands make it extremely difficult for women with children to stay on for the long haul.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs •“The firm provides mentors for each diversity group if the consultant chooses to have one, and the diversity groups are sponsored by partners. [They are] very active and respected throughout the firm.” – First-year strategist • “We simply don’t have enough women. This is largely an artifact of our hiring pool, but even so I have not seen a drive to increase our women.” – DC newbie
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition A.T. Kearney
• “Policies toward women need improvement. Very little emphasis on making the lifestyle of consulting easier for women.” – Financial consultant • “The firm is very proactive and transparent in this respect.” – Mexico City strategist
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: It’s hard to identify who ATK consultants trust more—themselves, or the firm’s “extremely sharp and focused” leadership. What is abundantly clear, though, is that the firm is favorably perched to prosper in the coming years.
Overall Business Outlook • “In this environment, clients seek tangible results, which we deliver. Morale is high, and business has performed well during the economic downturn.” – Experienced finance professional • “The firm currently has the strongest pipeline that anyone can remember, as clients move out of the recession and focus on growth prospects.” – California consultant • “ATK has increased market share over the past two difficult years. Bonuses have still been paid out, and there have been no layoffs.” – Operations consultant • “Our strength is in cost reduction. With the state of the current economy, we expect to sell more of this type of work. Partners in the firm find this an easy sell, and keep pushing more of these projects.” – Toronto midlevel
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “[Leadership is] globally oriented, extremely sharp and focused on doing the right thing for our clients and our firm.” – Experienced New Yorker • “Outstanding vision and direction is provided by the current leadership. They operate the firm transparently, and continue to support and drive our culture as we grow.” – Chicago executive • “Paul Laudicina, the company’s CEO, is a consulting industry visionary.” – West Coast consultant
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• “Leadership is not in sync with the changing marketplace or needs of their employees—the firm’s greatest assets.” – Senior consultant
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TRIAGE CONSULTING GROUP
221 Main Street, Suite 1100 San Francisco, California 94105 Phone: (415) 512-9400 Fax: (415) 512-9404 www.triageconsulting.com
LOCATIONS San Francisco, CA (HQ) Atlanta, GA
UPPERS • “Social and environmental responsibility” • “Huge focus on career development” • “College-like party life”
DOWNERS • “Mundane entry-level work” • “Exhausting travel requirements” • “Promotion is basically the only metric used to reward performance, but the promotion timeline is basically static”
PRACTICE AREAS Capitation Risk Pool Audits • Clinical Denials • Continuing Education • Comprehensive Payment Review (Primary) • Contract Analyses & Negotiations • Litigation Support • Medicare Review • Revenue Cycle Consulting • Silent PPO Review • Worker’s Compensation Review
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.triageconsulting.com
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company Founders: Richard Griffith, Jim Hebert and Patricia LeeHoffmann 2010 Employees: 330 2009 Employees: 310 2010 Revenue: $70 million 2009 Revenue: $66 million
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Niche, health care-focused” “Bill collectors” “Committed to social responsibility” “Fratty”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Triage Consulting Group
THE SCOOP Follow the money San Francisco-based Triage Consulting Group works with hospitals to uncover lost cash. Founded in 1994 by financial and health care consultants Richard Griffith, Jim Hebert and Patricia Lee-Hoffmann—all of whom stand as board members to this day—the firm provides reimbursement review services to hospitals, focusing on payment accuracy and revenue cycle process improvements for commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, workers’ compensation and TRICARE claim volume. Triage also offers managed care contract analyses and negotiations, litigation support, clinical denial reviews, revenue cycle consulting, silent PPO review and capitation risk pool audits. Since it was established, Triage has identified and recovered over $1.5 billion for more than 500 hospitals. Today, it serves hospital networks and health care providers in 37 states via its two offices in San Francisco and Atlanta. The company takes its name from triage, a term defined as a systematic process for determining priorities “in an environment of scarce or insufficient resources.” The company “triages” the various areas of financial risk in the hospital’s revenue cycle, using its expertise to efficiently recover lost revenue and recommend solutions to its clients. The firm has also earned extra kudos, having been named—for the sixth year running—one of the 50 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work for in America, according to the Society for Human Resource Management and the Great Place to Work Institute.
Don’t mind us, we’re just looking for your money In providing reimbursement review services, the firm’s mantra-like promise to clients is “Maximum Reimbursement. Minimum Disruption. Zero Investment.” A project starts with seeking out underpayments to the most distant decimal point, reviewing patient accounts for payment accuracy and then recovering interest, penalties and any underpaid amounts from health plans. The firm works directly with insurers, PPOs, employer groups, thirdparty payers and/or government agencies to research and recover underpayments, sending cash directly to the hospital upon resolution. For these matters, Triage taps into its own resources only, dedicating itself to progress that is independent from and invisible to its clients. Fees are contingent upon the sum of underpayments collected. Triage also commits time to shepherding the client to self-sufficiency by training employees to catch underpayments themselves. Having identified the mistakes that led to payment errors, the firm can recommend specific policies and procedures to prevent the re-emergence of those errors. In this way, it safeguards against future such incidents, and helps upgrade hospital contracts to industry best practices. Client satisfaction is high: For the last several years, more than half of the company’s assignments have come from repeat business, and Triage claims that most new business comes from client referrals.
For the greater good Triage strives to be a socially responsible organization and, consequently, is involved in a number of philanthropic or environmental initiatives with community partnerships in Atlanta and San Francisco. Through a bi-coastal partnership with MedShare, Triage helps to redistribute medical supplies to countries in need. In its partnership with Redding Elementary School in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco Triage staffers help create lesson plans and activities for students, and correspond with students in a pen-pal program. The firm also maintains a partnership in San Francisco with Family House, which supports families of hospitalized children by providing a free, safe place to stay during treatment. And to serve the environment, Triage teams with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy in San Francisco and the National Parks Service in Atlanta to work on native habitat restoration, trail maintenance and beach cleanup, among other projects.
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GETTING HIRED “Triage believes that the interview process is a two-way street,” an insider explains. “Just as we evaluate and attempt to build an accurate picture of a potential employee, so too do we want that candidate to have a thorough understanding of the company and the position.” The firm does an excellent job of fulfilling this promise, but not everything is rosy for the prospective applicant. Take selectivity, for example, as this source highlights: “One recent semester, we had 200 applications and made seven offers.” This example speaks volumes about the quality of talent Triage hires. So, what kind of candidate does the firm look for? Strong communication and analytical skills, and academic success are important; “candidates must have at least a 3.0 GPA to apply,” one consultant says. Less measurable qualities are equally important, a colleague notes. “The firm is always looking for bright, driven, team-oriented and flexible individuals.” The interview process is straightforward—recruiters simply want screened candidates to demonstrate their value to the company, and vice versa. For example, an insider tells us, “The questions we ask every time are ‘Why health care?’ and ‘Why Triage?’” “It should be clear that the applicant is not looking to leave prior to the two-year mark,” another insider reveals. Simply put, the firm looks for candidates who are truly “excited to join our company.” Those who can successfully convince their interviewers of this fact will be given the most attention and the best chance of an offer.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Triage Consulting Group
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: For the young, outgoing consultant, there is no better option in terms of firm culture and quality of life.
Overall Satisfaction • “I’m very happy with Triage Consulting Group. It was a great transition from school to work, allows for tremendous responsibility at an early age, and is an extremely friendly environment.” – Atlanta insider • “Triage is, overall, a fantastic place to work. I feel challenged, but not pressured, and I know that there is a long-term career if I want to stay.” – Associate • “I am extremely pleased with Triage, and feel very satisfied with my job. I could never have imagined running multi-million dollar projects for multi-billion dollar health systems at the age of 25. I have a strong sense of ownership and pride in my job, and still enjoy coming to work every day.” – Finance consultant • “If, at any time, I do feel unsatisfied, Triage addresses the issue and corrects any potential problems.” – Associate
Firm Culture • “Overall, it is an amazing work environment. Great attitudes abound and there is a tremendous amount of corporate social responsibility.” – Senior associate • “There is never a dull moment at Triage. Whether it be a new-hire happy hour, sports day or school pride day, there is always fun to be had at this firm after 5 p.m.—always.” – Associate • “The company is full of young, creative, driven, social individuals. The company [sponsors] many happy hours and fun competitions.” – San Francisco staffer • “Fresh out of college, this firm has a great culture. However, as you grow up, it can become a little too much. Some new hires think this is a sorority/fraternity and not a job.” – Experienced source
Supervisor Relationships • “I’ve been able to become good friends with most of my supervisors. Conversations are casual, and there’s a low intimidation factor.” – Midlevel consultant • “The evaluation process allows both upward and downward feedback that facilitates open communication between both peers and superiors.” – Entry-level source • “My relationships with supervisors have always been strong. Management treats employees with respect and listens to their ideas.” – Finance consultant
Interaction with Clients • “I have always had wonderful clients who really appreciate Triage’s work.” – Midlevel source • “Client relationships vary by client, but building them has been a fun and exciting experience.” – Associate • “For the most part, clients absolutely love Triage because of our upbeat, fun culture, as well as our impressive track record.” – Associate
Hours & Pay
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Vault’s Verdict: Hours, so often a point of contention among consultants, are incredibly stable and reasonable. Triage wants employees working 45 hours a week, a rule humbly accepted by the consultants.
Work Hours • “I typically average 43 to 45 hours of booked time per week.” – Senior associate • “Triage clearly communicates that its consultants will work a 45-hour workweek, and they hold their word. Sure, there are times when we have to hit a deadline, but the overall average sticks to 45.” – Experienced staffer • “Hours at Triage are extremely reasonable for a consulting firm. It’s a bit unusual in that they tend to go up as you climb higher in the firm.” – Consultant • “It’s nice knowing every day that I can leave work at work and am afforded the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities.” – Atlanta insider
Work/Life Balance • “Every now and then (as needed), I will take the initiative to work on weekends, but it’s not often. Most of the time, I have my evenings, nights and weekends to do whatever I want. I spend the majority of my weekends watching sports, playing golf and/or traveling. I am proud of our work/life balance.” – Associate Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Triage Consulting Group
• “Employees are encouraged to travel and enjoy life experiences, which is highly valuable.” – Entry-level insider • “Since work stays at work when I’m at home, I’m 100 percent focused on my family.” – San Francisco principal • “The only tricky part is traveling, when we are not allowed to book extra travel time. Getting up at 4 a.m. to fly to Seattle counts the same as getting up at 7 a.m. to be in the SF office by 8.” – Midlevel source
Travel Requirements • “Triage informs recruits that they will be expected to travel approximately 40 percent of the time.” – Associate • “The most you will travel is four days a week (Monday through Thursday, with the option to stay the weekend), three weeks a month.” – Junior source • “Every four months, the travel requirements rotate. I have been on projects with three weeks a month travel, and I have been on projects not requiring travel.” – First-year associate • “Corporate lease apartments ease the travel burden.” – West Coast insider
Compensation • “Our compensation is very fair for the consulting industry and the hours we work.” – Midlevel staffer • “We get year-end profit sharing and a 2 percent 401(k) match. Regular paychecks are competitive and allow me to live a fun, carefree lifestyle in San Francisco.” – Associate • “Given the hours we work, the compensation is fantastic, but definitely not in the same tax bracket as the big guys. Having said that, nobody is struggling to pay the bills.” – Atlanta insider • “I realize that Triage wants to maintain a team environment and discourage competition, but there should be some implementation of performance-based pay.” – Finance consultant
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Triage’s formal offerings are extensive, informative and exceptionally helpful the grateful consultants who flock to them.
Formal Training • “We are always in training! It’s a good thing—there’s a lot to know about the health care industry and how to go about doing our job. We are well trained.” – Senior associate • “Triage offers a 15-module training program that extends over each employee’s first 21 months at the firm. The modules are formal trainings, each focusing on improving a different skill set or industry-related topic.” – Junior source • “Training is a big focus—one that I am proud to have gone through and am now providing.” – Finance consultant • “Triage has great resources and training structure. The on-the-job training is one of the top priorities of the management, and I always feel I can seek additional outside training/classes if need be.” – East Coast insider
Promotion Policies • “You can be running your own project in 21 months.” – Midlevel staffer • “Although it’s not outwardly stated, by practice Triage has an up-or-out policy. However, the vast majority of its employees succeed and experience at least one level of promotion.” – San Francisco insider • “We have quick career progression, everyone is promoted or not at the same time--there’s no real competition for promotions.” – Associate
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Diversity Vault’s Verdict: Triage’s population is representative of the universities from which it recruits—which means its overall population is a bit lacking in diversity. But insiders say the firm makes up for those numbers by fostering a truly “open, tolerant” workplace.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “The company is more than 50 percent women. Our ethnic makeup mirrors that of large and prestigious universities, which are not always the most diverse. There is no effort either way toward or against recruiting GLBT individuals.” – Associate • “I think our ethnic diversity has improved a lot in the last few years, but there’s still room for improvement.” – Junior source • “As Triage is based in San Francisco, the company’s culture is naturally diverse, open and tolerant. Specifically, the company places an emphasis on the upward mobility of its female staff by providing very generous maternity and paternity leave for new parents.” – San Francisco insider
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Health care is a booming industry right now following the passage of comprehensive reform. But even if it weren’t, insiders believe Triage would be just fine.
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Overall Business Outlook • “The firm is outperforming forecasted numbers and actively hiring.” – Entry-level respondent • “The health care industry is dynamic and will always have a need for expertise. Triage continues to renew existing business and gain new clients in new markets, while industry organizations are looking to Triage more and more for guidance. Moreover, the company is constantly looking to innovate and improve its core product, while considering peripheral and complimentary service offerings.” – Senior consultant • “With the health care reform passing, we expect an increase in patient volume for our clients.” – Associate • “Triage has a very good model that is simple in nature yet specialized in knowledge. The company is still expanding, and recent market analysis shows there are many potential markets that are untouched.” – Experienced insider
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “Our executive level is saturated with talent.” – Consultant • “Leadership continues to solicit feedback from staff on all issues ranging from culture to morale to business practices. This sense of ‘we’re all in this together’ helps develop the unique culture that is apparent today.” – San Francisco insider
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• “All but three of the principals are ‘home grown’ and have no other experience outside of Triage. We probably need some additional outside perspective.” – Manager
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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CENSEO CONSULTING GROUP
1331 H Street, NW Suite 600 Washington, District of Columbia 20005 Phone: (202) 296-0601 Fax: (877) 514-4419 www.censeoconsulting.com
UPPERS
LOCATIONS
DOWNERS
Washington, DC (HQ)
Operations • Procurement • Supply Chain
• “The fact that some people are remote requires more time spent on communication than if everyone was in the same office” • “As a niche firm, many of the projects are very similar” • “We don’t have the same level of administrative support and resources as larger firms”
THE STATS
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
Employer Type: Private Company Founder & CEO: Raj Sharma President: Lido Ramadan 2010 Employees: 50
Visit the Careers link on the company website.
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PRACTICE AREAS
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• “Connection between effort and reward” • “Watching the company grow and develop” • “Wear jeans on Friday”
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Censeo Consulting Group
THE SCOOP Making sense of operations and supply chain Censeo Consulting Group specializes in operations, supply chain and procurement. The firm tries to break away from the traditional consulting model by using its own methodology. The firm’s model has three main principles: focused expertise, people-focused strategy and operational efficiency. Censeo works with executives managing supply chains and operations in Fortune 500 companies across a number of industries, as well as the federal government. Within the broader areas of operations, supply chain and procurement, the firm also provides clients with organization and workforce development, and assists with complex procurement, integrating customer needs and industry capabilities.
Big fish in a small pond Censeo Consulting Group has been recognized as one of the top small consulting firms to work for. In 2009, The Wall Street Journal named Censeo one of the 15 top small workplaces, and the firm landed at No. 6 on Consulting magazine’s Best Small Firms to Work For. In addition to its overall rank, the magazine also named the company second in corporate culture and employee morale, while also giving it high marks in the work/life balance and career development categories. In 2008, the firm was named one of seven small jewels by Consulting magazine, and appeared on the Inc. 5000 fastest growing private companies list. Founder and CEO Raj Sharma has also taken home his share of awards. In 2009, he was chosen as a finalist for government contractor executive of the year, and was bestowed with the minority business leader award by the Washington Business Journal. That same year, Sharma was named to Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s Pros to Know list for the third straight year.
People first It is no accident that Censeo has been honored as a great place to work. These distinctions are proof that the firm is following its people-focused consulting model, with “people” referring both to its clients and employees. The firm shifts attention to employees by taking on exciting, intellectually challenging projects, encouraging creativity and initiative, offering flexible career paths, limiting travel, keeping reasonable hours, allowing consultants to work where they choose and, of course, by offering competitive salaries and benefits. The firm is convinced that this approach will lead to both happier and more productive employees. One key to the firm’s happy and healthy employees is its willingness not only to limit travel, but also to allow employees to work from home. About half of the firm’s 50 employees work remotely, spending only about 10 to 20 percent of their time in the D.C. office or at client sites. For employees who live in the D.C. area, flexible work schedules are still an option, with some employees allowed to work from home up to two days a week, and others allowed to work at home up to 14 days a month.
GETTING HIRED
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Censeo’s “extensive” and “very competitive” hiring process begins “almost exclusively on campus,” with recruiters targeting undergraduate and MBA standouts with “strong analytical skills.” These candidates are then prescreened, typically through phone interviews. Select candidates will be invited for in-office interviews, where they will go through four to six interviews with current associates, consultants and executive leadership. Within the interview process, evaluations are “as much driven by fit as by qualifications.” Interviewers examine candidates’ “analytical, problem solving, quantitative and communication” skills astutely. “Some background in supply chain and operations roles is an advantage for mid-level or higher level jobs,” an insider advises.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Whether coming directly from school or joining the firm midcareer, the Censeo consensus is clear: Life at the firm, with its surplus of personal, social and professional opportunities, is hard to beat.
Overall Satisfaction • “Censeo is, bar none, the best place I could have possibly ended up after business school to continue my consulting career without having to sacrifice time spent with my family.” – Consultant • “Great culture, awesome people and lots of autonomy for growth.” – Analyst • “Overall, I’m extremely satisfied working for Censeo. My choice to work at this firm out of college has led me to unique opportunities and challenges.” –Associate • “Satisfaction here far outweighs my experience at my previous firm. Work/life balance and focus on personal needs is outstanding.” – Senior consultant Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Censeo Consulting Group
Firm Culture • “This is a very young and vibrant firm that’s full of collaborative spirit!” – Experienced source • “We have consistent social events, charitable causes are stressed and sponsored by the firm, and everyone gets along very well.” – Senior consultant • “I have made close friends at Censeo. We enjoy going to lunch together and spending time after work together. We have a Wii in the office to enjoy some friendly competition, and our softball team is in its second season.” – Entry-level respondent • “What I think differentiates Censeo is the amount of thought and energy that the senior management gives to value the well-being and growth of each individual.” – D.C. staffer
Supervisor Relationships • “We live up to company standard of an open-door policy. I am just as comfortable approaching supervisors as I am junior staff members.” – Senior consultant • “Supervisors are very supportive of professional and personal development, day in and day out. While stern when it comes to quality of the work, they are overall very casual in providing the right level of support.” – Entry-level source
Interaction with Clients • “I have become very close personal friends with my major client.” – Consultant • “As a new consultant (and new to the industry), I’ve been afforded generous opportunities to not only engage clients at major meetings but on a day-to-day basis (e.g., calling them directly).” – Associate
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Censeo consultants pride themselves on the work/life balance they’ve struck, and consultants greatly appreciate their competitive pay.
Work Hours • “Some weeks I work 45 hours, others I work 65. I’d say 55 is about the average.” – Analyst • “This is the first place I have worked where managers have approached me because I was working ‘too many hours,’ and they were concerned about burnout.” – Associate • “Having a virtual model to collaborate with clients and colleagues via web-conferencing, etc., provides opportunities to reduce total work hours by limiting seemingly unnecessary travel.” – Junior consultant
Work/Life Balance • “Censeo has an operational model that allows staff the option to work from home and flex schedules. If I work on a weekend, it is usually planned and on my own terms.” – HR analyst • “Work/life balance is a stated ‘corporate value’ of our firm, and one that our leadership takes very seriously and monitors to ensure it’s not just lip service.” – Midlevel consultant • “I primarily telecommute with limited travel. I am able to manage personal pressure with work needs on my own terms. I frequently work a bit on Sunday evenings by choice to stay ahead of the week’s needs, given my position in the firm.” – Senior source
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Travel Requirements • “I average about one three-day trip per month—normally to either visit our home office or key clients. This is a key aspect about our company’s culture, which believes that we don’t need to be under our client’s feet at all times.” – Senior consultant • “We travel when it makes sense or is needed to deliver quality results. The focus is on client needs instead of subscribing to a standardized travel model. Clients and staff greatly appreciate it.” – Consultant • “Since I’ve been with the firm, the only travel I have done has been within the metropolitan area.” – D.C. associate
Compensation • “Salary is in line with competition. Bonuses are generous. Profit sharing at management level can be significant.” – Associate • “Benefits are solid. If you account for the flexibility and work/life balance, the compensation is fair.” – Senior consultant • “I’m very well paid—especially considering the area in which I live. Most of my fellow company employees live in the Washington, D.C., area which is much higher cost than where I live. I’m compensated the same as they are.” – Senior source
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Look for a more sharply defined formal training regimen once the firm grows in stature and size.
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Formal Training • “Training is both formal and informal. We take the best approaches from firms we have all been at in the past, and evolve them into a more robust and useful training suite for our consultants.” – Executive-level respondent • “Censeo is quickly ramping up formal training offerings.” – Consultant • “The company is still defining requirements and formalizing what every employee should attend. The trainings I have attended were helpful.” – D.C. insider • “Most of the training is unofficial. I was mentored on my first project.” – Entry-level analyst
Promotion Policies • “There’s no up-or-out policy. We are a growing firm, so opportunities for advancement are plentiful and completely performance based.” – Senior consultant • “Consultants have advanced between levels in less than a year, or over two years, depending on skill set and level of knowledge.” – Analyst • “We have fewer overall levels compared to other consulting firms, which naturally leads to fewer promotions.” – Associate
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: Diversity is exemplary at entry and associate levels, but Censeo is still too young to have promoted many of those minorities to leadership ranks.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “The firm is actively recruiting women for senior-level positions, but has not been able to identify appropriate candidates. We are a minorityowned business.” – Junior consultant • “The company is very open to all minority and special diversity classifications of employees. We have a very ‘culturally’ diverse employee base; to my knowledge, we don’t make any of these significant hiring issues (negatively or positively).” – Associate • “The firm is focused on enabling diversity. Recruiting programs are inclusive of minority programs at core schools. Flexible scheduling, telecommuting and limited travel are conducive to retaining staff.” – Operations executive • “Censeo does not currently have any women that are part of senior management, despite typical percentages of women at other levels. It has been more effective at attracting women through campus recruiting than with lateral hires.” – Senior source
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: While Censeo consultants appreciate the security that working in the public sector affords them, the firm has been growing its private sector presence aggressively.
Overall Business Outlook • “The business outlook is good; predominately government clients mean no shortage of funding.” – Consultant • “We’ve been growing rapidly over the past three years, and have just embarked on executing a strategic growth plan to expand our service offerings and client base.” – Associate • “Censeo demonstrated strong performance during the recent financial downturn, has numerous strong relationships with key client organizations and has recently developed a number of new relationships with new clients.” – Senior associate
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Confidence in Firm Leadership • “The firm leadership is very forward-thinking and concerned about the type and size of firm that we will be five years from now, not just the type of firm we are today.” – Junior-level insider • “We have a strong leadership, all with a common vision and strong experience.” – Senior source • “Leadership is transparent and attentive to the feedback of everyone within the organization. The management team actively solicits feedback from all levels of staff on upcoming strategic initiatives and firm changes.” – Associate
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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WEST MONROE PARTNERS
175 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 2200 Chicago, Illinois 60604 Phone: (312) 602-4000 Fax: (312) 602-4010 www.westmonroepartners.com
LOCATIONS Chicago, IL (HQ) Columbus, OH Dallas, TX Montreal, QC New York, NY Seattle, WA Toronto, ON
UPPERS • “Focus on the middle market” • “Learning opportunities from leadership” • “Esprit de corps”
DOWNERS • “Growing pains from rapid growth” • “Very little administrative support” • “Still a very young company”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.westmonroepartners.com/en/Careers.aspx
PRACTICE AREAS Business Process & Systems • Customer Experience • Labor Management • Managed Services • Mergers & Acquisitions • Software Solutions • Supply Chain Solutions • Technology Solutions
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company President: Dean Fischer 2010 Employees: 227 2009 Employees: 218
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition West Monroe Partners
THE SCOOP Chicago’s own West Monroe Partners doesn’t take its name from the firm’s headquarters location—if that were the case, it would be called West Jackson Partners. The moniker is actually a nod to the address of Arthur Andersen’s former world headquarters at 33 West Monroe Street in Chicago. A group of former Arthur Andersen consultants founded West Monroe in 2002, starting out with just six employees and a single office in Chicago. The firm has since grown to include more than 200 professionals, with additional locations in New York, Dallas, Seattle, Columbus, Montreal and Toronto. West Monroe Partners is a full-service business and technology consulting firm focused on guiding organizations through projects that fundamentally transform their business. The firm describes its approach as an “end-to-end perspective” on clients’ needs, combining analysis, strategy, projectbased solutions and outsourced solutions.
Expanding global reach Much of West Monroe Partners’ business comes from middle-market clients in the United States in Canada, but a recent partnership is likely to broaden its clientele. In March 2010 West Monroe Partners and BearingPoint announced a strategic consulting alliance to expand their global market coverage and to better provide services to their international clients. Under the terms of this agreement both firms will refer business opportunities, collaborate on client work around the world, and share intellectual capital. The two firms will continue to focus on their respective local markets, while collaborating on projects that require broader geographic reach.
No MBA, no problem Business at West Monroe Partners is divided into eight functional service lines, each of which is led by technology experts –and partner with its industry experts to provide highly customizable solutions for clients. These solutions are designed to solve for specific business needs and often coincide with industry transformations, such as utility companies applying for ARRA grant dollars, health care providers struggling to remain compliant with new reporting regulations, or banks responding to changing regulations. Several clients also rely on West Monroe’s technology product offerings, some of which are proprietary and some of which have been developed in conjunction with partners. These include West Monroe Project, a trademarked project management system; the FLEXdls warehouse management system; and WMP SMART, a customizable framework that eases compliance with the U.S. Department of Energy and ARRA requirements for grant reporting and monitoring. Given the firm’s tech savvy approach, it’s no wonder that nearly half its employees have degrees or backgrounds in technology. CEO Dean Fischer has championed efforts to invest in the firm’s technology resources, and encourages his staff to hone their skills on the job, even if they hail from more traditional consulting or business fields. (In fact, Fischer has been quoted in Consulting magazine as saying that it’s “a waste of time” to get an MBA right after finishing college, because he believes learning in the field is the best education for new hires.)
“People first” West Monroe puts a heavy emphasis on its workforce, and does its utmost to encourage professional development among its consultants. It attempts to create a feedback-oriented, highly participatory culture that affords its employees many opportunities to grow and succeed.
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That “people first” mentality is a value that is shared from the top down. As CEO Dean Fischer explained to Consulting magazine, West Monroe’s guiding principle is: “He who gets the best people wins. We’re a people-first organization. That’s what West Monroe is all about. It’s almost blasphemy to not say that the client comes first, but I really believe that if you put your people first and you treat them right and you grow them and you train them and you do all the things that are necessary to care and nurture them, the outcome of that is going to be great client service.”
Busy giving back Each West Monroe office maintains a community service committee that works in partnership with the firmwide charity/community involvement committee. And since over half of West Monroe’s employees are based at the Chicago headquarters, the firm’s philanthropy is primarily focused on Chicagoland causes. West Monroe supports charities like i.c. stars, a Chicago organization that teaches IT and career skills to inner-city youth, the Chicago Children’s Memorial Hospital, and the Springboard Foundation, which assists grassroots groups in Chicago’s poorest neighborhoods. The firm also has a longstanding affiliation with the Student Conservation Association, a national conservation group aimed at high school and college students. A number of West Monroe’s employees are active in SCA’s work, and CEO Fischer sits on the group’s board of directors. West Monroe executives are also heavily involved with the U.S. Fund for Unicef.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition West Monroe Partners
GETTING HIRED Entry-level and experienced applicants follow very different tracks at West Monroe, though both are equally selective and rigorous. Further, both benefit from “timely and fair” processes; as one insider says, “Of all the firms and companies I interviewed at, West Monroe Partners gave me the quickest turnaround and most attention.” Entry-level candidates face an extensive screening that can include up to three phone interviews and primarily focuses on the candidate’s academic record and demonstrated aptitude. “At West Monroe, the first cut is essentially you have to be very smart, but from there it is all about the attitude,” one associate details. For recent undergrads, behavioral interviews and case studies are standard methods of evaluation. A successful candidate can expect to meet with upwards of 10 West Monroe staffers, including high-level executives. Experienced candidates can expect a predictably more in-depth process, including “a full-day assessment with an independent psychologist.” Overall, current West Monroe associates are certain that the process results in an excellent consultant pool, both in terms of fit and aptitude. As one insider states, “If you receive an offer at West Monroe, you have every reason to feel confident you will fit in.”
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: With any luck, consultants will be able to enjoy the “extremely satisfying” day-to-day routine at West Monroe for years to come, as the firm sheds its small-firm label.
Overall Satisfaction • “I am very pleased with my exposure and breadth of responsibility. Every day I feel like I add something to the firm, and I leave every day with a better understanding of my field.” – Analyst • “I am extremely happy with my position here at West Monroe Partners. The business development team is treated as an integral part of the firm. This helps in the pursuit of new business, as well as resulting delivery.” – Entry-level source • “West Monroe provides many unique opportunities for young resources to step up and take ownership of their career. I work alongside talented co-workers who mentor me on a daily basis.” – Operations analyst • “You can never be 100 percent satisfied, but West Monroe is close.” – Energy partner
Firm Culture • “Everyone is smart, driven, wise and responsible. Plus, it’s just a fun group to be around—I’ve made some really great friends here.” – Operations associate • “West Monroe really goes out of its way to create a fun workplace that still fosters excellent business. There are tons of activities, events and activities to help you get to know your co-workers. As a young professional, I’m surrounded by people who have similar interests, both in and out of work.” – Experienced consultant • “Our culture is a very close-knit family—I think I know probably 90 percent of our employees by first name. We have various clubs and groups that get together on a regular basis, i.e., sports teams, book clubs, beer-brewing club, dinner club. We have frequent happy hours and solution team outings.” – Chicago insider
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• “While our firm is rooted in the Big 4 consulting structure, there is much less political posturing and less territory battles.” – Technology consultant
Supervisor Relationships • “West Monroe has a ‘no door’ policy. In each office, new consultants sit next to senior directors to help promote a truly collaborative environment.” – Senior consultant • “As a nurturing and open firm, we don’t shy away from difficult conversations. If something is wrong, we fix it immediately. There are no surprises, and communication is valued.” – First-year analyst • “My relationship with my direct supervisor is great. He’s honest, forthright and gives me frequent feedback.” – Energy consultant
Interaction with Clients • “Client relationships quickly produce mutual respect and admiration.” – Columbus staffer • “We have very high satisfaction with our clients; as an employee-owned company, we make client satisfaction job No. 1.” – Executive-level source • “My strong client relationships are a personal hallmark, as well as a key driver for my continued desire to stay in consulting. I’m hooked!” – Midwest associate
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition West Monroe Partners
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: West Monroe consultants concede that client demands come first, and, as such, hours can be lengthy. That said, the vast majority are more than willing to contribute to the cause, grateful of the personal and professional rewards the work affords them.
Work Hours • “This is not a company where the more hours you work means the more you are rewarded. Instead, becoming efficient at work means more time for personal or business development, and in the end saves our clients money.” – Technology consultant • “With the market heating up, things have been very busy. But a good busy!” – Midlevel consultant • “Technology and remote access gives me the flexibility I need to extend the day on my terms and be compatible with my lifestyle preferences.” – HR associate • “Of course I wish it could be less hours, but I also know that the hours I am working are worth it for career advancement.” – Project director
Work/Life Balance • “The culture and the support I get at West Monroe allow me to blend what I need to give to work and what I want to get out of life in a fashion that meets my needs.” – Associate • “I am able to work from home in the event of an appointment or other engagement, and we have a paternity leave policy on par with the industry. We also have a good amount of paid time off, which helps a lot.” – Midwest insider • “I am able to completely manage my schedule—as long as I deliver results. If I have to give more time to meet a customer deadline, I know I can compensate another time.” – Operations partner • “I’m able to turn off my computer and phone in the evenings and weekends and enjoy my family.” – Junior staffer
Travel Requirements • “It depends on the project. I was on the road Monday through Thursday for two straight years, but recently I have been local.” – Senior consultant • “Travel is lower than most firms, but we need to be where clients are! People are rewarded fairly to compensate when travel is increasing.” – Operations consultant • “West Monroe does a lot of business in Chicago, so if you don’t like to travel, you can focus on projects in the area.” – Midwest respondent
Compensation • “I’m very happy with my compensation. I’m sure that there would be potential for higher compensation if I went to a bigger firm, but West Monroe provides a culture that more than offsets that gap.” – Strategy insider • “Base pay is very competitive. We have an excellent program for bonus and profit sharing.” – Operations consultant • “We operate as one firm, so bonuses are tied to the overall firm performance, not just an office or subgroup.” – Senior source • “Given the economy, we decided to not give out a bonus at the end of 2009.” – Chicago partner
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: In the past, the firm’s small size corresponded well with a mentorship culture. Now that it’s seeing rapid growth, investment in formal offerings is ongoing and comprehensive.
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Formal Training • “Consultative training is well institutionalized. We have both online and classroom training. Technical training is more individualized, and is comprised of a mix of formal training and on-the-job training.” – Partner • “Training offerings are more than you could do, even when not fully booked on projects.” – Energy insider • “We are getting better here. Our training is usually on the job and just in time. We are getting to be the size now that we need to proactively offer certain kinds of training, but we are certainly addressing that as we speak.” – Midwest junior • “I have learned 85 percent of my job with on-the-job training.” – Analyst
Promotion Policies • “We are not an up-or-out culture. Consultants do advance every two to three years, but some stay specialists forever. You do not need to be promoted to stay here.” – Senior source • “The culture is meritocratic—those who work hard are rewarded almost without exception.” – First-year analyst • “The best-performing group of fresh consultants is generally promoted to the next level at their one-year date.” – Junior consultant
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition West Monroe Partners
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: As far as the numbers are concerned there is room for improvement in the diversity arena, but insiders appreciate West Monroe’s tolerant, welcoming attitude.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “I think our firm makes great efforts to treat everyone equally. For a smaller firm, I think we are extremely diverse, which adds a lot to our work environment.” – Technology analyst • “Hiring and promoting any of these populations is supported but not actively addressed, so our employee population is sprinkled with representatives of each at multiple levels, more as a result of performance/available talent pool than intent.” – Executive-level respondent • “Diversity is something we truly value, and we will continue to focus on it. From a truly statistical perspective, we’re looking to improve in this area.” – Senior consultant
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Consultants are exceptionally confident that West Monroe’s “second to none” leadership is steering the firm toward a profitable future. Early indicators suggest that their confidence is justified.
Overall Business Outlook • “Our first quarter has been one of our best in our history. Everyone is highly chargeable, and we are hiring.” – Senior consultant • “2010 is already beyond all of our expectations, and we know the best is yet to come.” – Operations higher-up • “We are almost sold out! It is great when you can turn down work as a consultant and have a lot of options on the table to work on different projects.” – Entry-level staffer • “West Monroe and BearingPoint Europe just entered a strategic partnership. This will provide a lot of great opportunities for both consulting firms.” – Senior consultant
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “The leadership team at West Monroe Partners is second to none.” – Strategy consultant • “The team is extremely gifted, supportive and committed.” – Midwest insider
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• “Our leadership team is brilliant, and we see it every day when they come up with interesting initiatives. Our firm is small and nimble, so we see executive decisions acted upon quickly every time they are made.” – First-year analyst
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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CORNERSTONE RESEARCH
353 Sacramento Street 23rd Floor San Francisco, California 94111 Phone: (415) 229-8100 Fax: (415) 229-8199 www.cornerstone.com
LOCATIONS Boston, MA Los Angeles, CA Menlo Park, CA New York, NY San Francisco, CA Washington, DC
PRACTICE AREAS Accounting • Antitrust • Bankruptcy • Corporate Governance • Energy • Financial Institutions • Intellectual Property • Labor, Employment & Discrimination • Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare • Securities • Valuation
UPPERS • “No ‘punch in’ or ‘punch out’ time” • “Academically-oriented work” • “Privately held; not subject to the whims of the quarterly cycle” • “Softball in the summer”
DOWNERS • “Lack of transparency regarding advancement” at senior levels • “Not well known compared to larger management consulting firms” • “Slow-moving leadership decisions” • “Managers tend to staff the same analysts over and over again, so even though analysts are technically ‘generalists’ we sometimes get pigeonholed”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT Go to the careers section of the firm’s website
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company Chairman & Managing Director: James K. Malernee President & CEO: Cynthia L. Zollinger 2010 Employees: 450+ 2009 Employees: 450+
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“The go-to guys in litigation consulting” “Eggheads, analysis-driven” “Strong in the finance area” “Research-, not client-focused”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Cornerstone Research
THE SCOOP The starting line In traditional architecture, a cornerstone is a stone representing the nominal starting place in the construction of a monumental building. Cornerstone Research, a finance and economics consulting firm, likes to think that it provides this same starting place for clients facing complex economic or financial issues. Although Cornerstone seldom releases the names of its clients, the clients and projects that it is involved with are often in the news, and the firm works on many cases that make the front page of The Wall Street Journal. Many recent cases have revolved around the financial crisis, auction rate securities, private equity deals gone awry, and stock option backdating. Clients include firms in a diverse group of industries, ranging from the financial, telecommunications and high-tech markets, to manufacturing and real estate. Cornerstone Research provides its clients with the insights and analyses they need to make their case in the context of arbitration, mediation, or litigation. That includes finding high-quality expert witnesses, as well as providing economic and financial analysis to clients.
Clean break Cornerstone was formed in 1989 when founding officers Cynthia Zollinger and James Malernee left the MAC Group, a management consulting firm. Zollinger and Malernee made the decision to split away from MAC because they felt that the fundamental differences between financial and economic consulting and management consulting called for a greater focus. It prides itself on the fact that much of its business still comes through client referrals.
Brick by brick Cornerstone is most known for its work providing economic and financial analyses on issues pertaining to securities, antitrust, intellectual property, accounting, energy, health care and financial institutions (such as banks, hedge funds, and insurers) when these issues arise in litigation. The firm gets the ball rolling by identifying key economic aspects of the case. These aspects are identified as areas that might require expert witness opinion or testimony. The firm then helps its client choose an expert witness who is recognized for his/her expertise in the relevant subject matter and prior experience in litigation proceedings. These witnesses come from a wide network of sources, including both academia and “real world” experts. Finally, when it is time to take all this work and move it into the courtroom, Cornerstone Research and the experts they support will help attorneys prepare for depositions of opposing witnesses, cross examinations and, finally, trials. Typical projects last several months, though they can last from one week to over a year—and consultants usually work on more than one project at a time.
Stepping stone The vast majority of undergraduates who join Cornerstone eventually leave to earn a graduate degree, with most pursuing an MBA. Other departing consultants choose to pursue PhDs in economics or finance, or law degrees. The firm takes several formal steps to help consultants with the application process. It brings in admissions counselors from Wharton, Stanford, Duke, MIT, Kellogg and Chicago, or other top institutions, to give presentations and talk to students about their respective schools and the requirements for admission.
GETTING HIRED
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Cornerstone recruiters aren’t looking for excellence in any specific field—they’re looking for it throughout a candidate’s experiences, be they strictly academic or augmented by work history. Offices recruit from the top academic programs in their geographic area, seeking “well-rounded, enthusiastic candidates who have demonstrated excellent academic performance.” While this is somewhat typical for the industry in general, Cornerstone only reaches out to graduates who demonstrate an atypical ability to analyze and solve problems of all sorts. Those invited to join the hiring process are subjected to anywhere from two to 10 intensive interviews, “ultimately meeting between eight and 10” current employees. During these interviews, candidates “are given up to eight case studies,” one executive mentions. “Each case study is quite different, usually based on a case the interviewer has personally worked on,” he continues. Interviewers place particular emphasis on looking for candidates who are “able to think outside the box.”
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Cornerstone’s outstanding firm culture takes the cake as the fundamental source of its consultants’ general satisfaction, an impressive display in itself.
Overall Satisfaction • “I am surprisingly satisfied with my job. When I have dinner with my fellow MBA alumni, they always are talking about their ‘next job’ or what
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they hope to be doing. I am already where I want to be.” – Manager • “I am very happy with my job at Cornerstone. The work is very interesting and the nature of our cases is constantly changing. This allows me to think and learn about many different fields/firms and issues. Given our people, working in case teams is always fun.” – Associate • “Cornerstone provides a lot of great opportunities for professional development for someone like me, who joined right after college. I’ve been able to develop technical and soft skills, and take on substantive leadership roles on case teams and on non-billable projects in a way that I never expected to right out of school.” – California staffer • “I love almost everything about my job. I work with great people and my work is challenging. My only complaint is that the hours are often unpredictable.” – Research associate
Firm Culture • “Cornerstone has one of the best cultures of any firm out there. As an employee, you feel completely comfortable interacting with everyone from admin staff to partners both in and out of the office. Everyone is supportive of one another and this leads to a friendly and fun work environment.” – Analyst • “People are extremely friendly and helpful. We enjoy working and socializing with one another. Senior management is committed to creating an environment where people are happy and are given opportunities to succeed and develop professionally.” – Senior source • “The firm is very proud of its culture, and rightfully so. Organized social events allow colleagues to get to know each other outside of the work environment, and the atmosphere is friendly and collegial.” – D.C. Associate
Supervisor Relationships • “We’re a close-knit company, so I actually know my supervisors very well. I’ve been to their homes, had one-on-one dinners with them, and grab drinks with them after work at least twice a month.” – Senior Analyst • “I have always felt comfortable approaching supervisors, and have found that they value analysts’ input and take a significant interest in their development.” – Research Analyst • “I’ve had a chance to build some great working relationships with my supervisors—so much so that I would not hesitate to ask any of them for recommendations for graduate school or future jobs.” – Research Associate • “I really like my supervisors. They are generally a pretty impressive set of people. Some obviously more than others, but that’s to be expected.” – West Coast insider
Interaction with Clients • “As you become more senior, you are given more exposure to clients and experts. I have been able to lead my own meetings with experts, which has been a great learning experience for me.” – Associate • “It’s a bit of a mixed bag. Most of our clients are great, but some are a quite difficult. I have a good relationship with the vast majority clients who I work with, but there are a few who are harder to work with than the rest.” – San Francisco staffer • “In general, Cornerstone analysts have relatively limited contact with clients, though opportunities to have more contact are available.” – Junior source
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Hourly demands are no problem for Cornerstone consultants, who appreciate the firm’s commitments to keeping travel low, weekends work-free and pay at competitive levels.
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Work Hours • “I generally arrive by 8:30 a.m. and leave by 7:30 p.m. Maybe a few hours on the weekend. Some late nights and weekends are definitely required. People here are not into face time, per se, which is great.” – Experienced staffer • “Historically, it seems certain high-performing analysts receive a disproportionate amount of the work, while others do not. This can lead to feelings of inequity.” – Boston entry-level • “The workload is as advertised: on average, 50 hours per week. However, as expected, there is a lot of variation for each individual as well as across groups.” – Manager • “The hours at CR are cyclical. Before a deadline, you might be very busy, but it balances out over time. Analysts are expected to work 50 hours per week, with 10 of those hours being non-billable tasks. Non-billable tasks include, but are definitely not limited to, leading the recruiting effort on campus, writing a report with professors at Stanford on current securities litigation or training other analysts.” – Associate
Work/Life Balance • “My experience has been that managers make a concerted effort to balance your work and life. I had a pretty time-consuming hobby while working full time, and my managers worked with me to allow me to continue the hobby while still meeting the deadlines.” – Analyst • “The firm is great about promoting work/life balance. Weekend work is not frequent, unless there is a fire drill for an engagement.” – Senior Manager • “It takes considerable upward management in order to maintain a good balance of life and work. Unless you’re proactive about fulfilling out-ofVisit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Cornerstone Research
office plans, managers will expect you to basically be on call.” – Research Associate
Travel Requirements • “Where Cornerstone really stands out to me as compared to management consulting is in the lack of travel. I really feel a sense of being home where I live, and can maintain active friendships and relationships that wouldn’t be possible if I were spending four days a week in a hotel in random city.” – New York Senior Analyst • “Our travel demands are infrequent. I’m now at a level where I occasionally have to travel for a client meeting or something of that nature, but it’s not like it’s a regular part of my job.” – Senior Manager • “Our firm usually requires no travel. There have been rare instances where one office will be so busy that they need consultants from another office to work out of their office for a short period of time, but this will always be an optional assignment.” – Analyst
Compensation • “I think that Cornerstone offers compensation equal to or better than the industry. Bonuses are generous. I have found that utilization bonuses do not quite compensate for the additional work done, but the aggregate financial package is quite satisfactory.” – Research Associate • “Cornerstone has always been very generous. 2009 was not a great year for the firm, and 2009 bonuses were below target, but we are much busier lately. And even though utilization was not great last year, the bonuses were still pretty good.” – Manager • “I feel that you really don’t get rewarded for standing out. If you do a great job, then you get a slightly bigger bonus; if you’re terrible, then your bonus is slightly lower. But the discrepancy isn’t as high as you’d think.” – Senior Analyst
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Cornerstone’s “very intense” first-year training program is both comprehensive and effective. After that, consultants typically prefer informal alternatives to the firm’s formal offerings.
Formal Training • “When you start, CR conducts two weeks of very intense training, which culminates in mock expert deposition. It’s a really fun process and is a serious bonding experience for the analysts.” – Entry-level respondent • “Cornerstone conducts official training sessions, given by peers or superiors. These sessions provide very useful insights for professional development. The initial training is very useful in getting one up to speed, and helps make the transition into this job really smooth.” – Research Associate • “After a weeklong mock case, most training is learned on the job. Cornerstone also organizes weekly formal training sessions for new hires for the first five to six months, which are helpful for learning the best practices and software that you might not use on your first case.” – Analyst • “Not all of the training is productive. Most consultants learn more through informal mentoring on live cases.” – Boston principal
Promotion Policies • “There is a clearly defined career path, as long as consultants meet the high level of expectations from the company. Consultants are evaluated on specific criteria (which is known to them in advance) every six months. Therefore, reviews and promotions are pretty transparent at the company.” – Manager • “It is not an up-or-out firm. Consultants are given a timeline and the firm tends to adhere to that policy. I’d like a little more flexibility, even if it came at the cost of job security.” – Associate
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• “Cornerstone is into private rewards: salary increases, bonuses, better recommendation letters, etc., rather than title changes.” – West Coast staffer • “At the analyst level, promotion is on a standard schedule. After five years, most analysts are expected to move onto graduate school or another position.” – Entry-level source
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: Diversity is one of Cornerstone’s strongest assets; many consultants have joined the firm specifically for the prospect of joining a truly hospitable, engaging work community.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “Cornerstone is extremely diverse. Many employees at all levels of the firm from analyst to CEO are women. Cornerstone is very accepting of GLBT individuals.” – Los Angeles Analyst • “We are a pretty diverse crowd and take care in recruiting to keep things that way. Our diversity is one aspect that makes this place great.” – Manager • “Our firm is very supportive of minorities and employees needing work visas and immigration support.” – Senior Analyst
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Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: 2009 was a difficult year for Cornerstone’s clients and competitors, but the firm’s leadership performed admirably, ensuring the firm’s continued strong financial performance and positioning the firm to resume growth as the economy rebounds.
Overall Business Outlook • “After a somewhat challenging year 2009, things are improving. In 2009, management took measures to prevent layoffs, unlike some of our competitors. This leaves us well placed to take advantage of an improving business situation in 2010.” – Associate • “Employee morale is good; we are doing better than a number of our competitors, which is in part due to the fact that we are a privately-held firm. We operated profitably during the economic decline, and expect to continue to operate at a good level.” – D.C. insider • “This recession has been longer and deeper than expected. We’ve had to adjust to it but did not change our core values. We’ll be ready when demand picks up again.” –Senior Associate • “Everyone banded together during the slower times. Business is picking up lately, and we are well positioned with our staff and expertise to take advantage of the economic upswing.” – Analyst
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “The leadership is excellent. Everyone loves our CEO and she is doing great things for the firm.” – Associate • “The senior folks take the long view to planning. They do not view labor as a marginal cost, but rather as part of the capital stock that makes the firm strong.” – Research Associate • “The firm is still actively run by its founders, in whom everyone has great confidence. I think the challenge for Cornerstone is going to be in the next 10 years when the founders either retire or at least scale back.” – San Francisco staffer
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• “The firm’s leaders are looking to create a sustainable business that will outlast them, which is great for the next generation of leaders.” – Manager
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
300 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10017 Phone: (646) 471-4000 Fax: (813) 286-6000 www.pwc.com/us www.pwc.tv
LOCATIONS New York, NY (HQ) Network of member firms with 74 offices across the US
PRACTICE AREAS Advisory Capital Projects & Infrastructure • Corporate Finance • Deals • Finance • Forensic Services • Internal Audit • Operations • People & Change • Risk Management • Security • Technology Assurance Tax Private Company Services Public Sector Practice
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company Global Chairman: Dennis M. Nally US Chairman & Senior Partner: Robert E. Moritz Global Advisory Leader: Juan A. Pujadas US Advisory Leader: Dana Mcilwain 2009 Employees*: 39,142 2008 Employees*: 38,160 2009 Revenue*: $9.03 billion; $6.11 billion (global advisory) 2008 Revenue*: $9.33 billion; $6.89 billion (global advisory) *Employee and revenue figures are for North America and the Caribbean only
UPPERS • “Prestige of firm name” • “Unparalleled commitment to learning and education” • “Exposure to upper management”
DOWNERS • “Considered exclusively an audit firm” • “Poor work/life balance” • “Time off negatively affects perceived performance”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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www.pwc.com/careers
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Good all-around firm” “Weak leadership, coasting on reputation” “Pay for performance—good promotion practices” “Accounting focus”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
THE SCOOP Getting back into it Big Four accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers has been steadily building its consulting practice in recent years, following the sale of its original consulting wing to IBM in 2002. These days, PwC’s management consulting operations focus on operations, finance, organizational strategy and structure, process improvement, human resources effectiveness, technology integration and implementation, risk mitigation and crisis management. And it’s not difficult to see why; in 2004, PwC’s advisory division pulled in some $3.4 billion in revenue. Within four years of restarting a business consulting unit, that number had more than doubled—and that’s without the firm delving back into the IT market in any big way; its noncompete agreement with IBM only ended in 2007, and PwC has yet to signal any great intention to rebuild that portion of its business.
One firm, many members PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is the U.S. member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers, a global network of independent member firms. Today, the PwC network comprises more than 163,000 people in 151 countries and territories. This international group was created in 1998, with the merger of Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand, two accounting and professional services firms that date back to the 1800s. Both Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand began in London, and both grew their global presence organically and through mergers. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is headquartered in New York and includes more than 29,000 employees in 74 offices across the United States. To the north, the Canadian member firm has more than 5,000 employees in 24 offices. While each member firm operates independently within its own geographic locale, there is a considerable amount of cooperation and networking between them, ensuring that the global network of firms works as both a global entity and on a local scale. Given its sheer size and country coverage, not to mention the independent setup of its member firms, it should come as little surprise that the services PwC offers vary slightly within the global network of firms. However, all services do fall into one of three core PwC lines of service: tax, advisory and/or assurance. As for clients, the firm works with some of the biggest names in global business, including the likes of AXA, JPMorgan Chase and Lloyds TSB in finance; 3M, Honeywell, IBM, Sony and Walt Disney in technology, infocomm and entertainment; and Anheuser-Busch, Caterpillar, Ford, Johnson & Johnson and many more in consumer and industrial products and services.
GETTING HIRED PwC places an emphasis on hiring candidates who would fare best in client-facing work. Early screenings reflect recruitment’s priorities; beware of preinterview dinners which, according to one insider, “are really interviews in disguise,” designed to test an applicant’s social and conversational abilities. “Fit is more important to PwC than technical skills,” says a senior consultant. Initial evaluations focus almost exclusively on behavioral assessments. Those who make it through on-campus and initial interviews will head to one of PwC’s offices for a full day of meetings and examinations. Typically conducted by managers and directors, at least three interviews will test the candidate’s analytic and behavioral strengths with a series of high-pressure case studies and one-on-ones with senior leadership. For an extra edge, candidates will do well to highlight both their aptitude for and willingness to learn new skills quickly and on the job.
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Candidates who make it past initial stages should feel confident about their chances to get in, as these days, numbers are in candidates’ favor. But don’t let this get to your head—just because the firm is in growth mode doesn’t mean candidates shouldn’t put their best foot forward during the interview process. “The firm is selling more work than it has bodies,” an insider states. “We’re hiring a lot.”
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: In a lot of ways, PwC represents the traditional consulting firm, maintaining an emphasis on face time and on-site work. Insiders feel strongly about their firm, and are likelier to extol the firm’s finer points than share superficial gripes.
Overall Satisfaction • “PwC cares about its people and that is evident in all that they do. Leadership goes to great length to promote and maintain transparency, and the leadership team is proactive in implementing new programs or amending existing policies/programs to appease its primary asset: its people.” – Financial consultant • “Despite tough economic conditions, PricewaterhouseCoopers has found amazing project opportunities for me, and has helped me stretch myself and continue to improve and develop.” – Senior source • “PwC has exceeded my expectations as an employer and is a great place to start a career.” – Health care associate • “My only complaint is that there is an expectation for people to put in significant face time, and that expectation seems to go all the way up through the manager and director ranks.” – First-year staffer
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Firm Culture • “The firm is team-based. We grow together and we help each other develop, unlike some companies who promote cutthroat development styles in order to get ahead.” – West Coast analyst • “Since most of my friends from school moved away from the area, I’ve been very fortunate to make lots of great friends at PwC. Also, the higher-level employees I work for at the firm have made a great effort to develop relationships with me.” – Virginia associate • “PwC has an amazing work environment, and I have great co-workers who I enjoy working with and spending time with outside of work.” – Junior source • “The culture is high quality and hardworking. The firm has very high expectations.” – M&A consultant
Supervisor Relationships • “My supervisor allows me the flexibility and freedom to take on responsibilities that are normally reserved for higher level staff, which allow for greater development opportunities.” – Consultant • “Supervisors are very kind and are willing to take the time to coach and give feedback.” – Entry-level respondent • “Because we do not work in the same office region, much of our communication occurs via email or instant messaging.” – Analyst
Interaction with Clients • “I have had the opportunity to own relationships with clients, and have become a trusted advisor to many of my regular client contacts.” – East Coast midlevel • “I rarely interact with clients, but when I do, the relationships are quite good.” – Analyst • “My client relationships aren’t great, but that’s more of a function of disinterest on their side, rather than our firm.” – Virginia staffer
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: There’s a broad consensus developing at PwC: The hours aren’t great, but they could definitely be worse. Whether that’s a positive or a negative depends on who you talk to.
Work Hours • “Some weeks the hours are longer than other weeks. But overall, compared to what friends at other firms tell me about their hours, it seems reasonable here.” – Junior source • “PwC has a strong focus on work/life balance, and I have had fulfilling project opportunities without ever feeling overworked.” – San Francisco associate • “A lot of time is wasted waiting for data to be processed or received, and waiting on feedback from superiors.” – Consultant
Work/Life Balance • “The challenging engagements are rewarding, but I have the freedom to balance the family and time off commitments. The firm takes it seriously and supports when it is needed.” – Energy consultant • “PwC makes a point to try and have us balance work and life—more so than any other firm I interviewed with or know people at. Travel makes the balance tough sometimes, but it goes with the job.” – Analyst • “As long as I can get my work done, I am generally free to leave early to attend seminars or other leisure activities, as well as take vacations. Additionally, while I tend to work every weekend, it is only for about an hour or two during the entire weekend.” – D.C. midlevel
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• “Work does not invade my out-of-work life, although I work late many nights.” – Senior consultant
Travel Requirements • “You can request to not travel, but it limits available engagements.” – Analyst • “I travel to the client site pretty much every day. However, it is closer than my home office and very accessible by public transportation.” – Public-sector insider • “Travel is Monday through Thursday, generally. Due to the travel during the week, telecommuting is possible on the weekends.” – Financial consultant
Compensation • “PricewaterhouseCoopers has a very competitive compensation policy, especially in the area of benefits. My base salary is decent, although it does reflect the economic downturn (but I anticipate strong raises going forward).” – Junior source • “Overall it’s not the highest paying firm, but PwC pays its employees slightly above other consulting agencies.” – Entry-level respondent • “I could have gotten a better signing bonus, but I understand considering the present economic environment.” – Senior consultant • “I do not feel shortchanged by the firm in any way on my compensation, though it would be nice to be compensated more for my job just due to life expenses I have.” – Business consultant Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: A standout area for the firm, PwC is famous for training its consultants to the max. Opportunities, particularly for recent hires, are informative, engaging, and even fun—really!
Formal Training • “I received six weeks of training when I started with the firm. The first two weeks focused on the foundations of consulting, while the last four focused on technical training. Throughout the course of my engagements, my supervisors often provide me with informal mentoring and coaching.” – East Coast staffer • “There are plenty of self study eLearning courses, but also a lot of formal in-class trainings. I also am able to do certifications that are applicable to the business.” – Midlevel source • “I have learned a great deal from my project teams, but there are also amazing self-studies and other trainings offered by the firm.” – Analyst • “I feel like there is almost too much training.” – Senior consultant
Promotion Policies • “I believe the average is about three years at each staff level through manager—then it varies with a greater degree. It is not strictly up or out; there are many opportunities to pursue opportunities in different areas without being promoted.” – Junior source • “Opportunities have been slow with the economy; some feel they have been passed up.” –Midlevel consultant • “I am not pleased with how stringent the requirements are. I think that time requirements are important, but there should be room for people to be promoted early if they are performing at the next level, regardless of how long they have been at the firm.” – Virginia staffer
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: PwC displays some homogeny at the top. Especially with regard to women, more attention needs to be paid to the difficult issue of retention.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “PwC makes an effort to promote diversity with sophomore internship opportunities, women’s networking circles and other events and groups. I feel that no one suffers in terms of opportunities and all are welcomed at the firm.” – Junior source • “The firm provides three weeks of maternity leave for the fathers, and extended time for mothers.” – Associate • “There needs to be more women in upper management positions. PwC should work to stress the flex schedule—many women seem to leave around the time they reach the management positions due to family life.” – Financial consultant
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Was there ever any doubt that PwC would be just fine? The firm held its ground during the recession, and is now encroaching on its competitors’ territory with rapid expansion and an aggressive sales model.
Overall Business Outlook • “We’re hiring again and can’t staff projects quickly enough.” – Midwest junior
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• “Our firm is extremely well prepared for the next 12 months; we focus a good amount of effort and research into the future of the firm.” – San Francisco associate • “PwC is well-positioned following the acquisition of many BearingPoint assets. Our leverage model is improved by the addition of the global development centers, and legacy BearingPoint employees provide a strong technical background to improve PwC’s offerings in systems implementations.” – Analyst • “Employee morale seems to have been somewhat boosted with the review process being moved forward a few months. People are hoping to have some improvement in compensation earlier then they expected.” – Strategy consultant
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “I have been immensely impressed with our leadership’s transparency, honesty and open concern for the firm’s well-being and the well-being of its people.” – Midlevel consultant • “PwC has a very strong leadership team that has a vision for the firm; I am confident in their ability to execute that plan.” – Senior source • “Love them. The only negative is most of them are ex-auditors that are doing consulting work. But they know how to get the right people on board.” – East Coast insider
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ALVAREZ & MARSAL
600 Lexington Avenue, 6th Floor New York, New York 10022 Phone: (212) 759-4433 Fax: (212) 759-5532 www.alvarezandmarsal.com
UPPERS
LOCATIONS
DOWNERS
New York, NY (HQ) London (Europe HQ) São Paulo (Latin America HQ) Hong Kong (Asia HQ) 41 offices in 17 countries worldwide
• “Regional structure limits development of junior talent” • “Fiscally conservative with respect to back-office improvements” • “Inconsistent talent grading” • “Lack of rock-star brand name recognition”
PRACTICE AREAS
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
Global Capabilities Turnaround & Restructuring • Performance Improvement • Tax Advisory • Transaction Advisory • Dispute Analysis & Forensics Industry Expertise Automotive & Suppliers • Consumer Packaged Goods • Energy • Healthcare • High Tech • Manufacturing • Media & Entertainment • Private Equity • Public Sector • Real Estate • Retail • Transportation & Airlines
alvarezandmarsal.com/en/careers/index.html
• • • •
“Very little bureaucracy” “Exposure to different industries” “Being part of a highly respected brand” “I love working with Bryan Marsal and Tony Alvarez”
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company Co-CEOs: Antonio C. Alvarez II & Bryan P. Marsal 2010 Employees: 1,700 2009 Employees: 1,600+
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Chapter 11 mavens” “Not people-focused” “Best-paying firm in restructuring” “Eat what you kill environment”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Alvarez & Marsal
THE SCOOP Treatment options Alvarez & Marsal, an independent global professional services firm, serves clients across a range of industries, including retail, health care, telecommunications, transportation, technology, manufacturing, financial services, public sector, government, oil and gas, and energy and utilities. The firm’s professionals, “corporate doctors” as they are sometimes described, focus on preserving and maximizing the value of an enterprise. A&M is best known for its corporate turnaround and restructuring services, which consist of performance improvement, turnaround advisory, crisis and interim management, revenue enhancement, creditor advisory, corporate finance, claims management, health care, public sector and risk management advisory. The firm also lends its expertise in healthy circumstances, advising on performance and process improvement related to functions such as human resources, strategy, IT, supply chain and customer management. It employs more than 1,700 professionals, and maintains offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Since 2003, the firm has considerably expanded its geographic reach and capabilities, and it now serves not only troubled and underperforming businesses, but also those in good health. Today, it provides a range of business advisory services, including tax advisory (A&M Taxand, part of the global Taxand network), dispute analysis and forensics, transaction advisory and private equity services. A&M also provides highly specialized performance improvement and restructuring services with a dedicated industry focus in health care, the public sector, real estate and financial services—point in case, A&M’s Co-CEO Bryan Marsal and a global team of A&M professionals have been leading the post-bankruptcy wind-down and restructuring of Lehman Brothers Holdings. The firm has also led the restructuring of WaMu and other major banking institutions.
Teeing off A&M Like many great ideas, the one that led to the creation of Alvarez & Marsal was hatched over a game of golf between Tony Alvarez II and Bryan Marsal in 1983. The pair, both with backgrounds in financial services, believed most consultants become so entangled in details that effective decision making can be neglected. Alvarez and Marsal, therefore, set out to create an organization that could offer tactical, action-oriented assistance to improve operational performance, instead of just strategic propositions. The firm’s earliest engagements focused on debtor management and advising struggling corporations—experiences that established the skill set utilized today in the firm’s turnaround practice. A&M’s consulting divisions came into their own in 2003, when the company began recruiting seasoned professionals from other major firms, among them BearingPoint, Answerthink and Accenture.
Fixing the broken A&M’s turnaround and restructuring practice assists clients at multiple points on the downward arc of business failure—healthy with weak divisions (not yet descending, but beginning to tip), underperforming (slipping and falling) and in crisis (“Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”). The firm uses a five-step approach that first arrests the corporation’s fall, then reverses it. Step one is “stabilize”: The goal is to alter the environment to promote positive change, ensuring there are sufficient cash resources and a well-prepared management team (either by supporting or equipping them with objective, fact-based information or by placing A&M professionals on the roster as interim executives, when required). Step two is “diagnose”: The company investigates and analyzes the state of the industry, identifying obstacles and opportunities. Step three is self-explanatory: “plan.” A&M takes account of the client’s strengths and maps a course of action. “Facilitate” is step four, which calls for the cooperation and commitment of the whole organization to institute the prescribed plan. This facilitation sequences into the final step, “lead.” Execution of real change is only possible with capable leadership, coming from the existing management team or through A&M’s professionals serving in interim management roles or as active advisors.
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Making the most of a crisis While not many firms would have reason to celebrate the sort of economic downturn seen of late, specialists in corporate turnarounds operate in a very different universe, actually benefiting from increased business as companies begin to struggle. A&M certainly falls into that category, and is nothing if not opportunistic—a fact amply demonstrated by its launching the financial industry advisory services (FIAS) group in the midst of the worldwide credit-crunch in June 2008. (In the U.S., this group is now known as financial industry regulatory advisory, emphasizing the regulatory and compliance expertise of this dedicated unit.) The unit offers clients in the financial services industry counsel from former bankers and bank regulators, turnaround managers, real estate advisers, forensic accountants and IT strategists, who are led by Samuel P. Golden in U.S., a former senior official with the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and Ann Cairns in London, a former ABN-AMRO and Citigroup executive. The firm’s real estate advisory services practice has also been making out well recently, working with the owners, investors, lenders and corporate users of real estate—many of whom are still reeling from the sub-prime mortgage crisis—to improve operations, add value to their businesses and minimize risk.
GETTING HIRED References are a big deal at Alvarez & Marsal. Likewise, heavy emphasis is placed on a candidate’s personal character. Although the interview process is extensive, candidates quickly get a feel for their chances based on their interactions with initial interviewers. According to one insider, “If we like them, they know pretty fast”.
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Much of the firm’s recruiting is carried out directly by each of the businesses, so recruits should expect to meet with senior practitioners during the interview process. “It is not uncommon to be interviewed by either Bryan Marsal or Tony Alvarez,” one mid-level consultant reports. But one potential difficulty a prospective hire might encounter is the firm’s preference for candidates with internal references.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: If A&M consultants aren’t heaping praise on their firm, they’re probably just being cheeky. But the secret is out: Alvarez & Marsal offers an enviable quality of life, including one of the most flexible work/life balances in the business.
Overall Satisfaction • “I have developed professionally exponentially faster than I would have in industry, and much faster than I feel I could have in other consulting environments. When I summarize my project experiences with colleagues or clients, I am always impressed with what I have had the opportunity to achieve.” – Houston consultant • “I can’t imagine working anywhere else or finding better opportunities to advance myself and my career.” – Mid-level staffer • “I enjoy the flexible, and constantly changing, work environment. I also enjoy the challenging nature of the work, which provides for fast professional growth. However, this field can be demanding on your personal life, as you must be very flexible and willing to work long hours when necessary.” – Tax consultant
Firm Culture • “Culture is a big part of our business. Not just in who we attract and how we interact, but how we serve our clients. Our culture is a meritocracy, where those who excel are recognized and rewarded.” – Operations consultant • “My firm is excellent at hiring hardworking, outgoing, like-minded people with a common goal. There are very little office politics at work at A&M, which affords a much more pleasant work environment than other firms I’ve worked at.” – Canadian consultant • “The main reason I joined Alvarez & Marsal is the people. I respect my colleagues immensely, but also enjoy hanging out—it is a special group.” – Mid-level strategist • “With professionals traveling so much, it is tough to establish a strong office culture. The other business units that are in the office more seem to have a more complete office culture experience.” – Dallas insider
Supervisor Relationships • “My supervisors have, to this point, been awesome, without exception. They have shown a high level of concern for their staff, and have been extremely pleasant and easy to work with.” – Chicago mid-level • “A&M is very flat. A consultant can speak with an MD at any time. The fact that MDs have chargeable hour goals and are assigned deliverables is tremendously positive.” – Experienced insider • “Relationships with supervisors are ideal. I feel that my work is taken seriously and my time is respected.” – Restructuring consultant
Interaction with Clients • “Our clients trust us and view us a part of their solution, working on things that are urgent and they can’t do for themselves, so they are usually complimentary and grateful.” – San Francisco executive
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• “Client relationships tend to be long-term and very deep.” – Mid-level consultant • “Clients are appreciative of our work, and for the most part have been very supportive. Some clients resist change, but I always feel like we have a good relationship by the end of a project.” – Atlanta consultant
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Similar to most other top firms, travel and long hours are simply intrinsic to any profitable consulting schedule. That said, A&M’s responsive leadership goes well out of its way to make consultants feel valued and not overwhelmed.
Work Hours • “You are expected to complete your assigned work. Management is conscientious about not overloading employees.” – First-year staffer • “Management is flexible with work hours. Knowing that sometimes we would need to work longer hours to service the client, our managing director sometimes releases staff members when the workload is minimal.” – Consultant • “Hours are not excessive and flexible subject to client needs.” – Houston executive • “Hours fluctuate drastically depending on the nature of engagement and variables such as timing. Could be as high as 90, but as low as 40.” – New York adviser
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Alvarez & Marsal
Work/Life Balance • “There is a great culture of flexibility related to time not spent on a billable client engagement. Additionally, the firm actively responds to specific home-life situations (i.e., newborn baby) to ensure that consulting engagements impact the home life in as small a way as possible.” – Mid-level respondent • “It is acceptable to perform work from home when possible. We don’t have to be at the office just to put in face time. The vacation policy is very generous and I am yet to be told ‘no’ when I ask for time off.” – Entry-level adviser • “When we are on a project, it is a firestorm. The work load for a couple months can be very crazy with no work/life balance—five-day-a-week travel, working on the weekends, etc. This is partially offset by being completely ‘on the beach’ in between projects—very little business development requirements or face time.” – Experienced business adviser
Travel Requirements • “We have consultants who have never traveled in five years with the firm. Others travel every week. Regardless, personal needs are heard and the firm tries to accommodate if business conditions allow.” – Operations consultant • “Travel is dependent on the individual, their skills and the work available in their home city. Houston is a very large market for A&M, and therefore there are a number of in-town projects requiring minimal travel. Other cities have higher travel requirements because of the size of the market.” – Texas consultant • “Partners could be more proactive about eliminating unnecessary travel by starting travel negotiations with the client at three days instead of four on site.” – Experienced adviser • “If you don’t like traveling, don’t apply.” – Atlanta mid-level
Compensation • “I am happy with my pay. During the economic downturn, my pay did not suffer. I also received a sizable bonus and contribution to my 401(k).” – Entry-level staffer • “Heavily incentive-based compensation model. Pay for performance—based on service delivery, sales, and fit to culture. Surprisingly high emphasis on fit-to-culture component.” – Executive business consultant • “Pay for play. It’s a very results-orientated pay structure. I like it.” – Midwestern advisor
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: The firm’s A&M University sounds academic, but its quality is dubious at best. Luckily for the firm, most of its consultants have graduated from well-respected schools and are able to pick up the essentials on the job. The firm is out to remedy the situation, however, and is in the midst of rolling out a new string of training programs for all levels in 2010 and 2011.
Formal Training • “Most training is on the job, but the firm is gradually increasing the amount of formal training. For example, we are going into our fifth year of holding A&M University.” – Operations consultant • “Training is not as frequent and structured as I would want.” – D.C. junior staffer • “Official training has been implemented, but it’s mostly self-study, qualitative-type (think Emotional Intelligence, 7 Habits) books and hasn’t been widely adopted.” – Entry-level strategist • “If you want to be truly mentored and trained, I would recommend going to another firm.” – Restructuring consultant
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Promotion Policies • “There’s no formal up-or-out policy. Consultants seem to advance at a pace mostly consistent with their abilities.” – Public-sector specialist • “There are three legs to the stool: Delivering solid work, developing staff and making rain. When all three are firing, you are promoted.” – New York partner • “Because A&M has few titles, promotions are not as quick compared to the Big Four.” – Business consultant • “[The career path is] somewhat opaque. With the influx of senior talent lately, career paths are not properly defined.” – Los Angeles analyst
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: The firm’ takes a hands-off approach to diversity, stating that it hires only on merit. Diversity is quite simply a nonfactor in recruitment. While this outlook is in line with the firm’s entrepreneurial spirit, it does result in a lack of heterogeneity within the ranks.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “Overall, we’ve always been a diverse firm. We don’t have any active recruitment of any group of people based on gender, race or sexual orientation, but we seek to hire the best of the best, and that ends up creating a natural diversity.” – Houston mid-level • “Very male-focused. Minorities are a small part of firm.” – Operations executive • “Minorities are notably underrepresented. When asked about this, Tony Alvarez remarked that he hires only on qualifications.” – Strategy
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consultant • “I like to think we’re colorblind when it comes to how we treat everyone, but at the same time, I acknowledge that there are unique differences that need unique solutions.” – Higher-up in New York
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: The firm’s outlook is boldly underscored by its consultants’ dogmatic admiration for their leaders, Tony Alvarez and Bryan Marsal. While it’s the consultants themselves doing the legwork on the ground, the charismatic duo continue to gather a wealth of accolades for the firm’s many successes.
Overall Business Outlook • “A&M is well hedged against a downturn stutter or a strong upturn with both healthy-company and troubled-company consulting businesses.” – Dallas staffer • “2010 should be much better than 2009. We have repositioned our service lines to better serve our key accountants and private equity clients. We have seen a significant increase in market traction accordingly. Utilization is up, and the pipeline is full of prospects.” – Mid-level consultant • “Our firm’s outlook is favorable. In the recent recession, our restructuring arm has provided large amounts of referral work, while in better economic times we have a great deal of tax consulting and compliance work.” – Seattle first-year • “The regional structure will provide different stories. My region is struggling to sell business, while others are nearly staffed out.” – Operations consultant
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “Tony Alvarez & Bryan Marsal are the absolute best in their field—both in the industry as well as in guiding their firm and its people. I have absolute faith in my firm’s leadership.” – Canadian financial consultant • “Our leaders are constantly pursuing ways to diversify, grow and strengthen A&M’s brand and internal culture. Furthermore, they are openminded to new ideas and practices, highlighting their ability to adapt to the current turbulent market situation.” – Health care specialist
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• “There is virtually firm-wide confidence in A&M’s leadership.” – Restructuring consultant
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TRINITY PARTNERS, LLC
230 Third Avenue Waltham, Massachusetts 02451 Phone: (781) 577-6300 Fax: (781) 487-7301 www.trinitypartners.com www.trinitypharmasolutions.com www.akutacorp.com
UPPERS • “Exposure to big projects at entry level” • “Grassroots program to submit projects” • “Friendly culture, no malignant competition within the company”
DOWNERS LOCATIONS Waltham, MA (HQ) New York, NY
• “Suburban location” • “All-done-in-any-timeframe mentality” • “Peaks and valleys in demand for our services that we can’t always predict”
PRACTICE AREAS
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
Consulting Group Advanced Analytics • Brand Planning • Corporate Strategy • Forecasting • Licensing & Acquisition • Market Analytics • Pipeline & Portfolio Optimization • Primary Market Research • Promotional Effectiveness Data Group Dashboards & Analytics • Field Sales Data Reporting Solutions • Incentive Compensation Systems • Sales Force Deployment
www.trinitypartners.com/careers.html Email:
[email protected]
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company President: John E. Corcoran Managing Partner: David B. Fitzhenry 2010 Employees: 100+ 2009 Employees: 95+
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Trinity Partners, LLC
THE SCOOP Health care pros Since its founding in 1996, Trinity Partners has maintained a singular industry focus: advising life sciences companies on market strategy, brand tactics, forecasting, licensing and data analysis. Its clients include pharmaceutical, biotech, diagnostics and medical device providers, ranging from small companies to members of the Fortune 100. The firm’s expertise spans all therapeutic areas, including oncology, autoimmune disease, central nervous system disorders, infectious diseases, cardiovascular health, metabolics, urology and gastrointestinal conditions. And, like a doctor with a patient, the firm prides itself on not stopping at a mere diagnosis of whatever happens to be ailing a client—it is committed to finding and implementing solutions as well. What sets Trinity apart from the rest is its consultants’ ability to devise long-term, big-picture visions—or “roadmaps”—for clients, backed by industry expertise, quantitative focus, thorough research and evidence-based insights. Consultants combine strategic and technical services to add value and optimize solutions across all of a client company’s practice areas. Trinity’s offerings are further strengthened by its primary market research and advanced analytics practices. Both teams operate vertically as standalone groups, but they also support other strategic consulting efforts. The PMR team offers “opportunity assessment” by conducting quantitative and qualitative research, with insights from key stakeholders. This allows for customization and transparency in the analysis provided to clients. The advanced analytics team, led by statistics PhD Dr. Fotios Kokkotos, delivers market data not generally available from other sources by creating validated models from large pools of information.
Founding fathers President John E. Corcoran founded Trinity Partners, and has over 20 years of experience as a consultant to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. He’s also a co-founder and member of the board of Soteira Inc., a Massachusetts medical device company that is developing a pioneering new stent technology for spinal surgeries. A graduate of Harvard College, Northeastern University and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, Corcoran’s specialties are data management, commercialization strategy and analytics. Trinity is one of the fastest growing consulting firms in the health care industry, but with just two offices and over 100 employees, it has managed to keep its boutique feel. The Massachusetts-based firm has an outpost, in New York City, which is headed by Ryan Million, PhD. In other leadership posts are the firm’s managing partner, David B. Fitzhenry, a 13-year Trinity veteran and Harvard graduate, who oversees its consulting operation.
See also: subsidiaries Trinity’s business goes beyond strategy, thanks to its subsidiaries. In 2004, the firm created Trinity Pharma Solutions, which provides technologybased solutions—including data management and sales support—to biotech and pharmaceutical operations. Trinity Pharma Solutions offers data integration and warehousing, business intelligence and profiling applications, specialized data management solutions (design and support), program management, national account contracting and sales operations services. Akuta Corporation, which Trinity established in 2006, was the firm’s answer to a lack of available software aimed at medical science liaison (MSL) teams. Today, Akuta provides cutting-edge web communication and reporting tools to the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries. Akuta’s proprietary software system, mslConnect, serves as a communications, management, reporting and resource hub for medical teams. According to Akuta—the name comes from the Sanskrit word for purpose or intention—the software is designed to be as simple as an email application.
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GETTING HIRED “Don’t be surprised if that creative, social, athletic team member next to you turns out to be an advanced physics major,” an inside source says of his colleagues, “and the one cranking out those sophisticated statistical models regularly has you keeling over with laughter!” This speaks volumes about the kind of individual Trinity looks to hire. “Personality is huge—we want people who are driven but know how to kick back and have fun,” another source details. There’s no question that cultural fit is a primary point of emphasis in recruiting, but don’t be fooled: Candidates who lack the firm’s preferred qualifications typically don’t make it to the hiring stage. Trinity looks for students and recent graduates who display a range of talents and expertise. “We want the relevant background in science, business and economics, but with interesting experiences pointing to a well-rounded individual that works well with others and has personal passions.” After a rather extensive screening routine (typically including at least two phone interviews, plus case questions), preferred candidates head to Massachusetts for a round of interviews with upwards of five current consultants. “Be prepared to demonstrate knowledge of the pharmaceutical and health care industries in your interviews,” a consultant advises, highlighting the need for legitimate technical know-how. Candidates can expect “three case questions, minimum,” to go with the clear emphasis on cultural fit. At Trinity, those that “outshine their competition during the fit interviews” stand the best chances of getting an offer.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Trinity Partners, LLC
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Leadership is tasked with the responsibility of maintaining Trinity consultants’ exceptionally high degree of satisfaction as the firm grows. The fun and highly collaborative culture is a huge factor in that equation.
Overall Satisfaction • “I couldn’t be happier! Fun smart people, great clients, interesting work, decent hours, great pay. What more could you want?” – Senior source • “My job satisfaction is extremely high. Trinity thrives on its refusal to have a ‘one size fits all’ approach. At Trinity, there’s no clock-watching, face time or any level of managerial control on our lives. People are respected and treated as adults to make decisions, which make them the most productive.” – Associate • “I am always excited to go to work each day, never bored! There’s lots of opportunity for upward mobility, and new ideas are welcomed.” – Executive-level insider • “While the firm has a fun culture and entrepreneurial feel, its work/life balance can be challenging [at times].” – Consultant
Firm Culture • “Everyone is friends, and everyone is very social, very smart and very hardworking. The structure is flat and you can joke with the partners.” – Entry-level Associate • “Trinity is full of smart, active people. Social events are at least quarterly, and are well attended. Many people are friendly outside of work, and some even live with their co-workers!” – Waltham insider • “Everything we have at Trinity is built on a platform of mutual respect and loyalty—the core tenets of our culture.” – Partner
Supervisor Relationships • “Managers are very supportive. The relationship is usually a good balance between friendliness and professionalism.” – Associate • “My boss is one of my best friends, literally. It’s our internal relationships that hold us together.” – Senior consultant • “My supervisors are intelligent and friendly, and they treat their employees fairly and are always cognizant of our workload.” – Midlevel consultant
Interaction with Clients • “We work very closely with most of our long-term clients, and they’ve been around long enough that we are familiar with their work and their priorities. I actually know the names of most of my client’s children and spouses.” – Senior consultant • “Our clients are always appreciative of the work we do, and respect all members of the company, not just the ones they have close contact with.” – Boston staffer • “People are not protective or territorial about their clients. The clients are simply assigned to whoever can most quickly and effectively manage their project.” – Associate
Hours & Pay
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Vault’s Verdict: Trinity consultants endure a heavy workload during the week, but weekends are their own to give to family, friends, and their community. Almost 90 percent of respondents tell us they work just one weekend per month or less, as needed.
Work Hours • “9 a.m. to 7 p.m. is pretty standard, except when you have a deadline coming up, when you might stay past 10 p.m. It depends on the individual and his/her own work style.” – First-year associate • “I think we have a very manageable schedule. I probably average about 50 hours per week. Of course, in consulting you get the occasional night or weekend, but personal life is well respected at Trinity.” – Senior consultant • “The hours can be daunting on some occasions, but hard work and long hours are recognized.” – Midlevel consultant
Work/Life Balance • “Trinity is committed to a balanced life in and out of work. Weekly staffing meetings are aimed at creating equal workloads across staff along with raising concerns if workload gets too demanding.” – Experienced source • “People at Trinity are active in life outside of work, whether that’s training for triathlons or volunteering in the community. Trinity encourages all those things, and that’s why there’s no one standing over your shoulder dictating hours or vacation allotment.” – Senior consultant • “During the week, my life is go to work, drive home, go to bed, but most of my weekends are free other than the occasional four or five hours Saturday or Sunday.” – Boston staffer
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Trinity Partners, LLC
Travel Requirements • “Especially at the more entry-level positions, travel is rare (once every other month).” – Junior-level consultant • “We do most of our work in office, so going to an off-site client meeting (at least for a first- or second-year) is more of a privilege than a burden.” – Junior source • “We [often] use telecommunications for meetings with clients.” – First-year associate
Compensation • “Base salary is pretty standard for consulting, but bonuses are extremely generous.” – Associate • “Great pay and awesome bonus because the company is doing so well!” – Boston insider • “Trinity’s team culture includes sharing the financial benefits of success across the firm. There’s a real recognition by the firm’s leadership that everyone contributes to its growth and success, and should share in the rewards to reflect those contributions.” – Executive-level source
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: The clear emphasis is on introducing new hires to the industry, but formal training for experienced consultants has been rolled out and continues to expand.
Formal Training • “We have a two-week crash course training for undergrad new hires, which goes over a ton of information. We also have ongoing training sessions throughout your first year, which have been very helpful.” – Associate • “Companywide knowledge-sharing sessions (presentations on projects and topics), twice per month, allow us to share best practices and keep everyone informed on what projects are taking place and what innovation is being created.” – Junior-level respondent • “This year, we are making an effort to extend our training efforts to more advanced platforms (management, leadership, etc.) for folks who have been with the company for two-plus years. Although we are making inroads, this is still a spot where we need more work.” – Boston partner
Promotion Policies • “People are promoted promptly if they shine.” – Associate • “At Trinity, promotions are truly a meritocracy. Recently, a new undergraduate hire was promoted after an unprecedented short time period because of her stellar work. This example is a microcosm of Trinity’s belief that good work should be rewarded regardless of your age or time at the company.” – Junior consultant • “It is not up or out—it is more of a growth trajectory. They like to see us develop and are willing to put in the time to make that happen.” – Experienced staffer
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: The diversity on display at Trinity is impressive for a company of its size—and considering the fact that the firm hires based on skills, education and experience, rather than specific metrics pertaining to diversity requirements. The firm is ahead of the industry curve with regard to retaining and promoting women.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “The firm is very diverse, with more and more women being promoted to senior levels.” – Associate
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• “We are open to all individuals, regardless of gender, race, religion, orientation, etc. However, that doesn’t mean we’re perfect; we need more minorities across the management levels (only one woman partner).” – Senior consultant • “We don’t necessarily have a formal process for identifying and hiring ‘diversity’ candidates, however, it just works out that we are about 50 percent female and have a good mix of ethnic variability.” – Midlevel consultant
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Prospects couldn’t be much better for Trinity, which insiders say is poised for “astronomical” growth in the near future.
Overall Business Outlook • “2009 was our strongest year ever, and we just reorganized the internal structure to allow for faster growth.” – Boston staffer • “We are growing at an astronomical rate, and are seeing more clients come in almost daily. We have increased our offerings, providing more abilities for clients to choose from.” – Associate •“Trinity has created a very flexible and content-oriented service model for clients that is strongly supported by its culture and approach to recruiting and developing talented people.” – Senior consultant • “The firm has thrived in good times and bad, and faces a very promising future.” – Boston higher-up
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Trinity Partners, LLC
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “They genuinely care for and thrive to enhance the work environment.” – Associate • “Decisions are made in a considered and proactive fashion, not reactively. It’s really refreshing to see the amount of openness at Trinity.” – Midlevel consultant
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• “Trinity’s greatest challenge is capturing and building upon the growth opportunity before it without losing the culture and spirit that has driven the firm’s success to date. The firm’s leadership understands this and is extremely committed to making this happen.” – Senior source
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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BOOZ & COMPANY
101 Park Avenue, 18th Floor New York, New York 10178 Phone: (212) 697-1900 Fax: (212) 551-6732 www.booz.com
LOCATIONS New York, NY (HQ) 61 offices around the world
PRACTICE AREAS Finance • Information Technology • Marketing & Sales • Mergers & Restructuring • Operations & Logistics • Organization & Change • Product & Service Innovation • Strategy & Leadership
UPPERS • • • •
“Intellectual freedom” “Pushing the boundaries of great work” “C-suite access” “Free vacation perks”
DOWNERS • “Sheer volume of work” • “Shortsighted leadership decisions” • “False emphasis on work/life balance” • “Lack of defined culture”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.booz.com/global/home/join_us
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company Chairman: Joe Saddi CEO: Shumeet Banerji 2010 Employees: 3,300 2009 Employees: 3,300
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Prestigious” “Internal struggles post-spinoff of the government business” “Re-emerging” “All the stress, none of the glamour”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Booz & Company
THE SCOOP From outsider to insider Booz & Company is a global consulting firm that advises businesses, government ministries (outside the U.S.), and institutions around the world on issues of strategy, organization, operations, transformation and information technology. It holds expertise in a vast range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, chemicals, consumer, energy and utilities, financial services, health, industrials, media and entertainment, oil and gas, retail, transportation and others. The company, founded in 1914 by Edwin Booz, is one of the oldest consultancies in the world. In its original incarnation, as The Business Research Service, lone staffer Booz conducted studies and investigational services. The name Edwin G. Booz Surveys was adopted in 1924. Despite then carrying a title befitting his one-man operation, Booz brought in two new employees (George Fry and James Allen) in the 1920s, and the firm’s work began to draw attention from large clients like Goodyear, the Chicago Tribune, Montgomery Ward and the Canadian & Pacific Railroad. Since then, the list of engagements the firm has worked on is perhaps best described as varied—it includes accomplishments that range from helping to organize the National Football League in the 1960s to advising on the breakup of AT&T in the 1980s, to restructuring Nissan Motors in the early 2000s. Along the way, the company has come up with some revolutionary ideas in the consulting field, and credits itself with inventing concepts such as human capital in the 1940s, product life cycle in the 1950s, supply chain management in the 1980s, smart customization in the 1990s and, more recently, organizational DNA.
Down the middle In May 2008, Booz Allen Hamilton announced that it was splitting its U.S. government business from its global commercial consulting business. In conjunction with the split, the firm sold a majority stake in the U.S. government business to The Carlyle Group for $2.54 billion. The commercial business became Booz & Company, a separate entity owned and run by its existing officers. The U.S. government business continues under the Booz Allen Hamilton name, in partnership with Carlyle. Heading up Booz & Co. is London-based CEO Shumeet Banerji, who had served as managing director of the original firm’s European commercial business, and Chairman Joe Saddi, who is based in the Middle East. Why split a successful company? Growing differences between the U.S. government and global commercial businesses had meant that the two groups were run differently and serviced vastly different types of clients. Moreover, after the September 11 attacks, the U.S. government unit’s revenue surged well beyond those of the commercial unit. As a combined company, the firm generated over $4 billion in annual sales, with approximately one-third coming from the commercial side, even though two-thirds of the firm’s partners worked in that unit. Not that the split sees the two sides cutting all ties, however; at the time it was announced, Banerji said his newly independent company might partner with Booz Allen Hamilton “when our combined expertise helps our clients succeed.”
Hitting the books Just as its founder did nearly 100 years ago, Booz continues to place a heavy emphasis on research. The firm regularly publishes reports, white papers and books, and even publishes a quarterly magazine, strategy + business. It also produces regular podcasted online talk shows on mergers and acquisitions.
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GETTING HIRED Wholesale change has come to Booz, and its hiring processes have emerged reborn, invigorated by a new set of values the firm now emphasizes and seeks. “Previously, this firm looked mostly for analytical savvy, and was tone deaf to empathy, personability, leadership qualities – the ‘soft side’ of consulting,” one experienced consultant says. As Booz tries to reconnect with its staffers and strengthen its internal culture, leadership has begun searching for talent that fits its ideal vision of the firm’s future. These changes have not compromised the firm’s unwavering commitment to competency, though; no candidate will make it through without possessing the intellect and aptitude for quantitative problem-solving that’s made the firm famous. Qualified applicants can expect a series of at least three interviews with a diverse range of Booz consultants and executives, with only a select few candidates advancing to the final rounds. “We decline a lot of great people,” an insider admits, highlighting the cold, hard selectivity of Booz recruitment. “The upside is that if you make it through, you know that we loved you and think that you are amazing!”
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Things are changing quickly at Booz & Co. these days, and the road ahead looks promising. A renewed emphasis on corporate culture and singular identity has reenergized the grateful consultant base.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Booz & Company
Overall Satisfaction • “[We have] great clients, important work and a super-smart and fun team. At Booz & Company, I get the chance to make a difference by working with some of the world’s leading organizations to help them define and execute their strategies.” – New York executive • “I’m constantly challenged, stimulated and encouraged as I build my experience and my career.” – East Coast associate • “Rapidly improving culture and aggressive moves in the marketplace make Booz & Company an outstanding place to work. The change in mood and activity is pretty incredible.” – Health care higher-up • “[We’ve had a] slow start to branding firm identity and culture, but it’s picking up speed now.” – Energy consultant
Firm Culture • “The firm’s culture has evolved for the better. It’s great to see a 95-year-old company evolve to the dynamics of today.” – Strategy associate • “Booz’s culture is collaborative, supportive and entrepreneurial. You feel that you have an obligation to deliver your best, both for your clients and your colleagues” – Atlanta respondent • “It’s dramatically improving, in part due to the separation from Booz Allen Hamilton and the acquisition of Katzenbach Partners.” – Midlevel source • “We are striving in good faith to remake a culture that was rather staid and formal—I can see the thaw in progress.” – Senior associate
Supervisor Relationships • “I’ve had terrific senior mentors at Booz. They have significant experience and great attitudes toward mentoring.” – Health care insider • “This is, by far, the most impressive aspect of Booz to me. The leadership in North America is smart, caring and open to change, and each of them is truly committed to growth of our firm.” – Houston staffer • “I am constantly impressed with the quality of leadership I receive both directly and indirectly.” – Senior source • “I have extremely close relationships with the partners and principals in my practice. They have created great opportunities for me to learn and grow as quickly as I can. However, I often find senior people I don’t know very well in the firm hard to reach.” – Midlevel strategist
Interaction with Clients • “Many of my clients are very longstanding relationships in which we have established a high degree of trust and openness over many years.” – Health care executive • “The clients that I have interacted with have been fantastic. Very early in my tenure, I have had the opportunity to build lasting relationships with executives I’ve gotten to know and respect.” – Entry-level insider • “Client relationships are, in general, very good. If they aren’t good, they don’t buy from us and, ultimately, are not clients.” – Midlevel consultant • “[Interactions are] generally collaborative, but sometimes we feel like we are just there to get data out of them.” – First-year strategist
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: The firm’s revitalization efforts have included a focus on more responsive leadership, resulting in more flexibility and, if consultants continue to get their way, less rigid travel requirements.
Work Hours • “I wouldn’t want to have this schedule forever, but for now it’s worth it, given all that I’m learning and doing.” – Telecommunications consultant
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• “In five years with Booz, I’ve always been able to get time off if needed, never had a vacation cancelled and only worked four weekends. Not bad at all.” – Midlevel source • “Some weeks are reasonable, some are ridiculous.” – Strategy consultant • “Sundays usually involve a little email checking. Some partners and managers are terrible and have you checking in all Saturday and Sunday.” – Chicago staffer
Work/Life Balance • “I have managed an acceptable work/life balance with Booz for 12 years, including with a growing family. It requires discipline and a clear operating model.” – Experienced strategist • “Overall, the business gives you a lot of flexibility, provided that you find a way to get the work done. If you really hustle during the week, you can have a good weekend.” – Midwest executive • “By its nature, it’s challenging. But after we’d gotten out of whack with a client last year, I told the partner I was working with that it was just too much. He acted fast and decisively, and for the rest of the project we never worked past 8 p.m. or on the weekends.” – New York respondent • “Work/life balance became bad to the point where senior management recognized it and they are now very communicative about improving the situation. A positive sign.” – Entry-level staffer
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Booz & Company
• “Booz expects all staff to be on site with clients Monday to Thursday each week.” – D.C. insider • “This is an area in which Booz could do better. We almost travel by default—we don’t really analyze whether travel is needed. We just go.” – Health care source • “If we aren’t traveling, we aren’t making money. Also, one of the things I like about the job is traveling to clients and interacting with them. This job would be intolerable without the travel element.” – Senior consultant • “We could be a little more creative about different working arrangements with clients, and more purposeful in how we manage expectations.” – New York executive
Compensation • “I really am amazed at what I have been able to earn in my career at Booz. Everyone always wants more, but I feel truly privileged.” – Experienced strategy consultant • “Pay is pretty great, although we just completed a compensation survey that showed some minor gaps at the senior levels that are being addressed.” – Midlevel insider • “Despite the worst recession in decades, I believe we have been able to maintain highly competitive compensation for all members of our firm.” – Health care executive
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: A dinosaur from the Booz Allen Hamilton days, the firm’s attempt at formal training is unsatisfactory, at best. Policy changes are starting to gain traction, but far-reaching institutional adjustments will have to be made if the firm wants to be truly effective in this area.
Formal Training • “One of Booz’s biggest dark spots is training—we do very little of it, and even when we do, it’s a low priority. Even trivial client conflicts will get you pulled from a training course you waited months for.” – D.C. energy consultant • “Formal training is conducted mostly via webinar for new hires, with the exception of a one-week introductory course. The webinars are tough to fit in to your schedule and also are fairly unproductive.” – Operations associate • “Booz does offer a good amount of formal training, but I don’t see many people taking advantage of it. On-the-job training is certainly more common.” – Booz insider • “What Booz lacks is a formal, in-person, in-depth training program beyond the initial on-boarding. People are trying to start it up, but we’re going to be trailing the competition for a while on that one.” – Chicago entry-level
Promotion Policies • “We are up or out on our strategy track, although there are ways to create flexibility at the principal level when the case merits. We have an ‘expert track,’ which has become an increasingly significant part of our business, which is not up or out.” – Strategy executive • “The issue is that the promotion criteria are not consistently applied across tracks or industries.” – Midwest midlevel • “We are strict on promotions, and tend to not promote if there is any question whatsoever from anyone. This keeps the quality high, but it means you sometimes need to be a rock star with a halo and a recommendation from the pope to get promoted.” – Energy higher-up • “The firm is making an effort to promote people faster at MBA [level] and above, but that’s just going to bring us to market expectations.” – Entry-level consultant
Diversity
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Vault’s Verdict: While consultants note Booz’s continued efforts to promote diversity, they also see a distinct lack of women and minorities in the top spots.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “It’s always tough in our industry, but at least I know the heart is there, so I am confident that we will get better.” – Senior associate • “I’m openly gay at work and my colleagues are very supportive. Booz provides resources for GLBT recruiting and sponsors social events for GLBT employees. I don’t see a lot of GLBT representation among the senior leaders, but we are currently improving diversity efforts in North America and I think the firm has the right intentions.” – Strategy consultant • “The firm is starting to focus its attention on attracting, developing and retaining women. I find that we lack a lot of racial diversity and haven’t seen many programs to address it. Our firm traditionally did not have much of a GLBT community, but that has improved dramatically in the last six months. – Midlevel staffer • “The firm is very diverse from a minority perspective, which creates a great, dynamic work environment. I would like to see more women in senior roles, as it seems that there are very few ways to reach partner in the firm while also juggling a family and kids.” – Junior source
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: When Booz prepared to leave Allen and Hamilton in the dust, this was surely the most favorable outcome they could have imagined: The firm is firing on all cylinders, with morale at its highest point in years. Exciting times ahead.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Booz & Company
Overall Business Outlook • “For my particular practice, we have way more work in the pipeline than we have people to complete the work, and we are hiring like crazy!” – Operations consultant • “We just finished an outstanding year in North America, with both revenue and profits coming out very strong. We expect next year to be good also.” – Midwest staffer • “I think we’re seeing great growth. The new Booz & Co. brand and positioning is really hitting its stride in the marketplace. It’s an exciting place to be right now.” – Senior consultant • “The firm is on the move on pretty much all fronts—ideas, clients, recruiting, culture. There is an energy and buzz in the air.” – Chicago executive
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “I think the people who run Booz are sharp and compassionate. I believe in our leadership.” – Energy executive • “I think they have done a great job building the firm and growing the business. They have provided clear leadership as we emerged from the split with Booz Allen Hamilton and almost directly entered the worst recession of our lifetime.” – East Coast associate • “Shumeet Banerji is an exceptional CEO: visionary, driven, involved, in the market meeting CEOs around the world.” – Health care staffer
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• “Started a bit rough with our bad decision-making last January 2009, but since that time we’ve made amends and even hired back folks whom we let go.” – D.C. insider
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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MILLIMAN, INC.
1301 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3800 Seattle, Washington 98101 Phone: (206) 624-7940 Fax: (206) 340-1380 www.milliman.com
LOCATIONS
UPPERS • “Superior technical expertise” • “Autonomy and flexibility” • “Opportunity to share in the risk and rewards of ownership”
DOWNERS
Seattle, WA (HQ) 52 offices in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific
• “Decentralized structure” • “Lag in promotion timing” • “Not recognizing immediately when a person is ready for the next level”
PRACTICE AREAS
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
Employee Benefits • Health Care • Investment • Life & Financial • Property & Casualty
careers.milliman.com/home/index.php
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company President & CEO: Pat Grannan 2010 Employees: 2,250 2009 Employees: 2,400 2009 Revenue: $610 million 2008 Revenue: $585 million
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • “Employees are happy here” • “Actuaries that work primarily with insurers and government entities” • “Strong midmarket presence” • “Association of small ‘firms’”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Milliman, Inc.
THE SCOOP An independent streak Seattle-based Milliman, Inc. is proud of its independence, never answering to outside ownership or influence. That kind of go-it-alone attitude has worked for the firm, whose clients seek it out for objective actuarial and consulting advice. Owned and managed by approximately 300 principals, the 2,400-plus-person firm, which has 52 offices spread across the globe, extends its services to businesses, government agencies, unions, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations alike. Founded in 1947 by insurance industry veteran Wendell Milliman, who was later joined by an actuary named Stuart A. Robertson, Milliman & Robertson, Inc., mainly focused on assessing business risk. Although actuarial consulting remains a major Milliman focus—more than 1,000 of its employees are qualified actuaries—the firm has expanded its practice areas to include employee benefits, health care, investment, life insurance and financial services, and property and casualty insurance.
Pioneer days Milliman has been a self-described “pioneer” in the retirement plan industry for the past 60-plus years. Services included defined contribution services, actuarial consulting, communications, compensation consulting, defined benefit administration, health and welfare consulting and administration, participant education and total retirement outsourcing, among other services. Clients working with Milliman’s employee benefits experts also have access to the firm’s proprietary tools, including its salary surveys, its benefits information and knowledge exchange (BIKE) database of news, source documents and benefits-related data, and its trademarked Milliman Actuarial Retirement Calculator (MARC), a pension administration system for the administration of defined benefit and cash balance plans.
Going global In recent years, Milliman has made a concerted effort to grow both in and outside the United States, with a growing list of expansionist moves, such as the opening of new offices in Paris, Bucharest, Dublin and Dubai in 2009. Milliman’s employee benefits practice also extends its international reach as a founding member of Abelica Global, formerly known as Milliman Global, a worldwide network of consulting firms that focuses on employee benefits, investments, insurance and health care. Each member firm maintains its independence, engaging with the network as an equal participant. Today, Abelica maintains offices in almost 100 cities around the world.
Going on record and online Among Milliman consultants’ many articles and studies that are available online, the firm’s website also hosts two series of downloadable interviews with Milliman consultants called “Spotlight on Risk” and “Healthcare Reform.” The firm also publishes Insight, a continuously updated online journal that focuses on risk-related business issues, including details of how Milliman’s insurance clients, using MG Hedge, were able to minimize exposure to recent market volatility.
GETTING HIRED
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There’s a strong focus on academics among the criteria Milliman recruiters use to identify potential hires. “We look for people with the highest academic qualifications,” one consultant offers. “Your academic record and work experience are the first two differentiators.” In particular, the firm seeks out math and business majors, especially those who have the persona (“understanding, listening, nonaggressive, sincere”) necessary for quality face time with clients. Consensus is a big part of Milliman’s hiring strategy—potential hires typically meet at least 10 Milliman associates, all of whom must give the green light to the candidate’s success. Ultimately, the successful candidate will have navigated a series of three interviews, at least one computer aptitude examination (with a focus on Excel) and a comprehensive personality test. Once accepted, consultants should expect to be proactively welcomed to the firm; “they introduced me to a local realtor and helped me see the community before I moved here,” one grateful associate says.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Because the firm is owned by the consultants themselves, they take great pride in their work and expertise—a winning formula for employee satisfaction.
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Overall Satisfaction • “I’ve never had an experience as good as Milliman. We have great colleagues and management who want each other to succeed. [There is a] very collaborative atmosphere with a completely happy balance in life.” – Senior consultant • “Milliman has offered me great opportunities for personal and professional growth. I very much feel a part of the process here, and my contributions are greatly valued.” – New Jersey higher-up • “I have a great deal of personal freedom to consult with my clients, but Milliman is supportive with available tools and continuing education opportunities.” – HR consultant • “Satisfaction is generally very high, but the firm doesn’t always do a good job recognizing the contributions of smaller practices that are stable and successful.” – Finance associate
Firm Culture • “The associates are hardworking and stand behind the Milliman name. We strive for excellence and efficiency while bringing a happy working environment.” – Minneapolis staffer • “Milliman has a culture of collaboration. This has allowed me to learn from the best minds of the company, and it allows the firm to develop a tremendous amount of intellectual capital.” – Financial consultant • “We have a rich history—each office has the feel of a small company with the backing and resources of a large employer.” – New York insider
Supervisor Relationships • “We have close and frank relationships with our peers. There are no supervisors here.” – Actuarial consultant • “[We have] wonderful relations, timely follow through and wonderful management of expectations.” – Chicago associate • “Managers ensure that you have the proper resources and support to complete the assignments given.” – Midlevel consultant
Interaction with Clients • “I normally enjoy a personal relationship with my clients—it is the most rewarding part of my job.” – HR consultant • “Our relations with our clients are excellent. We do our best to keep it that way.” – New York principal • “The client relationship is the most important aspect of our business; you will usually interact with a client at a higher level in the organization than you would as a similar employee within the client company.” – Executive-level source
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Milliman consultants work with an enviable degree of autonomy, so they largely control the extent to which they’re in the office or replying to emails from home.
Work Hours • “I probably work 45 to 55 hours a week, and the hours are completely flexible, so it gives me the opportunity to balance personal and professional time.” – Senior consultant • “While I work long hours, it is by personal choice. It stems from my desire to be the best in the industry.” – Chicago higher-up • “The hard work definitely is recognized and appreciated.” – HR consultant • “We have a room to take power naps.” – Strategy consultant
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Work/Life Balance • “When I need extra time or a schedule change to accomplish something outside of my work routine, I not only get the time, but Milliman encourages me to take it.” – Strategy executive • “I feel we have the opportunity to use flexible time schedules, and I really enjoy what I do and the people I work with—so sometimes work and life are one!” – Senior source • “We balance our clients by assisting them to proactively work with us on annual service needs and timing. Therefore, their needs are met ahead of deadlines.” – Experienced finance consultant • “One of the reasons I work pretty much every weekend (limited amounts of time, though) is that I make sure to not miss out on family time during the week.” – Associate
Travel Requirements • “Most work is done on local clients, with no extensive travel. Most overnight travel is for corporate or professional meetings.” – East Coast staffer • “Travel is not technically zero, but it’s less than one day per week, on average.” – Dallas insider
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• “We very rarely work on site for prolonged periods, but there are many short trips. And since each office is responsible for generating its own business, there are a lot of marketing-related trips.” – Senior consultant • “A travel request to the office in India is a bit aggressive.” – Financial consultant
Compensation • “There’s an unmatched ability to become a true owner in an independent firm and reap financial rewards (and risks) of ownership.” – Executivelevel source • “Compensation is fair compared to the industry standard.” – Midwest associate • “2009 was a tough year for the firm, but thankfully, bonus payouts were still awarded.” – Midlevel consultant • “Occasionally, bonus compensations are adjusted (usually downward) without proper discussion and explanations.” – Financial consultant
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: The firm’s consultants might not be overly concerned about the general lack of formal training, and feel that their informal support network is sufficient to bring them up to speed.
Formal Training • “We do not have a structured training program but work together to mentor each other and share information learned.” – Strategy consultant • “Study programs for attaining credentials and technical forums are offered, and participation is encouraged.” – Dallas staffer • “It’s mostly informal, but the firm sponsors two meetings with formal training each year. In addition, I am able to attend industry conferences.” – Senior source • “[Training is] on the job and on your own time.” – Philadelphia higher-up
Promotion Policies • “It is not strictly up or out. I like that. Milliman makes a good effort at letting people stay at a certain level until they’re ready to take on more work and be promoted.” – Midlevel consultant • “The company has a very flat structure, so promotions are mostly measured by level of responsibility, less in changes in titles. With four to five years of experience, most consultants are advancing to managing full projects.” – Senior source • “Promotion does not always mean more salary. The bonus structure rewards all performers. Consultants take on client responsibilities as soon as they can.” – Consultant • “For senior and above levels, promotions are somewhat politically driven.” – Experienced Midwesterner
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: Respondents feel that their firm does a perfectly adequate job recruiting and maintaining a diverse workforce.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “Milliman is nondiscriminatory in all ways—our office has a great cross-section of ethnicities and genders. The firm is sensitive to the needs of its employees and offers some flexibility to the workday to meet their non-work life needs.” – HR consultant • “We celebrate International Women’s Day with [a] lot of pride.” – Entry-level consultant • “Throughout Milliman there are many different classifications of people. All are treated with the same respect and have the same expectations, as far as I can tell.” – East Coast higher-up Customized for: Ashmita (
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Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Diversification is the name of Milliman’s recessionary redeemer, keeping the firm afloat when certain practice areas offered little more than dead weight.
Overall Business Outlook • “We’re well positioned for a good year in 2010. Employee morale is up, we are rethinking how to service clients and we have tried to restructure, rather than eliminate, jobs.” – Senior consultant • “We have a diversified business, so one area is always ‘hot’ in the market. We are experiencing growth in actuarial and administration practices.” – Associate • “We’re a leading provider of health care consulting services, and health care reform should keep us quite busy.” – Executive-level source • “Morale has suffered, but it does seem to be improving.” – Senior source
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Confidence in Firm Leadership • “Because of the unique structure of Milliman offices, practice leaders are given a lot of room and support to be innovative and entrepreneurial. This allows the firm to continuously grow and bring new ideas to the table.” – Associate • “Our leaders are committed, open and experienced, as they come from within the firm.” – Financial consultant
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• “Much of the effective leadership is at the local practice level.” – New York insider
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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STRATEGIC DECISIONS GROUP
745 Emerson Street Palo Alto, California 94301 Phone: (650) 475-4400 Fax: (650) 475-4401 www.sdg.com
LOCATIONS Palo Alto, CA (HQ) Bangalore Beirut Chennai Gurgaon Mumbai Singapore
UPPERS • “Has outlasted all of the latest consulting crazes” • “Flexibility to work wherever and whenever one can” • “I’ve been going places I never thought I would visit”
DOWNERS • “Not as big as we once were” • “Being pigeonholed as a ‘geek’ or ‘quant jock’” • “Not well known outside its primary client base”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.sdg.com/careers
PRACTICE AREAS Business Strategy • Education & Training • Partnering & Outsourcing • Portfolio Strategy • Risk Management
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company Chairman & CEO: Carl Spetzler 2010 Employees: 85 2009 Employees: 90
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Blowing up” “No direction” “Innovative, unique” “Deferred MBA offers a few years back”
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THE SCOOP Make a decision Headquartered just down the road from Stanford University, Strategic Decisions Group specializes in providing high-level decision making, risk management, and value-based leadership advice to its clients. Formed in 1981, the firm partners with boards of directors, heads of business units and senior managers in a variety of mostly capital-intensive industries via offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. SDG consultants serve many of the world’s largest research and development-intensive companies, energy companies, technology and communication companies, diversified chemicals producers, and companies in transportation, infrastructure development, mining, private equity, agriculture and forest products, and commodities.
Divide and conquer SDG co-founder Ronald Howard first developed the concept of “decision analysis” while teaching at Stanford University in the 1960s. Decision analysis is a way of dissecting business decisions in a formal manner, often using tools such as diagrams and decision trees. Uncertainties are transformed into probabilities and probability distributions. Decisions are made based on which options have the highest utility. Decision analysis is still at the center of the firm’s methods, although it has been modified as new ideas and technology have come into play over the years. The method certainly has its critics, though, with the foremost attack probably being that humans don’t actually think this way. But proponents argue that the method is simply a way of seeing options more clearly. The firm has also gradually offered services beyond strategic decision analysis as time has gone by, and it now tries to create, deliver and protect value for shareholders in any way possible. The firm helps clients identify growth opportunities, create strategies and analyze and test those strategies. SDG also tries to help clients deal with the unknown in creative ways. Perhaps to diffuse the impression of its methods being cold and mechanical, the firm emphasizes that strategic consulting is “as much art as science,” and its literature states that amongst the most important goals of its foundation was creating a “fun” company to work for.
Industrial evolution SDG’s specialty is serving industries that are on the cusp of—or often faced with—major game-changing market shifts that require managers to “make big bets ahead of the curve.” The firm’s 12 practice areas hone in on a number of these industries, including chemicals, consumer goods, energy and environment, financial services, infrastructure, manufacturing, metals and mining, real estate, special economic zones, technology and communications, and transportation. The firm’s largest industry practice area, however, is its energy and environment segment, which works with electric and gas utilities, nuclear power, oil and gas, petrochemicals, and renewable energy companies. Recent energy market volatility has given the firm’s experts a lot of business, especially in 2008, when the price of oil made a round trip from $85 per barrel to $145, and back again to below $50. The firm says it developed strategy for and trained more than 1,000 energy executives in corporate strategy development and implementation, enterprise risk management, nuclear strategy and risk management, portfolio and asset management, and environmental strategy.
The bookworms next door
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Considering the firm’s origins at Stanford University, it’s not surprising that SDG emphasizes its connections to the academic world, even claiming to have more PhDs on staff than most university graduate programs. Since 2006, the firm has collaborated with the Stanford Center for Professional Development to offer a Stanford certificate program in strategic decision and risk management (SDRM). The program now has participants from over 50 countries and, as of April 2008, can be completed online. The program is designed to help organizations make better strategic decisions while managing risk. Outside of the certificate program, the firm also offers public courses and workshops designed to build individual capabilities in decision analysis and in SDG’s decision-making methodology. And if course work isn’t your thing, SDG also offers Executive eBriefings, which are free, one-hour online web conferences designed to help senior executives maneuver in today’s business environment. Since 2000, SDG has presented more than 50 eBriefings to thousands of executives around the world. Topics covered have included making strategic decisions in difficult economic times, designing and managing enterprise risk management programs, and best-practice tips for senior management decision making.
Eye on India SDG’s push into India began in 1995 through a joint venture with ECS Limited, an Indian management consulting firm. In 2007, SDG acquired ECS’ strategy practice, and over the next six months, opened offices in Bangalore, Gurgaon and Mumbai. To further serve its growing client base outside the U.S., SDG opened an office in Beirut in 2008 and in Singapore in 2009.
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GETTING HIRED As SDG is a smaller firm, prospective candidates have a narrow window of specific qualifications and personalities they need to exhibit if they’re to be seriously considered. “Top candidates probably have an engineering undergraduate degree, an MBA from a top-tier institution or a PhD in engineering or economic systems,” an associate points out. As if the requisite degree of technical expertise weren’t enough, the applicant pool is further limited by the firm’s hesitance to hire tech-savvy candidates who don’t possess “all the usual consulting skills and business savvy.” “Facility in verbal expression” is a real recruitment priority at SDG; whoever can’t pass the “six-hour-flight rule” will be passed over, regardless of qualifications. “Typically, a candidate goes through five to six rounds of interviews,” an insider reveals, while another concurs that “the process is quite rigorous.” Quantitative and analytical competency is a definite focus of the process (expect several case studies), though cultural fit is also intensely scrutinized. “We are very careful to screen for a match with our values and culture. Sharks are not welcome,” says a candid source. “Competent critical thinkers” should excel in the process, but the specter of personality always looms overhead; those lacking leadership and communication skills will likely struggle.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: SDG consultants are “enormously satisfied” working at the firm, glad to sing the praises of what they consider to be one of the flattest, least hierarchical firms around.
Overall Satisfaction • “I engage in professional activities that I find enormously satisfying.” – Senior consultant • “My job is challenging, demanding and interesting. My colleagues are among the nicest in the industry. My responsibilities continue to expand—there’s never a dull moment.” – Executive-level source • “We have a great set of colleagues engaged in serving clients with the best methodologies available, and a wonderful, high-integrity collaborative environment that values individual initiative. What more could anyone ask for?” – East Coast partner • “The job gives me just about the right amount of challenge and excitement.” – Energy consultant
Firm Culture • “SDG is a firm characterized by an open, honest and supportive culture. We have worked hard to avoid being a political organization, and that has paid off. Our systems, processes and culture all support a collegial work environment and meritocracy. There is very little interpersonal competition.” – Senior staffer • “We have two policies: Treat others well and never deceive.” – Consultant • “Socially, it feels like having friends around. Politically, it’s a very open, flat and honest culture. Professionally, we’re hardworking and expect the most out of you.” – Private equity analyst • “They say the firm has no sharp elbows, and it seems to be true. For the most part, everyone shares knowledge, invites input and is striving to increase the pie for all, rather than grab a larger piece of the pie for themselves.” – Palo Alto insider
Supervisor Relationships
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• “Our CEO once said that SDG is a place for people who don’t want to be bossed and don’t want to be a boss.” – Senior consultant • “I have an excellent relationship with my supervisor. It is characterized by mutual respect, high trust, great warmth and collegiality, good humor, fun, empowerment and good support when needed.” – East Coast higher-up • “We have a flat organization and nurturing culture.” – California partner
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: As far as hours are concerned, SDG consultants have more than their fair share. But instead of griping about it, they put their independence to good use, maximizing their energies and agendas to great effect.
Work Hours • “The firm does not focus on hours—but rather on the results that we produce. There is tremendous personal freedom and responsibility.” – West Coast insider • “Hours fluctuate a lot, but I have decent control and can secure time for private/family activities.” – Energy associate • “In theory I work part time, however 2009 was a very demanding year and I was happy to put in the extra hours for the good of the firm and our long-term success.” – Partner
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Work/Life Balance • “SDG is totally flexible. When there is a push, we all pitch in. When there is a lull, nobody is investigating your down time.” – Associate • “Balance is a very personal thing. SDG makes it possible for individuals to find ways to create balance. It takes initiative to figure out what you need and to ask for it, and SDG is very willing to support what it can.” – Palo Alto staffer • “I found it best to take extra weeks off to be able to pursue my personal interests. That works well.” – Executive-level source
Travel Requirements • “Travel is purely driven by project requirements. For project supervisors and senior content experts, on-site time is less than for engagement managers and consultants working closely with client project teams.” – California midlevel • “We spend our time on the client’s site, and (of course) we have no local clients.” – Senior source • “I am out of office 50 to 60 percent of the time. Travel is a requirement to fulfill my roles and responsibility.” – Senior consultant
Compensation • “Compensation is adequate. In flush years, bonuses can be quite generous. Consultant bonuses are based primarily on utilization relative to one’s peer group.” – West Coast insider • “Like all firms, compensation at SDG was impacted by the recession, but not significantly, and we retained all of our employees.” – Midlevel consultant • “I don’t care to be making the most that is possible in the consulting business. Rather, I want a great total professional satisfaction with a high quality of life. SDG allows me to achieve that.” – Senior source
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: While budgetary restrictions have claimed some of the surplus training opportunities at SDG, it’s not enough to dampen consultants’ praises for the core offerings.
Formal Training • “Overall, the training and professional development at SDG is excellent. All new employees take the two-week consulting workshop, which lays the foundation. The firm offers several other courses through Stanford and in-house.” – West Coast junior • “SDG has an extensive and world-class training curriculum. While consultants learn a tremendous amount on the job through project experiences and mentoring, virtually all consultants receive formal classroom training each year.” – Partner • “We have excellent training by some of the best instructors I have ever had.” – Analyst
Promotion Policies • “For standard consultants, the promotion policy is well articulated and consultants advance at a pace consistent with their abilities.” – Education associate • “This is a clear meritocracy—it’s not strictly up or out; in some cases, consultants have asked to cut back their time, which the firm accommodates in most cases. This could delay time to partner.” – Strategy insider • “Sometimes it is hard for new hires to grasp the reality that every partner and director wants that person to advance to partnership as quickly as possible—it’s in their self interest. There is no ceiling.” – Energy partner
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Diversity Vault’s Verdict: Consultants point to the firm’s historically high GLBT population and the relatively high percentage of female partners as evidence of SDG’s commitment to diversity.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “SDG is among the best firms for GLBT staff. Over the years, we have had quite a few GLBT staff and partners.” – Management partner • “Women do quite well at SDG; over 20 percent of our partners are women. It would be higher, but the reality is that many women of childbearing age tend to eventually choose jobs that do not require so much travel.” – West Coast staffer • “The firm is excellent in accepting individuals from all quadrants.” – Energy associate
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Business plummeted in 2009 for SDG, but the firm outshone its competition by keeping morale high and its consultants at ease. That approach should pay off as the economy kicks back into gear.
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Overall Business Outlook • “First-quarter 2010 results and prospects greatly improved over 2009.” – Analyst • “Our clients are finding a greater need for our quantitative approach as the economy rebounds. The market is impatient and has little use for soft pitches. People want a solid explanation of the foundations of their strategy, not just a well-spun story.” – Experienced insider • “The market is way down, but we’re hanging on.” – West Coast partner • “SDG is a small and nimble firm, and has managed to weather the economy well. That’s not to say things haven’t been difficult; client engagements are shorter than they used to be, and there has been pressure to discount rates. However, rather than lay off staff, the entire staff took a pay cut in an effort to share the pain.” – Senior source
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “The firm seems to be focused on all the right things—excellent client delivery, winning new work, and using the downturn to develop staff and investigate new services so we can emerge even stronger.” – Associate • “Our leaders are very experienced and very intellectually honest.” – Strategy consultant
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• “We are led by the founders of decision analysis and by the many people who were attracted by the intellectual challenge and the culture, and believed it was worth working to preserve and grow.” – Analyst
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PRESTIGE RANKING
19
PRTM
77 Fourth Avenue Waltham, Massachusetts 02451 Phone: (781) 434-1200 Fax: (781) 647-2804 www.prtm.com
UPPERS
LOCATIONS
DOWNERS
Boston, MA Chicago, IL Dallas, TX Detroit, MI New York, NY Mountain View, CA Orange County, CA Washington, DC Bangalore Beijing Dubai Frankfurt Glasgow London Munich Oxford Paris Shanghai Tokyo
• “Little structure to internal operations” • “High cost consciousness” • “Lack of a wide service base”
• “1:4 director-to-consultant ratio” • “Global clientele” • “Big enough for opportunities, small enough for entrepreneurship”
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company Global Managing Director: Scott Hefter Americas Managing Director: Mark Strom 2010 Employees: 730 2009 Employees: 670
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT Use the online application form at www.prtm.com/careers
PRACTICE AREAS
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Customer Experience Innovation • Operational Strategy • Product & Service Innovation • Supply Chain Innovation
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Results-oriented” “All ops, techy” “Good career progression” “No brand name”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition PRTM
THE SCOOP Op-center “Even the most brilliant business strategies fail without the right operational strategy.” So says PRTM’s corporate brochure, going on to define a winning operational strategy as something that translates a firm’s “direction into operational reality, creating strategic competitive advantage.” That, in a nutshell, is what PRTM sets out to do for its clients: to gain an idea of a firm’s overall direction and help them to reach their destination through innovative operational strategies for products, supply chains and customer experience. Of course, as a consulting firm, PRTM is a little more jargontastic than that, as can be seen from its full list of capabilities: “accelerating operational clockspeed, achieving sustainability, developing breakthrough products, driving asset utilization, driving top-line growth, expanding global presence, improving cost structure, managing organizational change, maximizing acquisitions and alliances, navigating regulatory change and strengthening customer loyalty.” The firm serves its customers from 19 offices in eight countries around the world, and maintains a footprint on four continents. Clients come from a diverse array of industries, including aerospace and defense, automotive, communications and media, chemical and process industries, consumer goods, electronics and computing, energy, financial services, health care, industrial, life sciences, private equity, public sector, software and telecommunications.
When the bubble bursts, learn to swim Founded in the heart of Silicon Valley (Palo Alto, Calif.) in 1976, the first two decades of PRTM’s existence were spent serving the tech industry, including major firms such as Cisco, Texas Instruments and Sun Microsystems. The tech bust in the early years of the 21st century proved to be something for a wakeup call for the firm, however; seeking ways to maintain its revenue, it was forced to diversify its service offerings, and began by expanding into the public sector, automotive, life sciences, consumer products and global health.
Data crunchers One of the core planks of the PRTM ideology is that benchmarking, analytics and frameworks are essential to driving improvements in operating performance. Having long practiced performance measurement in its work, it seemed only natural for the company to form its own enterprise to capture operational performance and best practice information. In 1998, the Performance Measurement Group, LLC (PMG) duly arrived, and has served over 1,000 companies with its operational benchmarking offerings since then. PRTM helped develop the Supply-Chain Operations Reference-model® (SCOR®) standard, which serves as the platform for its supply-chain management services. PRTM also took part in the founding of the Supply-Chain Council, an 850-member nonprofit consortium that maintains and promotes the SCOR open industry standard as a basis for achieving operational excellence. In addition, PMG provides SCOR-based benchmarking services that comprehensively compare a company’s supply-chain performance, practices and operations complexity to other companies in their industry, thereby allowing performance objectives to be fully aligned with operational strategy.
Setting the pace Another major PRTM methodology is PACE® (Product And Cycle-time Excellence®). The PACE framework attempts to create profitable growth by “introducing the right products at the right pace.” PACE relies on a dense mix of data concerning schedule variance, time-to-market, pipeline throughput and R&D effectiveness. BusinessWeek has called PACE “one of the most successful and effective models of the product development process for technology-based industries.”
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GETTING HIRED “PRTM’s hiring is not driven by quotas or project demands,” an associate tell us. PRTM only hires top-tier talent.” An ominous introduction? Perhaps. But PRTM’s staffing model doesn’t adhere to the same stiff standards that many top firms adhere to (e.g., 3.9 GPA from an Ivy League school). One consultant sums it up best: “Hiring is based on fit, not on being able to solve a particular problem or grades at an institution. At the end of the day, it’s 1) Is the candidate partner material? And, 2) Will the candidate be able to work effectively in a high pressure project with peers of equal intellectual capability?” Make no mistake, depth of expertise and quality analytic skills are extremely important to the firm. Cool pragmatism rules the day at PRTM; the interview process favors an exceptionally strong critical thinker with enough experience or focused education “to make an immediate impact with little direction or supervision.”
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: PRTM is a place where the industry’s seasoned, hardnosed pragmatists can team up to do interesting, meaningful work at their Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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own high standards. For those who love a challenge, it’s an ideal work environment.
Overall Satisfaction • “I have been nothing but satisfied with PRTM. I have been given the tools necessary to succeed and I feel that I have been recognized appropriately for my efforts.” – Public-sector consultant • “The learning curve, executive exposure, quality peer involvement and ability to significantly influence corporate success have been invaluable.” – Senior source • “PRTM is a great place to work. My projects have been interesting and challenging, enabling me to build my consulting skills and my experience in the health care industry. PRTM does a great job of hiring really smart, down-to-earth people who are fun to work with.” – Boston midlevel • “PRTM is a very progressive firm with lots of opportunities to succeed. If you have initiative and drive, there is no place you cannot go.” – Technology consultant
Firm Culture • “The culture attracts a very pragmatic, no-nonsense type. There is generally little patience for ‘fluff.’ And yet, most people are easy to get along with and easily pass the ‘airport test.’” – Junior source • “The company respects you as an individual. Your work is well recognized, even though it is dependent on individual directors. It is a meritocracy, but also collaborative. There are a lot of expectations, but you are rewarded as well.” – Strategy consultant • “Our firm is not for the faint of heart. We hire extremely smart people and then make them better. In every way, we always put the client first. I have had conference calls with clients on Christmas Eve. That said, we do believe in creating a viable work/life continuum since one unofficial motto is that we are all here to win a marathon, not run a sprint.” – Public-sector insider • “Internally, the group seems to favor hiring more politically conservative personnel, which tends to set the tone for the office.” – D.C. staffer
Supervisor Relationships • “PRTM has a very low ratio of partners to consultants and, as a result, access to all levels of management is easily available.” – Health care consultant • “PRTM is a flat organization, helping to ensure that consultants are able to interact with directors and principals frequently. Directors and principals are more than willing to take time to discuss client work, ideas and professional development.” – Experienced source • “Your supervisors treat you as a potential director, so they can be very challenging.” – Associate
Interaction with Clients • “Our clients appreciate our hands-on working style and the truly unique solutions that we develop because of the time we spend on site directly with client teams.” – Health care insider • “We work extremely closely with both the client and the client’s staff. One of our implicit missions on every engagement is to transfer our skills and created processes to the client’s organization so that they can tackle similar future tasks without us.” – D.C. staffer • “Even at the entry level, PRTM consultants work extensively with the client, and are able to develop good working relationships.” – Public-sector junior
Hours & Pay
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Vault’s Verdict: PRTM’s travel demands can be a drag and hours can be excessive at times. But overall, these consultants consider themselves well-positioned on the favorable side of the work/life balance equation.
Work Hours • “Hours are long, and can fluctuate from week to week, but are generally manageable. Project managers are typically flexible and can accommodate personal schedules.” – Entry-level respondent • “I feel that amount of hours I work is appropriate for both the expectations of my level and the compensation I receive.” – Senior consultant • “Work hours are dictated by each consultant’s efficiency. We abhor nonvalue-added work, expect billable hours to be completed before any other collateral duties, and only assign or volunteer for collateral duties that benefit the firm.” – East Coast midlevel • “Depending on the assignment, you can spend up to 100 hours each week, but you will be well rewarded for that. It is up to you to manage your hours effectively.” – Senior consultant
Work/Life Balance • “It is completely up to you to manage your hours effectively. If you succeed, it is a joy to work for PRTM. Your coach will always ask you to work on your work/life balance.” – Midlevel consultant • “As a consultant and mother, my experience with PRTM has been very positive. The firm has been able to staff me on local projects to accommodate the needs of my growing family, and my project work is well balanced to ensure that I am successful both at home and work.” –
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California staffer • “In the evening, I may need to respond to emails, but usually I can accomplish significant tasks during normal work hours. I may work periodically on the weekends, but typically only for a few hours at home on Sunday afternoon.” – Public-sector consultant • “It is a difficult balance; there is definitely a strong demand on personal time. However, the firm is cognizant of that, and when a consultant expresses concern, there is generally some effort to alleviate.” – Detroit higher-up
Travel Requirements • “Consultants are expected to be at the client site Monday through Thursday. Fridays are typically spent working from home or from the local PRTM office. The nature of our consulting requires that we work closely with our clients, so being on site is important. Therefore, we travel every week.” – Boston insider • “Travel is usually within the continental U.S.” – Midlevel source • “Commercial engagements often require greater than 80 percent travel.” – Public-sector associate • “I have never been staffed within 2,000 miles of my home office.” – Operations consultant
Compensation • “It is a results-oriented culture; if you deliver, you are handsomely rewarded.” – Senior consultant • “Salaries are competitive, and PRTM annually surveys the industry to ensure standards are maintained.” – Health care insider • “Bonuses are earned based on deep and fact-based discussions. They are attainable through focus and solid work on client and business development areas. Expectations are clear.” – Technology consultant • “Utilization targets are much higher than for other firms, at every level.” – Junior source
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: There’s a definite emphasis on on-the-job learning and informal mentoring at PRTM, which works for most. Those who prefer a more structured system are largely left out in the cold.
Formal Training • “The firm appears to view classroom training as too esoteric and not pragmatic enough.” – Operations consultant • “It’s pretty weak and very informal. The majority of training is on the job.” – West Coast insider • “Most training is unofficial and based on mentoring, which is natural considering the very low consultant-to-partner ratio. There is a substantial and growing formal training system as well—I attend formal training sessions roughly once or twice per month.” – Public-sector midlevel • “The firm does offer official training (both internally and externally developed), but client project priorities sometimes make it difficult to attend the sessions.” – Telecommunications consultant
Promotion Policies • “We have performance reviews every six months, where all of the directors in the business group get together and discuss who should be promoted. I think it’s a very fair, merit-based process.” – Entry-level respondent • “Consultants seem to generally advance directly in line with their capabilities and performance, at least through the principal level. There is not an explicit up-or-out culture, but if you are not moving up, it might be time to look elsewhere.” – Operations associate • “If I want to be a rock star and go for a promotion on the fast track, then I can take on more responsibility (i.e., hours) and do so. But if I want to go at a slower pace and enjoy my life outside of work more, that’s an acceptable option as well.” – D.C. junior Customized for: Ashmita (
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• “You perform, you get promoted. It is as easy as that.” – Health care higher-up
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: The only spot on the firm’s otherwise excellent diversity record is the noticeable shortage of women in leadership ranks.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “I am a gay female employee, and I couldn’t be happier. I feel completely at home here, and have for years.” – Senior consultant • “The firm offers an extended maternity leave program for consultant mothers, as well as part-time staffing. Importantly, they work to staff new parents (both moms and dads) close to home for growing families.” – Energy insider • “We have a richly diverse firm—a real strength of the business and representative of the global business environment in which we work.” – Technology higher-up • “The partners are more than 97 percent men. The firm hires a lot of female associates and consultants, but does not have a good track record of promoting these women through the ranks, ultimately to director.” – Public-sector consultant
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Perhaps the best indicator of the firm’s business prospects is employee morale; it’s exceptionally high at PRTM—a luxury that few Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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top firms can claim in this economic climate.
Overall Business Outlook • “The overall outlook for PRTM is very positive. Leadership and employee morale are high, and we are excited about the growth prospects of the firm in the future.” – Energy midlevel • “My office is outgrowing its space. Independent studies of the consulting market show that PRTM’s focus on operational strategy puts us in the sweet spot of emerging trends in the consulting industry. While smaller than the largest firms, we have a great outlook for growth.” – Publicsector associate • “We have a different model than our competition in that we typically hire people with more experience and who already have strong analytical skills based on their undergraduate degrees—this lets us staff leanly with small teams of experts and experts in training. Morale in our company has been higher than at many of our competitors, and we have weathered the recession well.” – D.C. staffer • “We are expanding our efforts across the globe in an effort to mitigate any potential continued softness in the Americas.” – East Coast insider
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “Our leadership showed their colors during the economic downturn—they maintained a positive attitude and encouraged employees to stay the course. At the end of the year, instead of pulling back compensation and bonuses, as most companies did, they rewarded us for helping the company pull through a difficult year.” – Midlevel consultant • “Unlike at some firms, we have the opportunity to interact informally with PRTM’s top leadership on a regular basis, as colleagues. This collegial atmosphere binds the firm together and creates rapport.” – Strategy consultant
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• “The leadership team recognizes market needs that fit with the firm’s strengths and seems to have a good roadmap for winning business in these areas.” – Operations associate
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PRESTIGE RANKING
20
GALLUP CONSULTING
The Gallup Building 901 F Street, NW Washington, District of Columbia 20004 Phone: (202) 715-3030 Fax: (202) 715-3041 www.gallupconsulting.com
LOCATIONS Washington, DC (HQ) Offices in more than 20 countries
UPPERS • • • •
“Being associated with a prestigious firm” “No micromanagement” “Ability to control your income and your future” “Friendships and camaraderie”
DOWNERS • “No way to enact change companywide” • “You are on your own so if things get tough, it can be difficult” • “Lack of bench strength” • “Pay and promotion system needs work”
PRACTICE AREAS Marketing & Customer Practices Brand Engagement • Customer Engagement • Marketing Strategies Workplace & Leadership Practices Employee Engagement • Executive Performance Coaching • Performance-Based Compensation • Performance Strategy • Sales Force Effectiveness • Strengths-Based Development • Succession Management • Talent Acquisition
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.gallup.com/careers
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Division of the Gallup Organization Chairman, President & CEO: James K. Clifton 2010 Employees: 2,000 2009 Employees: 2,300
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Narrow focus, but great place to work” “Research intensive” “Where nice people work” “Pay and promotion system needs work”
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THE SCOOP Go organic Gallup Consulting helps its clients grow from the inside out. Unlike other consulting firms, it says, which provide services in traditional disciplines like cost reduction and re-engineering business processes, the Washington, D.C.-based firm focuses on “true organic growth,” driving revenue and increasing profits from continuing operations. A division of the Gallup Organization, the public opinion research goliath, Gallup Consulting uses its research into the human psyche to determine how human behavior and relationships drive organizations. “Organizations can grow,” the firm posits, by developing engaged customers and building engaged workforces of talented employees. “We help our clients really believe it when they say that their people are their most important asset,” said Gallup Consulting’s engagement manager, Allan Watkinson, in a February 2009 interview with Australia’s Destination Talent blog. Following that philosophy, the firm’s services primarily facilitate the cultivation of relationships. Through two practice areas, workplace and leadership practices, and marketing and customer practices, Gallup offers services aimed at talent acquisition, leadership and succession, strengths-based development and, of course, employee and customer engagement.
And the survey says Gallup Consulting’s parent company, the Gallup Organization, has become a household name in public opinion surveys, tracking public attitudes on political, social and economic issues. The company was founded in 1935 by Dr. George Gallup as the American Institute of Public Opinion. Four years after Dr. Gallup’s death in 1984, his sons, Alec and George Jr., negotiated a merger between the American Institute of Public Opinion and Selection Research, Inc., a recruitment services firm that matched up employees with new positions using structured psychological interviews. The combined entity, still operating under the Gallup name, grew over the next decade, expanding into consulting, printing, daily news and management education.
On the right path Gallup Consulting’s alternative, relationship-based approach to building better businesses is described as the Gallup Path, which analyzes the “linked path” between every employee’s individual contribution and the organization’s ultimate financial goal: an increase in its overall value. The chain includes five different points that can drive business performance. First, having the right people in the right roles with the right managers—so the Gallup Path thinking goes—will drive employee engagement. Engaged employees, in turn, drive customer engagement, which drives sustainable growth. Sustainable growth, ultimately, drives real profits—and not those shady short-term profit increases that come about through creative bookkeeping. Gallup’s client projects don’t concentrate on any single point in the Path, but rather integrate all points to promote strong returns in value—sustainable growth, higher profits and rising stock prices. The Path was an outgrowth of the firm’s research in management sciences, economics and psychology. Its own studies have revealed that satisfied employees are not only more productive, but also more likely to weather stress and periods of disruption. Retaining indispensable talent through difficult markets is an enormous advantage, and it leads to sustained growth when the market normalizes. Strong leadership is also essential, so Gallup offers executive coaching, giving corporate officers unbiased outside feedback.
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Don’t forget everyone who isn’t on the payroll Gallup also makes sure to address the sine qua non of doing business: the customer. Its research has distilled customer engagement down to 11 attributes, which it calls the CE11. These attributes, all of which can be influenced through advertising, public image, purchasing experience and other factors, include overall satisfaction, intent to repurchase, intent to recommend, pride in a brand, belief in the integrity of a brand and other emotional values. To most effectively help a client influence these factors, Gallup has assembled a comprehensive database that contains intelligence from almost three million customers, 16 industries and 53 countries. The goal, the firm believes, should always be to transform transactions into relationships.
GETTING HIRED Gallup is a highly selective firm, with an extremely precise selection process to boot. It is a unique process, to be sure, designed to mathematically identify and select only the best-fitting candidates by employing an array of psychological and behavioral metrics. “The first two interviews are a series of psychological tests,” one consultant reports. “They ultimately know you better than you know yourself.” There is little-to-no casual interaction with your interviewer as the process progresses, as their task is to record your responses “word for word,” to later be analyzed by analysts in their hiring decisions. Any prospective applicant needs to demonstrate talent and expertise, but above all, the focus is clear: If you aren’t a perfect fit for the firm, they will know it—and you will be sent on your merry way.
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OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: The firm grants its consultants a remarkable degree of autonomy; Gallup consultants revel in their independence, using it to balance both work and life.
Overall Satisfaction • “Gallup gives me the opportunity to learn and grow and do what I do best every day.” – Public sector consultant • \“This place allows me to be fully engaged. I am valued for the talents I possess and am able to work in areas of strength as opposed to weakness.” – Senior source • “Gallup is a great company to work for—the people are committed to serving our clients, and they are smart and focused on quality.” – East Coast staffer • “I really enjoy the work that I do and the impact I have on my clients. But the travel is tough on the personal life, and the pay is too low and structured in a way that it’s hard to achieve my long-term financial goals.” – Consultant
Firm Culture • “The firm is made up of very outgoing people with confident personalities, and it’s a culture where recognition and celebrations are constant. We have very smart and intellectually curious people. The environment is very intellectually stimulating.” – Omaha staffer • “This is a talent-based culture with little hierarchy, where everyone has a job focus on the things they do best, so people can truly excel. There is great camaraderie and respect, and it is a fast-paced but fun place to work. There is great access to the most senior leadership, and you really feel like your opinions count.” – Executive-level respondent • “It’s very relationship-oriented. There is very little infighting compared to other firms, as people are strongly incentivized to get along. People are sincerely nice and helpful.” – Consultant • “There are genuinely nice people here—it’s hard to be a jerk here. However, it’s also a family business, and is run more like one than as a professional services firm.” – Chicago insider
Supervisor Relationships • “I can’t imagine a world without my supervisor.” – Consultant • “Open dialogue with supervisors; there’s a definite commitment to helping us do what we do best and be engaged in our work.” – West Coast staffer • “The closest thing to a manager I have is a ‘go-to’ who just checks in with me a few times a year. Not having a supervisor can be great, but it means no one really can help you manage workload and conflicting priorities.” – Consultant • “Gallup has written the book on great management, however, they have struggled to employ and promote great management. There is a great deal of variability in the supervisor ranks, and Gallup does have some of the best managers in the world, but they are the exception over the rule.” – Midwest insider
Interaction with Clients • “We are very close to our client contacts; many become good friends since we’re on site or talking with them daily.” – Consultant • “Very positive, supportive, personal and professional. I have developed some very close relationships with my clients.” – Executive-level source
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• “I get to choose what clients to work with, and our company stresses building relationships. I speak to them daily and it’s more of a partnership.” – D.C. source • “Because of Gallup’s setup, you will be managing several client relationships at the same time, which means at any given moment you will have some great relationships and some poor ones. However, on each client team you will have other members on the account providing support.” – Consultant
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Not everyone thinks the performance-based compensation package is flawless, but Gallup consultants sincerely appreciate the flexibility they’re afforded by retaining control over their own schedule and workload.
Work Hours • “It’s not work when you enjoy it.” – Senior source • “Work hours are based on individual preferences and client satisfaction. The hours you spend at a brick-and-mortar office do not translate into results, so therefore performance should not, and is not at Gallup, based on butts in seats.” – Public-sector consultant
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• “You work whatever it takes to get your job done, and you have a huge hand in determining how much work you have to do, as well and the number and size of clients you have. With international clients, you may interact at all hours of the night and day, but it is a cooperative decision on time working.” – Consultant • “I work hard, but am able to build my own schedule. Performance matters more than hours worked, though that philosophy compels me to work harder.” – East Coast staffer
Work/Life Balance • “While balance is all about the individual and what’s right for them, Gallup strives to have people’s lives integrated. You are able to do what you need to do as long as your work is accomplished.” – Consultant • “There isn’t an official vacation policy. If you need/want time off you can take it; it all revolves around you managing your time to ensure your client deliverables are met. I do answer emails on evenings and weekends, but it doesn’t seem like work.” – Senior source • “You manage your own portfolio. So, if you have time you could pick up more work, but if you are busy and want more home time during the summer, you can take it.” – Chicago insider • “For Gallup tribe members, work and life coexist to become a part of who you are—it’s not a balance between opposing forces.” – Public-sector consultant
Travel Requirements • “It depends on your role, your clients (which you decide to have) and your desire to travel. Some people don’t like it and have portfolios that do not require much travel, while others have client portfolios that require a lot of travel. It is individualized.” – Experienced consultant • “For my particular job, travel just comes with the territory. There are other jobs in the company that rarely or never travel, so there are definitely options.” – California-based respondent • “If the job requires travel, I do it. It is not a burden, and I am well compensated for the work and travel that I do.” – Omaha staffer
Compensation • “Our pay is largely performance-based. The harder and better you work, the more you are paid. It’s perfect.” – Experienced insider • “This is the biggest downside of my job, since [a large proportion] of our annual compensation is variable and based on the number of days spent with a client.” – Irvine source • “Since it is pay per performance (highly on client service revenue, but also on other business metrics, client impact, quality of work and relationships), that it is the best outcome you can have. You control how much money you make, and aren’t limited by a process or guidelines.” – East Coast staffer
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Gallup consultants are hired to fill prescribed roles within the firm, so they typically arrive well versed in their respective fields. From there, they’re entirely on their own to keep their heads above water.
Formal Training • “Training is sink or swim at Gallup.” – Consultant • “While there is a move toward more formal training, it hasn’t been consistently deployed, and the rapid growth and high turnover means there are very few people who can act as mentors.” – Senior source
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• “Ultimately, the most successful consultants at Gallup learn new skills quickly as they are needed. If you can’t apply your quantitative knowledge from day one, you may not get another chance.” – East Coast staffer
Promotion Policies • “Advancement within roles is encouraged. Otherwise, new roles require a talent fit based on a scientific assessment.” – Consultant • “As time goes on and you become more expert at your job, you earn consulting certifications, and managers trust you with bigger projects, which translates into higher pay.” – D.C. insider • “Gallup lacks a formal process for promoting individuals. When hired into a particular role, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to switch and/or be developed into a more senior role. Gallup hires for talent and, for better or worse, this can pigeonhole individuals into roles.” – Senior source • “It’s a very flat organization; most of us are only two levels beneath the CEO, so there’s really nowhere to go, which is fine for most of us.” – Experienced consultant
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: Despite the firm’s purely talent-based hiring process, the Gallup community is a remarkably diverse collection of men and women.
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Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “Hiring is effectively blind. As long as you can pass the strengths personality test, you have an equal chance of hiring retention and promotion. It’s very diverse in all respects.” – D.C. staffer • “Everything is based on talent. A sizable number of our executive management are women, and when the next level down is considered, the majority are women or minorities.” – Consultant • “Gallup is extremely female-friendly. It is not unusual to have meetings where you notice there are only females present, or that men are in the minority. New hires often comment on this.” – Experienced source
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: As long as Gallup continues to deliver top-of-the-line work to its clients, the cruel recession will soon become a distant memory.
Overall Business Outlook • “We are positioned to have our second-best year ever.” – Omaha staffer • “We’re a privately held community with strong cash reserves, strong cash flow and a very long-term portfolio of clients, with a big focus on future growth.” – Consultant • “Strong offerings and research allow us to be successful in spite of our fluid vision and sporadic ability to execute.” – West Coast higher-up • “The economic downturn hit us really hard, since so much of what we do is considered ‘extra’ for many of our clients. A lot of it was either cut out or streamlined last year, so the ramp up to get back to where we were has been slow.” – Senior consultant
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “Our leadership has strong vision and commitment. They are well positioned with key companies and local and foreign officials while being approachable by staff.” – D.C. insider • “Leadership is available, transparent, inspiring and focused on helping all of us deliver solutions to clients and communities.” – Consultant • “Gallup is family-owned, and is run as such. The entire leadership team is made up of individuals who are either a part of the family or are well connected to the family.” – Minneapolis staffer
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• “There is not enough diversity in experience or education in leadership. Too many strategic decisions are made in a vacuum.” – Executive-level insider
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PRESTIGE RANKING
21
DIAMOND MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS, INC.
John Hancock Center, Suite 3000 875 North Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60611 Phone: (312) 255-5000 Fax: (312) 255-6000 www.diamondconsultants.com
THE STATS Employer Type: Public Company Ticker Symbol: DTPI (Nasdaq) President & CEO: Adam J. Gutstein 2010 Employees: 600 2009 Employees: 577 2010 Revenue: $177.2 million 2009 Revenue: $152.2 million
LOCATIONS
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Chicago, IL (HQ) Hartford, CT New York, NY Washington, DC London Mumbai
UPPERS • • • •
“Opportunity to play a variety of roles” “Terrific benefits package” “Flexibility to live anywhere” “Exposure to high-level executives”
PRACTICE AREAS
DOWNERS
Business Design & Performance Improvement Business & Technology Performance Assessment • Innovation & Scenario Analysis • Business Operations & IT Strategy Development • Portfolio Review & Planning • Business Complexity & Architecture Assessment & Planning • Risk/Compliance Assessment & Planning Information Advantage Information Strategy • Information Architecture & Master Data Management • Advanced Analytics & Platform Services Customer Impact Channel Strategy • Customer Experience Strategy • Market Agility & Product Portfolio Management Execution Transformation Program Leadership • Program Recovery • Delivery Assurance • Execution Effectiveness
• “Not always well recognized in the marketplace” • “Too small to maintain a deep bench” • “Micromanaging of expenses” • “Condescending or patronizing people”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT careers.diamondconsultants.com
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Flexible culture; remote model” “Young and aggressive” “Quickly making a name for itself” “Geeky”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, Inc.
THE SCOOP Small but polished With over 600 employees spread across six offices in the U.S., U.K. and India, Diamond Management & Technology Consultants is not one of the largest players in the world of consulting. That said, it does operate in a niche market and has an enviable client list, having worked with the likes of Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, American Express, Allstate, Pfizer, Bayer, CIGNA, Kraft, PepsiAmericas, the U.S. Department of Justice, Cadbury Schweppes, Barclays Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland. The firm has undergone a couple of shifts in identity and focus since its founding in 1994. Starting out under founder Mel Bergstein as Diamond Technology Partners, the firm also operated as DiamondCluster International before settling on its current identity in 2006, following the sale of one of its units. Today’s iteration works with Fortune 500 companies and covers industry practices such as consumer packaged goods, financial services, health care, insurance, logistics, manufacturing, public-sector organizations, retail and distribution, travel and transportation, and telecommunications.
Living the dot-com dream The first of Diamond’s incarnations came in 1994 when Mel Bergstein, a former partner and 20-year veteran of Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) set up a private company specializing in computer solutions for blue-chip clients. Six years later, it boasted annual revenue of $136 million and opened its first international office in London. That same year, in September 2000, it greatly expanded its foothold in Europe by agreeing on a $300 million merger with Barcelona-based Cluster Consulting. The ensuing DiamondCluster—as the firm was renamed—had offices in France, Germany, Spain, the U.K. and the U.S., in addition to a presence in São Paulo. Four years of sliding revenue from 2000 to 2004, as a result of the dot-com boom going bust, added to the expense and complexities of integrating two companies, meant this partnership was short-lived and the firm split in August 2006. Mercer Management Consulting (now Oliver Wyman) bought the company’s operations in France, Germany, Spain, Brazil and a new office in Dubai for a mere $30 million. What was left of the firm after the buyout was renamed Diamond Management & Technology Consultants—the firm we know today. At the same time, Bergstein stepped aside as CEO, clearing the way for co-founder Adam Gutstein to take over.
Facets and settings The firm’s financial services practice has traditionally been its biggest moneymaker, with clients including top investment banks and credit card brands, plus other capital markets firms, retail brokerages, asset managers, credit card issuers and processors, payment system operators and full-service retail and commercial banks. The practice addresses issues such as adjustment to and assessment of new technology, information management strategies, productivity through strategic sourcing, profit improvement, compliance and risk management. Diamond’s insurance practice serves life, property and casualty, reinsurance and brokerage firms. With the sector trending toward convergence of insurance, financial services and health care, Diamond advises insurance clients on a variety of issues related to growth and profitability. It also addresses the opportunities created by a growing retirement population. Diamond’s health care practice works with pharmaceutical, biotech, device, health insurance, provider and disease management companies on such business and technology issues as consumer-directed health care strategy and execution, IT optimization and value extraction, integrated business and technology architecture, process and planning, and large transformational program management. Marquee clients in this segment include Pfizer, Bayer and Aetna Life Insurance.
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The enterprise practice has served clients of the stature of Kraft, Pepsi and Lowe’s, and offers sales and operations planning, pricing, transformational technology platforms and data analytics to corporations in the manufacturing, retail, distribution, travel and transportation, and consumer packaged goods industries. Finally, the firm maintains a public-sector practice, working with U.S. local, state and federal government agencies to improve operational efficiency, boost responsiveness and tighten up security. One Diamond partner, for example, recently returned to the firm after a one-year stint leading the development of the Federal Communications Commission’s National broadband strategy.
A passage to India Although Diamond’s global aspirations suffered a major setback following the sell-off to Mercer Management, it hasn’t stopped the firm from investing in emerging markets. In 2006, it opened the Diamond Information & Analytics Center in Mumbai, designed to uncover areas of untapped growth and profitability for companies. The firm also maintains an office there, opened in 2005, to serve local and international clients.
Drumming up business As part of Diamond’s efforts to keep its name in the public sphere and in front of potential clients, the consultancy regularly hosts events and conferences, and regularly publishes reports and white papers, which it calls Perspectives. Moreover, several Diamond partner and practices regularly contribute to blogs, including the Harvard Business Review blog and CIO.com, and Diamond experts are frequently quoted in the media on a wide variety of business and technology issues. Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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Diamond also keeps its image shining brightly through its DiamondExchange program for executives and business leaders. The forum, whose members come through invite only, explores the changing role of technology in business and helps member companies exploit that change. The program includes workshops and city-based events throughout the year.
GETTING HIRED Applicants can look forward to an “extremely straightforward,” “transparent” and “very positive” selection process that will determine their fate as a Diamond consultant. Recruitment efforts are often focused on top-tier undergraduate, MBA and master’s programs. . The interview process has two to three stages, consisting of a variety of interviews, including a case exercise at Diamond’s Chicago or New York office. This is a unique facet of the firm’s approach to hiring; “The day of your interview, you are required to prepare a case presentation from the material provided 48 hours prior to the interview,” a senior consultant says. “Upon arrival, you are given a question for the case study, and within an hour you need to formulate a presentation to a Diamond partner as part of the interview process.” There’s no question that this is a tough break for the meek, but if that’s you, you probably aren’t cut out for Diamond anyway. That’s the point, isn’t it?
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: With a few exceptions, Diamond runs on a virtual firm model, which means employees are typically scattered about the continental U.S. Despite the geographic constraints this produces, the firm has been able to cultivate a dynamic, cohesive culture—a major factor in consultants’ high satisfaction marks.
Overall Satisfaction • “Diamond is a young, scrappy, firm with an entrepreneurial, can-do attitude. We joke that we’re ‘blue collar strategy.’ Unlike more established firms, there is no ‘book’ to follow: We are writing the book. Leaders genuinely care about firm and consultant development, and every day we have myriad personal opportunities to direct the future of the firm. I like this a lot.” – Denver staffer • “I am very happy here at Diamond. We have a great firm, and our positive growth results over the past couple of years during the economic challenges prove that we’re doing something right!” – Strategy executive • “I’m very satisfied with my job. As a more junior resource, I am being challenged to take on more responsibility, and learning a ton in the process. The culture at Diamond is unique for a consulting firm, and everyone around you wants to see you improve and grow as a consultant.” – Health care first-year • “It entirely depends on your client—some clients have great projects with flexible traveling options and a good work/life balance. Other clients, in concise terms, do not.” – Financial services consultant
Firm Culture • “Diamond’s culture is one of the best in the industry. The passion for the firm is contagious, and each employee has a sense of ownership of the firm. Given the relatively small size of the firm, each person has the opportunity to make a difference, and is personally vested in the firm’s success.” – Chicago source
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• “Although Diamond is a virtual firm, don’t let that make you think it doesn’t have a strong culture. The firm does a number of things that promote a strong culture, and is constantly looking for ways to improve and expand upon its recent success in this category.” – Health care junior • “Diamond’s culture is very inclusive, and most management decisions are transparent to the broader firm, reducing the ‘us versus them’ environment that exists at many other firms.” – New York higher-up • “One of Diamond’s mantras is ‘people first,’ and they exuberate that in almost every major decision made affecting the firm.” – Financial services midlevel
Supervisor Relationships • “I’ve had amazing mentors—one of the reasons I choose to stay at Diamond.” – Business consultant • “My supervisor has taken the time to get to know me as a person, not just within a work environment. He has also taken a stake in seeing me succeed at the firm, which is very motivating.” – Midwest entry-level • “I absolutely love the people I work with; almost all of my supervisors are very easy to talk to, and they were very good mentors. But as with any other organization, you are bound to run into less pleasant people. You deal with it and move on.” – Operations consultant • “Sometimes you are operating alone, or separated from people by distance and time zones, making connecting rather difficult.” – New York staffer
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Interaction with Clients • “Client’s view us as pragmatic experts, and frequently look for expertise beyond the immediate engagement as trusted advisors.” – Senior consultant • “Our clients are C-level and executive leaders; even junior staff regularly get opportunities to interact with our clients.” – Strategy executive • “Diamond works with the clients, not for the clients. We become ‘native’ in most client companies.” – Midlevel source
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: For a relatively small firm, Diamond pays its consultants top dollar for the hard work they put in.
Work Hours • “Without sacrificing my work quality, my hours are flexible. Working long hours can be hard, but I also know that if I am getting my work done and need to bow out for an appointment here or there, my managers are flexible.” – Operations consultant • “The main focus of my time is project work and the hours rack up only when I choose to focus on other extracurricular firm offerings.” – Midlevel strategist • “Diamond promotes a culture of working smarter, not harder. In other words, if you’re efficient and can finish your work faster, you can take off sooner. We have a culture of mutual trust and respect.” – Business consultant • “It varies. Some weeks are 9 to 5, some are 7 to 11. But that’s just the way it is. I have managed to keep my weekends clear for three years, except for maybe two or three weeks.” – Chicago midlevel
Work/Life Balance • “Diamond is a place where it is up to the employee to take control of his/her own career and work/life balance. Setting boundaries is important; we are not a firm that will handhold.” – Midlevel operations specialist • “The firm is piloting efforts on more intense projects to implement a ‘predictable time off’ program to ensure each team member a night where they end work early, allowing more time for personal endeavors and a break from work.” – Finance consultant • “When I take my laptop out on the weekends, it’s typically because I chose to have a lighter day on Friday, and because I choose to be involved in some firm activities that I’m interested in. Senior management does not bother people on weekends and respects family life.” – California insider • “I can balance work and life, but that may affect my upward mobility.” – Health care associate
Travel Requirements • “We are a largely virtual firm, which means that in exchange for being allowed to live virtually anywhere in the U.S., you will likely be traveling.” – Senior source • “Almost all consultants are traveling Monday through Thursday of every week.” – Experienced finance consultant • “Usually four days a week of travel, but some have gone to five to satisfy client demands. Two years ago, this would have been unheard of.” – Midwestern staffer • “The firm really pushes its employees to be on the ground at the client site. While this has the benefit of client exposure and allows Diamond employees to build relationships with their clients, the travel can take a toll. Diamond should investigate more opportunities where the client will allow remote work—it’s a win-win because it reduces client expenses while enhancing employee work/life balance.” – First-year
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Compensation • “Though Diamond is not leading the market in compensation, we are competitive. Our health care is top of the line, the new 401(k) match is great and bonuses are competitive.” – Midlevel consultant • “Compensation is generally great. All employees will soon receive a nonperformance-based bonus for strong firmwide results. Diamond stock has been rising, which benefits members of the employee stock purchase plan.” – Experienced consultant • “I feel that I’m fairly compensated and, like most, I’m extremely happy that Diamond shifted to an all-cash bonus for folks below partner level. Many junior- and midlevel consultants weren’t happy with equity bonus compensations.” – San Francisco staffer • “I took a pay cut to come here (from a global integrator), but it was worth the increase in quality of work and more flexible work arrangements close to home.” – Financial consultant
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Diamond is still trying to incorporate a more robust training regimen while preserving the firm’s culture of informal coaching. Initial reviews are very positive.
Formal Training • “New-hire training is a few weeks long and is intense; our consultants feel well-equipped going into their first project because of it.” – Strategy associate Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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• “This is an area where we have made great strides over the past two to three years as a firm in creating the Diamond Academy, where all new hires to the firm get the same assimilation. We also have specific training for people promoted to each major level within the firm, as well as ongoing content-driven training.” – Strategy executive • “Traditionally, we’ve had a strong culture of informal training. That hasn’t gone away, but recently, we’ve emphasized a more balanced approach with additional formal training opportunities at all levels.” – New York higher-up • “In general, Diamond has a ‘coaching’ model. You’re always expected to coach and elevate junior folks.” – Senior source
Promotion Policies • “Consultants advance, on average, every two years. Consultants with performance issues but who show long-term promise are provided a coach, and create a formal development plan targeting improvement areas and ensuring extensive coverage from partners, project leadership, career counselors and HR.” – Finance consultant • “It is not strictly up or out, but there are rigorous review cycles; consultants who do not meet the expectations will be counseled out. Consultants advance moderately fast.” – Midlevel source • “The bottom 8 to 10 percent are generally counseled out each year.” – Senior consultant • “Superstars don’t advance any faster and usually will take opportunities elsewhere. This is a huge problem.” – West Coast insider
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: This male-dominated firm lags on women’s issues—”the testosterone is oppressive,” says one respondent—but it has begun to address the problem with the same commitment that has nurtured a vibrant minority culture within the firm.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “Diversity is being tackled front and center at Diamond through the institution of our diversity council with very senior management sponsorship. It includes access, as well as support, for individual initiatives, the newest of which is centered around Latino employees.” – D.C. staffer • “We hire lots of women, but have a hard time retaining them. The programs to do so are usually lip service. I would rather work with more women—the testosterone is oppressive.” – Experienced consultant • “Though at the lower ranks men and women are at about a 50:50 ratio, many women leave before being promoted to more senior levels, and we do not hire many experienced women at all. As a result, we have only six female partners, out of about 65.” – New York midlevel
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Diamond may be a smaller firm, but if business continues to flow through the doors at current levels of volume and quality, it will soon find itself operating amongst the industry’s most esteemed company.
Overall Business Outlook • “We have grown rapidly and expanded intelligently throughout the current economic situation, and are well positioned for continued strong growth.” – Senior consultant • “The outlook for Diamond is very bright, and there is no shortage of work. The third quarter of 2010 was a standout, and the next quarter promises to be even better.” – Health care junior
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• “Diamond continues to win business from McKinsey, BCG and Bain. Our strong results in the global recession have helped us get top recruits that will further accelerate our success. I’ve met several people in the last few months who had picked offers from Diamond over offers from McKinsey.” – East Coast associate • “We are bursting at the seams with neat opportunities. We have been very strong through this downturn, and it’s hard to find staff for projects sold.” – Operations consultant
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “The CEO and the leadership team seem to have jelled during the downturn, turning a potential disaster into a huge opportunity.” – Operations executive • “The most critical positions across the firm, including vertical leads, have some extremely well-qualified individuals that are the envy of all companies in and out of the industry, as demonstrated by the continued placement of partners in critical roles outside the firm.” – D.C. higherup • “Diamond’s leadership has proven themselves over the past two to three years, and are well positioned to continue managing the firm.” – Strategy midlevel • “Our CEO is not recognized as an inspiring leader, but he has focused recently on initiatives surrounding employee happiness and work/life balance. Vertical leads are well respected and admired.” – New York insider
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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HEALTH ADVANCES, LLC
9 Riverside Road Weston, Massachusetts 02493 Phone: (781) 647-3435 Fax: (781) 392-1484 www.healthadvances.com
LOCATIONS Weston, MA (HQ) San Francisco, CA
UPPERS • “It’s a pleasure to work at a place where when someone asks how you are, they actually want to know!” • “Opportunity to create a manageable work/life balance” • “Not an extremely competitive atmosphere”
DOWNERS • “Stingy dinner budgets” • “People unable to contain stress to themselves” • “The business goes in cycles”
PRACTICE AREAS Clinical Trial Strategy • Due Diligence • Launch & Salesforce Strategy • Market Assessment & Forecasting • Partnering & Licensing • Portfolio Planning • Pricing & Reimbursement • Product Positioning • Strategic & Business Planning • Technology Commercialization • Valuation Financial Analysis
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.healthadvances.com/careers/index.html
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company Partners: Mark Speers, Paula Ness Speers, Skip Irving & Marie Schiller 2010 Employees: 65 2009 Employees: 65
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Great for market research and deep dive on technology” “Insane hours” “Family-friendly” “Don’t really know what they do”
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THE SCOOP For your health The professionals at Health Advances consult about one thing and one thing only: health care. Established in 1992 by husband and wife team Mark Speers and Paula Ness Speers, the firm’s core belief is that focusing on just one industry allows it to provide clients with greater resources and focused insight. This means that the professionals at HA are not mere consultants, with most having worked within the health care industry at some point in their career. Holding advanced degrees in medicine, molecular biology, biochemistry and many other related sciences, HA consultants are able to advise their Fortune 500 clients on areas such as development, clinical trial strategy, marketing, licensing and pricing. But HA also offers advice on corporatebased issues, like mergers, partnering and finances, to a broad range of clients in the biotechnology, diagnostics, medical device, nonprofit and pharmaceutical industries.
Seizing the opportunity for growth The Speers’ started their firm after leaving international management consulting giant Bain & Company. While at Bain, Mark Speers rose to the position of partner in the firm’s health care practice, while Paula led its R&D practice. That joint expertise and experience allows the couple to help clients develop marketing ideas for new products, advise on corporate mergers and acquisitions, international ventures and more. The Speers aren’t going it alone, however: A senior management team consisting of two additional partners, Skip Irving and Marie Schiller, a chief operating officer, and a solid group of VPs backs them up, and brings a variety of extra insight and experience to the table.
Offering something others can’t HA can offer all of its clients a three-pronged attack, with the ability to provide expertise in analytics, business and health care on every project team. However, where the firm really shines is its knowledge of the latter of these three—health care. That knowledge includes in-depth information about diseases, expertise in the intricacies of working with the FDA, detailed insight into dealing with complex clinical trials and more. Most of all, HA thrives on its ability to predict or anticipate future trends and events in the health care industry over a 10 to 15 year span. Staying on top of all the information required to monitor and recommend improvements to the health care industry is no small task. To do so, the firm relies on a vast database of more than 5,000 clinicians, researchers and other industry contacts and experts, including PhDs, MDs and industry opinion leaders. In addition, the firm maintains a searchable library of treatment methods for diseases, company profiles and licensing deals, all collected from within the industry and maintained since the firm was started. The firm also regularly funds internal research projects to stay on top of relevant issues, such as regulation, reimbursement, disease management, technology, business development and competitive trends.
No. 1 priority Despite all HA has to offer its clients, the firm believes that its employees have even more to offer to the community. One visit to its website will make it obvious that community service ranks high on its list of priorities. The company devotes one day each quarter for the entire staff to give back in some way. Some of its favorite charities include the American Cancer Society, The Greater Boston Food Bank, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Pan Mass Challenge Kids Ride and the Waltham Fields Community Farm. Meanwhile, Partner and Managing Director Skip Irving serves on the board of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, having previously served the foundation in an advisory capacity.
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GETTING HIRED There’s no question that HA is going for the best the field has to offer—its on-campus recruiting efforts rely almost exclusively on Brown, MIT, Harvard and Dartmouth—and its successes have only served to make the hiring process even more selective. It’s a fairly simple one, though; as one recent hire explains, “There were no special tests or brainteaser questions.” The interviews themselves are equally straightforward. “We first conduct a phone interview with candidates, typically lasting 30 to 45 minutes, discussing a case question for the bulk of that call,” details a recruitment team member. “Typical in-person interviews are conducted on site with members of our staff from all levels, and are 45 minutes to one hour, of which case questions are a significant part.” In short, “people who are hired are definitely incredibly high caliber,” an insider states.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Health Advances consultants are energized about the company’s superb performance, which ultimately says a lot about the quality of work they receive and produce. This young, exciting firm is a solid option for a consultant of any experience or education.
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Overall Satisfaction • “I really love working at Health Advances. The projects that we get are all extremely interesting, there is a lot of opportunity to work on new things and stretch yourself, and the people are great.” – Midlevel consultant • “It’s a terrific firm doing the best and most interesting health care strategy work in the industry. There is no other health care strategy firm that has as much experience and expertise across therapeutics, devices, diagnostics and services.” – Senior source • “I think that Health Advances is one of the best jobs for an entry-level position. I still have to perform some monotonous tasks like every entrylevel employee, but I am also included in high-level strategy discussion and am able to have client interaction.” – First-year analyst • “Being both an executive and a mother to two small children is challenging, but at Health Advances I have been able to enjoy both. Over the past eight years I have worked for the firm, I have been able to build both a thriving practice and a fulfilling home life with the help and support of my fellow management and my hard-working teams, who understand the need for this balance.” – Massachusetts executive
Firm Culture • “Very friendly, young and open environment. Intensely team-oriented projects allow you to really get to know your co-workers.” – Junior staffer • “Teams meet frequently to brainstorm and upper management is very accessible. It is not uncommon for partners and VPs to work directly with junior members of the team, providing great visibility from the minute you walk in the door. Outside of work, we often meet for dinner, movies or a pick-up frisbee game.” – Analyst • “Health Advances has a young, energetic, horizontal culture that encourages open dialogue and provides opportunities to those who are willing to reach for them.” – Strategy consultant • “People are genuinely friendly and supportive, and will get together outside of work. Groups with similar interests find ways to share them with others at the company, such as an early evening on-site exercise program and community service opportunities.” – Boston entry-level
Supervisor Relationships • “One of the great things about Health Advances is the access to senior management—they are regularly available, attend all company events and are extremely friendly, so you can get to know them. I once spent nine hours in a car with one of the partners, as we drove down to a conference in New Jersey and back in a day, and we chatted a majority of the time, with no awkwardness!” – Junior analyst • “My supervisors are measured on their ability to mentor. We have a new head of professional development who comes from the consulting ranks and has 100 percent support from the partners to improve our processes for training, staff development, mentoring, performance reviews and overall communication.” – Executive source • “I have a good working relationship with my supervisor. He’s very thoughtful and provides very actionable feedback on my performance that’s well-considered and detailed.” – Analyst • “The firm assigns you a mentor on day one—quite arbitrarily. You’re able to switch mentors at any point without feeling awkward, if you have a decent reason. I have seen this happen quite a few times at Health Advances, and there aren’t really any questions asked by any party.” – East Coast insider
Interaction with Clients • “In most cases, clients see us and our teams as peers, which allows us to engage in tough problem solving without fear of pushback or hurt feelings.” – San Francisco senior source • “As a consultant at HA, I have been given many opportunities to develop relationships with our clients by being the main day-to-day contact for my projects.” – Strategy analyst
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• “Even employees at lower levels are encouraged to speak up in client meetings.” – First-year staffer • “In terms of clients, we do interact well with them, but as a senior analyst, my role is more in presenting a few slides in meetings, and answering any questions or providing some ‘color’—it is always well received, and I am always given the opportunity to speak if it is something I am knowledgeable about.” – Boston analyst
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Hours and money, so often sources of fatigue and resentment elsewhere in the industry, are sources of genuine appreciation at Health Advances. The general lack of travel helps consultants strike a remarkable work/life balance.
Work Hours • “We try to target around 50 hours a week. There are certainly going to be some weeks where you are crunching on a project if there is a big client meeting coming up, and you end up working way more hours, but that is balanced with weeks where I can work 40 to 45 hours because my deadlines are more relaxed.” – Junior source • “The firm makes a real effort to keep hours reasonable and to minimize unnecessary travel. I work five hours less per week on average than I did at Bain, and there are very few nights and weekends.” – West Coast midlevel consultant • “The company has been great about working with me on a more flexible schedule, keeping my hours down now that I have a small child at home.” – Strategy consultant
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• “HA demands top-notch work and excellent output. I enjoy my output and am satisfied by meeting the demands of clients.” – Analyst
Work/Life Balance • “Even if I do some work on the occasional weekend, it is on my schedule—I haven’t had to cancel dinner plans, tennis matches, ski trips or anything of the sort because of my job.” – Senior consultant • “Health Advances is sensitive to outside commitments. Last year, I spent four months training for a marathon, which required me to run long distances in the morning. My teams were aware of my schedule and accommodated, scheduling meetings later in the morning or afternoon.” – Junior source • “There is definitely room for individuals to carve out an appropriate work/life balance, though it requires being mindful and proactive in one’s approach. With little emphasis on face time, consultants with families or significant outside time commitments can create space in their schedules that can be made up later.” – Analyst • “I go through spurts when it is exceptionally busy, or I have a challenging project, and during those periods I do need to compromise. However, the lack of regular travel here is a big plus.” – Executive-level source
Travel Requirements • “Unlike a number of firms, Health Advances tries to avoid working at the client site unless it would add to the project. This works great for the employees, who generally travel to the client one to three times per project for a day.” – Experienced consultant • “We travel very rarely—only for important meetings with clients, at the beginning, middle, and end of projects, or for a related conference. These are usually quick day trips, which is nice because it allows me to have time at home, make plans with friends and have a better work/life balance.” – Boston consultant • “I love not traveling much—it makes it so much more exciting and enjoyable, rather than painful, when it does happen.” – First-year analyst • “I rarely have an overnight stay.” – Junior analyst
Compensation • “I am very happy with my compensation. It was comparable to what my other friends are receiving at bigger-name consulting firms.” – Firstyear analyst • “Compensation is extremely competitive—at least at the analyst and senior analyst level. The company does provide a signing bonus, and there is an annual bonus as well, based on personal performance and the company’s performance.” – Midlevel staffer • “We even got bonuses the past couple of years in the terrible economy. We all share in firmwide profitability, so we share a common goal and the reward from our hard work.” – Senior consultant • “I am generally satisfied with my compensation; however, there isn’t a lot of visibility into salary policies and benchmarks.” – Junior analyst
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Any training program that doubles as a recruiting incentive is, well, doubly good. HA’s is just that—intensive, informative and, most importantly, truly effective.
Formal Training
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• “Health Advances has the most extensive official training program of any company that I have ever seen. It ensures that individuals with diverse academic backgrounds (ranging from hard sciences to business) can truly start off on the same foot when they begin their career.” – Experienced source • “There is an excellent official training program, a chance for individuals to use their new knowledge on their own project and a chance to shadow a case before they are staffed. Most important, though, is that everyone really wants to help everyone else succeed.” – Strategy consultant • “I was initially attracted to Health Advances in part due to the strength of their extensive new hire training program. “ – Boston analyst • “I loved that I didn’t feel like I was just thrown into things without any background.” – Entry-level respondent
Promotion Policies • “It is not up or out. In fact, all the more senior members of the organization, except the founders, were promoted from within. You do not need to have an MBA to advance. Generally, I am pretty confident that I know where I stand with regard to a promotion.” – Senior source • “The promotion policy is fairly transparent at Health Advances. With the newer review format we adopted a year ago, we have quantitative measures of our performance, and mentors are pretty good at explaining what is necessary for you to move to the next step.” – East Coast midlevel • “Promotion is based on each employee’s skill plan and performance, making the process relatively objective and transparent. However, as with any other firm, advancement depends on the opportunities presented, which vary from case to case.” – First-year source • “Performance metrics have seen a lot of focus in the past year, and promotions are a little more transparent, but are still very experience- and
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opportunity-based, depending on specific case work.” – Midlevel consultant
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: There’s a unique equality on display at Health Advances: The majority of staff, from analysts to partners, is female. Minorities and men are well represented, too, but their presence is overshadowed by the impressive advances made by the firm’s women in a traditionally maledominated industry.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “The firm has more female employees than male employees (two of the partners are female), which illustrates that women do not encounter any prejudice at this firm. In fact, the upper-level women bring in a large chunk of the firm’s business.” – Entry-level consultant • “There are definitely no biases on hiring or promotion. Women and minorities are very well represented at all levels. We’re very respectful of individual diversity.” – Senior source • “The company is very flexible regarding maternity (and has a fairly standard plan for the amount of leave that is paid), and the company is very accepting of minorities and GLBT individuals (considering we have many individuals from both categories on staff).” – Boston midlevel consultant • “Efforts on diversity are excellent, but achieving GLBT diversity is a challenge for such a small firm.” – Business advisor
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: The recession was a low point in Health Advances’ 18-year history, but the firm was able to pull itself out, and insiders are confident about the firm’s future prospects.
Overall Business Outlook • “We seem to be in a very strong position as the economy turns around. Management wisely took advantage of the job situation to hire some very talented people. Carefully managing costs and nurturing client relationships enabled the organization to avoid any layoffs, so people feel very good about the situation.” – Senior consultant • “We have a tremendous reputation, broad client base and contacts all across the industry from 18 years of great work.” – Boston insider • “While the economic situation has impacted our business, we continue to get calls from past clients, and referrals to new clients, which suggests that as things improve we will see our business pick up as well.” – San Francisco senior • “There is some competition due to other consultants being laid off and going freelance, but Health Advances is at an advantage due to our known quality and experience.” – Junior consultant
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “Our partners have incredible experience in the industry and continue to make very smart business decisions. They are genuinely committed to the people here, above anything else, which permeates all aspects of our work environment.” – Analyst • “The senior management team has an excellent mix of executives with diverse backgrounds in the health care industry, allowing for rich expertise within sectors and collaboration across sectors.” – East Coast staffer
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• “The partners set the tone through their own behavior to promote a highly collegial atmosphere based on mutual respect, and have demonstrated time and again their commitment to the people in the firm.” – Entry-level consultant
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PRESTIGE RANKING
23
STRATEGOS
820 West Jackson Boulevard Suite 525 Chicago, Illinois 60607 Phone: (312) 655-0826 Fax: (312) 655-8334 www.strategos.com
LOCATIONS Chicago, IL (HQ) Amsterdam Lisbon London Munich São Paulo
UPPERS • “Out-of-this-world clients” • “Minimal politics”
DOWNERS • “Strong dependence on the pipeline” • “Slow firm growth limits career opportunities”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT Email
[email protected] or visit the “Join Us” section of the firm’s website
PRACTICE AREAS Enterprise Innovation Capacity • Growth Strategy • Leadership & Organization • Management & Open Innovation • New Market & Product Development
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Division of Innovaro Ticker Symbol: INV (NYSE, Alternext) Lead Director: Peter Skarzynski 2009 Employees: 38 2008 Employees: 35 2009 Revenue: $10.8 million (Innovaro) 2008 Revenue: $13.2 million
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Strategos
THE SCOOP Innovation is the name of the game At Strategos, “innovation” is king. And queen. And prince, and duke and the whole royal family. The Chicago-based boutique strategy consultancy knows that innovation must be worked at and managed, helping clients develop the systems, processes and capabilities they need to reduce the risks associated with new products, services and business ventures. For a small firm, Strategos works on big issues. With around 40 professionals in six offices, it works with mostly corporate clients to identify and develop new segments and markets; create and act on “game-changing” new strategies; build an enterprise-wide capability for creating new ideas; improve processes for new product development; and assess a client’s “innovation capability.” The promised results? Big, new ideas, with faster results, a healthy pipeline of new products, enterprising and productive employees, and new-and-improved strategies. Strategos seems to make good on its promises, having performed services for 25 out of the 30 companies included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, in addition to other members of the Fortune Global 500.
More room to grow While Strategos suffered a net $375,000 loss on net assets of $840,000 in 2007, it was still a hot buy for the UTEK Corporation, a major player in technology transfers and open innovation. In April 2008, UTEK, which reported revenue of $20.2 million in 2008, closed the Strategos acquisition deal. Strategos shareholders received 1.25 million shares of UTEK stock when the transaction closed in April 2008. As a division of UTEK (which in March 2010 changed its name to Innovaro), Strategos retains its brand and operates as the strategic advisory services arm of the business.
Guru know-how Strategos is the brainchild of Gary Hamel, the innovation mastermind who founded the firm in 1995. Hamel has been called the world’s most influential business thinker by The Wall Street Journal, and his October 2007 book, The Future of Management, was selected by Amazon.com as the best business book of the year. At the firm’s post-takeover helm is Lead Director Peter Skarzynski, whose latest book, Innovation to the Core, published in March 2008, is recognized as the first to describe how large organizations can build and sustain a companywide innovation capability.
A whirl of difference Strategos’ marquee clients span the business spectrum, including names such as Applied Materials, Whirlpool Corporation, Nokia, Roche Diagnostics and Royal Dutch/Shell. The firm’s website prominently features glowing client testimonials. One client, Whirlpool, approached Strategos for help when it realized it could not remain a household brand name by simply coming up with better appliances. “It needed to find more fundamental advantages,” says Strategos, which helped Whirlpool executives think outside the box. Within two years of hiring the firm to help develop new ideas, Whirlpool had created several new product lines, such as a new line of appliances for younger lifestyles, a system of high quality, attractive looking, appliances and organizers for garages, and started the Inspired Chef cooking schools that showcase Whirlpool products. Within two years, Whirlpool’s “innovation pipeline” was flowing with ideas, and the firm estimates that these new appliances, once on the market, could produce $3 billion in annual sales.
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GETTING HIRED What sets the firm’s recruitment process apart from the rest is its emphasis on hiring candidates with clear client-facing talents. Applicants are prescreened for “analytical rigor” and aptitude, reducing the pool to those who possess the technical expertise or capacity to succeed behind the scenes. Then, it’s up to those candidates to show that they can function smoothly and comfortably under the pressure of a client situation. Though the interview process includes typical casework and behavioral components, the focus is on the “client situation simulation,” an evaluation of a candidate’s ability to deliver under the strain of a realistic business scenario. Performance here is of the utmost importance; as one insider suggests, it is the “critical skill for our delivery model.”
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Strategos is a small firm, growing at a measured pace; for the most part, consultants appreciate the tight-knit culture this cultivates and the opportunities it presents.
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Overall Satisfaction • “I love my job.” – Director • “I have a good balance between my career and personal life; I am continually challenged and I have a lot of autonomy. During the last two years, I’ve grown a lot in all aspects of my profession.” – Strategy consultant • “Our new parent company situation isn’t ideal, but I still very much like working at Strategos.” – Chicago insider
Firm Culture • “More than colleagues, we work as a family.” – Experienced consultant • “A balance of libertarianism and central planning.” – Senior source • “Collaborative and stimulating.” – Associate
Supervisor Relationships • “My supervisor is like a friend on the personal relationship, like a teacher and a coach at the professional development.” – Analyst • “This is a very flat organization, with short communication lines.” – East Coast higher-up
Interaction with Clients • “Everyone is exposed to senior clients.” – Midwest partner • “We work both with CXOs and the other layers at the client company—we straddle the ‘Dilbert divide.’” – Midlevel consultant
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Strategos consultants are able to juggle their responsibilities, while at the same time carving out enough time for leisure and personal obligations.
Work Hours • “It varies according to the project, but overall it’s an acceptable balance.” – Analyst • “For a consulting job, this is great.” – Midlevel insider
Work/Life Balance • “I have children, and I get to spend quality time with them (take them to school, go swimming, they come to the office, etc).” – Senior associate • “We allocate our own time, therefore optimizing our own overall life schedules. That is why it’s OK to work on weekends.” – Midwest staffer • “There are always some unexpected client demands, but Strategos consultants generally possess the maturity to prioritize client demands with family life issues.” – Partner
Travel Requirements • “Travel when you need to. Don’t when you don’t need to.” – East Coast higher-up • “It varies. Months can be four days on the road, and then a stretch of zero to two days.” – Associate • “It depends on the project; sometimes you have to stay for three to four months working in the client facilities in another city.” – Junior source
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Compensation • “Being small, performance and contribution are very visible. Compensation fairly represents individuals’ performance and contribution.” – Associate • “There’s lots of compensation at stake—it sets up a healthy internal climate.” – Senior consultant
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Strategos has adopted a highly personalized training program, combining informal mentorships with closely tracked, individualized development plans.
Formal Training • “We have personal development plans. The process is managed and there is follow-up. Rather than formal training, we match on-the-job opportunities for development with the development plans of the consultants.” – Midlevel insider • “All training is through informal mentoring and on-the-job training.” –Senior source
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Promotion Policies • “There is no up or out. Therefore, advancement is proportional to growth.” – Associate • “People progress very quickly based in a meritocracy policy.” – Experienced source
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: Insiders note that hiring is based almost entirely on merit, although there is some attention toward recruiting women and minorities.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “The firm is receptive, actively recruits women and minorities. No particular effort toward GLBT hiring.” – Senior consultant • “Hiring is based solely on skills.” – Associate
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Consultants are cautiously optimistic about the firm’s chances of imminent growth, but are wary of new challenges that have arisen with the firm’s new merger.
Overall Business Outlook • “I think Strategos is fairly well positioned to thrive. I’m much less convinced that the UTEK/Innovaro situation will help.” – Senior associate • “Business is picking up rather robustly.” – Consultant • “Actually, [2009 was] a rough period of time; however, a strong effort in business development is being made.” – Analyst
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “We are part of a larger company, Innovaro, so our excellent leadership has to coordinate Strategos activities with the rest of the company.” – Midlevel insider
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• “Strategos leadership is excellent and they complement each other well. I’m not sure Innovaro leadership has a full idea of where it wants to go, and whether it’s the right group to take us there.” – Consultant
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PRESTIGE RANKING
24
THE BRATTLE GROUP
44 Brattle Street Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 Phone: (617) 864-7900 Fax: (617) 864-1576 www.brattle.com
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
UPPERS
Cambridge, MA (HQ) San Francisco, CA Washington, DC Brussels London Madrid
• “Nobel Laureates and distinguished professors among our senior advisers” • “HR keeps people happy” • “RAs go on to attend top business, law, public policy and PhD programs” • “Excellent benefits package”
PRACTICE AREAS
DOWNERS
Functional Practice Areas Antitrust/Competition • Commercial Damages • Environmental Litigation & Regulation • Forensic Economics • Intellectual Property • International Arbitration • International Trade • Product Liability • Regulatory Finance & Accounting • Risk Management • Securities • Tax • Utility Regulatory Policy & Ratemaking • Valuation Industry Practice Areas Electric Power • Financial Institutions • Natural Gas • Petroleum • Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices & Biotechnology • Telecommunications & Media • Transportation
• “Principals with abrasive personalities” • “The use of utilization as one of the main metrics of performance and year-end bonus distorts incentives for RAs” • “An environment of working far too much has been fostered” • “Hard to go over-and-above, because everyone goes overand-above”
Employer Type: Private Company President: Matthew O’Loughlin 2010 Employees: 200+ 2009 Employees: 200+
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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www.brattle.com/Careers
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Great people” “Econ nerds” “Highly analytical” “Support staff is not up to par”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Brattle Group
THE SCOOP From Harvard Square to Trafalgar Square The Brattle Group provides consulting and expert testimony services on economic, financial, regulatory and strategic issues to corporations, law firms and public agencies worldwide. Founded in 1990 as a five-person outfit on Cambridge, Massachusetts’ Brattle Street, the firm’s 200-plus employees— now working from six offices in the United States, Belgium, Spain and the United Kingdom—serve a number of industries, including electric power, financial institutions, natural gas, petroleum, telecommunications and media, and transportation.
Where its energy lies Today, The Brattle Group’s specialties lie in energy, finance and litigation throughout North America, the European Union and even in Asia Pacific, despite having no physical presence there. In the energy sector, one of Brattle’s major practice areas, it services the electric, natural gas and petroleum industries. The firm assists electric utilities, deregulated power producers, customers, regulators and energy policy-makers with planning, regulation and litigation efforts. It provides gas clients, whether involved in production, marketing or transport, with expert testimony and advice in regulatory and legal disputes over pricing, prudence and cost recovery, access and contract performance. For the petroleum industry, it consults on asset valuation, contract performance, corporate strategy and risk assessments, financial modeling, market power reviews, reliability, and damages evaluations and royalty disputes. The firm also has growing practices in climate change policy and planning and demand-side management. Elsewhere in the halls of commerce, financial institutions call on The Brattle Group when faced with litigation and regulatory matters concerning securities, capital requirements, due diligence, structured finance, risk management, asset valuation, pricing of services, profitability and the cost of capital. Telecommunications and media outfits engaged in fixed-line and wireless communications, mobile satellite services, and cable and satellite television look to the firm for valuation of spectrum, the assessment of damages in litigation, assistance with auctions, the pricing of network access, and interconnection and other analyses. The Brattle Group also has knowledge and experience in intellectual property, product liability, transportation and general commercial litigation, as well as an emerging practice in international arbitration. Its antitrust/competition experts have worked on a number of the largest mergers, or attempted mergers, in over 50 industries.
Brattle’s brains The Brattle Group refers to its consultants collectively as a team, and its chain of command is structured flatly to encourage input in a peer-like manner from individuals of any rank. Not only does the system foster a sense of collegiality, but it also exposes junior staff to some of the biggest brains in their fields. Brattle’s principals are longtime experts in their respective industries, with advanced degrees in economics, finance, management and engineering from top universities around the world. Its cadre of senior principals includes Daniel McFadden of the University of California, Berkeley, who was the co-winner of the 2000 Nobel Prize in Economics, and Stewart Myers of MIT’s Sloan School of Management, co-author of the leading graduate-level textbook on corporate finance (Brealey & Myers). The firm’s experts also draw on a network of senior advisors that includes renowned academics and former government officials, such as the former chief economist for the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and deans and faculty at academic institutions, such as MIT, Duke University, the University of Chicago and London Business School.
Rolling out the page-turners
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Brattle consultants have shared their insights in countless academic papers, books, articles and reports, which have appeared in magazines, newspapers and journals all over the world. The firm also publishes a newsletter series that meditates on the state of economics, the environment, energy, finance and telecommunications. While the firm’s studies and research have won it recognition, The Brattle Group is also on the lookout for notable research outside its own firm. Every year, the firm sponsors prizes for the best papers in corporate finance to foster intellectual inquiry within the areas of finance and economics. As an incentive, winners receive $10,000, and two runner-up papers receive $5,000.
GETTING HIRED The Brattle Group maintains a clear focus on recruiting graduates with strong records and demonstrated ability in quantitative fields. At the associate level, “we’ve historically focused on hiring economics and finance PhDs,” one senior consultant explains. “Now we also look at MBAs with quantitative undergraduate majors and real work experience.” At the research analyst level, the firm seeks undergraduates with majors such as mathematics, economics, engineering and some physical sciences. Personality-wise, at all levels the firm seeks out “intellectually curious” types, also preferring those who are “down-to-earth enough to deal with some of the very ‘unique’ personalities of the principals.” Once identified as an appropriate applicant via an HR screening and an initial interview (phone or in-person), candidates are flown to an office to engage in a daylong meeting, in which they are met and evaluated by a handful of Brattle consultants (“HR, analysts, associates and principals”).
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Here, candidates should “be prepared to discuss their academic and work experience in detail, and communicate clearly and thoughtfully,” as their sample case study progresses under watchful eyes.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Brattle consultants seem happy about the tradeoffs they’ve selected by choosing a small firm; what they forfeit in broad industry recognition is replaced by a wealth of learning opportunities and a less bureaucratic culture.
Overall Satisfaction • “This has been a wonderful place to work for the last year or so; I have been very impressed by the quality of my colleagues and senior advisors, as well as by the diverse and challenging nature of my work. I have the opportunity to work with and lead teams, and am given a great deal of responsibility, which I relish.” – Cambridge insider • “For those new graduates with an aptitude for quantitative analysis and an interest in economics, Brattle provides a distinct and rewarding experience.” – Energy consultant • “The consensus among analysts is that better project management from higher-ups would make life for us better, as we would be better able to handle our responsibilities.” – Finance consultant
Firm Culture • “The work is demanding, high profile and intense, but everyone is laid back and has a calm and level-headed approach to the work. The culture is extremely collegial, collaborative and supportive of each other’s goals and improving the overall quality of work produced.” – Associate • “Brattle does a good job of trying to make the time we spend at the office pleasant. There’s a Friday party every week, which is a great time to relax with co-workers and mingle with principals. They also celebrate significant events in employees’ lives (weddings, etc).” – Litigation consultant • “Everyone is always helpful and willing to provide good resources or whatever else is needed; we always have complementary drinks, lots of coffee, snacks, weekly Friday parties; great holiday party and summer outings.” – Research associate
Supervisor Relationships • “I have a very good relationship with my supervisors. I feel that I get honest feedback both in the semi-annual review process as well as throughout the year. Furthermore, I feel that I can go and discuss problems with my project managers without fear of retribution.” – Finance consultant • “When I have a question about a task that I am doing, the associates and principals that I work with take time to talk to me about the issue and answer my questions.” – Cambridge associate • “The biggest treat for me working at Brattle has been working closely and learning directly from experts in their fields. The supervisors are eager to teach and ensure that everyone is engaged and learning.” – D.C. insider • “I feel really great about my relationships with some supervisors. My mentors have been wonderfully helpful. On the other hand, I have had some bad experiences with supervisors treating employees in unprofessional ways.” – Senior associate
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Interaction with Clients • “Plenty of client contact—lean staffing means everyone is working above their level, which helps us grow quicker as professionals.” – Finance consultant • “As an analyst, I don’t have much direct interaction with clients. I attend meetings and conference calls with clients, but I am always with an associate or principal. I email back and forth with clients, but generally don’t call them up on my own.” – Research analyst • “I have had good clients, but I know that others have horror stories.” – Senior associate
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: With several notable exceptions, management is typically responsive enough to give consultants real flexibility on projects. Those outside of senior roles find themselves with exceptionally low travel requirements.
Work Hours • “Work hours are not excessive unless solicited.” – East Coast consultant • “The firm makes an honest effort to allow employees time off, or a couple of days with less work after a prolonged period of working. This helps
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to lessen the stress of long hours.” – Research analyst • “Depending somewhat on your luck and assigned projects, work hours are actually quite flexible, and there is some control on how much you need to work.” – Energy consultant • “I have had many experiences with project mismanagement, where projects were understaffed and there was a complete lack of planning. I do not mind late nights, but it is extremely frustrating to have as many as I have had when it was completely unnecessary.” – Litigation consultant
Work/Life Balance • “I can shape my schedule how I want it, even when I have a lot of work. I personally don’t care about working late all week, as long as I’m free most of the weekend.” – Research analyst • “The key to work/life balance from an associate’s perspective is that, for the hours outside the standard 40, unless there’s a looming deadline, I have a great deal of autonomy on getting work done. This means at night after I put the kids to bed, or from home on the weekends if need be.” – Finance associate • “Sometimes the balance can be a struggle, but the firm does indeed recognize this, and often tries to help alleviate the stress with social functions and time-off recommendations.” – Litigation consultant • “I haven’t yet had a problem scheduling a holiday or out-of-town trip. I definitely haven’t had to cancel any planned trips. Sometimes a project manager has blocked off a set of weeks when s/he knows that a deadline is upcoming. The trick seems to be to not plan a very long trip too far in advance.” – D.C. consultant
Travel Requirements • “There is almost no travel required at our firm. Very occasionally, perhaps twice a year, there may be a travel opportunity for campus recruiting or a client meeting.” – Research analyst • “Travel for research analysts is almost non-existent. I haven’t personally had to travel at all for my job.” – Research analyst • “I travel primarily to our other offices in San Francisco and D.C.; I was out of the office approximately 40 to 50 days last year, but probably not quite enough to average one day per week.” – Associate
Compensation • “Compensation is competitive, and there are financial incentives as part of our bonus to branch out and explore areas of personal interest, (such as researching potential cases, working on articles and newsletters, preparing seminars, and so on).” – Finance first-year • |“Very transparent—it is obvious how my bonus is calculated on the basis of performance and utilization, and there are multiple people to talk to if there are questions.” – Senior associate • “The Brattle Group’s salary is clearly laid out and is competitive in the consulting industry. One shortcoming of the salary structure is that because it is so clearly defined and not subject to adjustment, analysts who have much more responsibility on their shoulders because of the principal they work for are not adequately compensated.” – Litigation consultant • “I think the financial incentives are a bit strange at the entry level. There is a lot more emphasis on amount of time worked rather than efficiency.” – Cambridge insider
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Formal training offerings are good enough, but the emphasis is clearly on building personal relationships with experienced mentors and colleagues.
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Formal Training • “The Brattle Group has extensive formal training for entering consultants through the new consultant training (NCT) program. This training gives consultants the beginning tools to start off with. However, a lot of unofficial training happens through project work with associates and more senior research analysts.” – Energy associate • “The firm has a large deal of initial training, which then trails off as you gain more experience. However, the company often has training brownbag seminars on various industry subjects.” – Research analyst • “The firm definitely tries to encourage formal trainings, but not all of them have been useful. Some of the more pertinent trainings have been the crash courses in coding and ‘managing’ supervisors. Some of the less pertinent trainings have been grammar and finance basics.” – Economic consultant • “Almost everyone in the office is willing to train and teach in the course of completing a project.” – Senior associate
Promotion Policies • “There is a significant emphasis on growth, development and promotion at our firm—entry-level associates are groomed from day one to become revenue-generating principals, and we have regular performance assessments and discussions with our mentors to check whether we
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are on track.” – Research analyst • “Consultants advance based on their skill development. It’s a pure meritocracy. There are opportunities for people that enjoy the work but don’t want to be business generators.” – Senior associate • “Generally, consultants advance to a higher level each year, given that they meet the requirements of that promotion. These promotions are based mainly on the intense review process carried out within the company.” – Research analyst • “The firm has reviews twice a year, and you are notified on your progress and what you need to work toward to get promoted. It is difficult to move from an analyst to an associate without a higher degree.” – Telecommunications consultant
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: The non-leadership ranks are fully diversified, with regular workshops and social opportunities that help the community fully embrace its varied, international-heavy population.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “The firm makes an extra effort to seek out minorities and the office has a strong international contingent that greatly adds to the working environment and experiences of the employees.” – D.C. consultant • “Being a woman and a minority myself, I think Brattle is a very comfortable environment to be in, no matter what your background.” – Associate • “Principals are almost all white men. Associates are more mixed between male/female and different ethnicities. Whether this difference is a systematic issue in terms of retention/promotion/mentoring is not known, or whether during early days the associate ranks were white and male.” – Consultant
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Brattle proved to be a high-performing private practice in low-performance times, and consultants anticipate smooth sailing as the economy returns to normalcy.
Overall Business Outlook • “We have done extremely well so far through a down economy, and work seems, if anything, to be picking up. Employee morale is quite high.” – Cambridge associate • “We are always expanding, and we weathered the financial crisis with no lay-offs. In particular, we are expanding in areas that the firm believes will be huge growth areas in the future.” – Senior associate • “As a private company, we continue to grow at the pace driven by our clients’ needs, not shareholder needs. We continue to make good money and get good bonuses.” – Energy consultant • “As the economy improves, we’re in a better position to take advantage of additional opportunities than other firms who have had to cut back.” – Research associate
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “Brattle’s senior partners are totally competent and elicit a great deal of respect and confidence from the rest of the firm.” – Energy consultant • “Very strong, competitive leadership who are always focused on growth and development of the business, as well as the employees themselves.” – Research analyst
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• “Overall, I’m very confident. My only question is how adept they will be at integrating lateral hires into the firm’s culture as we grow. This has proved a challenge, but one of which management has indicated full awareness.” – East Coast insider
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PRESTIGE RANKING
25
MONITOR GROUP
Two Canal Park Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141 Phone: (617) 252-2000 Fax: (617) 252-2100 www.monitor.com
UPPERS
LOCATIONS
DOWNERS
Cambridge, MA (HQ) 20 offices worldwide
PRACTICE AREAS
• “Ad hoc pay” • “Lack of choice in project allocations at junior level” • “Antiquated IT infrastructure” • “Ambiguity - this is not a place for someone who needs a lot of structure”
Economic Development & Security • Innovation • Marketing & Pricing • Organization & Leadership • Integrated Strategy • Social Action
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
• • • •
“Global footprint” “More transparent now than ever” “The size of the firm and the ability to know everyone” “Long holiday break”
www.monitor.com/Join
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company Chairman: Mark Fuller 2010 Employees: 1,200 2009 Employees: 1,200
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Good at thinking differently; cerebral” “Porter is so last year” “Strategic; value-creators” “Surviving on brand halo from 15 years ago”
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THE SCOOP Switched on Monitor Group is a professional services firm focused on strategy consulting, capability building and capital services. Its services include marketing and growth strategy, organizational analysis, corporate finance, leadership development, operational and corporate planning, and competitive analysis. Founded in 1983 in Cambridge, Mass., the firm’s footprint expanded rapidly for the first 25 years of its life, topping out at 25 offices in 19 countries by 2008. While no official announcements were made in the media, it would appear that the company’s 25th anniversary wasn’t quite as smooth as it would have hoped; by 2010 it had shrunk to 20 offices in 16 countries. Clients come from nearly every industry, including automotive, health care, telecoms, energy, consumer products, financial services, tourism, media and advertising, and computers, as well as the public sector. For the most part, the company works with Fortune 500 companies, but occasionally serves mid-tier organizations, government agencies and nonprofits, as well. Monitor prides itself on the long-lasting impact it has on clients. Work is done in highly collaborative environment in which consultants and clients work side by side to solve problems. Moreover, Monitor places significant emphasis on achieving a knowledge transfer to its clients by “teaching them how to fish,” as the firm calls it.
Putting ideas into practice Monitor was founded by a group of six former Harvard University professors and students intent on finding practical applications for the theory then being taught in the institution’s business school. Within five years, the group had expanded from the doorstep of its alma mater into Europe and Asia, with a London office arriving as early as 1985. Global expansion has not dimmed the firm’s Harvard connection any, however—current Chairman Mark Fuller is a former assistant professor at the university, while Monitor’s “thought leaders” include at least seven further Harvard alumni and current or former professors. Among those thought leaders is co-founder Michael Porter, who still serves as a Bishop William Lawrence University Professor at Harvard, and whose books, Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance and Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors, provided the backbone of ideas around which Monitor Group was formed. Accenture named Porter one of the top-50 business intellectuals of our time, and he has since written 14 more books and over 80 articles on business.
Breadth of activities Monitor’s core competitive strategy capabilities are practiced throughout the organization. Meanwhile, there are several business units that focus on developing and applying cutting-edge thinking in key growth-related disciplines: Monitor innovation, which helps companies develop comprehensive innovation strategies; the management leadership and organization group, which assists clients seeking to transform leaders, teams and organizations, and helps align organizational design and strategy; m2c (market 2 customer), which develops marketing and pricing strategies for Monitor’s clients; economic and development security, which works with national and regional governments to help them grow their economies; and social action, which advises nonprofit, philanthropic and social-sector institutions.
Monitoring money Monitor has distinct capabilities in financial and capital markets, with specific expertise in both mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance advisory services. Monitor Clipper Partners, focused on the middle market, and Monitor Ventures, focused on the early stage, are affiliated private equity funds. Monitor has access to the expertise of managing partners of both Monitor Clipper and Monitor Ventures, which gives Monitor real-world insight into transaction design, maximizing value and growth in acquisition targets, and maximizing exit values where appropriate.
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Monitocracy Purely on a philosophical level, Monitor understands that career development is individualized, coming about from different choices and rates of advancement, rather than demanding that employees adhere to a set pace and promotion track. This means that Monitor does not have an up-or-out policy that many of its competitors do. Nor are consultants at Monitor tracked within “classes” of peers the way they are at other firms, thus leaving the possibility for much more rapid advancement compared to firms with a more conventional cohort-based promotion system. In fact, some Monitor consultants have been known to make the transition from undergraduate consultant to the associate partner level (or candidate leader, as it is called) in just five years.
Conscientious corporation Monitor shows a great deal of social awareness, and acknowledges its larger responsibilities as a prominent global institution through several initiatives. The firm is the signature partner to New Profit, Inc., a U.S.-based venture philanthropy fund that provides strategic counseling and financial support to social entrepreneurs. It is also a partner of Management Leadership for Tomorrow, a nonprofit that grooms African-American, Hispanic and Native
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American youth for leadership positions in companies, nonprofits and entrepreneurial ventures. Collaborating with New Profit, Monitor advised MLT on growth strategy, and has supplied consultants as faculty for the program’s career prep classes. The firm also partners with Teach for America, a domestic educational Peace Corps, of sorts, which places recent college grads in teaching positions in impoverished towns and cities across the United States. As a partner of the organization, Monitor agrees to hold positions for recruits who accept a two-year term with TFA, while also giving those recruits career support and summer internships. Recruits are also selected from existing TFA corps members.
GETTING HIRED “Having been involved in a number of interviews and with the firm’s recruiting apparatus, I can testify to the fact that Monitor has a very high bar for its candidates.” Take this consultant’s words as you will—warning or challenge. For those put off by Monitor’s “extremely competitive” selection process, it’s best that they not waste their time anyway. All applicants will be pre-screened for capability (think “smart, personable, innovative, creative, well rounded, worldly, driven, ambitious, unique”) as well as fit. For those who fit the bill, the interview process consists of two rounds of intensive interviews designed to test, above all, the candidate’s proficiency and analytical aptitude. The first is a written case study in examination form; the second is a “truly unique” group role play, of sorts, in which a candidate is evaluated in a high-pressure, high-demand situation. Its purpose? “I think it is very effective at simulating real-world consulting environments,” one interviewer suggests.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: The recession was certainly a blow to Monitor, resulting in cutbacks of many of the “non-essential” perks that employees loved. But in the past year, the firm has been systematically turning things around and bringing back these perks, and most respondents say they are quite satisfied with their quality of life.
Overall Satisfaction • “Monitor is basically all that I could ask for in a consulting firm: terrific people, interesting work and a learning- and feedback-oriented culture.” – Health care consultant • “If you want to have an impact that defies traditional entry-level analyst responsibilities, Monitor should be of serious consideration.” – Strategy first-year • “I love my job and love my company. It has warts just like all other organizations, but it is truly a great place to work.” – East Coast higher-up • “The recession has affected [us], but I believe that, despite these challenges, Monitor has been able to more effectively engage its employees over the past 12 months.” – New York staffer
Firm Culture • “Monitor’s culture is like no other. It’s a no face time, down-to-earth environment that rewards people for their contribution. The people are amazing and have a strong bond amongst each other.” – Toronto midlevel
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• “We tend to attract people who are naturally friendly, fascinating and genuine. They are team-oriented and a lot of fun to spend time with—at work or afterwards. Anytime I go out with Monitor people socially, I feel like I’m guaranteed to have a terrific time, even if I’ve never met them before.” – Senior consultant • “Monitor is full of very bright, but somewhat quirkier, more academic consultants. The firm has an extremely friendly and casual culture, and I socialize very frequently with colleagues outside the office. In fact, many of my best friends are former colleagues.” – Experienced source • “The economy has dampened some of the ‘non-essential’ spending, which used to be more abundant.” – Health care insider
Supervisor Relationships • “One of Monitor’s greatest strengths is team dynamics. I have had strong supervisors that lead case teams very well.” – East Coast staffer • “Monitor is a very friendly, down-to-earth, noncompetitive environment. As a result, I’ve found that my supervisors take a vested interest in me and my development. It’s a constant-feedback culture, but one about learning, and I’ve always felt extremely supported.” – Entry-level respondent • “I have yet to work on a team where I didn’t, at the bare minimum, like everyone from junior consultants to account managers.” – Strategy firstyear • “In consulting, if you don’t get along with your superiors, you’re screwed. Luckily, that is uncommon at Monitor.” – Los Angeles midlevel
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Interaction with Clients • “We develop uniquely strong relationships with clients because we eschew the stereotypical, ‘we’re smarter than you so just do what we say’ approach to consulting.” – Public-sector insider • “I feel that my clients respect and appreciate my work, and feel comfortable looking to me for meaningful advice on the questions they are facing.” – East Coast consultant • “Clients are a complete shot in the dark because we don’t always know who we’ll be working for when we sell into a company.” – New York associate
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: The hours at Monitor are predictably rough, and some consultants gripe about their overall pay. Still, some say they are able to manage a balance between work and home life, and they appreciate the fact that Monitor’s is a no-face-time culture.
Work Hours • “[Hours are] incredibly variable, but not as bad as banking!” – Experienced consultant • “Although my work hours are high, they are on my terms, which is most important. Work is completely flexible and I work when I need to; we’re not confined to an office with a ‘face time’ policy.” – Executive-level insider • “Short cases are the ones to avoid in terms of being burners.” – Health care analyst • “I don’t work weekends—except maybe one to two hours on Sunday—but I’m sick of working until 10 p.m., 11 p.m., midnight, 1 a.m., every night of the week. I can never make and commit to plans during the week. It’s very frustrating.” – Midlevel source
Work/Life Balance • “With a one-year old at home, I am extremely pleased at my ability to balance work and life. I’m measured and rewarded on my output, not my input.” – Senior consultant • “You must learn to manage your time, and by doing so you can maintain a good work/life balance. There is no face time policy at Monitor, so if you don’t have anything to do you are encouraged to go home!” – Chicago analyst • “I can manage a life outside of work, as the hours are not terrible. The real problem is that I can never let myself stop thinking about the work I am doing.” – Cambridge insider • “During my first year, balance was possible. Now that I’ve taken on more responsibility and the economy turned south, I pretty much work all the time.” – Midlevel consultant
Travel Requirements • “Travel is minimal for junior levels. At most, I travel four to five times a month for meetings. This varies on a project-by-project basis, but that’s been my experience so far.” – New York staffer • “Monitor has optimized this model: Don’t travel for the sake of travel, work where you are most comfortable, contribute to the office environment, build your network at home and charge the batteries for intensive travel when necessary.” – First-year associate • “It’s nice to not always be on the road, though it means junior consultants get little exposure to clients.” – Health care analyst
Compensation • “Compensation is meritocratic—as a strong performer, I’ve received generous raises even during the economic crisis.” – Public-sector midlevel
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• “Financial compensation is not top of market, but, I am more than willing to make that tradeoff for the nonfinancial compensation of less travel, more flexible time, more customized career path and promotion.” – Senior source • “Overall, I’m satisfied with compensation, but I could make more at competitor firms.” – Toronto insider • “Monitor did not provide bonuses in 2009 (as in 2008). Two years without bonuses has been a tough pill to swallow. I was very satisfied with base salary increases at the end of 2009 and into 2010 and have high hopes for a full bonus pool at the end of 2010.” – Senior consultant
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Respondents give credit to Monitor’s informal mentoring, but the limited amount of formal training is a real concern for new and prospective hires. However, in 2010, the firm has reinstated global training sessions for consultants, so change is underway in this area.
Formal Training • “Most of our training is on the job and through mentoring. I personally find this type of training most effective.” – Midlevel consultant • “Training is very minimal if you are not part of m2c, although the firm has announced they are going to provide more options moving forward.
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Most training is on the job.” – Senior source • “Historically, we have received far too little training, particularly at an interoffice level, and this problem has been exacerbated by the crisis. However, local office trainings on more random topics (typically topics of expertise amongst local senior partners) have increased recently.” – San Francisco staffer
Promotion Policies • “Consultants here advance very quickly, especially in terms of the responsibility they are able to take on at a relatively young age.” – Health care analyst • “It’s totally meritocratic—you move up as quickly as you demonstrate your capabilities. There are no classes that advance at predetermined levels.” – First-year • “It’s no up or out, but I think that hurt the firm in the downturn.” – West Coast respondent • “I like that the place is flat and that we’re not obsessed with titles, but it can sometimes make you feel like ‘success,’ whatever that means, is a long way off.” – New York higher-up
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: Monitor has done a commendable job on this front, and its consultants are hungry for more.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “Monitor is one of the most GLBT-friendly professional environments I’m aware of.” – Senior consultant • “We have a very extensive diversity program at Monitor. In addition, we have a Women’s Leadership Initiative lead by two very senior women with real budgets attached.” – Executive-level source • “The firm is generous with a full three-month paid maternity leave, and for high-performing women, Monitor is willing to explore different arrangements for your transition back after leave.” – Midlevel consultant • “We’re a very supportive community, but our numbers (especially for post-MBA level women and underrepresented minorities) aren’t where we’d like them to be, hence the increased focus on recruiting relative to retention.” – Public-sector insider
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Monitor has emerged intact from what was, for them, a seriously damaging recession. Prospects are strong, and while the outlook isn’t perfect, it’s a massive step in the right direction.
Overall Business Outlook • “Monitor’s pipeline continues to grow and strengthen. It’s an exciting time to be at the firm.” – New York associate • “I think the firm is in a better position to truly thrive than at any point I’ve been here (in the past five years).” – Health care consultant • “We are busy, busy, busy! The only issue is as the economy picks up, jobs will become available for people who stayed but were interested in leaving. [We] could see some acceleration in voluntary turnover.” – Executive source
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “The recent effort to define and articulate Monitor’s ‘purpose’ demonstrates that Monitor’s leadership is mindful not only of the firm’s financial but also its emotional health.” – Cambridge consultant
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• “There’s a new partnership structure in place—we’re definitely already seeing positive effects, and I’m optimistic about the future.” – Junior staffer • “The firm’s leadership has steadily improved since I’ve been here, though communication is still a bit of an issue.” – East Coast midlevel • “The leaders in the firm are some of the smartest people I have ever met, but I still feel we need to closely look at our own organization in the same way we do for our clients.” – First-year associate
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ALIX PARTNERS, LLP
2000 Town Center, Suite 2400 Southfield, Michigan 48075 Phone: (248) 358-4420 Fax: (248) 358-1969 www.alixpartners.com
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company Chairman: Philip Hammarskjold CEO: Fred Crawford 2010 Employees: 900 2009 Employees: 1,000
LOCATIONS Southfield, MI (HQ) Chicago, IL Dallas, TX Detroit, MI Los Angeles, CA New York, NY San Francisco, CA Washington, DC Dubai Düsseldorf London Milan Munich Paris Shanghai Tokyo
UPPERS • • • •
“Leaving your footprint all over corporate America” “More autonomy to get your work done” “No micromanagement” “Entrepreneurial spirit”
DOWNERS • “Lack of promotion criteria” • “Inconsistent workloads” • “Complete lack of care about community involvement” • “Scarce IT resources”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT Go to the careers section of the firm’s website.
PRACTICE AREAS
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Enterprise Improvement • Turnaround & Restructuring • Financial Advisory Services • Information Management Services
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • “Able to lead and implement what the traditional guys can’t” •” Inflexible, self-absorbed” • “Cowboys “ • “You’re never home”
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THE SCOOP Financial facelift AlixPartners is an international business advisory firm that has made its name and earned its reputation through its work in the corporate turnaround and restructuring industry. Although it can provide other services, the firm’s four main business functions are enterprise improvement, turnaround and restructuring, litigation consulting and financial advisory services, and information management services. AlixPartners is most known for its services aimed at reversing the fortunes of struggling companies, but it also offers nip-and-tuck and growth services, such as performance improvement and strategic consulting services, for companies that are not in financial straits but may still be looking to improve operations. Operating globally out of offices in the United States, Europe and Asia, AlixPartners has been retained by major companies including Cadbury Schweppes, GM, Kmart, Toys R Us and more. Best of all for its clients, AlixPartners works on a pay-for-performance system, aligning its compensation structure with its clients’ success.
There must be a better way Jay Alix & Associates PC was conceived by Jay Alix in 1981, when he observed that companies in trouble needed help saving assets and jobs and had little resources for doing so. The company’s early years included aiding notable clients such as DeLorean Motor Company, of Back to the Future fame, and Phoenix Steel Corporation. The firm began to evolve in the 1990s, taking on more staff and serving major clients, such as Unisys, Phar-Mor and General Motors’ National Car Rental subsidiary, and it expanded from 33 employees to over 100. The firm’s current incarnation was born in 2002. At the time, Co-Chairman Alix said that the name AlixPartners was chosen to reflect the firm’s central premise that it is a partner to it employees, clients and referral sources. But the new millennium brought more changes to the firm than just the name alone. In 2001, it began to expand from a national to an international entity, now totaling 15 offices in eight countries. Although originally based in Detroit, New York and Chicago, it soon began a rapid expansion into Europe by opening offices in London, Munich, Milan and Düsseldorf. The next major market was Asia. In 2003, the Japanese government invited AlixPartners to come to Tokyo to help launch the Japanese Association for Business Recovery—the country’s first-ever business turnaround industry and association. An office in Los Angeles followed in 2003, two more in Tokyo and San Francisco in 2005, and another in Paris in 2006.
GETTING HIRED The hiring process at AlixPartners is uniquely intense; as one recent successful candidate states, it’s “like no other you will find in consulting.” Candidates can expect to face a veritable barrage of tests spanning an impressive (and intimidating) spectrum of subjects. For a brief synopsis, see this consultant’s laundry list: “IQ tests, personality tests, accounting tests, cash flow modeling tests, an interview with a psychologist”—and the list goes on, also including at least one six-hour skills examination designed to evaluate logic and problem-solving talents. Candidates with a shot at overcoming this interview gauntlet must be extremely intelligent, personable and, above all, experienced. The firm almost never recruits those without direct consulting or operational experience, though the absolute best of the best of recent MBA grads might sneak through the door.
OUR SURVEY SAYS
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Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: We can’t say if Tolkien was inspired by AlixPartners or vise-versa, but the consensus among the firm’s consultants is downright epic. “It has been an incredible adventure,” states one insider. “I hope there are a few more turns in the road.” Insiders feel consistently appreciated by clients, if not always by their supervisors.
Overall Satisfaction • “AlixPartners is a fabulous place to work, and does fabulous work for its clients.” – Experienced New Yorker • “The firm quenches the thirst for exciting, real-time, technical projects, and rewards those efforts through expressed gratitude, solid compensation and excellent benefits.” – Detroit consultant • “I’m extremely proud to be here and to be part of such a successful growth story.” – Operations executive • “I would like more variety of clients and less travel.” – AlixPartners insider
Firm Culture • “The people and culture of this firm are second to none. I’ve worked in many environments and this is definitely the place with the best people and culture. Our strong culture is jealously guarded and our core values are taken very seriously.” – Business advisor • “They value the people, their individuality and creativity. They respect everyone and try very hard to maintain a close team approach to
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everything.” – Executive consultant • “This is a Type-A culture across the social, political and professional dimensions.” – Midlevel source • “It is changing. It was very much a family, caring environment that is changing as a result of the growth of the organization.” – New York executive
Supervisor Relationships • “The flat organizational structure makes supervisors much easier to approach; there is no visible or invisible wall between levels.” – Junior consultant • “[My supervisors are] absolutely effortless to work with and to spend time with socially. Open, honest, modest and great sense of humor are characteristics that I find common among my superiors.” – First-year staffer • “Relationships vary by superior, with some very close relationships and some not so close relationships—most are somewhere in between.” – Restructuring insider • “Mentoring and career guidance are not institutionalized, and are only available if you’re lucky enough to be staffed with a supervisor who cares about that.” – Bankruptcy consultant
Interaction with Clients • “Due to the sensitive nature of the work and the amount of time spent with clients, you will build strong relationships on every engagement.” – Midlevel Texan • “Clients consistently appreciate us—we get stuff done and deliver results. And the results are lasting since we focus on implementing process improvements that can be sustained by the client long after we’re gone. That’s important to us.” – Detroit consultant • “If the client understands the advisor’s role, then the relationship is usually quite good. In fact, I have run into clients after an engagement and the friendly relationship continued.” – Entry-level advisor
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: The client always comes first at AlixPartners—the firm wouldn’t be so profitable otherwise—and although this can take its toll a consultant’s work/life balance dearly, this crop of consultants seems up to the challenge.
Work Hours • “AlixPartners consultants work the number of hours needed to get the job done. Our work is important to the outcome for our clients. We enjoy our work. The hours are acceptable.” – Detroit executive • “No matter how much or how long you are required to work, your time is valued.” – Junior source • “The work is intense but interesting. Hours translate into overtime, which greatly impacts compensation, so we are incentivized to work hard when it makes sense.” – Midlevel advisor • “Work hours are solely a function of the engagement, the managing director on the engagement and the deadlines and workflow of the engagement. There is absolutely zero face time.” – Crisis management consultant
Work/Life Balance • “Even with the monstrous hours when on the road, there’s a real effort to ‘protect’ everyone’s weekend time when possible (sometimes client work requires weekends, and that’s perfectly fine).” – Senior consultant
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• “In line with the motto of ‘When it Really Matters,’ there are occasions when much is asked of you. Finding a balance when trying to solve a critical business problem can be challenging, but the people at the firm make it work.” – Entry-level consultant • “Work/life balance is an individual choice. I have small children. I work 60 to 80 hours, Monday through Friday, and weekends only during crisis periods. Traveling during the week means that I allocate weekends to be entirely family time.” – Executive source • “They are very, very stingy with vacation, but that is my only major complaint.” – Dallas higher-up
Travel Requirements • “Travel differs by engagements. Some require extensive travel and much hand-holding at the client site; others can be managed without travel. It depends on the nature of the service.” – Texas-based consultant • “Excessive. We travel more than we need to.” – New York midlevel • “Don’t underestimate a five-day-a-week travel expectation; it makes for difficult lifestyle choices.” – Operations consultant • “The travel policy at AlixPartners does not skimp on making you comfortable when traveling, which alleviates stress and allows you to focus on what really matters.” – Junior source
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Compensation • “I don’t really hear anybody arguing about pay. People work really hard and get compensated well. You will receive a good base, plus a good utilization bonus monthly, plus a good year-end catch-up. You can’t look at just any one of these by itself.” – Entry-level insider • “Great special perks, like wonderful insurance coverage, cell phones, etc.” – Financial consultant • “The firm is a top payer in the industry, giving generous bonuses and benefits. Everyone at AlixPartners feels that, for their current level, they are well compensated. The issue is long-term compensation—it doesn’t keep pace. You could stay at the same level for a long time.” – Executive source • “AlixPartners has an earned bonus or ‘overtime,’ which is supposed to put the firm on average with other similar firms in the market. However, if you are not utilized over 100%, you do not see any impact.” – Experienced Dallas consultant • “While the compensation structure suggests “market” rates, in practicality very few associates can reach the appropriate level of billable work in order to receive full pay increases and significant bonuses.” – Senior associate
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Only the strong survive at AlixPartners, so it’s little surprise that formal training is minimal. Consultants are largely left to their own devices to make their way up the promotional ladder.
Formal Training • “The training is improving, with more formal in-house programs developed and offered.” – Executive source • “We train people in turnaround techniques and personal presentation, but basically expect folks to come in with clear competency.” – Senior business consultant • “Training is offered internally; however, it is not always relevant to the types of situations that we have. The firm allows you to pursue training opportunities outside of the firm where appropriate.” – Midlevel insider • “The firm’s service offerings are very experience-driven, and our employees join the firm with years of experience in hand. You’re expected to bring this experience to the table and execute. This is not a place for entry-level employees to cut their teeth.” – New York-based respondent
Promotion Policies • “The firm is very sensitive about who is hired and who is promoted. There are no hard and fast rules about up and out; those things tend to work themselves out due to the intensity of the job.” – Midlevel consultant • “[Promotion is] mostly merit based, and depends entirely on the person and the needs of the firm at the time.” – Senior source • “There is no official policy—how to get promoted is quite nebulous. But so far, everything seems fair. People are promoted when they should be.” – San Francisco insider • “Very few directors advance beyond this level to managing director. The general feeling is that all consultants below MD, regardless of level, are completely fungible, so rank has relatively little meaning.” – Higher-up in the Midwest
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: In this area, the firm fails to live up to its own lofty standards. Little attention is paid to fostering an open, hospitable and diverse community of consultants.
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• “[Diversity] seems invisible. I do not sense anything proactive, but I also sense no need for it.” – Chicago source • “We recently instituted domestic partner benefits after a long, arduous internal fight; firm culture still needs much improvement in order for GLBT employees to feel comfortable coming out at work.” – Bankruptcy consultant • “The firm has a very old-school approach to these issues—[there are] no programs or proactive management, and some cultural sensitivity training is required as MD’s can have some very backward perceptions.” – Strategy executive • “Seems kind of like a boys’ club, but it could be due the nature of the industry and the number of hours we put in for client work.” – San Francisco-based respondent
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: One of the few firms to profit from the recession, AlixPartners is structured to reap the benefits of other companies’ instabilities. While this could cause business to cool somewhat in a healthier economic climate, the firm’s diversification efforts could bear fruit in a more stable business environment.
Overall Business Outlook • “The firm is extremely well positioned to capitalize on the increasing need for restructuring/turnaround professionals. As debt on levered companies begins to mature in the next two to three years, many companies will find themselves unable to refinance and will need experienced advisors to guide them through in-court and out-of-court restructurings.” – Junior source
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• “We work with distressed and bankrupt companies. Our business is solid when times are good and off-the-charts when the economy tanks.” – Operations advisor • “The firm’s model is to thrive in a restructuring and healthy company environment. 2010 will be a tough year, but we are positioned to exceed the performance of other consulting firms.” – Texas executive • “The firm is soft right now as potential clients are delaying decisions and deciding to save on consulting fees. Employee morale is not great.” – Energy specialist
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “Terrific leadership—they put clients first and they put team members first. They also take the time to listen, even with their incredibly busy schedules.” – Experienced business consultant • “Competent, professional, balanced, reasonable, intelligent.” – Entry-level insider • “The leadership has the right experience and the right strategy to continue to outperform all other consulting firms.” – Senior source in Detroit
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• “Exceptional leadership at the top; more pragmatic than any other consulting firm I’ve ever worked for.” – Operations consultant
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IBM GLOBAL BUSINESS SERVICES
1 New Orchard Road Armonk, New York 10504 Phone: (914) 499-1900 Fax: (914) 765-7382 www.ibm.com/consulting
LOCATIONS Armonk, NY (HQ) Offices and operations in 170 countries
UPPERS • “Everyone treasures life and family” • “It means something to say ‘I am an IBMer’” • “Being a part of something my father was eons ago”
DOWNERS • “Too many layers for decision making” • “They need to learn that a report that was good enough 10 years ago isn’t now” • “Too much turf protection and political maneuvering”
PRACTICE AREAS Application Services Application Management • Custom Application Development & Systems Integration Business Services Business Analytics • Customer Relationship Management • Financial Management • Human Capital Management • Strategy & Change • Supply Chain Management
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.ibm.com/consulting/careers
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Division of IBM, a Public Company Ticker Symbol: IBM (NYSE) Senior Vice President: Frank Kern 2009 Employees: 100,000+ 2008 Employees: 190,000 2009 Revenue: $17.7 billion 2008 Revenue: $19.6 billion
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Becoming top tier” “Technologically sound, business blind” “Good global firm, very deep bench” “Challenging culture”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition IBM Global Business Services
THE SCOOP A new meaning to “business machine” IBM Global Business Services works hard to make clients’ businesses work better. The group includes IBM’s consulting, systems integration and applications businesses, which together employ more than 100,000 professionals in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. GBS is one half of IBM’s Global Services division, but only in the sense that it’s one of two units within that division (Global Technology Services is the other). Global Services is responsible for over 50 percent of IBM’s total revenue, with GBS’ contributing roughly 20 percent of the company’s annual income. GBS’ offerings are broken down into two primary practice areas: business consulting and systems integration, and application management services. The first of these offers six areas of specialty assistance to clients: customer relationship management, financial management, human capital management, strategy and change, business analytics and supply chain management services. The unit’s clients work in a number of industries, including aerospace and defense, automotive, banking, chemicals and petroleum, consumer products, education, electronics, energy and utilities, financial markets, government, health care, insurance, life sciences, media and entertainment, retail, telecommunications, travel and transportation. The second practice area—application management services—offers expertise in application development, management, maintenance and support services for software and applications.
A chip off the old PwC For those that knew IBM from its reputation as a manufacturer of hardware, the current iteration of the company may be hard to recognize; the company that exists today is the result of two major business events early in the millennium. The first occurred in post-Enron-scandal 2002, when IBM emerged from the feeding frenzy of Big Four accounting firms grasping the prize of PricewaterhouseCoopers’ consulting arm—the tech firm’s first major foray into the world of service provision. Two years later, the historic $1.75 billion sale of its computing systems and PC hardware side of the business to Chinese manufacturer Lenovo completed the change of direction for IBM, sending the firm inexorably down the consulting path, and ensuring a bright future for the Global Services division. Having thus moved away from its traditional business model into the realm of consulting services, IBM has made a concerted effort to attract clients to its higher-value corporate services packages of research, software and services, specializing in providing the best skills, not the best prices. At the same time, the firm has focused on globalizing its business, moving away from a country-by-country business model.
Research readiness Effective consulting requires access to fresh research and analysis. The company maintains sources for both through the IBM Institute for Business Value. The institute provides strategic insights and recommendations to help clients capitalize on new opportunities. It is comprised of consultants around the world who conduct research and analysis in 17 industries and across five functional disciplines, including human capital management, financial management, corporate strategy, supply chain management and customer relationship management.
GETTING HIRED
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Despite enduring a series of three to six interviews with different recruiters in different locations, IBM consultants call the process “very fast and responsive,” which must take genuine effort given the sheer size of the organization. Screening takes place via an on-campus or telephone interview, in which a candidate must demonstrate the basic qualities and aptitudes necessary to succeed as a strategy consultant. Candidates should expect a range of behavioral and situational examinations, as well as a case study question. Successful candidates then face a second round that focuses “more on fit.” Expect “three separate interviews with your potential supervisors and co-workers,” all of whom will be judging personality and ability to communicate—both informally and in a business setting. “They are looking for someone who understands the importance of networking in a large firm, someone personable and a thinker that can articulate ideas and thoughts,” says a veteran of the process.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Being part of a corporation as “gigantic” as IBM affords its staffers “an infinite amount of resources and opportunities.” As one insider says, “You can connect with Nobel Prize winners, travel to the numerous client or philanthropic sites around the world, and be at the forefront of technology and innovative solutions for clients.”
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Consultants sometimes find it difficult to access those vast opportunities and resources because of “red tape” and the typical bureaucratic woes that saddle such massive organizations. The same is true within the firm’s “diverse” and “interesting” culture. “There are social and professional activities if you know where to find those listings and take the initiative to connect to other groups/forums,” a junior source reports. The debate over the merits of working for an international conglomerate continues, as an associate reveals some brewing resentment over outsourcing and global sprawl: “Cutting U.S. jobs and hiring overseas does not make for a pleasant work environment.” That said, IBM’s size and brand does work in its favor with regard to overall business outlook and faring well in a turbulent economy. As one respondent puts it, ““It’s IBM. It’ always there, and it rebounds like a rubber ball.”
Hours & Pay “IBM expects us to make Big Blue the main priority in our life,” says a worn-out staffer, when asked to comment on his work hours. A colleague, agreeing that work hours can take their toll, admitted that positive work/life balance is possible at IBM, though it must be explicitly demanded (others say “it sure isn’t encouraged”). In general, we’re told that consultants put in between 40 and 60 hours each week. Travel also figures into the mix, but respondents say they knew exactly what they were signing on for from the gates: “Everyone agrees to travel 100 percent as part of employment with the firm”—in principal, at least. This typically translates to about four days per week on the road, but weary travelers are well compensated by “the best benefits in the industry,” complete with “free health care, 28 days of holiday/vacation, unlimited sick leave, matching up to 6 percent of 401(k) vested immediately, and discounts for IBM stock.”
Professional Development Training is inherently tied to the nature of IBM’s organization; the firm large enough to provide “as many training sessions and online eLearning modules as probably all of the colleges on the East Coast added together.” But, like any massive university, those training resources are “left almost exclusively to employees to seek out.”
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When they’re able to get their hands on them, insiders appreciate the variety and depth of the training offerings. “I have been impressed with many of the in-person sessions that I’ve attended, both in depth of offerings (the new-hire Strategy Consulting 101 brought in professors from Harvard to teach the course) and the breadth of topics,” an insider says. However, others bemoan the complications of accessing courses and sessions while balancing business obligations. “It’s difficult to get management approval for training that will take you away from the client or cost money,” an associate reveals.
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OC&C STRATEGY CONSULTANTS
6 New Street Square London EC4A 3AT United Kingdom www.occstrategy.com
LOCATIONS London (HQ) Boston, MA New York, NY Abu Dhabi Dubai Düsseldorf Hamburg Hong Kong Mumbai New Delhi Paris Rotterdam Shanghai
UPPERS • “Young, informal and fun culture” • “Absolutely no bureaucracy” • “Partners don’t take themselves too seriously”
DOWNERS • “Not enough diversity in cases” • “Little effort devoted to associate development” • “Black-box staffing”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.occstrategy.com/join
PRACTICE AREAS Business Unit Strategy • Group Strategy • M&A & Transaction Support • Organization & Change • Product/Market/Channel Strategy • Strategy Realization
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company Worldwide Managing Partner: Michael Jary 2010 Employees: 475 2009 Employees: 465
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THE SCOOP The name says it all While OC&C Strategy Consultants keeps coy about its client list, there’s nothing secret about what the firm does—it’s right there in the title. Focusing on strategic analysis, the firm breaks the concept down into six organizational areas: group strategy, business unit/divisional strategy, product/market/ channel strategy, transaction support, strategy realization, and organization and change. And, like any strategy master or tactician, the firm’s emphasis isn’t always on speed—it tries to pace itself during consulting contracts, finding all the possible solutions to a problem before jumping into operational issues. That’s a strategy, the firm says, that ensures clients benefit from truly custom-built solutions, rather than off-the-shelf methodologies that may not fit the client’s needs. Although OC&C has stopped publicizing its client list, it does claim to work not only with major corporations, but also welcomes contracts from smaller companies that need strategic help in rapidly changing industries, stating that it wants to work with “ambitious organizations that understand the importance of excellent strategy.” Its industries include business services, consumer goods, financial services, industry and infrastructure, media, private equity, retail and distribution, technology, telecommunications, and travel, transport and logistics.
Expanding the footprint Chris Outram founded OC&C in London in 1987, as part of a team that included the current head of the firm, Worldwide Managing Partner Michael Jary. After several years at other consulting firms, including BCG and Booz Allen Hamilton, Outram and a colleague had tired of the fact that their employers devoted so much time to operational issues while neglecting strategic analysis. So they decided it would be “more fun and more challenging” to start their own firm. While it may have been founded in Europe and still concentrates most of its services there, the firm has been trying to create a stronger presence in the United States. To gain greater access to the American market, the firm merged with Boston-based Callidon Group in June 2007. Callidon was especially prized for its contacts and skills in media and publishing. Also in 2007, OC&C acquired Middle East Strategy Advisors (MESA), increasing its presence in that region through MESA’s network. Over the past three years under Michael Jary, the firm has successfully opened offices in India (New Delhi and Mumbai) and China (Shanghai and Hong Kong), taking OC&C into the fastest growing markets in the world.
Specialized generalists One business area in which OC&C takes particular pride is its expertise in consumer goods. Within this area, it tries to provide solutions in three key sections: growth stakes, profitability issues and category management. In connection with consumer goods, retail and distribution have also long been an OC&C focus. The firm claims to have been one of the original advocates for the importance of emerging value offers, private label goods and battling category killers. In addition, OC&C has recently made heavy investigations into retail brand development, strategic implementation and internalization strategies. The firm has made a significant effort to advise media outlets since its founding. Some of the media-related services it offers are strategy reviews, advice to governments on broadband policy, transformational performance improvement, profitable use of the digital arena, and go-to-market strategies for new services and products. Several major media outlets have looked to the firm for analysis of their own industry, concerning subjects ranging from the use of free newspaper copies to boost circulation, to the decline of magazine readership in the face of internet competition.
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Next to its work for corporate clients, OC&C has special expertise in supporting the world’s leading private equity firms in such areas as potential investment scoping, vendor and buyer due diligence, and post-acquisition strategy and/or integration.
Strategizing a better world OC&C enjoys highlighting its charitable efforts, and has a section dedicated to pro bono work on its website. The majority of the firm’s philanthropic work is in helping charities “achieve a step-change in performance.” For example, in partnership with the venture philanthropy group Impetus Trust, the firm has given strategy advice to charities such as St. Giles Trust (helping both current and former criminal prisoners) and Leap (helping youth resolve conflicts peacefully so that they don‘t end up needing help from St. Giles Trust). OC&C also aided the largest charity merger ever in the U.K., when the Cancer Research Campaign joined with the Imperial Cancer Research Fund to become Cancer Research U.K., and it helped the International Federation of Multiple Sclerosis Societies launch The Sylvia Lawry Centre for Multiple Sclerosis Research—the world’s largest project to develop tools to help deliver new MS therapies. Moreover, the Benelux office helped the leading MS charity to develop a new direction and funding strategy.
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GETTING HIRED Most of the firm’s tangible recruiting efforts can be seen at undergraduate campuses near OC&C offices, where recruiters seek outstanding students from all disciplines, ranging from sciences to humanities. However, soon-to-be graduates with demonstrated quantitative aptitude have an edge over their qualitative counterparts. But don’t be fooled; the firm isn’t looking for rigid, analytic types. “A sense of business acumen is important,” an insider points out. “The firm is only interested in people with the potential to quickly grow into a client-facing role,” adds a colleague, highlighting the need for candidates show off their presentable and personable sides. “The process is pretty straightforward” for candidates who fit within the firm’s hiring parameters. For pre-MBA interviewees, a numerical aptitude test is a key part of the evaluation, followed by three to six standard case studies (two of which are administered by partners). Those cases will be difficult, insiders report, but applicants should use them as an opportunity to display their analytical prowess.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Despite its youth, OC&C has forged a truly exceptional firm culture which, along with the quality of work and opportunities, keeps consultants far happier than the average working stiff.
Overall Satisfaction • “Great people, stimulating work. Overall, great experience.” – Midlevel consultant • “I am constantly presented with new challenges, but equally receive support from others within the firm to develop the skills necessary to meet those challenges.” – Associate • “The partners are very invested in my personal development and have taken me out to lunch to discuss my career plans, in addition to explaining specific industry trends or difficult concepts on each of my cases.” – Boston first-year • “OC&C offers a ton of client exposure and project management opportunities for newly minted MBAs. The pre-MBA staff is hardworking and competent. Great atmosphere.” – Telecommunications consultant
Firm Culture • “The firm has the autonomy and energy of a startup, but with the power and critical mass of a scale organization.” – Strategy analyst • “There are no cliques and no pretention—you can and do have a personal and professional relationship with anyone in the office.” – Midlevel insider • “The culture within the office is extremely pleasant, with all levels interacting well and respectfully with one another, both professionally and socially. Outside of the office, members participate in semiannual volunteering opportunities, and other optional activities such as cart racing and obstacle race challenges, among others.” – Entry-level analyst • “This is one of the best firm cultures I have been a part of—friendly, nonpolitical, cooperative, and at the same time driven and achievementoriented. It also manages to be very family-friendly for the older folks, while at the same time having a very fun culture of 20-somethings.” – Senior source
Supervisor Relationships
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• “We Consultants, managers and partners are all very accessible to associate consultants, and the architecture of the office makes it very easy to have ongoing conversations with all levels.” – Entry-level staffer • “Our office culture is very relaxed, and thus everyone gets along very well with each other—across all levels of the firm. It’s a very supportive culture with more focus on continual improvement and feedback, rather than standardized and bureaucratic performance evaluations.” – New York insider • “Partners in the Boston office are very interested in my personal development and offer lots of responsibilities to the associate consultants, creating many learning opportunities.” – Junior source
Interaction with Clients • “Clients respect our work and our opinion. We are viewed favorably relative to other consulting firms.” – Experienced consultant • “Our clients know that we are not going to provide stereotypical cookie-cutter consulting answers to their business challenges.” – East Coast staffer • “There’s lots of rope in dealing with clients, especially for strong performers.” – Associate consultant
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Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Minimal travel requirements and flexible managers help OC&C consultants balance work and life, with a genuine emphasis on the latter.
Work Hours • “Work hours are generally good, but when you’re working on a due diligence you can spend many late nights in a row at the office. Managers are usually conscious of trying to get their associates out of the office by 7 p.m. if there isn’t anything pressing to attend to.” – Midlevel consultant • “We have made a significant effort to avoid a culture of face time, which enables our consultants to take advantage of lighter periods and to maintain a good overall balance.” – East Coast higher-up • “Hours are very reasonable for the profession. If a project requires significant time working on the weekend, or an otherwise grueling schedule, we are typically compensated with ‘free’ day(s) off at the end of the project.” – Senior consultant • “While it would be nice to work less, I would expect to earn less; the amount of time put in is in line with my expectations relative to compensation and managers’ perception of my contribution to the business.” – Boston associate
Work/Life Balance • “Work hours are generally good, but when you’re working on a due diligence you can spend many late nights in a row at the office. Managers are usually conscious of trying to get their associates out of the office by 7 p.m. if there isn’t anything pressing to attend to.” – Midlevel consultant • “We have made a significant effort to avoid a culture of face time, which enables our consultants to take advantage of lighter periods and to maintain a good overall balance.” – East Coast higher-up • “Hours are very reasonable for the profession. If a project requires significant time working on the weekend, or an otherwise grueling schedule, we are typically compensated with ‘free’ day(s) off at the end of the project.” – Senior consultant • “While it would be nice to work less, I would expect to earn less; the amount of time put in is in line with my expectations relative to compensation and managers’ perception of my contribution to the business.” – Boston associate
Travel Requirements • “Associate consultants rarely travel, and consultants travel only slightly more frequently, depending on the case. There are, however, various opportunities to travel every now and again. I spent three weeks in London on the client site last fall.” – Junior staffer • “We travel for significant presentations, but most of the work is done out of the home office. Most of the clients are close enough for day trips when travel is necessary, so you are almost always sleeping in your own bed.” – Experienced consultant • “If we are working remotely on the client site, it is almost always no more than Monday through Thursday for a given week. If the location is far from the office, there is always the option of staying in town over the weekend with your hotel costs covered. I’ve certainly used this option to do some ‘free’ travel and sightseeing.” – Senior source
Compensation • “From my knowledge of acquaintance’s compensation at peer firms, I believe our compensation is very competitive. We are receiving a bonus for 2009, but it is being paid later this year in 2010.” – Midlevel associate • “My compensation has grown an average of 20%+ per year in every year that I have been at OC&C.” – Senior consultant
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• “Compensation is growing, but the gap between senior and newer partners is probably tighter than at the big three strategy firms, as we typically do less operational/implementation work, and therefore deploy less leverage.” – East Coast executive
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: While the firm does offer formal training opportunities—largely for new hires—most respondents say they learn the bulk of what they need to know on the job. When formal training does occur it’s often laid-back, in “exotic locales,” with ample opportunities for firmwide socialization.
Formal Training • “Not a lot of formal trainings, most of it is done real time on the job. This is probably the most practical way to manage it.” – Senior consultant • “In September we’ll be flying to Lisbon, Portugal, for a week of formal training called OC&C International Training Week.” – First-year consultant • “There is not a significant amount of formal training outside of what is delivered to new employees, but it is adequate.” – Boston staffer • “International Training Week brings together all offices at a single location for training, though the social component often outstrips the training component of the week.” – Analyst
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Promotion Policies • “Consultants should advance within two to three years. The culture is not up or out.” – Consultant • “We are growing rapidly, so unlike larger firms, partners aren’t trying to stifle promotion due to worries about shrinking their slice of the profit pie. We are looking for people to step up and take on more leadership roles and responsibilities.” – New York partner • “There’s an expected level of performance and progression, but it’s a range, not a formula set in stone.” – Midlevel source • “There is no clear promotion plan for entry-level hires.” – Associate consultant
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: The firm’s international presence is a big boost to its overall diversity; plans to boost female representation are well under way and seem promising.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “It’s a very diverse office—receptive and considerate of women, minorities, GLBT individuals and internationals. We actively seek to maintain and enhance diversity each recruiting year.” – Midlevel consultant • “We have senior partners who are openly gay.” – Associate strategist • “There are too few women, but that is primarily a factor of the MBA programs we recruit from. We have started to recruit at the PhD level to try to redress the balance.” – Senior source
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: OC&C’s pipeline is nearly bursting, and the only way to cope is to expand rapidly. It’s an exciting time to be at this upwardlymobile firm.
Overall Business Outlook • “Our office has grown solid double-digits over the past few years despite the awful market.” – First-year source • “We have been bringing in new clients, and developing lasting and lucrative relationships with previous clients. Our reputation is growing, and with it our client base and demand for additional seats in the office.” – Boston insider • “Our business is exploding, and we are constantly understaffed as a result. Still, it is exciting for people to see. It feels like we are on the ground floor of something big.” – Associate consultant • “We’re in place to continue to expand in 2010, though probably not at the same rate as in 2009.” – Junior source
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “We’ve got an extremely talented and caring partnership. They deliver outstanding work for clients and care passionately about their staff.” – Senior source • “Our leadership is very knowledgeable across many industries.” – Consultant
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• “Our leaders are experienced professionals who know the industry really well and have deep connections.” – Midlevel staffer
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NOVANTAS LLC
485 Lexington Avenue New York, New York 10017 Phone: (212) 953-4444 Fax: (212) 972-4602 www.novantas.com
UPPERS
LOCATIONS
DOWNERS
New York, NY (HQ) Boston, MA Chicago, IL Madrid Toronto
• “Drudgery” • “Lack of name recognition” • “No time to stop and smell the roses” • “More technical in nature than strategic”
PRACTICE AREAS Customer Strategy • Distribution • Marketing/Sales Effectiveness • Merger & Acquisition Support • Operations & Systems • Pricing • Risk Management • Segmentation • Workforce & Performance Management
• • • •
“No cutthroat competition” “Persistent entrepreneurial spirit” “High degree of contact with the directors” “Economic equity”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.novantas.com/careers_students.php
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company Managing Partners: David G. Kaytes & Richard W. Spitler 2010 Employees: 132 2009 Employees: 125 2009 Revenue: $40 million 2008 Revenue: $37million
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Innovative concepts, cool company” “Incredibly nerdy” “Top of class in financial consulting” “Lacking name recognition”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Novantas LLC
THE SCOOP Getting the financial house in order As the world’s financial markets recover from the meltdown of 2008-2009, the financial industry has a friend (for a fee) in Novantas. The New York-based firm offers management consulting and information services to clients mostly in the retail banking, corporate and institutional banking, wealth and brokerage, insurance, and payments sectors. In recent years, however, customers in industries as varied as the utilities, gaming and online services markets have asked for Novantas’ help with customer strategy, distribution, marketing and sales, operations and systems, pricing, risk management and segmentation services. Most of Novantas’ clients are headquartered in North America and Europe, though the firm has increasingly served financial institutions in Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Those clients include 20 of the top-30 banks in the U.S., and four of the top-10 banks in the world.
There’s no “I” in team Novantas was founded in the mid-1990s by consultants and practice leaders from Booz Allen Hamilton, Bain and First Manhattan Consulting Group, who realized that their clients were looking something different from the traditional group-think consulting model. Clients were tired of working with large consulting teams with generally inexperienced staff, who came up long on writing reports but short on delivering results. Some clients, the founders realized, were growing so tired of the traditional consulting model that they short-circuited the consulting process by picking off individuals from their consulting teams to do research in-house, often for lower costs. The firm that came about as a result of these observations seeks to break out of the old consulting mould. Novantas vows to deliver tangible changes— not mere paperwork and studies. Generally, its consulting teams have a higher partner-to-staff ratio, and consultants are selected based on their expertise—whether it be financial analysis, statistical modeling or customer research. Teams are typically comprised of three to five professionals, led by one or more managing directors, who bring a combination of industry insight and practical solutions.
The science of consulting Novantas has turned its practical approach to consulting into a near-academic discipline. “Customer science,” according to the firm, is everything that goes into boosting revenue. Often a wishy-washy promise from some firms, Novantas’ customer science claims to boost revenue by defining, building, managing and measuring revenue-generating capabilities. These include branding, market mix management, segmentation, product design, pricing, distribution management, sales execution effectiveness and customer experience—all tools in Novantas’ consulting laboratory. At the heart of these analytical methods are the firm’s proprietary tools: MindSwift, the BranchScape database suite and PriceTek, to name a few. MindSwift, deployed as an application service provider, or ASP, systematically reviews a company’s interactions with a customer, gauging the value and impact of the interactions and then designing possible improvements in technique, both conversational and online. These techniques can be instituted in existing customer relationship management applications or implemented through MindSwift on the client’s desktop. Products in the BranchScape database suite are designed to help retail and business banks market and sell more effectively by tracking client performance by location against econometric potential. PriceTek is another ASP service that analyzes how current and prospective customers respond to changes in a bank’s interest rates, relative to the competition. Based on these elasticity measurements, PriceTek creates predictive models of how balance acquisition, growth, diminishment and attrition could be affected by pricing. Traditionally, these services and products have been sold exclusively to the financial services industry, though, with new information-based products in the pipeline, Novantas has expanded these offerings into the insurance and brokerage industries.
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Entrepreneurs as well as advisors Novantas partners see themselves as a collection of entrepreneurs as much as business consultants—they are constantly on the lookout for new businesses to build to serve financial industries. Their information services business evolved from its consulting practices just five years ago. And two years ago, they launched a syndicated research startup called Novarica to help insurance executives navigate the rapidly changing technology world, bringing expertise in areas such as web-based agencies and advanced decision technologies for claims. Together, the consulting, information and research businesses bring insights to clients across a range of different industries, and provide employees with the opportunity to work in different areas throughout the course of their careers.
GETTING HIRED “Novantas does not hire many applicants, despite increasing need for labor,” says an associate, illuminating that the firm keeps its eyes peeled for perfect candidates, not just warm bodies. The firm looks for well-rounded individuals who don’t fit with one particular sector or expertise, instead preferring smart, utilitarian, generalist applicants. Practically speaking, the firm looks for “high IQ self-starters” who possess both quantitative and qualitative skills.
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“We have a number of gating points in the hiring process,” an insider tells us. Ultimately successful candidates will have gone through several rounds of interviews, both in-office and over the phone. While not exceedingly popular among applicants, candidates can also expect to face brainteasers at least once in the process.”
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: The people at Novantas are excited about where their firm is headed—and for good reason. As long as leadership can continue to maintain the small-firm culture amid sustained growth, consultants will be happy here for a long time to come.
Overall Satisfaction • “I’ve been here for over 10 years because I love the people I work with and the challenging work that we do.” – East Coast higher-up • “On bad days, I feel fabulous—good days are even better. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that we are the intellectual engine that is driving an analytical revolution.” – Midlevel source • “The firm provides an ideal balance of collegial partnership and entrepreneurial energy, a combination most consultants strive for in their careers.” – New York consultant • “Day-to-day job satisfaction primarily depends on the clients I’m working with, and the level of trust we achieve with them.” – Finance executive
Firm Culture • “A touch nerdy, but in a good way. Very much an ‘I can prove it, and I’m happy to help you do the same/show you how’ culture. Socially diverse.” – Consultant • “The people here are great to work and play with—self-selecting in the sense that those who decide to work with us are those who want the kind of culture that we have.” – Senior source • “The people are the best part of Novantas. Historically, it’s a very tight-knit culture; it has suffered a little bit with a big jump in work demand (less time to hang out), but still strong.” – First-year analyst • “We have a strong support network, shared values, exciting vision for the future and few politics. And it’s working very hard toward achieving its goals. A great social environment – we have happy hours and other get-togethers at least monthly, if not more.” – New York executive
Supervisor Relationships • “Management is very close to the analysis in general. There’s a good sense of teamwork and contribution.” – Senior consultant • “Executive leadership is extremely fair and trustworthy. Contribution to revenue is rewarded.” – Midlevel insider • “Supervisors put a lot of effort into making sure their teams are getting the correct level of responsibility and develop accordingly.” – Financial analyst
Interaction with Clients • “Client personnel have great relationships with Novantas people. Since Novantas’s primary business is helping clients generate revenue (as opposed to cost-cutting as practiced by most other consultancies), we have a common objective, and client personnel don’t feel that we are judging or potentially downsizing them.” – East Coast staffer • “Our projects are generally high profile, with senior clients who are interesting to work with.” – Consultant Customized for: Ashmita (
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• “Within your first six months you’re speaking directly with clients.” – Entry-level source
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Insiders rave about their flexible work schedules and high compensation—undoubtedly a winning combination.
Work Hours • “We work a lot but are flexible—you can leave the office, enjoy dinner at home with the family and then do a little email before going to sleep.” – Midlevel respondent • “Hours blow hot and cold, as always, but as long as you work smart, you get quality of life.” – Experienced insider • “Hours are long, but always interesting. Management works just as hard as the staff.” – Chicago midlevel
Work/Life Balance • “I’ve never had to cancel or postpone a vacation, and I seldom work weekends.” – Senior consultant • “Through good project planning, adequate staffing and team communication, we can ensure we find the right balance.” – Chicago insider • “Work/life balance is something that you need to take the initiative to manage. I have learned to manage my work/life balance and my
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expectations, but at times it is taken for granted that weekend time could be work time.” – Associate • “As a partner, I’m more in control of this. I try to balance heavy work periods with some time off for staff.” – New York insider
Travel Requirements • “We do not generally believe we need to be on client site every week of a project. In general, we go to the client for major deliverable presentations or working sessions, when we need to interact with the client. Analytics and planning can be done from the home office.” – Senior consultant • “I travel once every two to three weeks for a client meeting. Not a huge commitment.” – Midlevel source • “Individual appetite for intense travel demands and personal circumstances are taken reasonably into account in staffing decisions.” – Associate • “Consistent with the philosophy of measuring results, not effort, an individual determines how much travel is really necessary to get the job done well.” – East Coast partner
Compensation • “Novantas pays well; I am very satisfied with my salary and bonus.” – Analyst • “Staff base salaries are competitive, and bonuses are among the highest in the industry at each level. Partner compensation is directly tied to objective measures of performance.” – East Coast higher-up • “I was frankly amazed at the bonus I got—no complaint on compensation here.” – Consultant • “One of the best in the market.” – Chicago midlevel
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Consultants recognize the need for more comprehensive, hands-on training, but also see marked improvements in this area over the last few years.
Formal Training • “There is an official week of training that helps get your feet wet, but most of what you learn is on the job. We do have mentors assigned to all new associates.” – Junior strategist • “We’ve developed this area more over the last few years. We have training for new hires and midlevel staff. We will continue to develop in this area.” – Executive-level insider • “The firm has made real efforts to develop new training programs to help new associates acclimatize to the type of work they will actually be doing.” – Senior consultant
Promotion Policies • “New hires move in lockstep with their class for the first three years. After that, it’s merit-based promotion, which can be very rapid for some.” – Experienced consultant • “If you’re ready for the next position, you’ll be promoted. Promotions are not as qualitative in the first few years, as we have a program where each year of graduation is dependent on fulfilling various training and skills requirements. But afterwards, both you and the firm know when you’re ready and you will be promoted as deserved.” – East Coast partner • “You are not required to get an MBA to advance.” – Midwest staffer
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Diversity Vault’s Verdict: Novantas consultants boast of a diverse community, and feel that their firm is going through the necessary steps in order to promote both a welcoming and meritocratic environment.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “The firm has staff from many different countries and cultures, is doing a much better job with women (recent classes have been a majority women) and has GLBT employees at all levels (including several partners).” – Midlevel respondent • “Diversity is well represented in junior ranks—we’re working to beef up representation in more senior roles.” – Midlevel strategist • “We hire based on merit, without regard to other factors. We do not discriminate in any way.” – Chicago higher-up
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Insiders dismiss Novantas’ typical small-firm issues, particularly in this economy, as irrelevant to their cause; they feel that the firm’s outlook is stronger than it’s ever been, and big growth is imminent.
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Overall Business Outlook • “We are growing by leaps and bounds in this crappy economy; last year was the best year ever!” – Senior consultant • “Our business outlook is so strong that employees have been somewhat overworked, which, given the state of the economy, is certainly better than the alternative.” – Midlevel staffer • “We’re a growing firm, and my unit is a contributor to that. We’ve hired more people, continue to raise the bar for financial targets and morale is great.” – Junior-level source • “Novantas is getting a huge amount of business helping companies navigate the new banking landscape.” – Associate
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “The firm is constantly pushing us to enhance and develop our methodologies to stay at the forefront of the market. We are paid to think and we want to make sure we’re the best at that.” – Finance consultant • “Leadership has learned from past experience, having seen multiple economic cycles.” – Midlevel strategist
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• “We run a very tight ship. The firm’s best year was 2009 in the teeth of the recession.” – East Coast higher-up
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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PUTNAM ASSOCIATES
25 Burlington Mall Road Burlington, Massachusetts 01803 Phone: (781) 273-5480 Fax: (781) 273-5484 www.putassoc.com
LOCATIONS
UPPERS • Manageable travel • “Fascinating industrial challenges • “Red Sox tickets”
DOWNERS
Burlington, MA (HQ) London
• “Rigid office hours” • “Suburban location” • “Everyone confuses us with Putnam Investments”
PRACTICE AREAS
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
Economic Analysis • Organizational Strategy • Portfolio Management • Product Strategy
www.putassoc.com/careers
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company Managing Partner: Kevin Gorman 2010 Employees: 50 2009 Employees: 45
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • “Seems like a nice firm that gives junior folks good opportunities” • “Too much face time and too formal” • “Family friendly” • “Currently understaffed
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Putnam Associates
THE SCOOP Pharma fans Since 1988, Putnam Associates has developed its niche as a specialized strategy consulting firm for clients in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostics and medical device industries. The Burlington, Mass.-based firm works with clients to plan corporate growth, structure a company or business units for improved performance, position a product for competitive advantage and develop pricing strategies for revenue enhancement. In the past five years alone, the firm’s roughly 50 professionals have completed more than 250 projects. Most of the firm’s clients have stuck with the firm for more than five years, while the rest, the firm notes with pride, have signed on because of firsthand experience or referrals.
Product placement Given its singular focus on the health care industry, most of Putnam’s services focus on maximizing clients’ investment in new products. That’s good news for clients, who can spend more than 10 years coddling new products before they are launched, wading through discovery, tedious testing, regulatory reviews and market research. Putnam works with clients to develop product strategies based on data-driven analyses collected from Putnam’s network of physicians, patients, managed care, hospitals, pharmacies, wholesalers and government representatives. Services in this segment include market opportunity evaluations, pricing strategies, competitive landscape assessments, product positioning and marketing, launch and growth strategies, sales force effectiveness and product lifecycle planning. Putnam works with four of the top-five and nine of the top-20 pharmaceutical companies. The firm also advises three of the five most successful biotechnology companies, but is continually on the hunt for fresh young upstarts with high potential. Since new biotech companies are always scrambling for funds, they can sometimes make deals that leave them at a disadvantage. So Putnam helps biotech firms figure out, for example, whether to outlicense products to pharmaceutical companies, and what rights they should give away in exchange for funding.
Making the tools to get the job done Putnam helps makers of diagnostic instruments, consumables, arrays, reagents, molecular tests and similar products for the medical community and clinical researchers. For one diagnostics company developing an automated system for molecular identification and analysis, the firm had to figure out the best way to market it to laboratory researchers. Putnam segmented the customer base, created price ranges, then benchmarked those prices against other diagnostics companies. The client went on to become a leading supplier of molecular diagnostic tests.
GETTING HIRED Putnam recruiters can be found on top undergrad campuses across the country, battling the bigger fish for the same top talent. Where they set themselves apart, though, is their huge focus on fit. “The thing that sets offers apart from rejects is often the sincere desire to work for the firm,” one consultant explains. “Anyone coming out of a local university can respond to the demands of the work, given enough time,” another echoes, “but we go the extra mile to make sure we actually want to work with the people we hire.” The takeaway message? High GPA and academic success matter, but when it comes down to it, you’ve got to want to work at Putnam to work at Putnam.
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Favored applicants travel to a Putnam office for a round of four to five interviews with current staffers, including a lunch where candidates mingle and socialize with would-be colleagues. While interviews and more explicit examinations are meant to affirm basic aptitudes and capabilities, the focus remains on culture and personality. The firm wants “exceptional people of integrity” and, as always, fit trumps all else; “it’s easily the most important factor,” a senior consultant notes.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Besides having to put on a tie in the morning, Putnam consultants genuinely enjoy going to the office each day—largely because of the invigorating work and the “smart, motivated, but down-to-earth people” they work with.
Overall Satisfaction • “Putnam is a great place to work. Smart, motivated, but down-to-earth people, a dynamic mix of case work, and a strategic focus on an industry that continues to expand and prosper even in this economy.” – Consultant • “I am definitely happy at Putnam. Our work in health care is interesting and we are given a great deal of responsibility early on. The small size
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of the firm and the collaborative environment make Putnam a great place to work. They expect a lot from you, but care about you as a person and your growth at the firm.” – First-year • “Great culture, steep learning curve with a lot of opportunity for growth and to contribute” – Senior source
Firm Culture • “The firm is a collegial, friendly, easygoing place. You feel like you fit in soon after joining.” – Associate • “Putnam’s culture is very young and energizing. People here are truly excited about the work that they’re doing, making Putnam a very enjoyable place to work.” – Junior source • “The analysts like each other a lot, but management is closed off and the environment is somewhat hierarchical.” – Consultant
Supervisor Relationships • “The managers and consultants here are the saving grace—they keep it all together.” – Analyst • “Supervisors are incredibly approachable and, on the whole, care greatly about their staff.” – Midlevel consultant • “We have an open-door policy, and I feel comfortable going to my manager or even some other senior members of the firm that I know well if I am having a problem or would like advice.” – Entry-level staffer
Interaction with Clients • “At Putnam we place a huge emphasis on our client relationships. The returns are evidenced in the high volume of repeat work we have.” – Senior source • “Client relationships vary: Some partners let you develop them, others are very protective of their clients.” – Experienced consultant • “Compared to my friends at larger firms, or even other small firms, you get much less client exposure here.” – Analyst
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Face time requirements are typically sources of resentment among consultants, but Putnam has reversed the trend, largely leaving consultants free to roam after office hours.
Work Hours • “Other consulting companies make the analysts work until late hours at night every day, while at Putnam that only happens when there is a presentation coming up or a client meeting.” – First-year analyst • “I am still able to participate in activities outside of work, like mentoring programs, cooking classes and personal travel.” – Consultant • “Face time is expected everyday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and often beyond. You can expense dinner if you work past 8 p.m.” – Senior consultant
Work/Life Balance • “I think this is one of our key assets. Most employees here are committed to something outside of work, whether it is classes they are interested in, volunteer work or personal hobbies like painting or sports.” – Analyst • “While we work hard when at the office, there is no pressure to work late or work on weekends unless absolutely necessary. We also receive three weeks of vacation, which I find generous.” – Entry-level source
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• “Work/life balance has been a challenge for Putnam this past year, mostly due to a steady if not overwhelming flow of business and case work. I’d worked more reasonable hours in years past, but Putnam’s partners have acknowledged this and make sure that we know we’re appreciated.” – Consultant
Travel Requirements • “We hardly travel, which makes moving to a new city more tolerable and exciting. You can get to know the place where you live instead of living out of a suitcase.” – First-year • “Other than at senior levels, traveling is very rare. It’s nice in that it develops a strong culture at the office, since everyone is usually around.” – Junior consultant • “I have been here nearly three years and have never traveled for client work—it is a huge advantage.” – Analyst
Compensation • “Compensation is generous relative to industry, but low relative to other consultancies.” – Analyst • “Pay is probably about average, but the recession took a toll on us with regard to scheduled raises.” – Midlevel source • “Salaries are OK—somewhat less than my friends at other firms. If this really was a lifestyle firm, comp would be decent. But for the hours, its
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really not great.” – Consultant
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: While most insiders are satisfied by the firm’s onboarding training for new associates, they see formal training largely dropping off after that point. Most of what they learn beyond those sessions comes informally, on the job. And with a purely merit-based promotion system in place, consultants need to soak in as much information as they possibly can along the way.
Formal Training • “There are 10 basic slide decks for entry-level starts. Nothing for anyone post entry level.” – Junior source • “Training is mostly a hodgepodge of one-hour presentations that is very informal. Most of the training is done on the job.” – Experienced consultant • “We don’t prioritize training. After the initial training, we don’t really have any more—either live or electronic. It just doesn’t exist.” – Analyst
Promotion Policies • “It’s definitely not up and out. We value the long-term contributions our employees can make.” – Senior consultant • “Analysts become associates in one year, and will then move up to senior associate in one to one-and-a-half years, assuming performance is good. Generally, Putnam is good about providing experiences for advancement and for building skills.” – Junior source • “Though Putnam is not an “up or out” firm, promotion qualifications are not as well defined as in other firms.” – Associate
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: While it may be true that Putnam’s relatively obscure, suburban location “does not attract a lot of diversity,” the firm is sorely lacking in this regard. Retention of women is certainly an area that needs improvement.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “We hire the best candidates that want to come here. Burlington, Mass., does not attract a lot of diversity.” – Consultant • “We have a single woman in upper management, and two women in midlevel positions. We have very few minority positions.” – Analyst • “Putnam is very children/family-friendly” – Senior source
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Putnam was not terribly punished by the recession, and business should only get better as the economy recovers and health care reforms are implemented.
Overall Business Outlook • “Putnam has been oversold all the way through the recession. The business has been, and continues to be, very strong.” – Analyst • “We have more business than ever—strong repeat business with existing clients and a growing base of new clients. Putnam has outstanding prospects.” – Senior consultant • “Putnam is especially well positioned considering its health care focus and all the questions and uncertainties regarding changes in the health care system.” – Entry-level source
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Confidence in Firm Leadership • “[The leaders are] seasoned vets with an eye for the importance of firm culture.” – Strategy consultant • “Based on my interaction with senior management, I believe in their abilities and their leadership. They are incredibly intelligent and actually try to have you learn from their experience and knowledge.” – Associate • “It does not always seem to be a united front, but the firm has developed a strong track record and should continue to make prudent decisions.” – Experienced consultant
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EASTON ASSOCIATES, LLC
119 West 40th Street, 19th Floor New York, New York 10018 Phone: (212) 901-0999 Fax: (212) 901-2999 www.eastonassociates.com
UPPERS • “The intellectual challenge” • “People, people, people”
DOWNERS LOCATIONS New York, NY (HQ) London
PRACTICE AREAS Business Development • Due Diligence • Opportunity Assessment • Strategy
• “Still struggling to differentiate from other life science boutique firms” • “Clients often don’t know what they don’t know”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.eastonassociates.com/careers
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company Managing Directors: Robert Friedman, Michelle Hasson, Kristine Lowe, Marie Cassese & Nicolas Touchot 2010 Employees: 50 2009 Employees: 46
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THE SCOOP Size doesn’t matter Strength is not always in numbers. Easton Associates, a small health care consulting firm, has never let its size influence its reach and effect on the industry. The professionals at Easton Associates draw on a wide range of industry and business expertise. This includes in-house experts who hold advanced degrees in science, business or medicine. They also use resources, such as knowledge of past projects, professional and trade literature, community practitioners and opinion-leading physicians to formulate business and marketing strategies for their clients in the fields of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, diagnostics and medical supplies and devices. The firm, which employs around 50 people, conducts business for clients in the United States, Europe and Asia. Headquartered in New York, EA recently opened a London office to better serve its European clientele.
The (now) three musketeers Easton Associates was founded by a team of health care consulting professionals who worked together at the Wilkerson Group, another health care consultancy. Robert J. Easton, together with three other professionals from Wilkerson, started the company in 2000. Several years later, in October 2006, Easton announced that he was leaving the company to pursue other interests in the industry. Three of the original founders remain at EA as managing directors. Robert Friedman has an MBA from Johnson School of Management at Cornell University, and also holds advanced degrees in biochemistry and biology. He combines these areas of expertise with nine years of consulting experience prior to joining Easton, and a five-year stint working on Wall Street as a senior equities analyst. Michelle Hasson received her graduate degrees from Yale University School of Medicine. In addition to her five years with the Wilkerson Group, Hasson held health care industry positions in market strategy development, consulting, strategic planning and managed care management, and she has extensive expertise in the oncology field.. Finally, Kristine Lowe, formerly a senior executive at the Wilkerson Group, is an expert in opportunity assessment, strategy development, due diligence and corporate development.
Rounding out the management team Also part of that group is Managing Director Marie Cassese, a former Wilkerson Group client. Marie draws on her expertise as a senior executive in several multihospital systems in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. And in February 2008, Nicolas Touchot, another Wilkerson Group alumnus, who had been with the firm since 2001, was promoted to managing director. Touchot, backed by 20 years of experience in European markets, is an expert on pharmaceutical and biotechnology products, particularly medical devices. His education includes a PhD in molecular biology and an MBA.
GETTING HIRED Demand for specialized fields like Easton’s is fueling an increasingly selective hiring process at the firm. “Getting a position here is tough—everything counts,” warns a midlevel consultant. “Which college, GPA, which major, number and length of outside activities in health care (e.g., ambulance tech, lab tech, summer job on a clinical trial) and, of course, the interviews.” The firm simply isn’t looking for consultants who can work in the health care field—it’s looking for health care consultants.
OUR SURVEY SAYS
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Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: What others call work, Easton consultants call studying and shaping their passions. It’s not surprising, then, that they are eager to walk through the door each morning.
Overall Satisfaction • “This is a great place to work—exceptionally smart people, challenging assignments and a fun atmosphere.” – New York higher-up • “Easton Associates has the best of all worlds. The work, in general, is very satisfying and intellectually engaging. I learn new stuff every day about the pharmaceutical/biotech industry, and I’m involved in projects that are very current in the industry. Not to mention, I have the ability to work with some of the biggest pharmaceutical/biotech companies in the world, along with their senior executives.” – Junior consultant
Firm Culture • “People are really friendly and social. It makes for a fun office atmosphere. In many ways, Easton is almost like an extended family. People truly care about one another.” – First-year consultant • “The firm is young, creative and diverse.” – Senior source
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Supervisor & Client Relationships • “Our supervisors are great people—smart on the subject matter, understanding and sensitive on the human side.” – Experienced staffer • “Our clients are very reasonable, and they ask us important questions with reasonable expectations on how to answer them. We have solid longstanding relationships with many, who treat us as partners/external advisors.” – Midlevel consultant
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Unlike many large consulting firms, Easton has earned the privilege of being able to call itself a true “lifestyle” firm.
Work Hours & Compensation • “The firm is flexible; the deliverable is to get the job done well, not to clock more hours.” – Senior consultant • “I work essentially from 9-6 every day. Occasionally, I may have to work until 7 or 8 p.m., but that is rare.” – Analyst • “Compensation is very good. I could make slightly more elsewhere, but at much greater risk of losing the job and with much greater pressure.” – New York higher-up • “Work comes in waves; some days I sit down and before I know it it’s 8:00 PM; other days I do nothing but surf the internet.” – Litigator • “I wish we had a more constant work flow and there was no stress about meeting our requirements.” – Junior associate
Work/Life Balance • “I never have to bring work home on the weekends, and the firm is very respectful about personal/family time. I have plenty of time to do other activities in my life (e.g., going to the gym and running half marathons, joining clubs).” – East Coast entry-level • “I have a disabled son and have always been able to spend enough time with him. I can work at home one day a week, leave early when necessary and fill in this time when I am free to do so.” – Midlevel source
Travel Requirements • “I travel about once a month. Often enough to keep it interesting, not so often that it’s bothersome.” – Senior consultant • “The only time people really travel is for kickoff, interim and final client meetings. You also may travel to the occasional conference to learn more about a specific field in therapeutics.” – Junior staffer
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Easton associates are far more likely to collaborate and provide each other with the secrets to success than to partake in sterile formal trainings. Promotion is based on individual merit, rather than a prescribed time frame.
Formal Training & Promotion Policies • “Training is pretty minimal at EA. People usually just learn things on the fly, which in many ways is good.” – Recent hire • “Promotion time is usually every 20 months to two years. This is across the firm. There is no formal up-or-out policy, and even people without advanced degrees can progress.” – East Coast associate • “Advancement is fairly rapid, and very fair.” – Experienced insider
Diversity
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Vault’s Verdict: In spite of its size, Easton Associates seems to have a diverse bunch of employees. And, likely because of its emphasis on work/ life balance, the firm doesn’t seem to face the same retention issue for women that plagues many larger firms.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “Three of five partners are women.” – Midlevel strategist • “The firm is very diverse. A few of our consultants are members of the LGBT community. The firm also plays an active role in recruiting in the LGBT community by sending representatives to the Out for Business Conference in New York City.” – Analyst
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: With the nation’s attention turned to health reform issues, Easton’s business prospects are superb. Morale is also excellent, a rare luxury in today’s business climate.
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Overall Business Outlook • “Given the recent health care bill, the biotech/pharmaceutical industry has really boomed and business has drastically picked up. EA has a bright future ahead of itself, and should remain one of the top health care management consulting firms in the U.S.” – Midlevel source • “New project flow is good, and morale is great.” – Senior consultant
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “They have a great touch across all the variables: generating new business, hiring great people, being attentive to each person’s needs and making the culture work.” – East Coast staffer
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• “They try hard to be transparent about all processes in the firm, and care about people.” –Analyst
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ACCENTURE
1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10105 Phone: (917) 452-4400 Fax: (917) 527-9915 www.accenture.com
LOCATIONS
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company Ticker Symbol: ACN (NYSE) Chairman & CEO: William D. Green 2010 Employees: 190,000+ 2009 Employees: 181,000+ 2010 Revenue: $21.58 billion 2008 Revenue: $23.39 billion
Offices and operations in more than 200 cities in 52 countries
UPPERS PRACTICE AREAS
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Management Consulting Customer Relationship Management • Finance & Performance Management • Process & Innovation Performance • Risk Management • Strategy • Supply Chain Management • Talent & Organization Performance Outsourcing Application Outsourcing • Bundled Outsourcing • Business Process Outsourcing • Delivery & Operational Excellence • Infrastructure Outsourcing Systems Integration & Technology Application Renewal • Business Intelligence Services • Custom Solutions • Data Center Technology & Operations • Enterprise Architecture • Emerging Technology Architecture • Functional Solutions • Information Management Services • IT Strategy & Transformation • Microsoft Solutions • Network Technology • Open Source Solutions • Oracle Solutions • Performance Engineering • SAP Solutions • Security Solutions • Service-Oriented Architecture • Software as a Service (SaaS) • Workplace Technology & Collaboration Operating Groups Communications & High Tech • Financial Services • Health & Public Service • Products • Resources
• “Encourages entrepreneurs” • “The ability to move up quickly” • “Everyone is willing to help you in your career, no questions asked” • “Variety of work”
DOWNERS • “Bureaucracy of being part of an 190,000-plus person organization” • “Higher expectations and fewer resources to support you along the way” • “Bad executives” • “Excessive travel”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT careers.accenture.com
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Good place to start career” “Technology company / big ERP implementations” “High volume” “The Wal-Mart of associates”
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THE SCOOP Mashed-up moniker Accenture—whose name derives from “accent on the future”—was formally established by partners from the consulting division of various Arthur Andersen firms in 1989 as Andersen Consulting. Their goal: to create a new consulting and technology services company built on the idea of “business integration,” or aligning a company’s people, processes and technology under one strategy to improve business performance. Within 10 years, Andersen Consulting had grown into a global brand. On January 1, 2001, the company cut its ties to Arthur Andersen and renamed itself Accenture. Shortly thereafter, rumors swirled that the name change was an attempt to conceal involvement with Enron (Arthur Andersen performed accounting for Enron, and was completely ruined by its implication in the scandal), the historical timeline proves this impossible. Accenture also went public in 2001, listing its stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ACN.
Strive for five Accenture delivers its services via five industry-focused operating groups: communications and high tech, financial services, products, health and public service and resources. In FY09, the products group—which serves clients in the air freight and travel services, automotive, consumer goods and services, industrial equipment, infrastructure and transportation services, and life sciences industries—outperformed all others, making up 25.6 percent of net revenue. The second-highest performing group was communications and high tech, pulling in 22.3 percent of net revenue, which serves clients in the communications, electronics and high tech, and media and entertainment industries.
Accenture anywhere Today, Accenture is one of the largest companies of its kind in the world. It prides itself—and capitalizes—on being able to deliver its services from more than 50 centers in its global delivery network, as well as from many Accenture and client sites, depending on skills and language requirements, costs and the client’s location. As of May 2010, more than 80 percent of the company’s 190,000-plus employees live outside the United States. Of those living outside the U.S., slightly more than half are based in Asia Pacific, Accenture’s fastest growing region—mostly in India and the Philippines. It’s that kind of reach and flexibility that has insulated the firm from direct hits in the market and made it a “recession-resistant … one-stop-shop IT services company,” as BusinessWeek described it in December 2008. As an added boon, the publication noted, Accenture “is able to use exactly the right resource in the right place at the right price to service its clients.”
Reporting from the frontlines
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When they are not helping multinational companies improve their performance, Accenture’s consultants keep themselves busy working to put together a number of reports and papers. These are published through the Accenture Institute for High Performance, which applies academic research to the problems facing today’s businesses and organizations. Many of the papers published appear in major international newspapers, such as the Financial Times, Harvard Business Review and The New York Times, as well as magazines and journals, while others have a more limited circulation as research notes and papers in books. So ingrained is a culture of staying ahead of the game that Accenture even has its own research and development technology labs where it investigates new and emerging technologies, uncovering new trends and helping clients take advantage of the opportunities they offer. Made up of 150 professionals, the technology R&D team operates from four labs in the U.S., France and India, and like the Accenture Institute for High Performance, they too produce volumes of research known as Points of View. In addition, the firm publishes the online journal Outlook, released three times a year, which focuses on high-performance business strategies written by industry experts. It also produces a newsletter called The Point, written by its global financial services executives. The publication delves into current trends and analysis in financial services, covering topics such as risk management, deregulated markets and customer retention. Each operating group and growth platform within Accenture contributes to getting the word out by publishing their own external publications.
GETTING HIRED The firm hires from a limited (“elite”) undergraduate pool that has produced several generations of effective Accenture consultants. In general, there’s a particular emphasis placed on recruiting “well-rounded” individuals; more specifically, engineering, business and economics majors garner the most attention from recruiters. Applicants or recruits can expect to face three rounds of “rather extensive” interviews after their initial callback, which typically last 60 minutes each. The first is a standard initial screening, in which “they can already tell if a person is going to fit with the culture,” which isn’t as routine as it sounds; incompatible personalities can definitely be deal-breakers. From there, the process moves forward to a skills test—a candidate’s opportunity to show he has the chops to hang with the top consultants in the field. The third and final round is a behavioral study, in which a senior executive will evaluate the candidate to be sure he possesses all of the personal qualities needed to integrate seamlessly into the Accenture fold.
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OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Consulting is an exceptionally demanding industry, requiring rigorous travel commitments and unique attitudes and abilities. Accenture, then, should be lauded for its ability to generate genuine praise for its consultants’ quality of life.
Overall Satisfaction • “Accenture is a great company to work for. There are many opportunities for growth, and you always have someone you can reach out to when you need guidance or simply have questions.” – Midlevel consultant • “Accenture continues to meet or exceed the reason I joined the company: the people; continuous learning and variety of work.” – Texas higher-up • “I am completely satisfied with Accenture. I feel that I am highly valuable to the firm, and my rewards reflect that.” – Senior consultant • “Sometimes the travel and work hours get to be a bit much. The career opportunities could be more diverse, but overall I am happy with my firm and what they provide for their employees.” – Energy specialist
Firm Culture • “Young, fast paced, intelligent and diverse.” – Midlevel consultant • “I love my firm’s culture. The people are always a joy to be around. I have always had the pleasure of working with very diverse and friendly people whom I remain connected to from project to project.” – Senior source • “Accenture does a lot to give back to local communities and nationally. It is important to them for their employees to be involved in community outreach and volunteer programs.” – Denver associate • “Accenture is historically focused on growing from within. This can be a challenge for experienced hires—however, they are working to improve this.” – Health care executive
Supervisor Relationships • “My current supervisor is amazing and has done wonders in my career development.” – Strategy consultant • “My supervisors have been of the highest quality. They are very available for coaching and career guidance.” – D.C. senior source • “Most of my supervisors have been excellent—real ‘people developers.’ However, there have been a few who are way too focused on their own career development.” – Public-sector insider
Interaction with Clients • “The ‘thought capital’ we provide to the project is just incredible, and the client greatly respects our team.” – Senior consultant • “The environment today has people focused on making things work. Relationships are easier when there is a common goal.” – Executive-level respondent • “We only want the best for our clients, and in most cases we are able to accommodate their requests. However, getting them to see that adding additional work or changing scope could significantly affect the project is sometimes a difficult task.” – Energy consultant
Hours & Pay
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Vault’s Verdict: It’s a poorly kept secret that consultants work “very intense” hours, especially when on site with clients. But Accenture employees know what to expect, and appreciate their leadership’s flexibility regarding family commitments.
Work Hours • “Work is very intense during most of the week, but flex scheduling and most Fridays at home help.” – Chicago staffer • “Hours will vary depending on if you are booked to a project. When booked to a project, you work the hours necessary to get the job done.” – Midlevel consultant • “Accenture provides a generous paid-time-off benefit, and provides resources to help employees manage time and stress.” – Senior source • “This is up to you. Some weeks I work more, but that’s the nature of project work. Good project planning mitigates the overtime and limits it to key times during a project.” – Telecommunications consultant
Work/Life Balance • “Even with the hours I am putting in for work, I am still able to find the time to do the things I want to. At the moment, I am pursuing a Ph.D. on nights and weekends—the company is allowing me to do so and gives me flexibility to leave a bit early on nights I have class.” – Midlevel consultant
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• “There is always the ability to work from wherever you are. In the few cases where I have had to work weekends, I have been able to do it and still balance personal commitments.” – Midwest insider • “It is difficult to find a good work/life balance when you are traveling, but Accenture does whatever it can within the confines of the client to help facilitate that balance.” – Experienced source • “It’s a challenge. It takes focus and good prioritization to maintain balance.” – Senior staffer
Travel Requirements • “Travel requirements follow the 3-4-5 rule: three nights away from home, four days on the client site and five days working for your client.” – Health care insider • “Travel is dictated by the client culture and needs. Some clients are more open to remote interaction than others. Sales requires face time.” – Operations consultant • “I’ve been lucky that I’ve been on a local project the entire time. However, I’ve heard horror stories from other employees.” – New York midlevel • “Travel demands are the same, but travel policies get less flexible. Clients are willing to pay less and projects fail to budget appropriately for the realities of travel.” – Public-sector consultant
Compensation • “Compensation is not the best and not the worst; steps have been taken to bring people closer to market rates lately.” – HR consultant • “No raises last year was discouraging, in light of the additional workload that many have had to bear.” – Denver staffer • “Bonuses here are a joke—typically no more than 5 percent of annual salary.” – Health care senior • “I don’t have a lot to compare it to, but for the work I do, I feel like I’m robbing the bank. That said, I know a lot of other people don’t feel the same way.” – New York consultant
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Accenture takes training seriously, and as a result, garners praise for its efforts. After weeks of substantive, informative training each year, the firm’s consultants feel well prepared to meet the needs of their clients.
Formal Training • “Online and in the classroom, nobody can match the number of options and level of quality Accenture provides for training.” – Digital marketer • “I think our formal training is second to none and provides intense learning sessions that don’t take you away from your client work for long periods of time.” – Energy midlevel • “It’s expected that each employee has a minimum of 2 weeks of training per year. Much of this is off site and away from our project site.” – Canadian midlevel • “There is a good amount of both formal and informal training; however it is up to the individual to make time for them, which doesn’t always happen.” – Health care consultant
Promotion Policies • “The promotion policy is moving away from true up or out. At the lower levels, it is still up or out, but as you advance, there are opportunities to ‘land’ in different places. I think this is very fair.” – St. Louis staffer • “They’ve just moved to a new system that is based more on ability rather than time. I’ve been happy with it, as I’ve been promoted early, but I’m still unclear how the new system will work.” – Public-sector insider Customized for: Ashmita (
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• “You can advance as soon as you are ready; you can make partner from undergrad in nine years now.” – HR midlevel • “Consultants can typically advance to the next level within two to five years, depending on performance. The firm determines promotions using a meritocracy, so those that perform the best will advance the quickest.” – Cleveland midlevel
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: Insiders say Accenture does a good job of recruiting and accommodating consultants of all backgrounds, without losing sight of the all-important fit factor.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “This is a strong suit of Accenture’s. There are a number of women in high-ranking positions, as well as a number of GLBT individuals throughout the firm as well.” – D.C. staffer • “The firm strives to offer a very diverse culture, and just seeing the diversity on our project teams really speaks volumes to the firm’s commitment to diversity.” – Energy consultant
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• “The company establishes many forums and networking opportunities for women, minorities and GLBT individuals. At the executive level, I believe the company could do more to attract and retain talent, especially for our strategy consulting service line.” – Senior source • “Accenture is very good at creating flexible work arrangements, but ultimately, it’s a very difficult career for a mother who wants to care for her family.” – Seattle respondent
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Confidence is flowing freely from the consultant ranks at Accenture, sustained by a high volume of work and the sense of security that it affords. Young leaders appear poised to lead the firm into an extremely profitable future.
Overall Business Outlook • “Can we pick a number higher than 10 to rank outlook? If anything, we have too much work and not enough people to do it.” – Senior consultant • “Employee morale is picking up with the midyear promotions and the surprise base salary increases. We also seem to be selling more client engagements than we can staff and, as a result, we are heavily recruiting experienced hires to make up for the high demand.” – New York staffer • “Accenture will continue to be a dominant player in most markets in which it competes.” – Strategy associate • “I love the fact that we have a lot of cash on our balance sheet.” – Atlanta source
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “Leadership changes have brought fresh blood and bold ideas into the top leadership roles.” – HR consultant • “The leadership, especially over the last year, has made significant strides to increase the situation of employees in this difficult economic time. They have asked even the lower levels of the firm for opinions, ideas, examples and thoughts to help mold their decision making.” – East Coast analyst • “The old guard is retiring; a new batch of younger executives needs to take the helm.” – Seattle staffer
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• “They did way too many layoffs too late in the game, and then put us at great risk when just a few months later we had roles that could not be filled due to a lack of bench.” – Public-sector insider
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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CORPORATE EXECUTIVE BOARD
1919 North Lynn Street Arlington, Virginia 22209 Phone: (571) 303-3000 Fax: (571) 303-3100 www.executiveboard.com
LOCATIONS Arlington, VA (HQ) Chicago, IL Minneapolis, MN Needham, MA Rochester, NY San Francisco, CA Scottsdale, AZ Westchester, PA London New Delhi Sydney Toronto Singapore
THE STATS Employer Type: Public Company Ticker Symbol: EXBD (Nasdaq) CEO: Thomas L. Monahan III 2010 Employees: 1700+ 2009 Employees: 1,742 2010 Revenue: $442.9 million 2009 Revenue: $558.3 million
UPPERS • “‘Make it happen’ work ethic” • “Young crowd”
DOWNERS • “Sometimes it feels a bit too much like a school fraternity” • Micromanagement
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT PRACTICE AREAS
www.executiveboard.com/careers
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Corporate Leadership Council • Finance & Strategy • Financial Services • Government • Information Technology • Legal & Compliance • Sales, Marketing & Communications
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Good brand recognition” “Fluffy; just research, no insights” “Young, friendly atmosphere” “Cold calls”
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Corporate Executive Board
THE SCOOP Safety in numbers The largest network of major executives in the world, The Corporate Executive Board draws on its collective brainpower so members “avoid reinventing the wheel” when solving similar problems other CEB members may have already overcome. CEB is a membership-based organization that provides best practices research, decision support tools, meetings and executive education seminars (in person and online) focusing on corporate strategy, operations and general management issues. For a fixed annual membership fee, corporate, government and nonprofit members subscribe to one or more of the company’s programs on areas covering corporate finance, financial services, human resources, information technology, innovation and operations, legal issues and corporate governance, sales and marketing, and strategy and management. Founded in 1979 as the Research Council of Washington, then renamed as The Advisory Board Company in 1983, CEB’s network now boasts more than 5,100 participating members and includes 85 percent of the Fortune 500, more than 60 percent of the world’s top-300 financial institutions and members in more than 50 countries; around a third of the firm’s revenue comes from international members. Generally, CEB’s clients break down into two groups: large companies with annual revenue of at least $750 million and midmarket enterprises with annual revenue of between $50 million and $750 million, though the membership list also includes non-profit organizations.
Spreading the wealth CEB’s membership-based model means two things: For CEB, it can glean information from its wide-ranging membership to produce up-to-date best practice and performance data on and for its members. For CEB members, meanwhile, the shared cost research model means they get similar information to what they would receive from premier strategy consulting firms, but at a fraction of the cost. The average annual membership fee is around $30,000, although this varies depending on the size of the company. For those bucks, CEB promises its members a whole lot of bang, offering “four unique assets” that include an extensive global network of peer executives, “unrivalled” best practices and data, unlimited service from CEB’s 1700-plus employees throughout the year, and unbiased advice. Companies can choose from CEB’s seven practice areas, which include more than 40 different membership programs. In the course of a year, CEB staff create and distribute hundreds of new strategic research studies, hold hundreds of membership meetings and provide several thousand on-site executive education sessions. Subscriptions also cover CEB-produced studies and briefs, “decision-support tools,” access to CEB’s newly developed web-based research and networking tools, support from its account management teams and executive education seminars. Members cannot normally access information in programs to which they don’t belong, but the firm tries to accommodate them if the request is isolated.
GETTING HIRED Recruiting specialists and managers are responsible for screening applicants for appropriate qualifications, which include “communication skills, experience and level of interest.” For those with the requisite qualities to pass the resume review, another round of screening takes place through a formal telephone interview, after which the most prized candidates are invited in for face-to-face interviews. Those might involve writing skills and case studies, in an effort to identify a candidate’s ability to think conceptually.
OUR SURVEY SAYS
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Corporate Atmosphere There are few better compliments an employee can give his employer than “I love my job and coming to work in the morning.” There’s no shortage of enthusiasm for life at Corporate Executive Board, as evidenced by a slew of similar remarks. It’s the “most exciting, challenging and innovative company I’ve ever worked for,” one insider reports. “It is always interesting and exciting,” echoes another who adds, “My colleagues are nice, smart and accomplished.” As far as culture is concerned, “ambition” and “energy” are the most oft-recognized qualities CEB consultants possess; “engaging,” “young” and “sales-driven” round out the description of a typical CEB employee. Of course, like any workplace, there are some drawbacks “backward-thinking HR” is one that consultants suggest here), but on the whole, consultants are quite satisfied with their workplace.
Hours & pay “It requires hard work to excel at CEB,” a respondent says, “but you can manage your hours to mostly fit your lifestyle.” We’re told the firm is a pure meritocracy, where both compensation and promotion is based on the amount and quality of work one puts in. Being an ambitious bunch, this settles well with CEB consultants. “Something is always expected of you. And that’s OK. I’m driven like they are,” says an experienced source.
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Work/life balance is helped along by “pretty flexible” travel demands; as one insider reports, “They make it as easy as possible for you to travel.” And, characteristic of a meritocracy, “all compensation is performance based and equitably distributed across functions.”
Professional Development Consultants are quick to praise CEB’s extensive training offerings—both formal and informal. “There are multiple e-learning opportunities offered through HR’s learning and development group,” one source says of the more formal opportunities, also noting the availability of “graduate study and tuition reimbursement.” For those who prefer a more informal education channel, insiders appreciate the firm’s “excellent” mentoring program. “There’s lots of informal training and coaching,” a consultant affirms. “It is almost constant,” he continues, going as far as to label it too much—“that’s the bad part!”
Diversity
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Diversity is easily one of the firm’s strongest points; with high marks across the board, leadership has invested enough time and resources to cultivate a truly diverse and vibrant community. “Roughly 40 percent of partner-equivalent staff are women,” says one respondent, citing a CEB reality that is unusual in the industry. While any firm can assume diversity in low-level batches, the real indicators of a firm’s diversity are retention and promotion. CEB excels here, as one midlevel associate corroborates, citing “many openly gay members of leadership” as an example of across-the-board diversity.
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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ZS ASSOCIATES
1800 Sherman Avenue, 7th Floor Evanston, Illinois 60201 Phone: (847) 492-3600 Fax: (847) 864-6280 www.zsassociates.com
UPPERS
LOCATIONS
DOWNERS
Evanston, IL (HQ) Boston, MA • Chicago, IL • Los Angeles, CA • New York, NY • Philadelphia, PA • Princeton, NJ • San Mateo, CA • Barcelona • Frankfurt • London • Milan • New Dehli • Paris • Pune • Shanghai • Tokyo Toronto Zurich
• “Too narrow of a focus” • “Low name recognition outside the sector” • “Expense and accounting system is archaic”
• “Private ownership” • “You get to sleep in your own bed!” • “75 percent of my friends outside work are from work”
THE STATS PRACTICE AREAS
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Marketing Customer Insight • Integrated Product Launch Planning & Management • Marketing Performance Measurement • Marketing Planning • Segmentation • Value Proposition Sales Incentive Compensation Design & Goal Setting • Sales Force Design • Sales Performance Management • Sales Process Development • Territory Design Sales & Marketing Operations Data Management, Performance Reporting & Analytics • Incentive Compensation & Goals Administration • Territory & Account Planning
Employer Type: Private Company Founding Directors: Andris Zoltners & Prabhakant Sinha Managing Director: Jaideep Bajaj 2010 Employees: 1,500 2009 Employees: 1,300
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.zsassociates.com/careers Email:
[email protected]
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Best-in-breed pharma” “Boutique that may get overrun long term” “Hire a lot of great young people” “Cookie-cutter, machine-like”
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THE SCOOP Mind your Zs and Ss ZS Associates is a global management consulting firm specializing in sales and marketing consulting. Founded in 1983 by Kellogg School of Management marketing professors Andris A. Zoltners and Prabhakant Sinha, the firm now employs more than 1,500 professionals who offer sales and marketing strategy, implementation and operations consulting advice out of ZS’ 19 offices in North America, Asia and Europe. While it has served more than 700 companies since its founding, ZS Associates is no fly-by-night operation; indeed, the firm still counts its first client from 1983 as a client today. In fact, most of its business comes from returning clients, who appreciate ZS Associates’ niche services. Most are Global 500 companies, although the firm does work with a number of midmarket, small and startup companies, hailing from a broad range of industries. While 90 to 95 percent of ZS’s clients work in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical products and services space, the rest hail from the high tech, telecommunications, transportation, consumer products and financial services sectors.
Into S&M The firm’s three targeted practice areas are marketing, sales, and sales and marketing operations. The marketing practice area works with clients to help them understand and develop the capabilities they need to commercialize a new product or service, and to improve the performance of their existing products and services. ZS’ offerings include assistance with customer insights (know your customer), segmentation (divide and conquer your customers), value proposition (look good for your customer), marketing planning (reach out to your customer and offer a good price), and product launch planning and management services (give customers what they want, when they want it). The sales practice area complements the marketing practice, working with customers to design, implement and manage their sales infrastructure, all in an effort to maximize clients’ sales effectiveness. Services include sales process development (how will you sell your product?), sales force design (who will sell your product?), territory design (where will you sell your product?), incentive compensation design and goal setting (how will you motivate employees to keep selling your product?), and sales performance management (who is selling how much?). While it may sound like a mere amalgam of the other two units, the sales and marketing operations segment provides the left-brain analytical side to sales and marketing. Services include business process support, analytics, software tools and information technology services for developing costeffective sales and marketing operations. The firm also provides outsourcing services, either on an ongoing or temporary basis, to clients to help them focus on their core business.
A sweet suite ZS Associates began developing sales- and marketing-specific software in 1983, with the creation of the first personal computer-aided territory mapping system. By 2008, it had created 12 standalone software products, which were then integrated as one unified sales and marketing software platform: the Javelin software suite. The suite includes the “incentives” software program, which manages incentive compensation programs, including quotas, objectives and payouts; the “call planning” software, which helps companies design strategies for reaching out to sales representatives and customers; “forecasting” software, which helps plan for the future, integrating product and market dynamics, assumptions and analytical metrics; “account management” software, to support the entire sales process, coordinating activity, customer preferences and producing customized sales documents; and, finally, the “territory design” software, which helps companies create balanced sales territories by analyzing sales and product data, and modeling teams of sales people, customer service reps, telesales staff or other customer contact personnel.
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A class act Throughout the years, ZS Associates has kept up its ties with the Kellogg School of Management—where Zoltners remains a faculty member, teaching marketing—as well as with the Indian School of Business, where Sinha teaches courses on sales force effectiveness. The firm—including its co-founders—offers executive education courses at these and other business schools on sales force performance, sales force incentive planning and other special executive-level programs.
GETTING HIRED ZS consultants make it clear that their hiring process is “extremely selective,” particularly when it comes to more measurable gauges like GPA and test scores. “Because we are a smaller firm, we go to a few select schools and maintain strict GPA standards,” one insider explains. But some suggest that these rigid requirements be loosened. As one midlevel source ponders, “Does somebody really need a 4.0 GPA and 800 GMAT to work here? Sometimes I wonder if our strict standards are keeping out the more socially talented.” Whatever the verdict, it’s clear that pre-interview resume screening is a huge hurdle for most to overcome. In terms of academics, analysis is king. “Quantitative and analytical skills are the hallmark characteristics of the typical ZSer. As a result, the firm often has to compromise on ‘softer’ consulting/management skills.”
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Interviews present chances for the ZS team to affirm a candidate’s aptitude and to identify those who fit in most with the office culture. Even here, though, ability trumps all else. “ZS is looking for highly analytical employees who are comfortable dealing with highly quantitative work,” one source says. “That sometimes leads to a lack of diversity in terms of the personality and professional style of employees.” Successful candidates will endure two rounds of intensive interviews and case studies, and for MBA candidates, the process culminates in a high-pressure (“exciting” and “terrifying”) presentation before a panel of “clients” (managers in disguise).
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: ZS consultants are generally quite satisfied with their quality of life. According to a number of sources, however, one of the detracting factors is a measure of tedium involved in project work.
Overall Satisfaction • “I’m very happy to be working at ZS. The intellectual challenges coupled with the relaxed and friendly firm culture make my job very enjoyable.” – Philadelphia analyst • “ZS does an excellent job making sure that all of their employees are developed, and understand their future career path. You are very open to being entrepreneurial once you establish the core skills to add value.” – Associate • “Hours are pretty easy, as far as consulting goes. The atmosphere is friendly and not many people are stressed out. It is easy to have an outside life here while still making a good impression at work. The one downside is that many of our projects are routine and in the pharma practice space; I think job satisfaction would increase with greater project diversity.”- East Coast insider • “The hours can be bad, and the focus on one industry can be a little tedious. But I like many of the people I work with.” – Entry-level analyst
Firm Culture • “The ZS culture is very inviting. People are open to sharing ideas and making the entire office better. Like any firm, there are definitely some political aspects, but they rarely seem to influence anything that personally affects individuals.” – Junior source • “The firm is values-based, egalitarian, friendly and fun. People enjoy working together, and many are friends outside the office.” – HR consultant • “Most people are pretty laid-back, but intense. I love that you can wear (nice) jeans to work every day.” – Senior source • “If your idea of cool is a guy with the pocket protector, then this is a firm for you.” – Strategy consultant
Supervisor Relationships • “There’s a great rapport between all levels of our organization. I can talk openly to a principal just as I would talk to my peer.” – Analyst • “The principals and managers can be demanding, but usually have team members’ best interest in mind, even when facing challenging client demands.” – Midlevel consultant • “People at ZS do have to seek out feedback because managers aren’t necessarily sharing informal project feedback outside the performance review period.” – Senior-level staffer
Interaction with Clients • “My relationships with clients tend to be close and trusting.” – Experienced consultant Customized for: Ashmita (
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• “Our clients are demanding, but show great appreciation for our work.” – Partner • “Clients generally like us, though some view us as a ‘vendor’ that they can push around.” – Chicago insider
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Hours fluctuate dramatically from person to person; some coast while others break their back, and high performers feel they’re undercompensated for picking up the slack.
Work Hours • “While they fluctuate some, the hours are typically quite reasonable, with major crunches coming mainly when client deliverables are due.” – Consultant • “The hours are very person- and project-dependent. I successfully average 54 hours a week, but I’ve seen colleagues who consistently put in 70-plus hours.” – Boston source • “Our stated capacity is 50 to 55 hours of work per week, but we are often asked to work 65 to 70 hours.” – Senior associate
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• “If lucky you’ll get 40- to 50-hour weeks consistently. If unlucky, you can be looking at 70- to 80-hour weeks.” – New Jersey source
Work/Life Balance • “ZS feels that when you have the opportunity to leave work, do it!” – Midlevel consultant • “Keeping a work/life balance isn’t rocket science at ZS. Managers are typically very accommodating of outside commitments. I can’t even remember a time when my request to attend an outside function was denied.” – Entry-level analyst • “I know people that have no life, but they seem to like that. I also know people who manage this well. Accordingly, it seems to be mostly dependent on the individual, and somewhat so on the project team.” – Health care associate
Travel Requirements • “Few people have to travel, and there is no specific push to do so. Mostly, executives in leadership positions will travel in order to support specific business development efforts.” – Associate • “This is one of the best benefits of working at ZS. I get to sleep in my own bed every night.” – First-year analyst • “I don’t travel often, and when I do, it’s usually a day trip. It’s probably, on average, two to four per month, with the occasional multi-day trip.” – Philadelphia staffer • “Usually travel is binary—you either have none to minimal, or you will be staffed on site at a client and expected to travel Sunday night, work a 50-hour week on site and come home late Friday night. The firm has no stated travel policy with regard to what is reasonable, and project managers are free to make whatever commitments to clients they deem appropriate which leads to excessive travel demands.” – Senior consultant
Compensation • “Compensation is pretty good here. We make good money for the time we are required to put in and the minimal amount of travel required.” – Experienced source • “I can confidently say that pre-MBA positions are compensated at above-average levels relative to industry. This is especially true when cost-ofliving adjustments are factored in.” – New York insider • “I consider our compensation to be fair for the work we do, but I’ve heard some grumblings about rival firms being more generous. I’m happy with my annual bonus, but the way they are calculated is only known by a handful of partners.” – Consultant • “I have been at ZS for six years, work very long hours, and I do not feel I am paid appropriately. In addition, the bonus system is a black box, and there seems to be little to no connection between personal performance, hours worked, firm performance and your ultimate bonus.– Health care consultant
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Training, while not ideal, is what every ZS consultant makes of it; the resources are in place, but it’s typically up to the individual to seek them out.
Formal Training • “ZS does a great job setting up formal trainings through our ZS University initiative.” – Senior associate • “ZS offers a ton of informal and formal training. If you feel like you are not learning, it is your own fault.” – Health care insider
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• “We offer a fair number of training courses that span the basics of Excel, PowerPoint, etc., as well as management-related trainings. Most training, however, does not go very deep into the subject matter, and we don’t have much training available for more complex applications of Excel, SAS, etc.” – First-year analyst • “There is a strong mentorship/apprenticeship philosophy. Training for midlevel and higher people is generally informal.” – Chicago staffer
Promotion Policies • “ZS is a meritocracy—people are reviewed after every project, and overall twice yearly. There are clear definitions on promotions, and people progress accordingly.” – East Coast analyst • “We have an extensive review system that involves a competency model with a number of different dimensions. I’ve felt that all of my reviews have been a very fair reflection of my performance. The typical time to promotion is two to three years, but it can be shorter or longer depending on the individual’s performance and goals.” – Los Angeles respondent
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: The firm relies on its meritocratic nature to identify and retain those who make the cut, regardless of background. This ethos extends to recruitment, as well.
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Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “Policies are supportive of all employees, not just specific groups. The focus of memberships is about the work, so it stays a true meritocracy. It’s about fairness to all.” – Senior staffer • “ZS has no specific hiring programs for diversity, but there are some affinity groups in place (women, GLBT). There is a retention initiative for women, and we’ve recently changed the maternity/paternity leave to be more generous.” – HR consultant • “There is one openly gay manager, but beyond that it isn’t discussed. There is no observable bias or policy either way.” – Midwest midlevel • “There are a lot of guys here. If they could find out a way to attract and retain more women, that would be great.” - Entry-level analyst
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Health care was among consulting’s strongest sectors in the recession, allowing companies like ZS to emerge relatively unscathed and primed to grow in healthier climates.
Overall Business Outlook • “We are a frugal company dedicated to cash accounting with zero debt. This financial management approach, coupled with strong relationships in niche services with all major and midsized pharma companies, means that ZS is geared to do really well under all kinds of circumstances.” – New York insider • “We get a tremendous amount of repeat and referral business, and demand for our services appears to be as strong as ever.” – Midlevel consultant • “Company morale has been down a bit lately, and I expect some of the unhappy people will leave as the economy improves.” – Analyst
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “There is a good system of checks and balances. Additionally, there is no sense of complacency. We really want to keep getting better and better as a firm.” – Senior consultant • “ZS has a very talented and engaged senior leadership. Despite the economic downturn, ZS has expanded its global reach through additional offices and maintained its headcount.” – Associate
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• “Unfortunately, there are some principals who treat associates like worker bees, while spending firm dollars inappropriately. Lack of respect reflects poorly on the firm.” – Philadelphia insider
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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L.E.K. CONSULTING
28 State Street, 16th Floor Boston, MA 02109 Phone: (617) 951-9500 Fax: (617) 951-9392 www.lek.com
UPPERS • • • •
“Opportunities for personal growth” “Large amount of client and partner interaction” “Sociable, approachable and young people” “Ability to manage a team of associates as a first-year consultant”
LOCATIONS Boston, MA (US HQ) London (Worldwide HQ) 20 offices in 13 countries
DOWNERS • “L.E.K. does not allow unallocated staff beach time” • Information technology could be improved • “Associates often required to cold call” • “Tough to work past midnight four nights in a row”
PRACTICE AREAS Finance • Marketing & Sales • Operations • Organization • Strategy • Transaction Services
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.lek.com/careers
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company Co-Founder & Chairman: Iain Evans 2010 Employees: 850+ 2009 Employees: 900
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Growing consulting boutique” “Banker hours, consultant pay” “Very due-diligence focused; short term projects” “Overexposed to PE”
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition L.E.K. Consulting
THE SCOOP Getting to like L.E.K. Founded in 1983, L.E.K. Consulting is a management and strategy consulting firm that offers services in six categories: finance, marketing and sales, operations, organizational development, strategy and transaction services. Founded in London, the firm maintains some 20 offices around the world, while its clients range from small businesses to Fortune 500 members, and hail from a wide variety of industries.
Digging in Underscoring all its services, says L.E.K., are its data-driven research capabilities. “The most valuable service that L.E.K. provides,” the firm says, “is to gather, distill, and analyze vast amounts of data.” The firm’s data-crunchers dig into the numbers to provide clients with clear, actionable recommendations using advanced research, benchmarking, modeling, analysis and strategy development methods.
Offering a helping hand L.E.K. takes its responsibilities—especially its social responsibilities—seriously. As part of its environmental and social responsibility program, the firm works with governmental and charitable organizations on projects to improve the environment and to strengthen social services. One such client is Medicines for Humanity, a nonprofit that helps local health care partners implement effective health care initiatives for children and become selfsustaining organizations. L.E.K. worked with MFH to develop a business model that combines health care services and microenterprise lending. And, when it comes to going green, L.E.K. is more than just talk, working with clients on issues related to climate change, such as policy and regulation, green investments and developing low-carbon business strategies. In January 2008, L.E.K. became carbon neutral, making it the first major consultancy to implement such a policy across its global operations. The firm hopes to reduce emissions by 20 percent by 2011.
GETTING HIRED “L.E.K. is known for being data-driven and highly quantitative,” says one consultant, so it’s no stretch to assume that the firm looks for candidates with a demonstrated history of quantitative proficiency when hiring. When directing efforts at undergraduate institutions, recruiters typically seek “excellent critical thinkers,” “motivated students” and “overachievers.” Make no mistake, it’s a very selective process; consultants estimate that “less than 5 percent of those who get a first-round interview” will receive an offer. Candidates worthy of an initial interview can expect two to three rounds of case and behavioral questions. As a candidate moves on, the focus shifts to proficiency, not personality; case studies, typically one strictly quantitative and one strategic in nature, are administered examination-style. For those who deem this an ideal interview process, it’s best to act quickly, since it seems there are some changes to the process on the horizon: “We have implemented a candidate presentation during MBA interviews,” says one associate in the know.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere
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Vault’s Verdict: Whether it’s gathering at some of the firm’s “truly great” social events or sharing beer from a cart each Friday at 5 p.m., L.E.K. consultants genuinely appreciate one another’s company. And that camaraderie makes it far “easier to go to work each morning.”
Overall Satisfaction • “The work is interesting, colleagues are competent, there’s a sense of camaraderie, an effort to keep weekends sacred and upper management takes vacations, which means you can, too.” –Consultant • “L.E.K. is a great place to start a career. The firm provides many opportunities for employees to gain experience in a variety of settings, both case-related and otherwise. The firm hires great people that help make the experience truly special.” – Experienced associate • “I have been very pleased that I have worked primarily on strategy projects. There is very little operations or implementation work at L.E.K.” –Chicago consultant • “I like the job but I don’t like not having long-term ownership of anything—I’m basically a fungible cog in the machine, which I have trouble with.” – Associate
Firm Culture • “This is the best working culture I’ve ever experienced or heard about. Amazing people. Everyone says ‘hi’ and genuinely wants to know how you are doing—even partners. The workweek is punctuated with various activities to encourage social, non-work behavior, including a beer cart pushed around every Friday at 5 p.m. by employees.” – First-year respondent
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• “L.E.K. is a very young firm, and as such everyone tends to be at similar points in their life. Going to work each morning is easier knowing you have a friendship bond with almost all of your co-workers, in and out of the office.” – Associate • “Since we do very little travel, we get to see most of our co-workers every day in the office.” – Experienced insider
Supervisor Relationships • “I consider many senior partners at L.E.K. to be friends of mine. They are very approachable and anxious to help out with career advice or anything else.” – Health care consultant • “Managers at L.E.K. take special care to get to know everyone who is working for them, from the first-year associate to the second-year postMBA consultant.” – Consultant • “The partnership is open and ready to help as soon as a request is made. In many cases, once a person makes it known they are looking to leave the firm, VPs will open up the Rolodex and help find them the type of job they are looking for.” – Boston staffer
Interaction with Clients • “There are a lot of client-facing opportunities very early on, and supervisors will give you that responsibility without hesitation.” – First year consultant • “A person with my limited tenure has limited client contact, but I’ve been surprised with how much I’ve been given already. If you show you’re trustworthy, the partners will give you more access to clients.” – Consultant • “As a first-year associate, there is not too much face-to-face client interaction, although you will be on phone calls with clients.” – Associate
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: L.E.K. consultants are quick to point out that they work too much, but most schedule-driven dissatisfaction is countered by their minimal travel requirements.
Work Hours • “I am constantly busy, so the hours go by fairly quickly. Weekends are usually my own.” – East Coast staffer • “Some weeks can be pretty light, and you’ll be out by 6:30 p.m.. Other weeks, especially the last few weeks of a case, you can usually expect long hours, somewhere in the 70 to 80 range.” – First-year associate • “As you become more senior, you get better control of the hours you work.” – Chicago insider • “Despite the long hours, at the end of a case, I have always found the experience to be rewarding based on what I learned and what our case team produced.” –Consultant
Work/Life Balance • “Balance varies a lot by case—some cases you can go to the gym in the evenings, some cases you’re working until midnight every night. It really depends, but there’s an honest effort to create balance when possible.” – Chicago first year • “I don’t have much of a social life during the week, but I make up for it on weekends.” – Associate • “To do well in this firm, you must make the firm No. 1 and all other things in your life a low priority (including sleep)!” – Associate • “The firm is a hardnosed competitor, and is working hard to build upon its market position as a leading strategy, M&A and performance improvement advisor. As such, it does feel, at times, that your sacrifice and extra hard work is helping the firm meet that goal.” – Senior consultant
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Travel Requirements • “Extremely low travel for everyone below the manager level. Managers and partners travel the most for client meetings, but we rarely do a lot of on-site work.” – San Francisco associate • “This is a perfect place for people with families—you can see your kids and family at the end of the day most days, as we don’t travel as much.” –Consultant • “Ninety-five percent of my co-workers never travel. I am on one of the only travel cases we’ve ever seen, and I am therefore traveling three to four days a week for a few months. This is extremely a-typical.” – First year • “Unless you’re 100 percent opposed to traveling for work, it really is a great model.” – Experienced consultant
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: The firm has made great strides here recently, bolstering its formal offerings while leaving an appreciated degree of independence for L.E.K.’s on-the-job learners.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition L.E.K. Consulting
Formal Training • “We have official professional development trainings frequently, and are also set up with office ‘buddies’ and career development coaches. It was made clear from day one at this firm that L.E.K. is very invested in our potential and wants to develop it the best way they can.” –Consultant • “Training is comprehensive for high- and medium-level skills and knowledge regarding all of our service lines, industries and technical skills.” – Associate • “There are many formal presentations and training sessions to help new employees get up to speed, especially in the life sciences industry. There are also extensive internal resources available, and colleagues are very willing to help one another.” – Entry-level source • “While we have regular formal training, most skills are learned on the job and from colleagues.” – West Coast manager
Promotion Policies • “Promotion is tenure-based for the first year, then becomes performance-based.” – First-year source • “For associates, there is a typical track that nearly everybody follows and graduates from. The expectations as you progress become higher and more difficult to meet.” – Chicago staffer • “You can move from consultant to partner in six years for star performers.” – Senior consultant • “On the one hand, promotion is relatively quick and it is not strictly up or out. On the other hand, I find it frustrating that you are tied to your class, and that the year you joined could limit how senior you can be at a particular point in time.” –Associate
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: As one consultant tells us, the firm “could definitely do better” in promoting a diverse workforce, but most respondents are confident that this situation will improve as the L.E.K. continues to grow.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “L.E.K. employs individuals from a diversity of backgrounds, and has GLBT partners. However, there are very few women in the manager and partner ranks, at least in the U.S.” – Senior source • “The firm could definitely do a better job in this regard. I don’t think it’s an intentional exclusion of particular groups of people, but more effort could be put into identifying and recruiting a more diverse pool of candidates.” –Consultant • “As a small firm growing into a bigger one, L.E.K. is working on building more structure in these areas.” – San Francisco manager • “Recently, the firm developed a women’s initiative, which focuses on bringing women together to discuss issues, mentor and engage in volunteer activities.” – Consultant
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: L.E.K. is just one of those firms that does well in rough economic climates. While others have downsized and readjusted, L.E.K. has persisted and continued to succeed.
Overall Business Outlook • “The North American offices are so busy that we have people outside the country working on our cases! The partners are doing an amazing job at selling cases.” – Senior consultant • “We typically emerge from recessions with better market share than when the recession began. And this recession looks like it will have the same outcome.” – Consultant
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• “We have continued strength in our life sciences practice. Other practice areas are picking up after the economic slowdown.” – Life sciences specialist
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “You can always count on the partners to sell projects. Even during the recession, there were quite a few number of projects sold.” – Chicago associate • “They navigated us through the economic storm without anyone leaving and without layoffs. The partners also busted their butts over the last 18 months to get business. I know that they are personally motivated, but I was impressed overall.” – Senior source • “Worldwide, our partners are highly respected within industry. Above that, firm leadership is working to grow the firm and they have actively addressed areas with a need for that growth.” –Consultant
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NERA ECONOMIC CONSULTING
1166 Avenue of the Americas, 29th Floor New York, New York 10036 Phone: (212) 345-3000 Fax: (212) 345-4650 www.nera.com
LOCATIONS New York, NY (HQ) 26 offices in 13 countries
PRACTICE AREAS Antitrust & Competition • Asset & Contract Valuation • Auctions • Bankruptcy • Class Actions & Class Certification • Commercial Litigation & Damages • Consumer Protection in Financial Services • Corporate Governance & Compliance • Employment & Labor • Energy • Environment & Climate Change • Financial Institutions & Banking • Financial Risk Management • Health Care & Life Sciences • Insurance • Intellectual Property • Mass Torts & Product Liability • Postal Services • Regulatory Economics • Risk Advisory Services • Securities & Finance • Statistical Sampling & Analysis • Survey Research, Design, & Analysis • Telecommunications • Transaction Advisory & M&A Support • Transfer Pricing • Transport • Valuation • Water
THE STATS Employer Type: Subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., a Public Company Ticker Symbol: MMC (NYSE) President: Dr. Andrew S. Carron 2010 Employees: 500+ 2009 Employees: 600+ 2009 Revenue: $1.25 billion* 2008 Revenue: $1.55 billion* *All Marsh & McLennan Oliver Wyman Group divisions
UPPERS • “Global presence” • “Control of one’s own destiny” • “Easy access and communication across the firm”
DOWNERS • “Aloof partners” • “Sharp dichotomy between senior and junior staff” • “Overly siloed into practices”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Brilliant” “Super niche” “Solid work product” “Too big; fiefdom”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition NERA Economic Consulting
THE SCOOP It’s the economy, stupid NERA Economic Consulting makes its buck off understanding what many people can’t: the economy. The New York-based firm provides economic advice, analysis, expert testimony and regulatory insight for clients throughout North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. Employing more than 500 professionals, including 425 economists, the firm has been creating strategies, studies, reports, expert testimony and policy recommendations for government authorities and the world’s leading law firms and corporations for half a century. It specializes in bringing academic analysis, objectivity and real-world industry experience to bear on issues arising from competition, regulation, public policy, strategy, finance and litigation using hard economic data to make its case, drawing on its professionals’ expertise in statistics, econometrics, game theory, mathematics and computer science.
A big umbrella NERA was founded in 1961 as National Economic Research Associates by Dr. Jules Joskow—a professor of economics—and Dr. Irwin Stelzer, an economist. In 1983, global professional services firm Marsh & McLennan bought out the firm, with Joskow staying on with the company under Marsh & McLennan’s direction, and Stelzer acting as president for several years before he opted to strike out on his own. Today, NERA exists as a business unit of Marsh & McLennan’s subsidiary the Oliver Wyman Group, operating alongside other Marsh & McLennan professional services units, such as risk and reinsurance specialist Guy Carpenter, insurance broker and risk adviser Marsh and human resources solutions provider Mercer.
NERA know-how Among NERA’s many service offerings, it is often called on for its antitrust capabilities. Respected and experienced in the world of antitrust and competition authorities, clients call on NERA professionals to provide economic analysis and testimony on business issues related to mergers and acquisitions, antitrust litigation and competition policy. Consultants are able to look at economic matters arising in antitrust cases and to help clients deal with issues such as market definition and power, market structure and entry conditions, pricing, profitability and damages. With total write-downs and losses stemming from the credit crisis reaching $1.8 trillion worldwide as of May 2010, financial institutions facing an emerging regulatory and competitive environment come to NERA for assistance in securities and commercial disputes, market efficiency and trading analysis, valuations of fixed-income and derivative products, and risk management. NERA also provides expert advice on commercial litigation and damages. Consultants in this area provide analyses of clients’ competition, regulatory environment and management decisions; cost, pricing and product strategies; risk management, business valuation and dispute avoidance—and if that doesn’t work—dispute resolution, among other services. NERA is also deeply involved in climate change analysis. As policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are proposed and implemented, NERA economists help government entities and companies understand the complex effects of those regulations, promote renewable energy and improve energy efficiency.
Publish and be…recognized Not surprisingly, for a company boasting a plethora of academics, NERA’s consultants like to publish their findings in formats that range from journal and magazine articles to white papers and books. Interviews with NERA consultants also pop up regularly in publications the world over.
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GETTING HIRED The firm makes a point of only recruiting from “the most prestigious” of top undergraduate schools—almost to a fault. As one insider quips, “NERA likes to look at top schools and pretend to be elitist.” Elitist or not, it is true that NERA looks for candidates with only the most distinguished academic records; one insider quotes “3.4 or better” as an acceptable GPA for successful candidates. On campus, recruiters also look for detail-oriented students who “don’t mind working long hours at a fast pace.” Graduates with an eye toward a PhD in economics are often looked upon favorably. After screening, select candidates will be brought to the office for a Super Day of around four interviews, ranging in nature from conversational to coldly analytic. As far as interviewers are concerned, it’s somewhat of a crapshoot. “It’s luck of the draw whom candidates interview with,” according to one experienced consultant. “There are some people who conduct interviews who are out to make the candidate nervous and incompetent, while others are much more pleasant and easygoing.”
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: It takes a certain type to be a NERA consultant—“nerdy” and “interested in applied microeconomics” are characteristics that spring to mind—but if you’re a good fit, chances are you’ll be quite happy at the firm.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition NERA Economic Consulting
Overall Satisfaction • “If you are interested in applied microeconomics, there is no better place to work.” – Consultant • “I’m extremely satisfied with my job at NERA. I’m very proud of the high-quality work we produce and the level of cases we take on. The work is very interesting, and supervisors seem to really value our input on cases.” – Antitrust consultant • “The firm is a meritocracy—you can accomplish whatever your preparation, luck and energy allow.” – Executive-level source • “When it’s bad, it’s bad, but when it’s good, it’s great.” – New York staffer
Firm Culture • “We have many introverts because of the nature of our business; some of my colleagues like to call it NERDA. The people can be awkward at times, but in general they are very friendly, and people hang out after work for happy hour all the time. We recently got a ping-pong table, which the researchers use often to stay awake if they have been looking at spreadsheets all day.” – D.C. staffer • “The atmosphere is fairly collegial, and many of the researchers are very close friends. For the most part, the senior staff is also very approachable and laid-back.” – Analyst • “The culture is neo-academic.” – Executive-level source • “People are friendly but maintain their distance. I don’t think there is any cohesion across different groups.” – Energy consultant
Supervisor Relationships • “I enjoy working with my supervisor. He does a good job making sure we are staying on task, but also not micromanaging.” – Associate analyst • “It really depends on who your supervisor is. Some are more lenient, and some are very demanding.” – Midlevel source
Interaction with Clients • “Clients vary widely by assignment. Some are great, some are more difficult.” – East Coast higher-up • “The clients are usually very demanding and don’t always understand the data or time constraints.” – Antitrust consultant
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Managers at NERA are generally understanding of outside commitments—that is, until things get busy. This can make work/life balance seem like a pipe dream when deadlines come into play.
Work Hours • “Most weeks are 40 to 50 hours, yet you occasionally have the 70- or 80-hour workweek.” – Senior consultant • “The workload fluctuates depending on our client needs, but in general, if the head of your group is organized and can keep everyone busy at all times, the workload doesn’t become too overwhelming.” – East Coast associate • “Since the recession, work has been much slower. It means little to no bonus, but much less work.” – Experienced source • “Extra work is generally well rewarded.” – Los Angeles consultant
Work/Life Balance • “NERA rarely invades my life outside of work.” – Midlevel consultant
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• “Seniors are generally fairly flexible with working hours, as long as you get your work finished on time. Everyone understands that you have commitments outside of work, and they are, for the most part, willing to work with you.” – New York analyst • “When there are deadlines, work takes priority and there is little sympathy for family obligations. When work is light, people are very accommodating.” – Associate analyst • “While they respect if you have a class or something at night, generally the attitude is that work comes first. If you go on vacation during a deadline, you will be working from vacation or you may be asked to cancel it.” – San Francisco staffer
Travel Requirements • “[Travel is] nearly nonexistent, except at senior levels.” – New York higher-up • “Only the seniors travel for depositions and client meetings; usually the clients seem to come to us, or we talk on the phone using a conference call or a video chat.” – Junior consultant • “We travel only when it’s requested by client, and that is generally for short time periods. Occasionally a litigation engagement will require a longer stay.” – Senior source • “[I’ve] been on a plane for work about five times in four years.” – Boston insider
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition NERA Economic Consulting
Compensation • “It’s good compensation for the industry and economic climate.” – New York staffer • “I think that NERA’s compensation regarding bonuses and utilization rates is similar to that of other firms. I am generally satisfied with the salary and bonus.” – Analyst • “While you do get paid well, you get paid the same if you work 40 or 80 hours a week. Technically, it should be reflected in your bonus, but those have been cut back due to the financial crisis.” – San Francisco respondent
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: When training opportunities arise, NERA consultants are content with the typical content and volume. But when, like now, it gets cut due to budgetary constraints, everyone loses.
Formal Training • “Basic training is good and thorough, but most of the learning is on the job.” – Senior analyst • “They used to have more training opportunities, but since the financial problems, this has been heavily cut back.” – IP consultant • “[There is] next to no required in-class training. Optional courses are taught by senior employees, not academic/profession instructors, so I think a lot is lost in the process.” – Midlevel source
Promotion Policies • “It’s a well structured system, career-oriented and motivating. No up or out.” – Chicago higher-up • “Almost all research associates (people who start right out of college) get promoted according to a fixed schedule: associate analyst after one year, analyst after two years, and senior analyst after three-and-a-half years. If you want to rise to the title of consultant, several additional years are required.” – Energy consultant • “Without a PhD, you start to hit a ceiling after three or four years.” – Antitrust consultant • “Consultants ultimately advance by being intellectually strong and bringing in business. To get to the highest position, you need to have your own clients.” – Senior associate
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: NERA consultants are typically pleased with the diversity policies currently on the books, though the details seem to elude them.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “Women occupy many of the top posts at NERA; women are also actively recruited.” – Antitrust consultant • “I don’t think NERA has much of a diversity problem, since most people who are economic- or science-oriented tend to be minorities to begin with.” – East Coast analyst • “There are barely any GLBT employees at NERA; it’s an open and welcoming atmosphere though.” – Energy analyst
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: NERA is a prestigious firm with a respected name, which has certainly helped it through the tough economic climate. That, and its niche focus on economics, of course. The firm is now looking to rebound strongly.
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Overall Business Outlook • “Our reputation and credibility position us well to grow following the current downturn.” – Senior analyst • “The firm made strategic lateral hires through the recession, and our business was affected less than our peers. We’re poised to grow quickly out of recession.” – Consultant • “Some training programs are coming back, which is a good sign. Hiring is picking up again.” – IP analyst • “Some groups are very busy—others, not so much. There will probably be a lot of turnover this year, which could be problematic for the busier groups.” – Associate analyst
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “The firm leadership has little idea about what is going on in the smaller offices.” – Consultant • “We have strong governance processes and organizational discipline.” – Senior analyst
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HEWITT ASSOCIATES
100 Half Day Road Lincolnshire, Illinois 60069 Phone: (847) 295-5000 Fax: (847) 295-7634 www.hewittassociates.com
UPPERS • • • •
“Working for an industry leader” “Flexibility in work hours and being able to work from home” “I can wear jeans to work” “I have been able to work in different jobs in different areas of the company”
LOCATIONS Lincolnshire, IL (HQ) 110 offices in 33 countries
PRACTICE AREAS Actuarial • Communication/Employee Behavior Change • Compensation & Rewards • Corporate Transactions • Employee Engagement • Executive Compensation & Corporate Governance • Global Risk Services • Health Care • Human Resources Effectiveness • Investment • Leadership • Retirement • Sales Effectiveness • Talent & Performance
DOWNERS • “Unrealistic financial goals” • “Time card system” • “Lack of job security” • “No more free food!”
THE STATS Employer Type: Public Company Ticker Symbol: HEW (NYSE) Chairman & CEO: Russell Fradin 2010 Employees: 23,000+ 2009 Employees: 23,000 2009 Revenue: $3 billion 2008 Revenue: $3.2 billion * In July 2010, Aon Corporation announced its acquisition of Hewitt Associates for $4.9 billion. Hewitt will be merged with Aon’s current consulting and outsourcing unit under the new brand Aon Hewitt. The deal, which is expected to be finalized by November 2010, is the largest in Aon’s history, and will nearly triple the size of its HR operations, making it a $4.3 billion business by revenue.
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EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.hewitt.com/careers
THE BUZZ
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“Compensation experts” “Large and inflexible” “Widely used” “Recent college grads churn-and-burn”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Hewitt Associates
THE SCOOP Resourceful human resources Hewitt Associates is one of the world’s largest management consulting firms specializing in maximizing organizations’ investment in human resources solutions. Its claim to fame: It is the world’s largest provider of benefits and multiservice HR business process outsourcing, and integrates HR outsourcing and consulting. The firm’s 23,000 employees, working from 110 offices in 33 countries, serve more than 3,000 clients, which include nearly two-thirds of the Fortune 500 companies and more than a third of the Fortune Global 500. Hewitt might be big, but it’s likable, too—nearly 95 percent of Hewitt’s largest clients have worked with the firm for at least five years. In fact, the firm has been recognized as one of America’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune magazine every year since 2004.
A list of firsts The firm was founded in 1940 by Ted Hewitt as an insurance brokerage in a bank building in Lake Forest, Ill. As Hewitt Associates grew, so did its expertise, and the firm pioneered a number of now-standard HR functions. In the 1940s, it designed the first noncontributory employee savings and pension plan recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. In the 1950s, it was the first to measure ongoing investment performance for defined benefit plans. In the 1960s, Hewitt was one of the first consulting firms to tie benefits and compensation to corporate goals and missions, communicating total compensation as part of a business plan. In the 1970s, it designed the total compensation measurement methodology to gauge the value of salary packages, and in the following decade it was the first to design a large employer 401(k) plan. In the 1980s, Hewitt created one of the first full-service, outsourced benefits centers. In 2000, Hewitt became the first firm to provide HR benefits process outsourcing services—including benefits, payroll, HR information systems, recruiting, learning and other HR services—integrated with consulting expertise. Today, the firm provides services annually to more than 20 million employees around the globe.
HR, covered Hewitt’s business is broken down into three business segments: HR consulting services, HR benefits outsourcing services and integrated HR business process outsourcing solutions. The firm works with clients to create and manage retirement programs; design and deliver health plans; help attract, keep and reward the best employees; find ways to reduce HR costs; address HR and people issues in mergers, acquisitions and divestitures; administer HR and Benefits programs; communicate and drive organizational behavior changes; and develop comprehensive HR solutions to improve clients’ bottom lines. In 2009, Hewitt’s HR consulting business saw its revenue drop by 1 percent, after seeing it grow by 12 percent the previous year. The segment, which comprises 33 percent of the firm’s total revenue, consists of four main practices: retirement and financial management, health management, communication, and talent and organization consulting. Making up slightly more than half of Hewitt Associates’ revenue in 2009, however, was its benefits outsourcing segment. The unit offers clients a way to outsource their defined benefit, defined contribution, and health and welfare administration services, as well as absence management, flexible spending and participant advocacy programs. Pulling up the rear in Hewitt’s 2009 ledger books was its HR BPO segment, which made up 16 percent of revenue.
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GETTING HIRED For the people already at Hewitt, going public has changed much about the culture and relationships within the firm; for those hoping to join, change has arrived as well. “Since they contracted out some of these functions,” says a midlevel consultant, “the quality of the candidate selection process has suffered.” Before any prospective applicants rejoice over lower standards, they should be warned that Hewitt’s hiring process remains a “long and difficult one”—the firm is still prestigious, which generally translates to extremely high demand for spots. Most applicants will not make it past the screening stage; the firm looks for students with “strong performance in quantitative courses, such as accounting, economics and finance, with a preference for candidates with dual major with liberal arts component.” Pre-screened candidates can expect at least four behavioral interviews before approaching any sort of confirmation of their progress. The ensuing decision process is quite lengthy (“it can be very frustrating”), often requiring the candidate to submit to further interviews or examinations. Wellrounded candidates capable of becoming proficient generalist consultants will do well on the firm’s SAT-like aptitude tests. Once on board, new consultants can either become Hewitt “lifers” immediately, or follow a more recent trend that has seen frustration get the best of associates: “They talk about hiring the best, but turnover is 50 percent in the past three years,” vents a senior consultant. “And they continue to hire subpar!”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Hewitt Associates
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: There’s no question that culture and satisfaction have been negatively impacted by the firm’s transition from a private to a public entity. Perhaps it’s a testament to Hewitt’s past successes, then, that satisfaction among employees remains relatively high.
Overall Satisfaction • “Hewitt is growing and changing, which has created a number of new opportunities for me (and others) during my 19 years here. I have worked as a consultant, led a startup business, managed a practice, and worked in sales and account management. I’ve been able to travel globally and domestically. I’ve had a very rewarding career.” – Manager • “I knew on my second day of work that I’d be a lifer at Hewitt. The team structure promotes contact with other Hewitt associates, 98 percent of which embody Hewitt’s ‘one firm’ mantra and work efficiently, together, to serve our clients.” – Senior consultant • “Overall, it’s a good job. The work does become mundane at times. Hewitt’s consulting is based upon very cyclical work, so that is a cause for repetitive assignments.” – Houston midlevel • “Unfortunately, in the last few years, it’s been a waiting game to see which area of the company is going to have the next layoffs and whether you’ll be next.” – Senior source
Firm Culture • “No egos; all people work together as a team. Everyone is highly professional and motivated. The people are the real reason that people stay at Hewitt.” – Finance consultant • “We have a very cooperative, supportive culture. There is a strong norm to give the benefit of the doubt when you disagree, and to be very supportive of others when they are performing well or when their performance falters.” – Executive-level insider • “It’s changed since we went public—there’s much more focus on results versus effort, which is not necessarily a bad thing. It helps all of our job security when we’re successful. Still, relative to other consulting firms, we hear we’re a much more collaborative place to work.” – Phoenixbased higher-up • “Hewitt’s culture within its consulting business could be described as disjointed and passive aggressive. Socially, employees do not care much for one another and no camaraderie exists”. – Midlevel consultant
Supervisor Relationships • “One of Hewitt’s strengths is our managers. I have had a series of excellent managers who have pushed me to grow and mentored me toward success.” – Senior source • “I really don’t feel like my supervisor is my supervisor. He is just senior on the national legal team. Even corporate leadership is very transparent and open. It is not unusual for a meeting to have a senior leader listening to an entry-level student.” – Litigation consultant • “My supervisor goes out of her way to make sure I am included in communications, even though I work remotely. She is supportive and able to both mentor and champion me.” – Chicago staffer • “It’s very hit-or-miss with manager relationships. Again, we pay a lot of lip service to manager training and associate engagement, but I feel they fall short once they reach the unit manager level.” – Senior consultant
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• “Client relationships are very strong—they appreciate our commitment to outstanding service and the value we can create.” – Midwest insider • “I love two-thirds of my big clients. They are appreciative of my work and respectful of me and of my time. One-third isn’t as understanding, but they are still good to work with.” – Consultant • “In some cases, my client relationships have been developed over many years, and are more like a relationship with a co-worker working toward a common goal. Others are still being developed, where client contacts have been changing, but have the potential for the same type of relationship.” – Retirement consultant • “If we could travel more to see our clients, as we used to do, I would have stronger relationships with my clients.” – Atlanta staffer
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: You won’t find too many “slept at work” horror stories here; Hewitt consultants typically work standard industry hours, with a bit of extra flexibility built-in.
Work Hours • “Half of the year I work 60 to 70 hours a week, and half of the year 40 to 50. So there’s a nice balance between the peak busy season and having some more relaxed hours in other times of the year.” – New Jersey insider • “Hewitt is very flexible in allowing consultants to work a fairly strict 40-hour workweek, or to work additional hours and be rewarded accordingly.” – Midlevel source
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Hewitt Associates
• “We do have a generational issue, where younger associates simply won’t work the hours that consultants have historically worked, and work ‘back-delegates’ to the more senior consultants.” – Connecticut higher-up • “I’ve had many occasions where I’ve slept at work, or continuously worked for 45-plus hours.” – Technology consultant
Work/Life Balance • “I can definitely balance work and life. The firm has given me a laptop so that I can work from home in an emergency, as well. This comes in handy if my kids have to stay home because they’re sick. I am also pursuing a master’s degree, and this does not conflict with work.” – Experienced consultant • “I was considering working on my 30th birthday (which was a Saturday) to make things better in a few client situations. My family had flown out to celebrate with me. Leadership worked very hard to make sure I at least took my birthday off to be with family and celebrate together. It really made me feel like part of a team.” – Finance consultant • “In my role, my hours are really dictated by my client’s needs. I am able to control my schedule to a great degree, allowing me great freedom. I will say not all of my colleagues are able to do that due to the type of work they do. There is great disparity in this area due to the varied demands of roles.” – Senior source • “With fewer resources and ever-increasing focus on revenue growth, if one wants to do a good job and accomplish all that is asked, internally and externally, it takes much more than a 40- to 45-hour work-week.” – Charlotte insider
Travel Requirements • “Hewitt’s model does not involve a lot of on-site work with clients. We’re organized to serve mostly local markets and, when travel is required, it’s usually a day trip or just one night away from home.” – Chicago higher-up • “I used to travel one to two days per week, but when my home situation changed, my boss worked it out so someone else could take over my territory so that I can stay home. Amazing flexibility and respect!” – Account manager • “The more experienced consultants are expected to travel fairly regularly, but it is quite minimal for an entry student.” – Finance junior • “The choice to travel is mine, as I believe it is what I need to do to make a difference at Hewitt.” – Strategy executive
Compensation • “I am comfortable that the combination of base salary, variable pay and long-term incentives is competitive and generous.” – Executive source • “At higher level pay grades, there are performance bonuses tied to the firm financials, the practice financials and the individual performance.” – Midlevel consultant • “I had two offers on the table and choose this one because I was told the annual increase would range anywhere from 5 to 10 percent by the recruiter. Once getting in and going through my first review cycle, I was informed that in some lines of the business that was true, but not in the one I worked in. Annual increases have forced me to fall well below my expectation.” – Houston analyst • “Hewitt is not known for their compensation. We typically underpay our associates and try to get the most bang for our buck. As a recruiter, I spend more time negotiating offers with the business than closing a deal.” – Experienced consultant
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Insiders tend to feel that Hewitt University and other formal training initiatives are little more than that: a formality.
Formal Training
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• “I’m an actuarial student, and the company provides all the necessary training materials and fees.” – Analyst • “They mention Hewitt University all the time, but I still don’t see how it pertains to my role. My manager hasn’t mentioned training at all.” – Senior consultant • “Training? Hah! It’s minimal, and more often learn by doing or by making mistakes. Basically, it’s online and you must find what you need yourself. There is mentoring, but you need to identify what you need and who can help you.” – Midlevel source • “Jump right in and get your feet wet.” – Entry-level staffer
Promotion Policies • “Hewitt is a relatively flat organization. I value the opportunity to create my own path, which is highly valued at Hewitt. My supervisors have always been great advocates for me as I strive toward a subject matter expert position, rather than a traditional people management path.” – Midlevel consultant • “In general, we have moved to a more performance-based system, and have moved people out who have not been successful. If the consultant is good with clients, works well internally and makes his numbers, he doesn’t have anything to worry about.” – Senior source • “Hewitt strongly believes in promoting from within, however the process of finding opportunities and getting through the HR red tape can be daunting.” – Senior consultant • “Promotion is completely at the manager’s whim.” – Operations consultant
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Hewitt Associates
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: Insiders tell us the firm does a good, earnest job of promoting a tolerant, open-minded workplace.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “Diversity is widely and effectively promoted at Hewitt Associates; I know, being a minority myself.” – Chicago midlevel • “Fifty percent of the Greater Toronto workforce was born outside Canada; I’m confronted daily with the excellence of Hewitt’s diversity initiatives.” – Senior consultant • “Some programs may not be as formal as in other companies, but at Hewitt they don’t need to be—everyone is equal and performance is what matters.” – Executive-level source • “Offering on-site child care would be extremely beneficial in helping improve women’s positions. I’ve seen many women leave the firm to become stay-at-home moms.” – Entry-level analyst
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Hewitt has certainly seen better days, but ultimately it belongs among the top tier of international consulting firms. Its performance in 2010 and beyond should affirm this notion.
Overall Business Outlook • “We have done the hard work to reform our culture to fit the public company we’ve become in the competitive landscape we have.” – Atlanta senior • “In a number of practice areas, I feel Hewitt is at the leading edge. For example, our work in helping clients change their HR operations to meet the talent challenges is unique among our competitors.” – Experienced consultant • “Employee morale is on its way up. There seems to be a lot of client interest in our products right now. I think we’re in a much better position this year than last.” – Midlevel staffer • “We are facing increasing competition and need to find better ways of differentiating ourselves. We have been trying to do this for years and have not seemed to get there.” – Midwest insider
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “From our CEO down (he has a blog he updates regularly), I am confident the leadership is looking for ways to deliberately grow and produce value to shareholders, solid, desired products and methods to clients, and a great place to work for associates.” – Legal consultant • “Our current CEO, Russ Fradin, is a very competent leader, and I have full faith in his ability to lead us through the economic situations.” – Senior source • “We have a strong leadership team that is focused on making us as successful as possible. They delegate responsibility to the business leaders, and reward successful performance.” – Health care executive
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• “At times I believe leadership looks only at the bottom line and not at how to keep associates motivated and engaged.” – Chicago higher-up
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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BATES WHITE
1300 Eye Street, NW Suite 600 Washington, DC 20005 Phone: (202) 408-6110 Fax: (202) 408-7838 www.bateswhite.com
LOCATIONS Washington, DC (HQ) San Diego, CA
UPPERS • • • •
“Very academic atmosphere” “No ‘eat what you kill’ compensation structure” “Being able to work across practices” “Strong sense of teamwork”
DOWNERS • “Unresponsive career mentors” • “There is a limited amount of client interaction” • “Whatever the client wants, the client gets—no matter how ridiculous” • “Has become more bureaucratic as it has gotten larger”
PRACTICE AREAS Antitrust & Competition • Communications & Media • Energy • Environmental & Product Liability • Finance • Healthcare • Intellectual Property • International Arbitration • Labor & Employment
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.bateswhite.com/careers.php
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company Chairman: Charles E. Bates Managing Partner: David DeRamus 2010 Employees: 150 2009 Employees: 175+
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Quant economics” “Nerdy” “High pay” “Committed a huge blunder by growing too quickly and overpaying for talent”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Bates White
THE SCOOP The sum of diverse parts Bates White is a small, two-office consultancy specializing in economics, finance and business strategy. The company’s professional staff—among them economists, econometricians, financial analysts and IT specialists—provide law firms, corporations and government entities with economic analysis to help address complex litigation and business challenges. The firm is uniquely focused on the cultivation of diversity within its ranks. In the first decade since its founding in 1999, it established a diversity/ inclusion council that tests, implements and evaluates initiatives aimed at the heterogeneous widening of the staff and corporate culture, and ensures that all employees, regardless of their differences, have opportunities to learn, develop and contribute to the firm’s success. Employees come from an array of ethnicities and backgrounds, having been recruited from many different institutions and an alphabet soup of academic fields, including biology, business administration, chemistry, economics, engineering, finance, mathematics, physics, political science, and statistics. Their linguistic capabilities include Czech, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Nepali, Persian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and Turkish.
Primo pedigree Co-founders Charles Bates and Halbert White set the bar as high for excellence as they do for diversity. Bates, now chairman, was formerly a vice president at A.T. Kearney, and prior to that he served as a partner at KPMG, overseeing the economic analysis group. He led the firm’s 1999 team working on behalf of class plaintiffs in the largest price fixing case in U.S. history, In re Vitamins Antitrust Litigation. Bates and his team proved that vitamin manufacturers conspired throughout the 1990s to inflate product prices. He has testified in a variety of forums, including the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Federal Bankruptcy Court, United States Tax Court, California Supreme Court and arbitration hearings. White, chief scientist of the company, carries an equally distinguished, though more rigorously academic, background. Also a professor of economics at the University of California at San Diego, his works of scholarship include more than 100 articles and books. Known for his expertise in econometrics, predictive modeling and artificial neural networks, White has merited inclusion in Who’s Who in the World. He is, additionally, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Guggenheim Fellow and a fellow of the Econometric Society. As an economic theorist, White has achieved a level of notoriety that borders on ubiquity; based on a September 2006 citation analysis of peer-reviewed economics literature, a 1980 paper of White’s emerged in 4,318 citations, making it the most referenced work on economics from the last 35 years.
Experts at antitrust The vitamin antitrust case was not just a feather in the firm’s cap—it was an early foray into what has become Bates White’s strongest practice area. The company’s squad of antitrust professionals, on which there are more than 50 PhDs, advises clients on case development and strategy, evaluating economic arguments with regard to evidence and analyzing the likelihood of litigation or settlement. Despite having been in business for only 11 years, the firm has been involved in some of the highest-profile antitrust cases in history, tackling and, in some cases, helping to define issues of monopolization, cartel activity, pricing, damages and liability, class certification, mergers and acquisitions, and competition suppression.
GETTING HIRED
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With its focus on data-intensive consulting, recruiters are on the hunt for recent graduates or industry professionals with highly relevant experience. “The primary focus in hiring [students for summer positions or recent graduates for consulting positions] is on the relevance of the major (economics, mathematics, statistics, and engineering are in particularly high demand) and the GPA,” an insider says of the firm’s undergraduate hiring practices. The firm seeks individuals who are creative, motivated by intellectually stimulating work and possess strong leadership skills. To kick off the process, prospectives submit “resumes, cover letters, transcripts and writing samples, which we review and conclude whether the person will receive a first-round interview.” Successful applicants will be invited for a day’s worth of on-site interviews, which span the typical range of behavioral and hands-on case examinations. While the process isn’t exceptionally rigorous, success only means being hired in a summer or entry-level consultant position. From there, it’s up to the fledgling consultant to prove his worth in the industry at large.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: The variety of work might not be as broad as some would hope for, but to be a Bates White consultant is to work in a perfectly agreeable setting with similarly congenial colleagues.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Bates White
Overall Satisfaction • “I find my work to be very fulfilling. I have been staffed on the same variety of case for the duration of my time at Bates White. This sounds like it could be a recipe for boredom and discontent, but my continuing evolution as a consultant and escalation of responsibilities ensures that I enjoy coming to work every day.” – Senior source • “Bates White has been great. I really enjoy the people that I work with and, on the whole, the work can be pretty stimulating. Sometimes it gets repetitive, but for the most part, I’m doing new things.” – Consultant • “The quality, quantity, and overall enjoy-ability of the work varies highly from project to project; but overall, the firm is a pleasant place to work.” – Entry-level insider • “People here want to not only do good work, but also to figure out how to make it an even better place to work.” – Senior consultant
Firm Culture • “One of Bates White’s strongest traits is its open-door culture. Being able to talk to practically any of my co-workers, be it about work or more personal matters, is incredibly reassuring.” – Junior source • “Co-workers are very friendly and people have a cooperative attitude. There is no cutthroat competition here, and there are many opportunities to get together with other employees outside of work. The firm also promotes a number of community-oriented service activities.” – Health care insider • “We have firmwide] basketball teams, Frisbee teams, happy hours, office parties, and an endless stream of charitable events.” – Consultant
Supervisor Relationships • “I love my managers. Everyone is very approachable and tries to constructively educate, as opposed to bring you down.” – Associate • “My supervisors provide me with feedback regularly and respect my work. There is a strong sense of empowerment among my peers and I.” – Entry-level insider • “My supervisors are generally useful and available. But often they aren’t good at communicating their needs or periods when they won’t be available.” – Experienced staffer
Interaction with Clients • “Client interaction is somewhat limited—there is [not a lot of] client interaction between junior staff and the clients on large engagements.” – Midlevel source • “The one thing that I would change is for more client interaction at an entry level.” – Antitrust consultant • “Bates White typically has very strong relationships with just a few key clients in each practice area.” – Consultant
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Overall, consultants feel that their work schedules are reasonable. What stands out here is the very limited nature of the firm’s travel requirements; most travel is relegated to the higher-ups, while consultants fulfill assignment needs on their home turf.
Work Hours • “Work hours vary widely depending on particular engagements. The official stance of the firm is 50 hours a week, but working weekends/nights during busy points in a project is often required. However, when things slow down, it is usually acceptable to take off early or give yourself a long weekend.” – Bates White higher-up
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• “Project crunch time can be rough, but otherwise work is very flexible and the hours are not generally bad.” – San Diego midlevel • “Overall, the managers expect the consultants to step up when the work demands it, but they do try and rotate big projects so you aren’t at red line all the time.” –Consultant • “A pleasant upside is the fact that there is no set 9-to-5-type workday; employees are expected to arrive no later than 10 a.m. and leave no earlier than 4 p.m., but otherwise, they are largely free to determine their own schedule.” – First-year insider
Work/Life Balance • “My weekends are almost always free, and assuming that I get in at 8 a.m., I am usually off from work by 7 p.m., with no extra work to do at home.” – East Coast staffer • “The firm is willing to work to accommodate strong candidates’ needs and be flexible on hours. There is not a formal flex-hour program, but [there’s] a strong informal culture of project teams working together to figure out a program that works.” – Senior consultant • “The firm’s hours requirements strain this balance. In the heat of litigation, hours can balloon and it becomes even harder.” – Consultant • “There are slow times and peak times. Peak times always happen during holidays, weekends and late in the afternoon. This is the nature of the job.” – Junior source
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Bates White
Travel Requirements • “There is no travel at all required at the consultant level, and only minimal travel for client meetings at the very top levels of the firm.” – Entrylevel consultant • “Most of our work is done in the office. We do not staff employees at client sites. Travel generally is limited to more senior management who attend meetings with clients, depositions and trials.” – Senior consultant • “Little travel is required. Maybe quick day trips to somewhere close. I’ve been overseas a couple of times in the last couple of years. These trips are usually short.” – Experienced staffer • “I wish I could travel more.” – Junior source
Compensation • “My compensation is certainly competitive, if not extremely generous.” – Energy-sector source • “I am paid well enough to live a comfortable life in Washington, D.C., and still have savings for future investments.” – Associate • “As an economic consulting company, the firm has spent time and figured out fair incentives that provide proper motivation.” – Consultant • “I feel like I am paid fairly. At the same time, I know of colleagues who have departed and in doing so secured raises of 20 to 30 percent.” – Senior staffer
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Formal training isn’t a big part of Bates White’s M.O., but that follows suit with the firm’s noncompetitive ethos. “You are welcome to stay for as long as you are a productive consultant,” one respondent articulates.
Formal Training • “The first week at Bates White is nothing but official training. It is pretty much a crash course on everything that could be useful to someone starting at the company—everything from statistical software training to the basics of litigation to research materials that are available and how to access them.” – First-year • “The firm cannot offer as much formal training as some other large institutions, but it has worked to put a more robust program in place. Moreover, there is a strong culture of direct mentorship that makes up for this.” – East Coast source • “There is a flurry of training that starts when an employee starts, but beyond that there are very few formal training opportunities. The firm is small, so people generally learn on the job.” – Senior consultant • “Most of our training is on the job. We clearly could do more here.” – Consultant
Promotion Policies • “The firm consistently recognizes and promotes talented individuals who have demonstrated the skills necessary for increased responsibility.” – Environmental consultant • “Historically, the firm has had a very rapid promotion cycle. More recently, the business environment has slowed the promotion cycle, but I believe it is still comparable to our competitors, if not accelerated. The firm does not believe in up-or-out policies.” –Executive-level respondent • “There is an effort to rationalize promotions, which is somewhat successful.” – Midlevel source
Diversity
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Vault’s Verdict: Bates White suffers from the typical lack of diversity seen throughout the industry. The institutional effort to foster diversity is there, but few minorities or women advance high up in the ranks.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “I know a number of GLBT individuals at the firm, as well as minorities, and I have encountered no problems with regard to discrimination or a hostile work environment.” – Midlevel respondent • “Bates White has an internal diversity council that helps shape and facilitate policies to ensure diversity and inclusion in hiring, promotion and day-to-day work issues.” – Financial consultant • “I think we do reasonably well on diversity metrics. More and more female managers and principals have developed during my tenure here. We don’t have a lot of minorities in management positions.” – D.C. midlevel • “We don’t have many women or minorities [at the highest ranks], but I don’t think that’s the firm’s fault. I think it more has to do with the nature of our business and the typical people drawn to it.” – Economic consultant
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Bates White’s status as a privately held firm was a major factor in its survival through volatile market conditions. This will continue to act as a shield as the company seeks to grow and diversify in the future.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Bates White
Overall Business Outlook • “Prospects are improving and we are set for success for the second half of 2010.” – Consultant • “The fact that Bates White is privately held is a big benefit to the firm in terms of being able to focus a little more on the long run instead of short-term performance. Hence, the firm is, in my opinion, well-suited to both weather the downturn and take advantage of any increase in activity.” – Midlevel source • “Layoffs in 2009 significantly weakened employee morale in a firm that had previously built a very strong workplace culture. Still the firm may be better positioned than competitors to rebound because of the small size and flexible business model.” – Consultant • “The firm as a whole will probably do fine, but there will be variation by practice area.” – Energy executive
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “The firm’s leadership is always looking to improve the organization and management of the firm. They are very responsive to introspection and feedback, which is one of our greatest strengths.” – Executive source • “Partners are very candid regarding the firm’s prospects and hold open Q&A sessions with employees semiannually.” – D.C. business advisor
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• “They seem to have a good handle on where the problems are and what to do about them. Some of them could do a better job of retaining business, but for the most part, we have enough healthy practice areas to keep the firm going.” – Senior consultant
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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PEARL MEYER & PARTNERS, LLC
570 Lexington Avenue New York, New York 10022 Phone: (212) 644-2300 Fax: (212) 644-2320 www.pearlmeyer.com
UPPERS • “Managers that fight for team members” • “Flexibility in work schedule, telecommuting”
DOWNERS LOCATIONS New York, NY (HQ) Atlanta, GA Boston, MA Charlotte, NC Chicago, IL Houston, TX Los Angeles, CA San Jose, CA
• “Disconnect with promotions and pay increases” • “Few MDs are good mentors because they don’t have the time”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.pearlmeyer.com/firm/careers
PRACTICE AREAS Compensation Surveys • Director Compensation • Employee Compensation • Executive Compensation
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company President & CEO: David N. Swinford 2010 Employees: 100+ 2009 Employees: 100+
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLC
THE SCOOP How much are you worth? For more than two decades, Pearl Meyers & Partners (PM&P) has provided compensation consulting services and compensation survey data to clients ranging from Fortune 500s to emerging, high-growth companies and not-for-profits. At a time when executive pay is under the regulatory microscope and shareholders are demanding more value for their money, PM&P promises a comprehensive approach to compensation planning. The firm’s 100-plus professionals work with boards and senior management to create reward strategies and broad-based compensation programs for employees and sales professionals. All of the firm’s core practices deal with compensation, with consulting services that range from compensation strategy design to implementation and communication of pay programs. Capabilities include compensation philosophy and guiding principles, salary programs, annual short-term and longterm incentives, value creation and performance measurement, contracts, severance agreements, change-in-control arrangements, equity programs, competitive intelligence and compensation surveys. The firm also conducts extensive research, ensuring that it can serve as an up-to-date resource with trustworthy benchmarking.
Winding path to PM&P PM&P was founded in 1989 and acquired in 2000 by Clark Consulting. Seven years later, in March 2007, AEGON N.V., a Dutch life insurance and pension group, bought out Clark Consulting. Under a special asset exchange agreement between Clark Consulting and AEGON, PM&P and other divisions that had been part of Clark Consulting were sold to Clark Wamberg, LLC, an investor group created to absorb the former Clark Consulting assets made up of Clark Consulting executives Tom Wamberg, Jim Benson and Ken Kies. Once the M&A dust settled, in May 2007, David N. Swinford, then head of PM&P’s New York office, succeeded Joseph R. Rich as the firm’s CEO and president.
Lay of the land Knowing what your competition is paying its executives and employees is important to keep the right people in the right jobs. PM&P’s compensation survey practice publishes the CHiPS compensation survey series, managed surveys, as well as custom surveys. The CHiPS family of surveys are broad studies that provide data on segments of the employee population, such as recent college grads, customer-focused positions and, of course, upper-level executives and managers. Managed surveys look at specialized job areas, such as scientists and engineers, or salaries within outsourcing environments. PM&P’s custom surveys are usually designed to tackle a single organization’s unique employee population segments, which may have unique credentials or backgrounds that would make benchmarking difficult. PM&P also conducts custom surveys; for example, a company employing a large number of expatriates, or with positions requiring high skill and experience, may require a more focused or specialized competitive assessment. All surveys are available in print and online formats.
A recognized resource A longtime provider of compensation information and services, industry professionals have come to rely on PM&P for its expertise and advice, which the firm offers via research reports, articles and white papers, “As We See It” perspective pieces on industry trends and client alerts, which offer technical advice on compensation developments in the disclosure, tax and accounting areas.
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PM&P consultants also regularly participate in industry events and conferences, and are regularly quoted in industry publications—such as Directorship, Workspan, Compliance Week, Financial Week, Pension & Benefits Daily and CFO—and in mainstream media, such as AP, Reuters, the Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, the New York Post, and the Washington Post.
GETTING HIRED As PM&P grows in size and reputation, it’s becoming more difficult for candidates to make the cut. That said, opportunities exist for the talented, well-rounded candidate. Candidates can expect a “straightforward” and “very organized interview and selection process”—a real perk considering the hoops applicants are required to jump through elsewhere. Two to three interviews complete the process, and entail position-specific evaluations (including the Microsoft Office basics), as well as several high-level case studies. Successful candidates will know their fate quickly; “with only one HR person in the entire firm, our response rate to candidates is exceptional,” one recent hire attests.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Pearl Meyer is a small firm with typical small-firm challenges. But a lot of good comes from staying small, too; this firm is a firstrate example of that. Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLC
Overall Satisfaction • “I work with talented professionals on interesting projects.” – Senior consultant • “Pearl Meyer & Partners has an extensive knowledge and understanding about its people. Our primary focus is providing a flexible work environment where employees feel they can take time for personal needs. We have incredible management overseeing each office location.” – East Coast staffer • “I enjoy the work. However, I am rarely updated on the final recommendations or briefed on the meetings that were attended.” – HR consultant
Firm Culture • “The culture is social, nonpolitical and professional. Our office holds luncheons/parties for special events such as baby showers, birthdays, etc. The firm’s senior leadership works well together and makes a real effort to treat the employees well and give them the resources/tools to advance within the profession.” –New York higher-up • “We enjoy working together on project work, and we can enjoy each other’s company in social settings while discussing the latest “American” Idol and other prime-time shows over lunch. We are uniquely positioned in that we have a generous size of employees, but not overly populated to the point where we feel like a number.” – Midlevel consultant
Supervisor Relationships • “Relationships with my supervisors are great. I wouldn’t want to work for anyone else.” – Junior source • “Everyone has a different managing style, so it is very important to make the adjustment with who you are working with.” – Analyst
Interaction with Clients • “The relationships I have with clients are very strong. I have the real benefit of working with extremely talented clients and business leaders.” – Senior consultant • “As a junior, I don’t really work closely with clients, but when I do have interaction, it is uniformly pleasant.” – Associate
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Pearl Meyer consultants enjoy the benefits of having responsive, flexible managers, not to mention reasonable schedules and compensation packages.
Work Hours • “I am very happy with just working my 40 hours and the ability to go home at 5 p.m. every night, with minimal interruptions to that schedule.” – Associate • “Hours fluctuate based on seasonality—we’re very busy from September through February.” – Charlotte insider
Work/Life Balance • “It hasn’t been a problem during the holidays or any time to take off time to spend with my family.” – Senior consultant • “It is understood that a lot of the work can be executed remotely and at all hours. As long as the work gets done, management is flexible.” – HR consultant • “I am expected to be responsive via my BlackBerry when I’m out of the office.” – Entry-level analyst
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Travel Requirements • “Minimal travel is required, unless you’re a managing director. Our day-to-day client interaction is generally conducted by phone and email.” – Junior source • “Most meetings are local to the office location. We also have offices spread out in the country so that travel isn’t often necessary.” – Analyst
Compensation • “The firm recognizes the importance of morale and motivating the employees. Even in an economic downturn, compensation was generous and fair.” – Midlevel staffer • “Our base salary pay is very competitive. Our bonuses are completely discretionary—I have no idea how they’re calculated, which is not motivating.” – Financial consultant • “The firm did not have a good year last year and, as a result, bonuses were extremely low.” – New York analyst
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: The few opportunities that exist are often outdated, impersonal or tricky to access.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLC
Formal Training • “There are a few resources, but most seem somewhat outdated. I would say I have learned the most on the job, which has been held up when there aren’t projects for me to work on. I wish I had access to a mentor or more official training resources.” – Analyst • “The training offerings can definitely be better. Most senior-level staff prefer not to spend much time training the junior analysts.” – Midlevel consultant • “The company will cover expenses associated with professional coursework and exams.” – Los Angeles insider
Promotion Policies • “They do a great job acknowledging the work you contribute, and they promote often.” – Senior consultant • “The promotion policy is based on established criteria by position level. However, the promotion is not time-based. Some people advance very quickly based on their ability to do superior consulting work.” – East Coast consultant • “The promotion policy across all offices is very inconsistent.” – Consultant
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: The firm doesn’t incorporate diversity into recruitment principles, but it goes out of its way to provide flexible options for international and minority employees.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate and believe in modern-day ideals. We celebrate everyone as an individual and have respect embedded in our culture.” – Senior consultant • “This firm has been extremely generous as it relates to women and minorities and any special requests that people may have. We have a number of people that have family in India, and the firm has allowed people to go and work and take extended leaves. If someone would like to move, they have allowed people to work from their homes or out of the country.” – Boston staffer
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Pearl Meyer is favorably poised to gain some weight after 2009 favored a leaner organization. Respondents seem to agree that the firm has a bright future ahead.
Overall Business Outlook • “We are hiring right now to replace positions lost during 2009. Business has definitely picked up and we are in a great position right now. The future is looking bright.” – Midlevel consultant • “This firm has had more business than staff to keep up. I feel that the next 12 months will continue to be the same.” – Analyst • “We’ve been around for 20 years and will continue to be around for a lot longer.” – Senior consultant
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “Our leadership team has been challenged through economic hard times, yet they seem to steer the ship in all the right directions.” – HR consultant
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• “We are well positioned because of our independence and strong brand name.” – Experienced midlevel
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QUINTILES CONSULTING
8 Skyline Drive Hawthorne, New York 10532 Phone: (877) 988 2100 or +44 (0) 1344 601324 www.quintiles.com/consulting
UPPERS
LOCATIONS
DOWNERS
Hawthorne, NY Boston, MA Amsterdam London
• “Senior staff is inexperienced” • “Arbitrary bonus decisions” • “Krill in the ocean among the whales”
Parent company Quintiles Transnational Corp. has offices in more than 50 countries
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
• “Supported by a large and thriving company” • “Broad reach of capabilities and geographic location” • “All the perks of a large organization without the politics”
www.quintiles.com/careers
PRACTICE AREAS Market Access • Market Intelligence • Product Development & Commercialization • Regulatory & Quality
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Division of Quintiles Transnational Corp. Chairman & CEO: Dennis Gillings Division President: Jay Norman 2010 Employees: 350 2009 Employees: 350
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THE SCOOP Quintiles’ quest A division of global pharmaceutical services company Quintiles Transnational, Quintiles Consulting works with life sciences companies to maximize potential and minimize risk through expert strategic, operational and technical advice. It leverages knowledge of clinical development and regulatory and commercialization processes to swiftly transition products from discovery to development to market. These capabilities are clearly reflected in its practice areas, which include product development and commercialization, regulatory and quality, market intelligence and market access. Since October 2007, the division has been led by President Jay Norman, former chief operating officer and president of Diamond Management & Technology Consultants and one of Consulting magazine’s top-25 consultants in 2006.
Good genes Quintiles Transnational was founded in 1982 by then-University of North Carolina biostatistics professor Dennis Gillings, who got his idea for the firm in 1974 when he helped a European multinational pharmaceutical company with product analysis. His brainchild was eventually incorporated in North Carolina as Quintiles Transnational, whose name comes from an abbreviation of quantitative information in the life and environmental sciences. Quintiles Consulting came about in 1998. Its aim of being advice-givers to the world’s biggest pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies is helped in no small way by its association with Quintiles Transnational, which has assisted in the development or marketing of all of the world’s 30 best-selling drugs. The consulting division sells itself by promoting its access to the insights and expertise of its parent company, as well as to Innovex, Quintiles’ commercial group that provides primary care, specialty and secondary care sales and marketing strategies, sales representatives recruitment, and training, and to NovaQuest, Quintiles’ division specializing in developing managed, peer-to-peer partnerships for pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
Batter up Companies in need of a home run look to Quintiles’ roster of former FDA and EU regulatory officials and industry veterans for consulting advice. Since its founding, Quintiles Consulting has expanded from a traditional regulatory practice to a strategic management consulting firm. Its product development and commercialization practice area offers process optimization, portfolio strategy, and due diligence and partnering services, while its market access practice area provides insight into pharmaceuticals markets worldwide, helping clients determine early on which products or services work best with which customers in which markets, using market research data. With the May 2008 acquisition of Eidetics, the firm’s market intelligence practice offers services such as product positioning analysis, market landscape assessments, clinical trial readiness analysis and portfolio management (segmentation) analysis. Quintiles Consulting has also continued to offer first-rate regulatory and quality management services to clients, including preclinical and product development strategy, documentation, submissions, quality systems, supplier qualifications and post-marketing surveillance services.
GETTING HIRED
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While other firms tend to stick to undergraduate all-stars and recruit on campus, Quintiles prefers to tap into the market for experienced professionals. “We tend to hire those with deeper industry experience than most,” a consultant notes, also revealing the firm’s preference for MBAs and PhDs. “You need a proven track record and ambition,” adds another. Initially successful applicants are treated to a “very intense” and “extremely long” interview process that includes at least three rounds of interviews. Patience is a real virtue here—we’re told that candidates might expect the entire process to take, “from first phone interview to offer, around six months.” As the rounds progress, candidates will meet a multitude of current associates and leadership, ultimately presenting a case study to a group of potential colleagues. Other common examinations include an in-person writing sample and a host of analytical and quantitative skills challenges.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Consultants are quick to point out Quintile’s “growing pains” as it transitions under a new national banner, but are even quicker to point to their overall satisfaction and their affinity for the firm’s values.
Overall Satisfaction • “I am highly satisfied with the pace and workload. I am encouraged by the level of professionalism and knowledge of the industry of my peers.” – Midlevel consultant • “While most companies are taking out their economic malaise on their employees, Quintiles is a breath of fresh air.” – Senior source
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• “I love this company. However, we’re going through a transition period since we were acquired by Quintiles Transnational in 2008, and I’m unsure of how things will turn out in the end.” – Boston insider • “The company is in its growing-pains stage, which impacts the overall satisfaction relative to more established firms. But, overall, this is a great place to work.” – Entry-level respondent
Firm Culture • “The culture is friendly and accomplished. We have a hardworking, very smart staff across several office locations, including international colleagues—and remote staff makes a collegial atmosphere a must if you are to get anything done.” – Senior consultant • “Everyone works hard and is more than willing to help a fellow analyst or manager in need. Many people are friends outside of the office, and we tend to do some trivia nights at least once per month.” – East Coast analyst • “I have regular, stimulating water-cooler conversations with well-seasoned consultants.” – Analyst • “To date, the interaction between us and other divisions has been less than ideal. To be fair, part of this is due to the challenge of merging our previously independent company into the broader Quintiles Consulting. Senior management has been working hard lately to improve the social and professional interaction between divisions.” – Boston midlevel
Supervisor Relationships • “I have the utmost respect for my supervisor and have been supported both professionally and personally, to the extent that I would say he has been the best supervisor of my career.” – Senior consultant • “My relationship with my supervisor is ideal! My supervisor is very highly respected and a person of integrity and exceptional knowledge, experience and ability. My supervisor and I can be very candid with each other, learn from each other and have very high respect for each other.” – Midlevel source
Interaction with Clients • “Clients love that we can ‘do and think,’ seeing this as differentiated from ‘pure thinking.’” – New York higher-up • “Much of our work comes from repeat clients, and it is quite satisfying to develop an ongoing relationship with some clients. Doing so makes me feel more like a research partner rather than just another vendor.” – Analyst • “While, on rare occasions, a client might voice frustration, or I might become frustrated with the client, these rare instances have been quickly resolved with prompt and frank discussion.” – Maryland insider
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Scheduling demands are expectedly rigorous at Quintiles, but leadership has proven to be flexible, even allowing some consultants to work from home.
Work Hours • “Hours are long, but leading-edge work and stimulating colleagues make them pass quickly.” – Midlevel consultant • “I recently returned to work from maternity leave, and was able to negotiate a 30-hours-per-week schedule.” – East Coast insider • “As a home-based employee, I appreciate the flexibility Quintiles allows me in choosing my work hours.” – Senior source • “It’s difficult to avoid early-morning, night and weekend hours, given workload and global clients.” – Analyst
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Work/Life Balance • “Quintiles staff are extremely adept at using work-from-home technology. I feel comfortable asking my boss not to schedule events when they interfere with significant personal issues. Senior folks make a point of not responding to nonessential emails at night, and especially over the weekend.” – Senior consultant • “So long as your work is done on time and to the quality that is expected, how and when you do it is flexible enough to balance nonwork demands.” – Boston analyst • “I am driving the intensity of my workload, so I can ramp up and down as needed.” – New York insider • “When I’m busy, I don’t have much time for anything else during the week, other than going to the gym in the mornings. Sometimes you can’t do everything that you want during the week, but people around here are flexible if you have other things going on.” – First-year
Travel Requirements • “This is probably the biggest area for improvement. In this day and age, it is no longer necessary to spend four days per week at a client site for the long term.” – New York midlevel • “While I personally do little travel, I am an exception. Most staff travel fairly frequently, with international travel around 20 percent of the total.” – Senior consultant
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• “The travel is project dependent. You may travel for two weeks to Europe, but then be back in the office for six months. Client visits are generally at least once per month, and may require an overnight.” – Consultant • “The 3/4/5 (three nights away/four days onsite/fifth day at home) policy is promoted by management and appreciated by staff. Often, less travel is necessary.” – Senior source
Compensation • “I am very happy with my overall compensation, bonuses and utilization rate.” – New York insider • “Salaries are competitive. Bonuses are tied to overall company performance and are often generous. Executives have, in the past, been entitled to additional financial incentives.” – Senior consultant • “Base and bonus is good, but the lack of equity is a bit of a knock. Most private firms have some kind of profit sharing or private equity, but Quintiles does not have anything in this area. This was a major minus against Quintiles when I was evaluating it against another job offer.” – Executive-level respondent • “In my role, I feel undercompensated for the various responsibilities I have. This is in the process of getting that remedied. I attribute it on the state of transition we are in, and there has been a delay in my compensation due to it.” – Experienced staffer
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Everyone seems to have a different reason for why they are disappointed by the firm’s training efforts, but the bottom line is that the offerings are largely inapplicable or difficult to access.
Formal Training • “Quintiles has training through a mix of in-person events, web-based events and self-directed training through our QZone portal.” – Senior consultant • “There’s a lot of opportunity, there’s just not always the time to take advantage of the resources.” – Boston higher-up • “Much of the training offered is not applicable to my position and needs. Quintiles has required formal training with respect to security and confidentiality. Quintiles should encourage and fund professional training for professional licensing renewal.” – Associate • “Due to high growth, we can still improve here and are now investing.” – Consultant
Promotion Policies • “Promotion is definitely not up or out. We have several career tracks that allow consultants to focus on their strengths and how they want their career to develop.” – Senior consultant • “Promotion is generally rapid, objective and professional. While there is no formal fast track, per se, the talented and gifted (versus the selfpromoting) do move up rapidly.” – Executive-level insider • “This is TBD since we were acquired. But since the acquisition by Quintiles, the criteria for advancement have been clearly laid out, and people are being promoted at a much faster rate than under our old legacy system.” – Senior source • “This has been in fits and starts, but appears to be improving.” – Technology consultant
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: Quintiles isn’t perfect here, but that’s hardly a knock. Minorities and GLBT employees feel sincerely welcome and cared for, though they do note a dearth of women and minorities in leadership positions.
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Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “As a white, lesbian professional, I find that the company has treated me with the respect and support that I would want to have. I am first and foremost a professional while at work, and feel that I am treated very fairly.” – Senior consultant • “Quintiles has excellent policies in place for ensuring equity in hiring and promotional opportunities. Many women in my office have taken a maternity leave and then worked flexible schedules upon their return, with full support from management.” – Strategy consultant • “I am gay and have domestic partner benefits.” – Technology associate • “I’m not aware of any outright bias, but within the consulting practice there are no women in lead practice roles. As for minorities, I am also not aware of any outright bias, but I am also not aware of any minorities in leadership positions.” – Midlevel consultant
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Quintiles’ leadership transition has posed some difficulties to overall organization and communication efforts, but as things continue to settle, the firm’s business prospects are more than promising.
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Overall Business Outlook • “The firm is growing very rapidly, taking market share and cherry-picking new hires from established competitors. The sky is the limit!” – Analyst • “I think that we will have a great year. It’s an exciting time with a lot of change in terms of product offerings and organizational restructuring, but we should be able to thrive this year.” – First-year associate • “In the midst of a challenging environment, the firm continues to invest in its people, and still has a backlog of business.” – Senior source • “The company has been in transition the last three years. While some parts are strong, others in transition are disorganized and unfocused as compared to past years. Morale is much lower than in past years.” – Midlevel consultant
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “The company’s leadership is committed to growth, including new product-offerings, to continue the longstanding strength of the company.” – Senior consultant • “Inspiring leaders from McKinsey, BCG and other top-tier firms are extremely capable, and they are leveraging the tremendous capabilities, as well as the brand and financial resources available to Quintiles, to grow the pharmaceutical industry’s finest consulting firm.” – Strategy consultant • “Leadership is open-minded and laid-back. They could be a bit more dynamic, though I trust them to strategize and execute well.” – Boston insider
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• “The senior management is well positioned against the industry standard. The senior staff of consultants, however, is quite young and inexperienced relative to major competitors and industry leaders.” – Entry-level staffer
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SIMON-KUCHER & PARTNERS
One Canal Park Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141 Phone: (617) 231-4500 Fax: (617) 231-2751 www.simon-kucher.com
UPPERS
LOCATIONS
DOWNERS
Boston, MA (US HQ) Bonn (World HQ) New York, NY • San Francisco, CA • Amsterdam • Beijing • Brussels • Cologne • Copenhagen • Frankfurt • London • Luxembourg • Madrid • Milan • Moscow • Munich • Paris • Singapore • Sydney • Tokyo • Vienna • Warsaw • Zurich
• “Lower level consultants often do not get the recognition they deserve for the work they put in” • “Mediocre compensation and perks” • “Lack of focus on employee morale”
PRACTICE AREAS
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
Marketing Leadership • Sales Execution • Setting & Managing Prices • Strategic Development
Visit the careers section of www.simon-kucher.com
• “There are always opportunities to take on more responsibility” • “Sense of cosmopolitanism” • “Open, non-hierarchical structure”
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company Co-CEOs: Dr. Georg Tacke & Dr. Klaus Hilleke 2010 Employees: 450 2009 Employees: 450 2009 Revenue: $118 million 2008 Revenue: $129 million
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Bookish niche player” “Heavy quant focus” “Young, spirited” “Very processy, uncreative”
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THE SCOOP What does it cost? Ask SKP Simon-Kucher & Partners is a worldwide leader in pricing consulting, helping its clients maximize profits by giving them the tools and recommendations to correctly set prices for their products. It’s something the firm has done for six of the 10 best-selling drugs in the world, and more than 100 companies on the Fortune Global 500 list. In addition to pricing, SKP works to streamline marketing and sales for clients, and assists them in developing corporate strategies. SKP has brought rich reward, too, having grown into a 23-office boutique firm spanning 13 countries on three continents, employing around 450 consultants. It has carried out work in over 55 countries for clients including AstraZeneca, Barnes & Noble, BMW, Goldman Sachs, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Porsche, T-Mobile, Texas Instruments and many more.
Name your price The firm was started in Germany in 1985 by business administration and marketing expert Professor Hermann Simon (who is chairman of the firm today, having served as CEO from 1995 to 2009) and two of his PhD students. Believing that price is the “primary driver” of a company’s profits, but that many manage it inefficiently, the consultancy began picking up business from companies eager to maximize their profit margins. SKP’s approach to pricing involves extensive quantitative and qualitative analysis of market factors that boils down to one key element: identifying “what the market will bear.” There’s more to pricing than simply setting a level and charging it indefinitely, however, and it is here that SKP’s expertise in pricing strategy comes into play. SKP has a holistic approach to pricing that encompasses everything from competitive strategy and product positioning to sales force execution. Offering strategies and solutions for a range of possibilities over a product’s lifetime, the firm encourages clients to adopt a consistent, targeted approach that anticipates the market, rather than reacts to it. For example, SKP research has shown that marking down an item aimed at luxury consumers—even in tough economic conditions—can actually turn those consumers off the brand.
Growth by numbers The firm attempts to practice what it preaches, and applies much the same philosophy to its own business as it recommends to clients and through its publications (see below for details). The company explicitly states that it is not a general strategy shop, and does not take on projects, such as cost cutting or restructuring, that require skills outside of its specialized purview. It remains committed to growth in its own niche, however, and has been working hard to build on its existing client relationships, attract new clients, expand into new industries, and open offices in emerging and developed markets, all the while focusing on what it does best: marketing, sales, strategy and pricing consulting. Its stated goal is to double its revenue every five years.
You first
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It should come as little surprise that a company founded by a professor of business, and with several PhDs on its staff, should commit to lifelong learning and staff development. Nor that said company is supported in its endeavors by an international advisory board made up of academics at some of the most venerable higher education institutions around the globe, including both the London and Harvard Business Schools, Stanford University, HEC, Paris, IESE, Barcelona and several institutions throughout Asia. The firm’s commitment to its staff, formalized in a program known as You First, begins with mentoring from partners and international orientation, as well as a company training program—STEPS—to familiarize all new hires with how SKP operates. Additional education is actively encouraged, and the firm arranges lectures by internal and external speakers for its consultants. Employees are also offered the opportunity to publish the results of their work and experience in industry journals, and to present at conferences and seminars. As for a role model, consultants can look all the way to the founder: Professor Simon is a renowned expert in his field, and has presented and published widely, including more than 30 books in 15 languages. Those books include the best seller, Hidden Champions: Lessons from 500 of the World’s Best Unknown Companies, published in 1996. His most recent publications are 2009’s Beat the Crisis and Hidden Champions of the 21st Century, which updates the ideas first presented over a decade earlier in Hidden Champions. It celebrates smaller companies that focus on a niche market, are willing to venture into global markets and are often owned privately—all factors that allow these companies to maximize profits ahead of market share. Those ideas were also evident in an earlier book from SKP—Manage for Profit, Not for Market Share, which exhorts managers to … well … go after profits, rather than focus on volume of sales or market share.
GETTING HIRED The hiring process at SKP is daunting, with a “less than 2 percent offer rate” applicants are faced with. “Our firm is looking to hire quantitatively oriented, intelligent people who are both personable and creative,” offers an insider. Economics, science and mathematics standouts are most likely to fit the bill, but the firm notes that it hires individuals from all backgrounds. Those selected to interview face a number of hurdles, starting with multiple telephone interviews, which almost always involve case study work, and culminating in interviews with several partners and senior staff. In between, candidates are subjected to at least three to five case studies, GRE-style
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quantitative exams and informal personality tests. “The ability to work in teams, problem-solving skills and creativity” are among the oft-cited assets for successful candidates. Simply put, it’s up to the candidates to convince SKP consultants that they’re worthy of sitting on the other side of the desk.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: SKP consultants claim to be pretty satisfied with their firm’s culture, attesting to high-quality work, little-to-no hierarchy and a strong sense of teamwork.
Overall Satisfaction • “My level of job satisfaction is high. It is rewarding to see my effort turn into a high-quality product and into measurable impact for the company.” – Life sciences insider • “I really enjoy the work I do. The firm is run by competent, knowledgeable people who are providing me the opportunity to learn a complicated industry very quickly.” – Boston consultant • “I’m content, but I’m not brimming with excitement.” –Consultant • “I’m getting a bit bored with the subject matter, but at the same time, the specialization means that I really am an expert in my field within only three-and-a-half years or so. Since it’s a small- to medium-sized firm, I’ve been able to move into managing projects earlier than perhaps at larger companies.” – Consultant
Firm Culture • “SKP’s greatest strength is its people. Almost all SKP employees are considerate, friendly, hardworking and good team players. There is very little competition among consultants of the same level, like one might find in other consulting firms. Consultants of the same level tend to be very close, which provides a strong social network.” – Entry-level source • “Excellent teamwork! Everybody is sharing knowledge and helping each other. We have an open-door policy. Even partners’ doors are always open.” – New York partner • “Because we’re a relatively small organization, we work in a flat, open environment. Project teams have three to five members, including people from entry level all the way up through partner.” – Senior consultant • “Typical outside-of-work activities include karaoke nights, trivia, ski trips, summer softball leagues and, of course, happy hours.” – Senior consultant
Supervisor Relationships • “My relationships with my project managers are great. They are always interested in what is best for me and really listen to my ideas, even when they don’t agree.” – Associate • “No hierarchical barriers. They are always available for questions and support.” – Senior source • “I have great relationships with my supervisors, but that’s because I’ve been at the firm longer and when the office was much smaller.” – Cambridge insider
Interaction with Clients • “Clients usually love us after having worked with us.” – Consultant Customized for: Ashmita (
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• “As an entry-level consultant, I have very little interaction with the client.” – Junior source
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Hours can be trying at SKP, and recession-fueled layoffs severely damaged the firm’s work/life balance. However, limited travel and weekend work still set the firm apart from the competition.
Work Hours • “I’m usually out of the office by 6 or 7 p.m., and rarely (less than once a month) do I work weekends.” – Life sciences staffer • “Very good balance for consulting overall. However, it sometimes peaks with long workdays (up to 12 hours), and those peaks can be just days or one to two weeks.” – East Coast insider • “It’s very cyclical. Some weeks I work only 50 hours. Most weeks I work about 60 hours. Some weeks I work 70-plus hours. I would say that it is very manageable though.” – Entry-level respondent • “The hours have been getting longer since the economic crisis, with no sign of getting better.” – Senior consultant
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Work/Life Balance • “There is a lot to do while here, but we rarely ever work on weekends and there’s always time after we leave to grab a drink with friends. I do work hard, but I also enjoy a great life outside of the office.” – Consultant • “Sometimes late hours are unavoidable, but I have been yelled at for staying too late working on something that could have been done the next day.” – Analyst • “I can prioritize what needs to be done today and what can wait until tomorrow. When thinking about work/life balance, you need to be realistic and determine what will work for you and for the company.” – Senior consultant • “There was more of a balance in the past than in the present. Everyone in the office is getting used to the longer hours and weekends that was necessitated by a bad economy, making the culture a lot less focused on work/life balance than it was before.” – Consultant
Travel Requirements • “We typically reserve travel for key meetings with clients. We try to work from our offices as much as possible.” – Senior source • “Travel requirements are very, very minimal. For most projects, we’ll go to the client site for the [key] presentations. In two years, I’ve had one project for which the client wanted us on site three days per week, but that is the exception to the rule.” – Consultant • “I don’t have to travel every week, but rather once every two to three weeks for a couple of days.” – Experienced consultant • “Travel requirements increase with seniority.” – Consultant
Compensation • “Bonuses are always paid, regardless of firm performance.” – Junior source • “It seems that the bonus scheme may be less compared to other top consulting firms, but work/life balance and culture seem great. I would rather take an open, nonhierarchical structure over monetary competitiveness.” – Life sciences consultant • “Compensation could be higher and is not terribly competitive, but it is not anything to sneeze at, either.” – Midlevel staffer • “I’m not starving, but I’m not making it rain.” – Boston insider
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: After an initial weeklong formal training, new associates can expect a drop-off in formal training offerings, remedied primarily by on-the-job mentoring. There are some supplemental formal and informal opportunities along the way.
Formal Training • “There is some training for new hires, but most training is through mentoring and through project work. You can get help with anything, but you have to seek it out.” – Consultant • “We have a weeklong official training called STEPS (Strategic Training for Employee Professional Success), either in our headquarters in Germany or in the Boston office.” – First-year staffer • “Our formal training is lacking and very basic. However, on-the-job training is great, through formal and informal mentoring.” – Experienced consultant • “Because we run a relatively flat, entrepreneurial organization, people are almost always open to helping new hires with specific skills, software know-how, etc.” – Senior source
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• “With excellent performance, very quick advancement is possible. Typically it takes about one year to advance to the next level.” – Consultant • “There is no up or out. If you’re performing well, you are welcome at your current level. Evaluations are every six months, and each one offers the chance for promotion.” – Consultant • “In the past year or two, they have been slowing down on the number promotions, where what used to be a half-year promotion now requires a full year unless you performed extremely well.” – Boston insider • “The expectation of being promoted every 12 months has become problematic. Some associates are under the impression that a promotion is simply a reward for a job well done. It isn’t. It’s a reward for consistently executing at the next level and pairing the maturity necessary to go with it.” – Life sciences partner
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: SKP is committed to maintaining a diverse future, having recently promoted its first female partner in the U.S. Insiders feel that the firm already has an exceptionally open culture when it comes to the GLBT community.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “SKP promoted its first U.S. woman partner [second in the company] at the end of 2009, and there are many talented women in senior roles.” – Boston partner
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• “I am a GLBT male minority; the fact that I know associates and a partner who are out is significant within the small office setting.” – Consultant • “Our office has strong representation of women and GLBT individuals. Minorities don’t make up as large of a population, but our office would be receptive.” – Entry-level consultant
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: At the tail-end of the recession, recruitment activity is a good indicator of a firm’s financial health; the busier, the better, and SKP is aggressively hiring.
Overall Business Outlook • “We weathered the recession well, and are now overextended with work—so much so that we are actively hiring for immediate starts.” – Junior source • “We are very bullish about the upcoming year, and have committed to invest in opening four new offices around the globe this year to continue our globalization.” – Partner • “It’s tough out there, but we’ll prevail.” – Life sciences consultant • “Employee morale may be lower than it has been in the past (due to worse hours), but business has started to look significantly better than during the crisis.” – Senior consultant
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “As the firm is owned by the partners, they are fully incentivized to grow the company and make it successful.” – Consultant • “We have some of the most experienced minds in the pharmaceutical industry working here.” – Life sciences insider • “Given the diversity of backgrounds and specialties amongst firm leaders, I would give them a pretty high rating. Not everyone comes from a strictly professional or academic background. There’s seems to be a healthy combination.” – Senior consultant
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• “All partners are in their position because they are good at selling projects, but few are actually good at running a company. It would serve the firm well to hire a few administrative people.” – New York staffer
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FTI CONSULTING, INC.
7700 South Flagler Drive Suite 1500 – West Tower West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 Phone: (561) 515-1900 Fax: (561) 515-1990 www.fticonsulting.com
LOCATIONS West Palm Beach, FL (HQ) 80 offices worldwide
UPPERS • • • •
“Excellent team ethic” “Diversity of product offerings” “Ability to manage workflow” “Stability”
DOWNERS • “No formal communication structure” • “Reduced staff in current economic climate” • “Lack of self confidence as a firm” • “Tendency for the analyst/AC roles to be ‘data monkeys’ on some projects”
PRACTICE AREAS Corporate Finance/Restructuring • Economic Consulting • Forensic & Litigation Consulting • Strategic Communications • Technology
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.fticonsulting.com/en_us/about/careers
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Public Company Ticker Symbol: FCN (NYSE) Chairman: Dennis J. Shaughnessy President & CEO: Jack B. Dunn, IV 2010 Employees: 3,400+ 2009 Employees: 3,300+ 2009 Revenue: $1.4 billion 2008 Revenue: $1.29 billion
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Great creditor side advisory firm” “Why we don’t want to ever be publicly traded” “Fun, good place to work” “Big conglomerate”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition FTI Consulting, Inc.
THE SCOOP Thriving in the silver lining FTI Consulting thrives when times are tough—which means that business has been very good recently. Focusing mainly on services for companies that are facing trouble, whether economic, legal or regulatory, the firm boasts 15 to 20 percent of the world market share in economic consulting, the industry-leading corporate finance practice and the globally largest forensic and litigation practice. Most of its revenue (around 85 percent) comes from within the U.S. market, but plans are afoot to expand on the dozens of FTI offices in Europe, Latin America and Asia in the coming years. Recently, FTI has grown both its domestic and international operations through a number of acquisitions. Focused on providing specialized expertise to help clients anticipate and overcome complex business challenges, the firm operates 80 offices worldwide and employs over 3,400 staff. There are few industries that FTI won’t take on, with clients coming from sectors including automotive, chemicals, retail, pharmaceutical, health care, insurance, real estate, financial services, fine arts, energy, construction, communications, and media and entertainment. Clients are often big fish—97 of the top-100 law firms and nine of the top-10 bank holding companies worldwide, as well as 85 percent of the Fortune 100. President and CEO Jack Dunn told Accountancy Age that the firm “would like to have a global brand where companies feel as comfortable using us as the Big Four.”
The nuts and bolts FTI divides its services into corporate finance/restructuring, economic consulting, forensic and litigation consulting, strategic communications, and technology. The corporate finance practice focuses on financial and transactional issues, gathering a wide range of resources and experts to develop and implement solutions. The economic consulting practice is comprised of two main sections: Compass Lexecon, which offers financial analysis of competition and anti-trust policy and regulatory issues all over the world; and Network Industries Strategies, which helps network-oriented industries such as telecommunications, transportation, energy and electric power to move out of regulated and into competitive markets. Forensic and litigation consulting was the original focus of the firm way back in the 1980s, and as the global business advisory firm behind today’s headline-making investigations, trials and regulatory matters, it continues to be a major revenue generator. The technology practice offers a range of solutions, including e-discovery, enterprise information protection, and development of information management policies and procedures. Strategic communication is handled through the firm’s global subsidiary, FD (formerly known as Financial Dynamics), which concentrates on improving brand, reputation and valuation through communications, and has won several international PR awards over the years.
A bull amidst bears As the most recent economic bubble began showing signs of weakness in 2007, FTI’s business began surging, with the company taking advantage of opportunities to leverage its expertise in practice areas that are in high demand as a result of the economic downturn. The stream of distressed businesses knocking on FTI’s door has been long and steady. For example, its forensic accountants and forensic computer consultants collected, processed and analyzed data for an internal investigation at New York-based financial services firm Refco. And, when troubled U.S. mortgage giant Freddie Mac was audited, FTI was there to help it investigate transactions and accounting policies. Other cases of note include Bernard Madoff and Stanford Financial.
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While hard times have typically been boom times for FTI, in the past too much focus on that area has left the firm vulnerable when the economy turned upward. In 2003, for example, 80 percent of the firm’s revenue came from its restructuring services, but an economic recovery in 2004 saw FTI’s earnings fall by 18 percent. Seeking to remedy its reliance on down cycles, FTI began a strategic shift in direction in 2004, concentrating on diversifying its portfolio of services— something done largely through acquisition. The efforts paid off: By 2007, revenue was soaring, but the restructuring practice was only responsible for 26 percent of it, with the firm’s technology and strategic communications practices gaining in prominence. That new spread of abilities has meant that the firm is better prepared for shifts in the economy than in the recent past, an attitude perhaps summed up best by Chairman Dennis Shaughnessy’s remark to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine in April 2008: “People ask us: Do you root for good times or bad times? We root for interesting times.”
Snapping up the leftovers Diversifying through acquisition is nothing new for FTI. In fact, the company’s whole focus on restructuring began with the buyout of two financial consulting firms in 1998, prior to which the firm had specialized in litigation consulting. Founded by Daniel W. Luczak and Joseph R. Reynolds Jr. in 1982 as Forensic Technologies International, the fledgling firm began its existence concentrating on finding and preparing expert witnesses. The company’s commitment to acquisitions has continued in recent years despite the downturn. Indeed, since 2006, FTI has purchased more than 10 companies across a range of consulting sectors. And it’s not only rival firms that the company has been snapping up; in the same interview with Kiplinger’s, CEO Jack Dunn confessed that there is another upside for FTI in the downturn: The firm can hire “rock star” consultants with little competition.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition FTI Consulting, Inc.
GETTING HIRED FTI recruiters scour the country’s best business-oriented schools to funnel high achievers into their hiring process. A midlevel analyst elaborates: “Majors with an analytical focus are looked upon more favorably at FTI, given the heavy degree of analytics expected from the consultants.” Applicants are expected to have solid business acumen and be well versed in finance, accounting or economics and extremely comfortable with interpreting massive amounts of complex information. Interviews largely consist of candidates displaying their ability to process business information and data, typically using Microsoft Excel in a financial modeling application. In this sense, the process is exceptionally results-oriented. Candidates can typically expect anywhere from two to eight interviews, depending on the position sought, on a “super-day” that will ultimately decide their fate.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Qualms exist concerning leadership and culture, but the typical FTI consultant is content working on the exciting, intellectually challenging assignments the firm doles out.
Overall Satisfaction • “My work is intellectually challenging, my work environment is collegial, I hold my colleagues in the highest regard both as economists and as professionals, and I am treated well.” – Senior source • “I appreciate the opportunities that a fast-growing practice can provide to motivated individuals. The technology aspect, in particular, evens out the playing field for younger employees.” – Legal consultant • “Work is challenging, interesting, relevant to today and intellectually stimulating. However, compensation is an issue. The firm will typically pay you the minimum amount for you to stay. Also, human resource tasks are handled poorly.” – Senior consultant • “The firm does not do a good job of ensuring that staff are utilized on engagements or other projects when engagements slow down. On top of this, there is very little communication from practice and firm leadership regarding initiatives to boost utilization and develop new business.” – Miami insider
Firm Culture • “This is a team-oriented culture that rewards doing the right thing and providing top-notch client service. The firm has made a significant investment in training and mentoring staff.” – Senior consultant • “We believe in hard work and family life. The firm arranges for company socials to allow every level of personnel to come out and meet new people.” – Finance executive • “There is certainly a 24/7 culture and mentality. It is cordial, but does not coddle.” – Communications consultant • “Social interaction is not encouraged … We maintain a professional environment.” – Atlanta-based respondent
Supervisor Relationships • “My management team is incredibly supportive of individual initiative.” – Litigation insider • “Supervisors are very hands-on with consultants, integrating us into the working team. This provides a great place to learn.” – Health care analyst Customized for: Ashmita (
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• “It’s very supportive, friendly and team oriented. I work with very talented individuals—some at the top of their industry.” – Toronto higher-up • “I am having difficulty with being micro-managed and being understaffed at the same time, which is making my job increasingly difficult on a daily basis.” – Midlevel consultant
Interaction with Clients • “Clients respect our work and look to us for guidance with respect to restructuring and insolvency matters. Our office culture is very clientfocused, and we go out of our way to be responsive and available at all times.” – Senior consultant • “Client relationships seem to be strong and cultivated here. The client comes first in all cases.” – Finance consultant • “Relationships are good, but being young and advising a client can cause hostility.” – Analyst • “Clients can be difficult in a distressed situation, so you have to be sensitive to where they are coming from.” – Entry-level insider
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Work hours at FTI are fairly good, compared to industry standards, but highly variable travel commitments tip the work/life
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balance heavily in favor of work.
Work Hours • “Hours aren’t bad. I’m usually learning something new every day, so it is worth it. Bonuses are based on hours billed, so longer hours are rewarded.” – Midlevel consultant • “Working on the weekend doesn’t happen unless there’s a reason to or there are some housekeeping items that didn’t get done on Friday.” – Boston analyst • “Hours are fair. The only problem is that there are so many inefficiencies that a lot of time is wasted. I find I need to spend 60 hours at work in order to get 40 hours of work done.” – Business consultant • “It is extremely unpleasant to sit with nothing to do when not on an engagement, which is then immediately followed by long weeks and working on weekends when projects arise.” – Senior source
Work/Life Balance • “The work is subject to peaks where life outside of work is compromised. However, during periods that are more relaxed, I have the freedom to enjoy time off without any impact on my professional advancement or compensation.” – Economic consultant • “Professionals need to be available to clients and colleagues. Although I rarely am in the office on weekends, I often do billing, attend workrelated functions and read to stay current on weekends, which I believe to be appropriate.” – Executive-level insider • “Only a small percentage of managers know how to properly manage an engagement, including client management, which leads to an excessive amount of unnecessary work to be done.” – Chicago junior • “The firm gives out BlackBerries so you always feel tethered to the job.” – Finance consultant
Travel Requirements • “Really, it’s either all or none. You are sent away on a project or you work in the office.” – Forensic consultant • “Typically, when staffed, you’re flying out Monday morning and flying back Friday afternoon. Some engagements are local, so there’s little to no travel necessary.” – First-year consultant • “I travel extensively, but that is part of what I enjoy, and it is part of the expectation associated with consulting.” – Senior consultant
Compensation • “I think it’s a pretty good overall package. At the mid- to upper levels of staff, it includes a base, an annual bonus and additional bonus opportunities based on high utilization.” – Energy insider • “The salary is market, the bonus is not. Depending on deal flow, you either get big utilization bonuses or nothing. Wide variation within the staff levels.” – Dallas staffer • “Base compensation moves up extremely slowly compared to the demands required by this profession.” – Analyst • “I have received a 1 percent raise in approximately two years and was promoted twice.” – New York senior
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: The firm’s weak official training offerings provide little aid to the challenges of navigating an inconsistent promotion system.
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• “Baptism by fire.” – Communications consultant • “There’s very little formal training for new hires, and the formal training that is offered is limited to the summers, with limited seats available. Very little support of education is offered, and if there is support, there is very little that is done for us to know that it exists.” – Senior staffer • “Almost all of the training is from working live deals and via interaction with one’s superiors. The training workshops that FTI offers are a little useful, but may only provide you with 5 percent of the knowledge you need.” – Atlanta midlevel • “The firm pretends to emphasize training, but they are ad-hoc and usually disorganized.” – Business consultant
Promotion Policies • “It is very difficult to classify the promotion policies, as they are all over the board. Some people get promoted very quickly, for others it takes years and years. This lack of transparency is very frustrating, but the lack of a formalized ‘ladder’ gives someone hope that they can be promoted earlier than at another firm.” – Midlevel staffer • “Junior (undergrad) staff are eligible for promotion at roughly the two-year mark. Those not promoted typically leave, and those who are promoted tend to remain for another year. At the senior level, consideration for advancement occurs roughly every four to five years.” – Senior source
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition FTI Consulting, Inc.
• “It’s flexible on the up-or-out, but if you’re not getting promoted, it’s not worth sticking around.” – Boston entry-level • “The firm rewards excellence with fast promotion, but also seems to treat promotion as the rule versus the reward for excellence, which has led to an inflated middle tier.” – Litigation insider
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: FTI can hardly be blamed for keeping merit as its supreme recruitment criterion, but some effort on the diversity front would help warm the firm’s largely conservative executive ranks.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “I know of no programs targeting these groups, but in a company where we target high-performing individuals, specifically targeting these groups to the detriment of merit standards would be a poor choice by firm leadership. I do feel that these groups are adequately represented within the firm, but I know of no special focus on hiring and retaining these groups.” – East Coast respondent • “We are an equal-opportunity employer. We hire the best people for the job. I would like to see more minorities, but most of that is a function of the percentage of college graduates in the fields we hire from” – Senior source • “Young people have no problem with any of the diversity groups. Older people are very non-receptive of GLBT hires.” – Business consultant
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Prospects are improving dramatically of late, as FTI distances itself from previous damages brought upon by the recession.
Overall Business Outlook • “We are at the top of our field and poised to distance ourselves still further from our rivals. We were hit by the downturn in 2009, but not nearly to the same degree as our closest competitors.” – Senior consultant • “As a restructuring, litigation consulting and forensic accounting firm, we have continued to thrive and grow in the economic downturn. The firm continues to get interesting client matters, and I have stayed 95 percent utilized over the past year.” – Finance junior • “The first half of 2010 is expected to be OK, while the second half is expected to be very busy.” – New York higher-up • “Employee morale is much better than last year, but continues to be a challenge to keep it up. Hiring freeze, very minimal pay raises and layoffs continue to make people uneasy. Most definitely, the 2009 bonuses turned morale around from almost complete devastation.” – Experienced business consultant
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “Extremely bright leadership committee. It knows how to position the company for success, and knows how to attract and retain the best people.” – Economic consultant • “I don’t get exposure to the highest levels leadership. I do get great exposure to the industry practice leader, and she is terrific, smart, driven and strategic.” – Los Angeles insider • “There does appear to be significant overhead consumed by leadership, which many feel is excessive and wasteful.” – Midlevel strategist
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• “The executives provide zero transparency and do not look out for the employees, only the shareholders.” – Senior consultant
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PRESTIGE RANKING
43
CHARLES RIVER ASSOCIATES
John Hancock Tower 200 Clarendon Street, T-33 Boston, Massachusetts 02116 Phone: (617) 425-3000 Fax: (617) 425-3132 www.crai.com
LOCATIONS Boston, MA (HQ) 23 offices in 11 countries
PRACTICE AREAS
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Management Consulting Aerospace & Defense • Auctions & Competitive Bidding • Chemicals • Climate & Sustainability • Energy & Environment • Enterprise Risk Management • Industrial Products • Life Sciences • Mining, Metals, & Materials • Oil & Gas • Transfer Pricing • Transportation • Value Management/Marakon Litigation Antitrust & Competition Economics • Damages • Financial Accounting & Valuation • Financial Economics • Financial Markets • Forensic Services • Insurance Economics • Intellectual Property • International Arbitration • International Trade • Labor & Employment • Mergers & Acquisitions • Regulation
THE STATS Employer Type: Public Company Ticker Symbol: CRAI (Nasdaq) Chairman of the Board: Rowland T. Moriarty President & CEO: Paul Maleh 2009 Employees: 777 2008 Employees: 823 2009 Revenue: $302 million 2008 Revenue: $377 million
UPPERS • • • •
“Extremely supportive of junior staff” “Never pigeonholed into a specific future” “Managers who truly and genuinely invest in their people” “Makes it easy to get into top-10 PhD, MBA, JD programs”
DOWNERS • “Too hesitant to let go of persistently underperforming staff” • “Lack of cohesive cross-practice culture” • “Poor name recognition” • “Need for high-quality midlevel management”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.crai.com/Careers
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • “Exceptional in antitrust” • “Public company makes for odd culture in professional services” • “Strong experts; overachievers” • “Run like the large corporation that it is”
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THE SCOOP Ready to back you up Founded in 1965, Boston-based Charles River Associates is a global consulting firm specializing in litigation, regulatory, financial and management consulting. CRA advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings, and guides corporations through critical business strategy and performance-related issues. CRA consultants are recognized for their creative and multidisciplinary approach to solving clients’ complex business issues. Clients include national and international companies; federal, state, and local government agencies and foreign governments; public and private utilities; and trade associations, which operate in a number of industries. Among those industries are aerospace and defense, banking and capital markets, capital projects, chemicals, energy and utilities, financial services, health care, insurance, manufacturing, media, mining, metals, materials, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, real estate, retail, sports, telecommunications and transportation sectors.
Doubling up After a year of slimming down in 2009, CRA is focused on two main areas of business: management consulting and litigation services. Under the former, its consultants offer advice on corporate and business strategy, performance improvement, portfolio management, market supply demand dynamics, pricing, technology management, capital allocation, supply chain and sourcing, and shareholder value. Also in 2009, CRA announced its asset purchase of Marakon Associates to build a larger presence in the management consulting space and to complement its litigation and regulatory work. Law firms, businesses and government agencies also turn to the firm for its litigation support, expert analysis, and guidance on regulatory and corporate matters. CRA’s consultants and academic affiliates have in-depth industry knowledge and expertise in economics, accounting, finance and business. Service offerings include class certification, damages analysis, expert reports and testimony, and regulatory analysis. CRA also offers business advisory services, including strategy development, valuation of tangible and intangible assets, risk management and transaction support.
Minding your Is and Ps CRA is a prolific publisher, regularly putting out studies, surveys and reports. It also has a number of newsletters that focus on the energy industry, accounting and valuation, competition issues, financial markets, life sciences, transfer pricing, and the oil and gas industry, among other subjects.
GETTING HIRED CRA consultants describe a successful candidate as “one who is capable of rising to the upper levels in the organization” and, similarly, one “who can [adapt to] steep learning curves.” This illustrates an important point for potential applicants: CRA simply seeks those who can fit in and succeed within its business model. More precisely, “candidates need to have a strong understanding of what CRA does, how we differ from other big firms.” Applicants must be well educated and equipped with natural quantitative talents, and have the drive and communication skills to succeed. Undergraduate applicants who make it past initial screenings will be sent to a Super Saturday, an all-day cycle of interviews and interactions with CRA employees and executives. In place of the standard case interview examinations, candidates face the prospect of real, engaging conversations with their interviewers, posed with questions designed to gauge a candidate’s capacity for success at the firm.
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OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: While maybe not be viewed as a place to spend one’s entire career, most consultants are perfectly happy with their current position.
Overall Satisfaction • “My wife asks me at least once a year if I am happy with my job, and I’ve always been able to honestly answer yes.” – Energy consultant • “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at CRA. The people you meet are extremely bright—some are the best in their industries. Because of the size of the firm, there are a lot of great ways to get involved outside of project work.” – Midlevel respondent • “CRA has done the trick for me as far as immediate career goals are concerned—a quality experience that has provided me with the tools/ experiences needed to get into a top MBA program.” – Boston staffer
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• “There are different opportunities, both project and non-project, but you have to seek them out. Professional development could be improved, but they are currently making efforts on this front.” – Health care midlevel
Firm Culture • “The culture is very academic, filled with smart people who are experts in their field. The junior staff are very close to one another and get together socially outside of the office, which is nice especially if you are not originally from the area.” – Entry-level staffer • “Everyone has an open-door policy, and I’ve found that people of all levels are accepting of your ideas and opinions.” – Boston midlevel • “It’s a very collaborative atmosphere within practice areas; not overly competitive or cutthroat. The collaboration outside of practices or functional areas needs dramatic improvement.” –Senior source • “Our office is fairly isolated from the rest of the company. We carry with us much of the culture of the industry, which does not place much value on work/home balance unless that balance favors work at most any cost.” – Junior staffer
Supervisor Relationships • “Many of us, including myself, grow very close with our supervisors. My supervisor has been a great mentor to me, and has worked with me to ensure that I achieve my goals at CRA and that I have experiences that will promote my career post-CRA.” – Antitrust consultant • “My supervisors are great and easy to talk to. There is definitely an open-door policy, and the senior staff are very accessible.” – Boston associate • “CRA has recently revamped the official supervisory role, which has helped in this regard, but some supervisors take this duty more seriously than others. More commonly, junior staff establish very good working relationships with project managers, as we have daily access to them.” – Health care junior • “Frustrations generally come about from unreasonable expectations about work hours and differential expectations of employees within the office.” – Litigation consultant
Interaction with Clients • “I feel fortunate to have very strong positive relationships with my clients. We typically work with large law firms and, in general, the attorneys are really sharp and tend to respect the work that economists contribute to the project.” – Senior antitrust source • “Although I am not usually directly involved in business development, the staff seem to be quite close and respected by the clients—thus resulting in repeat work.” – East Coast consultant • “Client relationships vary depending on the relationship the senior staff has with them and the access that junior staff have to them.” – Energy entry-level • “CRA’s rates and some of the accounting systems create tension with clients. In general, it’s not a client-focused organization; it’s an analysisfocused organization. The communication of conclusions is poor, and at times is frustrating for clients.” – Senior source
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: The hours at CRA aren’t particularly attractive, but consultants appreciate the minimal travel demands. Compensation has sagged a bit under the weight of recessionary concerns, though insiders expect it to rebound soon as the firm regains profitability.
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• “Work hours are equitable. Given deadlines, workweeks will be 60-plus, and overnighters or very late nights (i.e., 2 a.m.) are common, especially in litigation. Lately, project managers are becoming better about this (or client demands have become more reasonable), and these are less frequent than when I first started.” – East Coast associate • “Most weeks are bet ween 45 and 50 hours, which is ideal for me. Each year, there tend to be stretches of time, however, where hours push into the 60-plus range, with weekends and holiday work expected.” – Midlevel source • “CRA tends to be very deadline-driven (cost of working with a lot of academics); as such, late nights/long days and the occasional big push week crop up around a big deadline.” – Experienced health care consultant • “The number of work hours is never the issue; it is the unplanned variation in work hours that can be aggravating.” – Legal advisor
Work/Life Balance • “Flexibility is the key to work/life balance, and CRA offers a lot of flexibility. Some of that flexibility has to be earned, but once earned, it allows for excellent balance.” – D.C. staffer • “Although average hours vary greatly between practices, and sometimes within practices, personal commitments are generally respected and folks generally know ahead of time to allocate more time around deadlines to work.” – Health care insider • “Junior staff need to be proactive to maintain a good work/life balance. It’s not necessarily promoted by the firm. That being said, it’s possible, and most of us have achieved it.” – Antitrust source
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• “Client needs dominate everything. Most times this is reasonable, but there are many client requests that are not reasonable in a given time frame (e.g., 40 hours of work to complete over a weekend) that are still expected to be met. Management is hesitant to ever push back on requests.” – Senior consultant
Travel Requirements • “The majority of the work in most practice areas is done in the home office.” – Energy specialist • “I almost never have to travel for work because our work does not require being at the client site. There are other practices in the firm that do work that requires being on the client site, but for the most part there is very little travel at the junior level.” – Strategy consultant • “I love our firm’s travel policy: Travel only when needed. On average, I travel a few times a month.” – Junior staffer
Compensation • “Starting salary out of college was in line with most other professional service firms. However, due the poor economy and poor company performance, raises and bonuses have been lacking.” – Strategy associate • “CRA could provide better financial incentives. Since this was not a good year and we are public, it is somewhat understandable that paltry bonuses and tiny raises were issued. On the other hand, it is good to still be employed after several rounds of layoffs, so I’m not complaining too much.” – Boston insider • “For the amount and quality of work that we do, I think there should be better compensation, and more differentiation between the top of the pack and the bottom.” – Health care source • “I don’t agree with how bonuses are calculated. CRA uses utilization rates as the biggest weight, but very little attention is paid to other types of work or achievement, such as marketing efforts. Also, quality of work isn’t taken into account as much.” – Business consultant
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Maybe it’s unfair to criticize a program that is only beginning to take shape, but insiders don’t hesitate to call attention to the lack of formal training efforts.
Formal Training • “Historically, training has been a relative weak area for CRA, particularly at the senior level.” – Antitrust executive • “The firm’s training program is still in its infancy, and in the past there has been very little training. However, the firm is currently making a strong effort to develop its training program, and it should be more involved in the coming years.” – Entry-level strategist • “Cutbacks and a general revamping of the program have left a gap this year. Mentoring and on-the-job training remain the primary methods.” – Experienced consultant • “Official training is very limited. My practice has specific programs you need to learn, but there never were any formal training sessions for them. It might cost money, but it is worth the reward of investing in junior level employees. It would, at the very least, engage junior-level employees and support their efforts of learning something completely new and foreign.” – Junior source
Promotion Policies • “It’s not up or out, which is nice. For junior staff, the transition from analyst to associate is a given (virtually unheard of, but perhaps we hire apt people and have already weeded out the inept ones).” – East Coast midlevel
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• “It was a great feeling to get promoted after a year. I think that’s a good policy CRA has. It makes you feel like you accomplished something. It’s sort of a stepping stone, much of what recent college graduates have been used to all their lives.” – Financial associate • “Few entry-level staff stay with the company after a few years, so there is a natural break around the PhD/MBA entry level. However, the company has something in the works to attempt to retain staff who leave for a graduate degree and may come back.” – Experienced health care consultant • “The path to VP is probably easier from outside the firm than from inside.” – Boston higher-up
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: CRA insiders feel there’s no substitute for pure quality; as such, they are very much satisfied with the firm’s merit-based recruiting policies, even if they produce a largely homogenous workplace.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “As someone who led recruiting efforts, I know that the selection of candidates is diverse but not prescribed. We look for the best candidates, no matter what.” – Midlevel source • “We have a fairly homogenous workforce, but I have found the culture to have a strong respect for diversity, and hiring and promotion decisions
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are purely based on performance and capability.” – Valuation consultant • “We certainly have a lot of women in our company. Race and sexual orientation is never a topic of debate when it comes to hiring and promotions. I think we do everything right in this department.” – Entry-level staffer • “The number of female VPs has increased significantly in the last few years.” – Energy executive
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: The recession was a cruel blow for this publicly-traded firm, and its effects are still being felt at the home office. Consultants are reluctant, but ultimately confident about CRA’s future prospects for regeneration.
Overall Business Outlook • “The economic situation has been very tough on the firm due to reduced compensation, multiple layoff rounds and fewer professional opportunities. This has resulted in reduced morale and general frustration.” – Senior consultant • “The first quarter of 2010 was bleak, but the firm is sound financially. If the economy picks up and clients loosen their wallets, we will be back to normal soon. If not, probably more pain is to come.” – East Coast entry-level • “CRA hit a trough over the past year and a half, but things are looking up. It will take a while for the firm to be back up to pre-recession standards, but that was also driven by income in areas that may have changed for the long term (i.e., the finance practice).” – Midlevel staffer • “One of the effects of the economic situation is lower employee morale. However, due to changes made during the recession, I believe CRA is positioned to run forward leaner than ever. Senior staff in the company are learning new ways to develop business and have taken great strides on that front.” – Health care consultant
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “Leadership is in transition currently. Breaking old habits will take some time.” – Senior source • “Our new CEO, Paul Maleh, is very focused on employee development to make sure that the future leaders of the company are being given the opportunities and resources to do well. He joined CRA right out of grad school, so he knows what it takes to succeed here. He also knows the culture and how important maintaining the culture is to the employees.” – D.C. higher-up • “With the recent change in CEO, I think the firm is headed in a new direction—whether it is completely appropriate is hard to say. I think they are more open to new ideas and supporting new initiatives, but I think they have some ways to go, as there are many things that could be improved at the firm.” – Midlevel staffer
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• “The firm needs to decide if we should run under the banner of an economic consulting or strategy consulting model.” – Health care consultant
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PRESTIGE RANKING
NAVIGANT CONSULTING
44
30 South Wacker Drive, Suite 3100 Chicago, Illinois 60606 Phone: (312) 583-5700 Fax: (312) 583-5701 www.navigantconsulting.com
LOCATIONS
UPPERS • “Investment in human capital” • “Analysis elements of projects” • “Certifications and licenses funded by the firm”
DOWNERS
Chicago, IL (HQ) Offices in 40 cities in the North America, Europe and Asia
• “Tedious data gathering and processing” • “Big-company culture” • “Face time expectation”
PRACTICE AREAS
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
Disputes & Investigations • Economics • Financial Advisory • Management Consulting
www.navigantconsulting.com/careers
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Public Company Ticker Symbol: NCI (NYSE) CEO: William M. Goodyear 2010 Employees: 2,179 2009 Employees: 2,287 2009 Revenue: $702.2 million 2008 Revenue: $810 million
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Respectable in many different areas” “Publicly traded, short-term focused” “Actively head-hunting in health care” “Not enough emphasis on core values and community within the firm”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Navigant Consulting
THE SCOOP Consultants ahoy! Navigant specializes in steering companies through stormy waters. Focused on risk management and guidance during periods of change (regulatory or structural) or conflict, a significant portion of the firm’s business is related to issues concerning business disputes, litigation and regulatory compliance. Working with clients in the construction, energy, financial services, insurance and health care industries, as well as the public sector, the firm provides dispute, investigative, financial, operational and business advisory services, risk management and regulatory advisory services, and transaction advisory services. It has extensive experience assisting defendants, insurers and reinsurers in product liability cases. Formed in 1996 under the name The Metzler Group, Navigant has grown through a series of acquisitions. Those began with the acquisitions of the Peterson Consulting and Barrington Consulting Group in 1999—a pair of deals that saw the newly formed tripartite consulting entity renamed as Navigant Consulting. Since 2002, the firm has continued making acquisitions at a steady clip, even continuing to do so as the financial crisis took hold. Listed on the NYSE, Navigant employs a staff of roughly 2,200, and operates through offices in nearly 40 cities, primarily in the United States, but also in the United Kingdom, Canada, China and Singapore.
Rooting out corruption Perhaps the most difficult and damaging conflicts and disputes any organization can face are those that arise internally. Navigant offers investigative services to address these issues, whether they arise from fraud, corruption or the less headline-grabbing, but nonetheless taxing, challenges of compliance. The firm has on hand a staff of experts, among them CPAs, certified internal auditors and certified fraud examiners, with experience in forensic accounting, fraud examinations, internal audit and litigation support that is essential to undertaking effective corporate investigations. The goal of any investigative engagement is to help resolve critical situations promptly, minimizing possible damage to operations, reputation and shareholder value. To that end, Navigant provides advice and analysis throughout the process, and evaluates compliance programs designed to prevent and detect future problems. The firm will also parlay, when appropriate, with stakeholders and oversight bodies. These services are offered internationally, tackled by teams that fit the project, no matter the cultural, linguistic or logistical needs. Taking its investigative expertise to the page, Navigant also produces Investigations Quarterly Magazine, a custom publication that looks into the current state of corporate regulation, the potential transgressions and the best way to manage that kind of internal risk.
Pointing North Navigant’s website provides insights and regularly publishes commentary to help readers and clients find their way out of business quandaries, such as how to manage through the credit crisis or navigate the “green” real estate industry. Lawyers in need of a refresher can also turn to the Navigant’s continuing legal education courses, offered either in-house, via webinars or as part of legal roundtables anywhere in the United States. The center offers a number of courses, covering antitrust, bankruptcy, commercial litigation, corporate finance and corporate governance, employment, energy and environmental, health care, intellectual property, securities litigation and trials, among other topics.
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GETTING HIRED Navigant is an interesting case; while they are, of course, looking for outstanding candidates, there’s a particular focus on finding candidates most compatible with the data-heavy nature of their work. “Our firm is looking for intelligent individuals who can solve problems, but are OK with dealing with some drudge work—we aren’t looking for the next case-solving whiz,” a midlevel associate offers. Accordingly, recruiters typically look for on-campus mathematics (statistics is a popular major), economics, finance and accounting standouts, always with an eye for those who have “shown an aptitude for hard work.” For qualified candidates, it’s all about getting past the screening process; then, they’ll need their personalities to take over in a series of interviews and lunches. “Your resume will tell us what you can do, but it’s up to you to show us who you are,” an experienced associate explains. “If you don’t impress us, you will not be considered.”
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: The vast majority of Navigant consultants are satisfied with their colleagues and the quality of their work, but distrust of their veiled leadership is a major concern.
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Overall Satisfaction • “Navigant provides me with challenging opportunities and many learning experiences. Although I am entry-level, I feel that my opinions and analyses are strongly valued.” – Consultant • “I have had a great experience at Navigant. The only negative aspects for me have been the lack of reward during the recession (at a time where my work skyrocketed).” – Boston midlevel • “[I’m] satisfied with the work, responsibility and people, but I’m not satisfied with the advancement and corporate management.” – Construction consultant • “Among others, the largest issue I have with my firm is the lack of communication. There is not only a break in the chain from manager to staff when it comes to changes in an engagement, but I have heard that the managing directors feel they are left in the dark by the executive board. When there is little to no communication from top to bottom, it creates great inefficiencies and frustration abounds.” – Junior source
Firm Culture • “Navigant has a very collegial, dynamic culture. There is a huge commitment to corporate citizenship and sustainability initiatives, which provides a lot of opportunities to get involved in areas that are of interest, as well as to network with others in the firm.” –Consultant • “Many groups enjoy happy hour after work and eating lunch together. I would prefer a higher level of interest taken in my personal development, and increased discussion of the industry and other jobs available to people with our skills.” – Midlevel source • “Navigant has grown a lot by acquisitions, and acquired firms tend to keep their own culture.” – West Coast associate • “[Firm culture is] highly political and not unified, but otherwise friendly and upbeat.” – Finance consultant
Supervisor Relationships • “Everyone is on a first-name basis with each other, and there is a lot of interaction between employees at different levels within our practice.” – Chicago staffer • “I still haven’t met all of the managing directors and directors, but those I have worked with have been awesome.” – Consultant • “I am comfortable interacting with superiors and find them very approachable on professional issues. I would prefer that superiors foster a stronger culture of feedback and professional development.” – Energy consultant
Interaction with Clients • “Relationships with clients grow as individuals receive more access to clients. Generally, this happens at the managing consultant level; however, it is not uncommon for consultants and senior consultants to develop strong relationships with their clients.” – Senior consultant • “The opportunities are there if the individual displays capability and would reflect positively on the firm in client-facing situations.” – D.C. employee • “As an entry-level consultant, there are very few opportunities to build a relationship with clients.” – West Coast insider
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Consultants’ hours are predictably unpredictable, but the opaque compensation system generates enough resentment to go around.
Work Hours • “Work is inconsistent in its volume, but even on the craziest of weeks it usually stays below 80 hours.” – Boston staffer • “Scheduling can be unpredictable, but Navigant tries to make sure you are not constantly working overtime.” – Midlevel consultant Customized for: Ashmita (
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• “I will bill 20 hours one week and then 70 the next without an explanation.” – Disputes consultant • “There are times where I am waiting on work past normal work hours because my managers are discussing next steps and have completely forgotten about the staff.” – Associate • “Sometimes it is frustrating that lower-level individuals do not have much control over utilization; we do, however, try to keep an internal utilization database in order to utilize individuals across the firm when they may have some time available.” – Midwest higher-up
Work/Life Balance • “I am able to leave for appointments during the day. I can work remotely. I can shift work hours. It’s great.” – San Francisco insider • “The hours can be unpredictable, but the firm tries very hard to make sure they are not killing the new consultants. There is a definite focus on encouraging internal growth and keeping employees around.” – First-year • “To some extent, it’s possible to balance work and life. However since you never know if/when you’ll have to travel or work late, your work/life balance can instantly go down the drain in a flash.” – Entry-level staffer • “It depends on the manager you work for. Some managers value work/life balance and others do not.” – Financial consultant
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Navigant Consulting
Travel Requirements • “The official line is something around 30 percent travel. It really depends on which office you are in, and whether you are available when a travelling project needs consultants. There are folks who have never travelled, and there are folks who travel closer to 50 60 percent of the time.” – Junior source • “Travel requirements for our office have been minimal. Much of the interaction takes place on conference calls and web meetings.” – Austin insider • “When travel is required, the firm does a poor job of projected the length of the travel. Often, one week turns into two or more months of travel.” – Senior consultant
Compensation • “Obviously, the economy has hurt the entire industry. The firm froze salaries and other financial incentives (including a 401(k) match) for about a year, but is slowly reinstituting these incentives.” – Associate • “[There is] too much emphasis on utilization rate and not enough on extra efforts beyond, such as volunteer work, professional development and non-billable work.” – Business consultant • “The bonuses for overtime are almost insulting for the amount of extra time required to achieve them. The yearly bonuses are fair in terms on compensatory amount, but the policies that determine who receives bonuses needs to be reevaluated.” – Senior consultant
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: The training opportunities are there for those who seek them out, but accessing them is often a complicated process.
Formal Training • “Navigant has many training opportunities, and they are generally well constructed and useful.” – Midlevel consultant • “[Training is] administered through both classroom courses offered on location near our headquarters or online via an extensive database of online training courses covering an extremely wide range of topics.” – East Coast staffer • “The training is pretty good if you can make it to one; the staffing requirements of projects often override the time originally allocated for training.” – Senior consultant • “We can only take the specialized courses for our level, and even if we have completed almost all of them (and I have), we have to wait to be promoted to sign up for further courses.” – Junior source
Promotion Policies • “It’s not up or out. It depends on who you have worked with, how impressive you are, how long you have been working, etc. Some consultants advance quite quickly, others advance slower.” – Associate • “Promotion is handled on a case-by-case basis and is, in my opinion, not clear and not regulated. It needs to be calibrated across the company better.” – East Coast staffer • “There have been complaints of the policy being too subjective and then, once it was changed, too objective. I just wish we would get a complete overview of the process that goes into these closed-door meetings. If details were disclosed, we might better be able to adapt our work habits and improve our chances for promotion.” – First-year
Diversity
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Vault’s Verdict: Navigant isn’t going to win any awards or plaudits for its diversity initiatives, but it does try to improve upon the industry’s white, male status quo.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “The ratio of women to men in our office is very good. There are not as many female top managers, but overall I am happy with the male-tofemale diversity.” – Chicago first-year • “I believe that although we have some, we can do a better job in employing minorities. The same comments go for GLBT individuals; however that is not as easy to monitor as the others.” – Strategy consultant • “There are monthly emails that are sent out regarding diversity. Some offices have a fairly active Women’s Initiative group, which organizes events or outings for the women in the office.” – Midlevel source
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Consultants are cautiously optimistic about the firm’s progress, but the effects of some major exits are yet to be seen.
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Overall Business Outlook • “I think our firm is in good shape. We have a plan and we are in a great position to take advantage of the opportunities that are out there, especially in the present state of the economy.” – Senior consultant • “It’s difficult to decipher at this point, but it appears that we are headed in a positive direction; 401(k) matches will be reinstated, and recruiting efforts have continued throughout this time.” – East Coast staffer • “Even though the executive brass is completely ham-fisted, there is enough talent and local work that the company will keep going forward.” – Junior source • “Many big players have left the company to start competing companies. I don’t see the firm making any moves to stay competitive.” – Denver insider
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “I am confident in my managing director’s ability to bring in work, but staffing may become an issue with employees leaving the company. I don’t see much of an effort from management to retain good people.” – Strategy consultant • “I do not believe the way the firm is run at its current state is a good sign of things to come. Our executives are not former consultants, and they are not always the best voices in making choices for the firm’s next steps.” – Entry-level staffer
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• “Local leadership in the different offices is strong. Overall, there is less confidence in the executive management of the team.” – D.C. insider
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PRESTIGE RANKING
45
CAPGEMINI
623 Fifth Avenue, 33rd Floor New York, New York 10022 Phone: (212) 314-8000 Fax: (212) 314-8001 www.us.capgemini.com
LOCATIONS
THE STATS Employer Type: Public Company CEO: Paul Hermelin 2010 Employees: 90,516 2009 Employees: 90,000 2010 Revenue: €8.37 billion 2009 Revenue: €8.71 billion
New York, NY (US HQ) Paris (HQ) Offices in 33 countries
UPPERS
PRACTICE AREAS
• “Potential for rapid career growth” • “The autonomy and freedom I have in my day-to-day job” • “Capgemini Consulting’s life sciences practice is one of the best in this industry” • “We have access to significant resources across the globe to help make the job better”
Capgemini Consulting Finance & Employee Transformation • Human Resources • Marketing, Sales & Service • Supply Chain Management • Transformation Consulting Outsourcing Services Applications Outsourcing • Business Process Outsourcing • Infrastructure • Outsourcing • Smart Energy Services Technology Services Application Development & Integration (AD&I) • Business Intelligence • Infrastructure & Security • IT Transformation: Strategy & Architecture • Microsoft • Mobile Technology • Oracle • SAP
DOWNERS • “Flavour du jour mentality” • “Lateral movement is difficult” • “Incessant focus on the numbers and cost reductions” • “Only focusing on India; nothing else matters”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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www.capgemini.com/careers
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Rebuilding” “Techie” “Promotes fast” “Not what they used to be in North America”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Capgemini
THE SCOOP A winning combination Capgemini is a global consultancy engaged in information technology, management consulting, outsourcing and professional services. Headquartered in Paris, it employs over 90,000 people through offices in over 30 countries. The company’s clients are active in the automotive, consumer products, distribution, energy, chemicals, financial services, health care, life sciences, manufacturing, retail, media and telecom industries, as well as the public sector. The company created a new business unit in April 2009: Capgemini Consulting. The move brought all of the company’s worldwide strategy and transformation consulting operations under one banner, and installed Capgemini Consulting as the largest European consulting outfit at a stroke. The unit employs over 4,000 consultants worldwide and contributes some 8 percent of total revenue. Headquartered in London, Capgemini Consulting is headed by Pierre Yves-Cros, and has three practice areas, each dedicated to business transformation: strategy and transformation, operations transformation (which includes marketing, sales and service, finance and employee transformation, and supply chain management), and technology transformation (where services include “technovision,” accelerated IT restructuring and consulting for CIOs). According to the company, this new structure allows it to better utilize its global standing to benefit clients through sharing of best practices and experience across the company.
Names, more names and acquisitions In June 2009, Mayer Brown implemented a new governance structure with two governing bodies: a management committee consisting of six members plus the chairman and managing partner; and a partnership board with 12 members plus the chairman and managing partner. The two new groups replaced the former 16-member policy and planning committee, and office of the chairman, which included Chairman James D. Holzhauer and Vice Chairmen Kenneth S. Geller and Paul Maher. Mr. Holzhauer resigned as chairman in March 2009 and has been succeeded by Herbert W. (Bert) Krueger, a nationally recognized advisor in ERISA fiduciary matters and executive compensation who also represents private equity fund sponsors and investors. Mr. Geller was named to the new role of managing partner. He is a member of the firm’s top-ranked Supreme Court and appellate group.
The right stuff Through its business divisions around the world, Capgemini can legitimately claim to have a consulting empire on which the sun never sets. That’s something it puts to good use through its Rightshore® global delivery model, utilizing its network of international centers to provide specialist services around the clock for accelerated delivery, applications management service, business process outsourcing and infrastructure management. The model provides cost benefits for clients, as well, translating the lower cost of doing business in markets such as India, China, Eastern Europe and Latin America into savings. The company is investing heavily in the method, with plans to increase its employee count in India to 40,000 by the end of 2010. This will put more Capgemini employees in India than in any other country, representing 40 percent of the company’s total workforce.
GETTING HIRED
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Capgemini seeks graduates with demonstrated ability in, or the enthusiasm to learn about, very specific consulting fields. A prospective applicant cannot be proficient in just one area, though. “A very broad set of skills is needed” to impress during your interviews with Capgemini consultants and leadership. While it’s difficult to identify specific qualities they look for considering the vast differences in hiring practices between the firm’s consulting groups, intelligence, high marks in school and testing, and a demonstrable desire to learn and grow are all requisite qualities for any candidate. Two rounds of interviews await candidates identified as potentially successful. These include “both case and fit” interviews, in which candidates must perform up to the firm’s standards on real-life case examples. For successful applicants, patience might also be required before becoming a Capgemini associate: “It takes far too long for individuals to move through the recruiting process, and we often lose candidates throughout,” moans one graduate of the Capgemini hiring process.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Consultants are generally satisfied at Capgemini, especially the inexperienced seeking responsibility and a steep learning curve. At the senior level, satisfaction levels seem to drop.
Overall Satisfaction • “The firm has thus far been an invaluable learning environment, and has provided me a great deal of exposure to different industries and functional areas.” – Health care consultant • “Good company with a very shallow leadership structure and a lot of freedom for employees to affect the organization and impact the clients. Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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There are plenty of opportunities to build new skills and improve your resume.” – Detroit midlevel • “I have not met one senior executive from whom I learned anything, or saw true leadership. Just lots of posturing, and little know-how. The junior staff is rewarded only based on favoritism.” – Finance consultant • “Lots of people are leaving. I feel like the firm is nickel-and-diming the people. Back office support never seems to get it together.” – Senior source
Firm Culture • “Internally, the culture is very informal, with executives regularly mingling with employees and open lines of communications in all aspects. Politics have never factored into any working relationships and are openly discouraged at Capgemini.” – Strategy midlevel • “People have lots of autonomy—sometimes too much. Our culture is based on our vision of enabling transformation and our mission of enabling freedom. While the inspiration to do so exists in pockets across the culture, the culture at large is not reliable to execute.” – HR consultant • “The firm’s culture was very appealing on paper and is beginning to build to the level of mirroring our core values; however, for a large portion of the time I have worked with the company, as a result of many restructuring initiatives, the culture was weaker and the atmosphere was less cohesive.” – Health care insider • “It is ambiguous. Nice people for the most part, but no clear structure or support.” – Junior strategist
Supervisor Relationships • “My relationships with my supervisors have been mixed, but overall I find that the majority of management seems very interested in the progression and growth of their consultants, and are friendly as well as open to receiving and providing constructive feedback.” – New York entry-level • “Relationships are based on trust, very supportive. Supervisors provide me with relevant coaching, as well.” – Health care consultant • “I have minimal interaction with my supervisors. Most of my interactions with them are neither pleasant nor unpleasant. There is room for improvement here.” – Midwest respondent
Interaction with Clients • “Client intimacy is a key tenet of our business, and we are encouraged to build relationships with our clients above and beyond the standard professional work experience.” – Strategy consultant • “Client relationships are often great, which is a function of my facilitation role. Some clients have a mental ‘vendor’ model and lean hard on you for costs and extras and assume you are out to hose them. Some have a ‘partner’ model and work very closely with you.” – New Jersey higherup • “The work environment is very open and encouraging; the same applies to the relationships with the customers. We work in a collaborative manner with our clients.” – Experienced strategist
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: The firm holds its consultants to market standards of hours and travel demands, but consultants don’t always feel that they’re rewarded accordingly.
Work Hours • “Capgemini expects that the client comes first and all expectations are met or exceeded. Conversely, there is a lot of room and encouragement to balance work and life with flexible work schedules and good vacation time.” – Midlevel strategist
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• “While the hours are rather long, this is partially due to involvement with extra initiatives within the company that, while encouraged for career development, are voluntary.” – New York consultant • “If I were spending time on quality stuff, [the hours] wouldn’t bother me as much. Instead, I am correcting work that comes in from offshore channels.” – Senior source • “You have to make peace with your family that the benefits outweigh the costs.” – East Coast executive
Work/Life Balance • “Expectations for meeting client demands are strong. However, long hours and weekend work are balanced with freedom to telecommute and work flexible hours to meet personal needs.” – Strategy consultant • “It requires a great deal of effort and a willingness to sometimes sacrifice sleep, but that has never been a great concern of mine. Living in NYC helps, as most establishments are always open regardless of the hours when I am free.” – Health care associate • “I don’t believe it is a priority for the firm, but I have no issues here. Most of the projects I have been on lately have been adequately staffed so we don’t have to work crazy hours. That hasn’t always been the case.” – Detroit insider
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Capgemini
• “While the organization has become leaner, the level of work has not adjusted accordingly. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly difficult to balance the demands fitting a larger organization with the workforce, budget and hours available.” – HR executive
Travel Requirements • “A classic 3-4-5 travel model.” – New York consultant • “We go where the work takes us, which varies heavily and will often be farther from home, as opposed to local.” – Entry-level source • “I have been with local clients now for the past two years. But this is not the norm, and perhaps half of our team travels out of town at any point in time.” – Chicago midlevel • “We have a lot of opportunity to augment, if not transition completely from, traditional airline travel to more environmental-friendly ways of staying connected.” – Human resources consultant
Compensation • “New hires compensation is mostly competitive. Salary growth is often insufficient.” – Health care midlevel • “While my compensation is attractive on an absolute scale, I feel that compared with occupations which require a similar skill set and time investment, our bonus structure is essentially negligible.” – Operations consultant • “If you work 60 hours a week or 30, you get paid the same.” – West Coast insider • “There is now a formal recognition that salary modeling has been faulty, targeting the wrong segment of the market (too low). This year, some adjustments are being made topically after the loss of many high quality people. In 2011, there is an expectation that a more comprehensive series of adjustments will be made.” – Energy executive
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: The firm’s training leaves much to be desired, which certainly makes it more difficult to navigate an already-murky promotion system.
Formal Training • “Training content is usually developed by consultants and covers a wide range of topics, from industry issues to consulting methodologies.” – Senior respondent • “We do have a rather extensive formal training curriculum; however, over the past year or so, this has been a lower priority for the company.” – Health care midlevel • “This is an area that got cut way back in the lean years and hasn’t grown back to the level I think it should have.” – Strategy consultant • “Formal training could be better supported through suggested trainings and tracks of programs.” – Midlevel source
Promotion Policies • “Performance management is based on a mix of quantitative and qualitative metrics. Promotions are, of course, tough to get.” – Experienced health care consultant • “It is not up or out—yet. It is possible to advance pretty quickly if you can perform and know the right people.” – East Coast strategist • “The rules and processes have changed four of the past six years, which makes targeting very difficult, particularly at the higher end.” – Senior source
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• “Our firm has just undergone a complete overhaul of our promotion policies. The new policies look very attractive on paper, but I am reserving judgment to see how they are implemented. The new policy is essentially up or out and advancement between levels can occur after three to four years, on average.” – Entry-level consultant
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: Capgemini receives average marks for its diversity efforts, and insiders note that minority numbers have been bolstered by an influx of international employees.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “We have formal diversity and inclusion programs for women, minorities and GLBT individuals. We are in the early stages of our D&I, journey and most of the support and engagement is at the grass-roots level.” – HR executive • “They recognize same-sex relationships with full benefits. I have a team of 15, and we only have three straight white guys on it, so there are certainly areas where diversity is quite real.” – New Jersey executive • “Child care and maternity are treated as short term disabilities, which is not the best.” – Strategy consultant • “Diversity is all about cost. Offshore resources are cheaper; therefore it appears as though we make an effort to hire minorities.” – Operations midlevel
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Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Capgemini is financially healthy and large enough to bounce back from its recessionary woes, but consultants’ lack of confidence in leadership is less than reassuring.
Overall Business Outlook • “Current market conditions and extreme competitiveness in the consulting world has led to renewed focus on emerging segments and restructuring of the groups to meet these challenges.” – Energy newcomer • “Business is picking up strongly; we have an outstanding cash position and are looking to acquire smaller companies. We kept our margins even when revenues fell last year, and have a really broad portfolio of services.” – Senior staffer • “Demand has rebounded; hiring processes are in place. This is an exciting moment to be part of a fast growth program.” – Health executive • “Too much talent is walking out the door. Senior level people are leaving and taking their contacts with them. I worry who will be left to sell new work.” – Detroit business consultant
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “Although they tend to look out for themselves mostly, they are committed to at least meeting other employees and trying to mentor.” – HR junior • “Our leaders need to do more leading and less day-to-day managing. It would be good to see our short-term actions shaped by a long-term mission around which the organization is truly aligned.” – Dallas higher-up
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• “The talent is leaving for a reason. Whatever it is, it falls to leadership to recognize it and react to it. Thus far, nothing has been addressed.” – Experienced advisor
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PRESTIGE RANKING
46
TOWERS WATSON
875 Third Avenue New York, New York 10022 Phone: (212) 725-7550 www.towerswatson.com
UPPER • Strong, historic position in the HR industry
DOWNER LOCATIONS New York, NY (Global HQ) Offices in 35 countries globally
PRACTICE AREAS
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Benefits Health & Group Benefits • International Consulting • Mergers & Acquisitions • Retirement • Technology & Administration Solutions Risk and Financial Services Financial Modeling Software • Insurance Consulting • Insurance Industry M&A Consulting • Investment • Reinsurance • Risk Management Talent & Rewards Communication & Change Management • Data Services • Employee Surveys • Executive Compensation • HR & Talent Management Technology • HR Function Effectiveness • Mergers & Acquisitions • Rewards • Sales Effectiveness & Rewards • Talent Management & Organization Alignment
• Big and bureaucratic
THE STATS Employer Type: Public Company Stock Symbol: TW (NYSE, Nasdaq) CEO: John J. Haley 2010 Employees: 14,000 2009 Employees: 14,100
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.towerswatson.com/careers
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Big powerhouse” “Lots of change since the merger; odd marriage” “Owns the benefits/HR space” “Internal turmoil, confused”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Towers Watson
THE SCOOP The HR supergroup What happens when two of the oldest and most prominent actuarial consultancies meet in the middle of a recession? They form Towers Watson, a company combining the strengths and assets of Towers Perrin and Watson Wyatt Worldwide after years of direct competition between the two. The merger promises to create a giant in the field, with over 14,000 employees and multiple offices on every continent but Antarctica. Its practices will remain focused on human resources, and risk and financial management—areas which remain in high demand even as the global economy begins a slow march out of the recession. In mid-2009, both Towers Perrin and Watson Wyatt agreed to what was billed as a “merger of equals,” creating one powerhouse that would possess twice the headcount and global presence of either originating firm. By the time the merger was consummated at the start of 2010, Towers Perrin and Watson Wyatt had each shifted their headquarters from Connecticut and Virginia, respectively, to a central location in New York City, and established Towers Watson’s singular public status on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq under the new symbol “TW.” The company’s management similarly comprises an even balance from the previous firms, with Watson Wyatt’s John Haley taking the chairman and CEO seat and Mark Mactas of Towers Perrin named president and COO.
TP + WW = 4eva? The formation of Towers Watson also brings together the decades of experience and history each of its predecessors brings to the table. Towers Perrin had been in operation since 1934 as an insurance and pension advisory, although it, too, came together from earlier firms, whose history dated as far back as 1871. Since the 1940s, Towers Perrin published its TPF&C Pension Tax Manual, which became standard issue for the Internal Revenue Service for tax law guidance. Much of Towers’ finance and insurance actuarial services were handled by its Tillinghast division, the largest practice of its kind in the world, which offered consultation and software solutions to insurance and financial services companies. Watson Wyatt was no stranger to mergers itself; the firm was the famous product of an alliance between two longstanding actuarial legends, The Wyatt Company and R Watson & Sons. Regarded as the world’s oldest actuarial firm, R Watson & Sons began in 1878 and grew to become an industry leader largely through advisory work for the British government in establishing social insurance programs. The Wyatt Company, meanwhile, was established as a U.S. actuarial concern in 1946 and rapidly expanded its practices and global presence through the following decades. The two joined forces in 1995 to operate under the name Watson Wyatt Worldwide, with Wyatt Company’s branches handling North American business and the R Watson & Sons group holding covering Europe. The alliance between them was in name only, and it wasn’t until 2005 that a formal merger brought them together to form a singular entity.
GETTING HIRED Towers Watson’s hiring process is highly competitive, and both university and experienced hires are required to apply directly through the firm’s careers site. The selection process for university students and new graduates places a heavy emphasis on academic achievement, intellect, problem-solving and communication skills, and teamwork. The company also looks for a proven track record from internship and extracurricular activities. Those deemed a possible match will go through a fairly routine hiring process: a phone screen or on-campus interview, followed by in-office rounds with various associates and senior business stakeholders. Here, a candidate will be asked to complete job-based assessment exercises meant to determine his/her aptitude for the rigors of consultant life.
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For experienced candidates, the screening process typically starts with a phone interview with the recruiter, with the primary focus on the candidate’s professional achievements and consulting ability. Shortly thereafter, next rounds will occur over the phone or in the office, where candidates will face extensive interviews with Towers Watson associates, where they, too, will need to strut their stuff and prove that they’re up to the task.
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MERCER LLC
1166 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10036 Phone: (212) 345-7000 Fax: (212) 345-7414 www.mercer.com
UPPERS • “Independence” • Challenging work with varied clients
DOWNERS LOCATIONS New York, NY (HQ) Offices in 41 countries
• “Lots of deficiencies in upper management and the firm’s vision” • “It’s very hierarchical”
PRACTICE AREAS
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
Health & Benefits • Human Capital • Investment Consulting • Investment Management • Mergers & Acquisitions • Outsourcing • Retirement, Risk & Finance Consulting • Surveys & Products • Workforce Communication & Change
www.mercer.com/joiningmercer
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., a Public Company Ticker Symbol: MMC (NYSE) CEO: M. Michele Burns 2009 Employees: 18,900 2008 Employees: 19,000+ 2009 Revenue: $3.3 billion 2008 Revenue: $3.6 billion
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“High quality, proactive solutions and tools” “Very political” “Well branded” “Changes with the wind; unfortunately it’s been a windy decade for them”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Mercer LLC
THE SCOOP A resource for human resources New York-based Mercer is a global human resources consulting firm that provides consulting, outsourcing, and investment services. Mercer helps clients design and manage their health, retirement and other benefits, and to get the most out of their employees, and it also advises on issues related to administration, technology and benefits. The firm has almost 19,000 employees serving clients in over 180 cities and 40 countries and territories. Clients include a majority of the companies in the Fortune 1000 and FTSE 100, as well as medium- and small-market organizations. A wholly owned subsidiary of one of the United States’ largest insurance brokerage firms, Mercer consistently generates around 30 percent of Marsh & McLennan’s total revenue.
Different names, same business Since its birth in 1937 as the employee benefits department of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., the firm has undergone several shifts in identity, although HR concerns have remained at the core of its business. The first change occurred in 1959, when MMC acquired a Canadian company named after its founder: William M. Mercer. In 1975, that firm became a wholly owned subsidiary of MMC, keeping its name until 2002, when it became Mercer Human Resource Consulting. That identity lasted a mere five years, however, as the firm’s offerings expanded ever further beyond the world of HR consulting. Accordingly, all but the first word was dropped in a 2007 rebranding, and the firm emerged plainly as Mercer.
Three’s company Mercer groups its consulting activities into three main areas: retirement, health and benefits, and “other”—a group that is also referred to as the “talent” field, and that includes service offerings such as human capital consulting, survey and product work, and workforce communication and change. The company’s extended offerings, meanwhile, also include consulting and management on investments, as well as outsourcing and a dedicated M&A business. Outside its “regular” consulting operations, Mercer’s investment consulting business serve fiduciaries of pension funds, foundations, endowments and other investors on all stages of the institutional investment process, from designing a strategy, to structuring and implementing investments, to ongoing portfolio management. Investment management consultants primarily focus on retirement plan assets for institutional investors (including retirement plan sponsors and trustees) and for individual investors. Finally, the firm’s outsourcing unit helps clients streamline their benefits programs. Mercer offers total benefits outsourcing, retirement outsourcing and standalone services for outsourcing-specific functions, such as defined benefits administration, defined contribution administration, health benefits administration and flexible benefits programs.
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Mercer also offers executive learning services to its clients in the Asia Pacific region via Mercer College. Targeted specifically to human resources professionals, the college offers more than 60 workshops in 10 different learning categories: leadership effectiveness, mergers and acquisitions, organizational effectiveness, human resources transformation, performance management, talent management, rewards management, health and benefits, retirement and communications. The workshops are structured and designed based on the concept of the “Mercer human capital wheel,” which is made up of six key areas that the firm says can predict a company’s level of productivity: people, processes, structure, information and knowledge, decision making and rewards. The college also offers an advanced diploma of business (human resources), accredited by UNE Partnerships, an education training company based out of the University of New England. Additionally, Mercer publishes results from numerous studies, analyses and surveys conducted by its own consultants on a full range of HR and finance management issues. These compiled findings, presented in the context of current market trends, are being utilized as part of Mercer’s suite of new services to keep in step with the demands of the global recession.
GETTING HIRED “There are generally three interviews” involved in Mercer’s hiring process, an insider reports, “and the interviewers range from low- to high-level employees.” Candidates should be prepared to give in-depth accounts of their personal, academic and working background, with particular emphases on successes and how challenges—failures, even—have been addressed and overcome. “The hiring process takes a significant amount of time,” an associate says, a sentiment echoed by most respondents. But it’s worth the wait, even just to claim the achievement of making it through a process the talented consultants at Mercer have rated as “exceptionally selective.”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Mercer LLC
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Mercer consultants are typically satisfied with their day-to-day, reserving special praise for their co-workers. “I’m extremely satisfied with my colleagues and work content,” one insider proudly states. And while many agree that their colleagues are bring and hardworking, many also agree that the firm’s leadership team leaves something to be desired. “I’m extremely dissatisfied with executive leadership,” a consultant reports. Another goes quite a bit further, labeling them “extremely autocratic” and stating that “local and regional managers live in fear of corporate executives.”
Hours & Pay Following recent salary freezes, compensation has generated widespread gripes from consultants and associates. While most recognize that base salaries are “lower than elsewhere,” one source shows appreciation for the firm’s supplementary compensations, including the “progressive bonus structure, absolutely excellent benefits and a flexible work schedule.” Other complaints stem primarily from the manner in which compensation is distributed, with associates calling Mercer’s performance management system “a total black box” and “a complete joke.”
Professional Development “Most training is unofficial,” one consultant remarks. “This can work very effectively, but sometimes there are serious knowledge gaps as a result.” Of course, this highlights the need for formal training, which does exist, but “most training is via webinars,” which range in quality from “pretty good” to “useless,” we’re told. Grudges against leadership carry over with respect to promotion policies; “it’s not up or out,” one associate explains, “but regardless of what you bring to the plate, if you don’t have the specific skill they want for the next level, you won’t advance.” Others lash out against what they deem to be the subjective nature of the firm’s promotion path. “Some people are fast-tracked, while others need to prove themselves forever,” says an unsatisfied consultant.
Overall Business Outlook
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Despite obvious qualms with firm leadership, most Mercer consultants are confident that the firm will remain profitable for the foreseeable future. “The firm is large enough to withstand recessions, even severe recessions like we’ve just been through.” As the economy continues to pick up speed, look for Mercer to rebound, and with it, employee morale.
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HURON CONSULTING GROUP
550 West Van Buren Street Chicago, Illinois 60607 Phone: (312) 583-8700 Fax: (312) 583-8701 www.huronconsultinggroup.com
LOCATIONS Chicago, IL (HQ) Atlanta, GA Boston, MA Dallas, TX Detroit, MI Houston, TX New York, NY Portland, OR San Francisco, CA Washington, DC Amman Dubai London Riyadh
THE STATS Employer Type: Public Company Ticker Symbol: HURN (Nasdaq) Chairman & CEO: James H. Roth 2009 Employees: 2,124 2008 Employees: 2,129 2009 Revenue: $628.7 million 2008 Revenue: $573.8 million
UPPERS • “Ability to work remotely” • “Pre-tax benefits”
DOWNERS • “Lack of people development” • “Less diverse; insulated”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT PRACTICE AREAS
www.huronconsultinggroup.com/careers.aspx
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Accounting & Financial Consulting • Health & Education Consulting • Legal Consulting
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • “Great work/life balance” • “Almost bit the dust” • “Many divisions; find a niche you are really passionate about” • “More flash than cash”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Huron Consulting Group
THE SCOOP Crisis consultants Huron Consulting Group specializes in helping organizations. It has made a name for itself in turnaround management, mostly advising clients through regulatory and litigation challenges. One of its fastest growing services is retrieval of files such as emails, voicemails and computer files for companies in litigation. Huron also has a strong reputation as a premier health and education service provider. This practice provides consulting services to hospitals, health systems, physicians, managed care organizations, academic medical centers, colleges, universities, and pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers. Health and education professionals develop and implement solutions to help clients address financial management, strategy, operational and organizational effectiveness, research administration and regulatory compliance. Specific issues the practice helps to alleviate include hospital or healthcare organization performance improvement, inpatient and surgical flow solutions, turnarounds, merger/affiliation strategies, labor productivity, information technology, revenue cycle improvement and physician practice management. The Chicago-based firm also offers more traditional business consulting services for clients in more stable situations, such as improving operations, boosting shareholder value and watching the bottom line. Huron’s clients include Fortune 500 companies, midsized businesses, leading academic institutions, health care organizations and the law firms that represent these organizations. Its 2,000-plus professionals have worked on engagements with 49 of the 50 largest U.S. law firms listed in The American Lawyer 2008 Am Law 100, more than 275 general counsels and nine of the top-10 largest health care systems as ranked by Modern Healthcare. Since opening its doors in 2002, Huron has conducted more than 7,000 engagements for over 3,000 clients.
The Huron trilogy The firm divides its practice into three segments: health and education, financial and legal. Consultant expertise in these segments is brought to bear on such issues as litigation, disputes, investigations, regulatory compliance, procurement, health care revenue cycle and operational improvement, financial distress and other conflicts without clear categorization. The performance of clients in less dire circumstances is also addressed through strategic, operational and organizational analysis.
GETTING HIRED “The firm is interested in the fit of the individuals to the rest of the people, more so than the business knowledge,” says an insider, highlighting a key tenant of Huron’s recruiting methods. “We believe that people can be taught, molded to become great consultants.” Of course, applicants need to bring some moldable skills and qualifications to the table, including excellent communication and analytical skills. Candidates can expect a “blitz interview” process, which consists of two days of first-and second-round interviews with Huron professionals, after which several candidates won’t make the cut. All candidates are contacted after the first round, indicating whether or not they’ve been back the next day, where they will confront a behavioral and a case interview specific to that candidate’s preferred industry. After the second round, candidates will be informed if they’ve been selected for a site or office visit—the final stage of the interview process. Following that stage, Huron aims to make quick decisions for each candidate.
OUR SURVEY SAYS
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Corporate Atmosphere There’s no shortage of positive reports coming out of the Huron camp, though many are paired with caveats or gripes. “I love Huron!” exclaims an enthusiastic source; others cite “strong career opportunities” and “good work” as sources of overall satisfaction. Others feel strongly about the firm’s “team-based, collegial atmosphere” that was admittedly more social before “the economy killed the company events.” Others prefer to point to leadership, in particular, as one of the firm’s main drawbacks. “Leadership is very poor in managing a professional staff,” one frustrated consultants says, while several consultants characterize leadership as simply “weak.”
Hours & Pay While hours can widely range from “20 to 70” hours per week, the standard weekly fare is usually reasonable and “just fine,” insiders report. They also note that “the firm ensures work/life balance for employees.” “This means more efficient work process and workload, while having to work reasonable hours to provide client service.” “Weekends are saved for personal uses,” another source echoes. Travel requirements (“80 to 90 percent commitment” for some) can make “Monday through Thursday awful,” but “the perks of the job make Friday to Sunday great.” Among those perks is a compensation package that one consultant describes as “competitive to other similar-sized firms within the industry.”
Overall Business Outlook Insiders give mixed responses when it comes to Huron’s future business outlook. A number of respondents give the firm positive marks in this area, with one midlevel consultant stating, “Our portfolio of clients is diverse, so we are able to grow even in this environment. Client relationships are still strong withVault ourat www.vault.com firm.” Butforsome feel less dent. The firm “is in a state of flux currently,” says a member of the less optimistic crowd, while others observe Visit insider company proficonfi les, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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IMS CONSULTING
80 Broad Street, 35th Floor New York, New York 10004 Phone: (646) 274-1800 Fax: (646) 274-1801 www.imshealth.com/pandr
LOCATIONS Norwalk, CT (Corporate HQ) New York, NY Cambridge, UK IMS Health has additional offices in more than 100 countries
PRACTICE AREAS Commercial Effectiveness • Pricing & Market Access • Product & Portfolio Strategy
UPPERS • • • •
“The group dynamic is beyond comparison” “We’re never bored” “Hands-off management” “Lack of hierarchy”
DOWNERS • “No private offices” • “Computers are used as an indicator of seniority” • “Banker-like hours without banker-like pay” • “No consideration to junior staff issues”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.imshealth.com/careers
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company, a unit of IMS Health Incorporated Chairman & CEO: David R. Carlucci 2009 Employees: 7,250 2008 Employees: 7,500 2009 Revenue: $2.2 billion 2008 Revenue: $2.3 billion
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Major player in health care” “Data vendor trying to be a consulting firm” “Increasingly strategic” “Treat associates like associates”
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition IMS Consulting
THE SCOOP Savvy specialists IMS Health is one of the only global health sector-specific consulting and services companies of its kind. With over 100 offices in more than 100 countries, the Norwalk, Connecticut-headquartered firm provides sales management, market research and consulting services in the pharmaceutical and health care industries for clients that include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, professional services firms, members of the financial community, government and regulatory agencies, advertising agencies, the media, researchers and educators. IMS Health (which stands for Intercontinental Marketing Services) is best known for its medical data, which tracks the sale of prescription and over-the-counter drugs and marketwide sales. It also offers market forecasts based on surveys of doctors and hospitals, and provides consulting and other professional services, including advising clients on brand management and sales force effectiveness. On the consulting front, the company has three main practice areas: product and portfolio strategy, commercial effectiveness, and pricing and market access. Those form around half of a dedicated consulting and services unit at the company, with the services component also consisting of three areas: commercial implementation, managed markets and market research. Altogether, those units offer clients end-to-end services, from developing strategies and tactics, qualitative and quantitative analysis of market trends development and implementation of software applications and data warehousing—each of which is fully customized for each client.
A healthy start Right from its founding (in 1954 in Norwalk, Conn.), the firm’s raison d’être has been to help pharmaceutical companies gain knowledge of the markets they compete in, or are thinking of entering. One of the firm’s first research studies, published in 1957, audited pharmaceutical sales within the West German market, which prompted clients from all around the world to sign up for its services. Over the years, the company expanded across Europe, and also penetrated Japan, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Further expansion occurred at home and abroad and, by 1972, the firm was sizeable enough to go public. By 1981, IMS Health had offices in 57 countries and annual revenue of $170 million. A period of consolidation was followed by a $1.8 billion sale to Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, only for that firm to spin it off as a separate entity—one that found itself afloat on the New York Stock Exchange with the appropriate ticker symbol “RX.” In the 1990s, IMS acquired a number of specialized health care consulting firms in order to develop its consulting capabilities. Currently, the pricing and market access practice of IMS Consulting has more than 80 consultants worldwide, with primary offices in New York City and Cambridge, England. After 28 years as a public company, IMS once again became privately held in February 2010 when it was acquired by TPG Capital and the CPP Investment Board. The firm says that, despite its new ownership structure, it has no plans to alter the services that it provides to its clients.
Small firm, big resources The pricing and market access practice specializes in the pharmaceutical and health care industries. Projects span a broad range of strategy consulting engagements for the top pharmaceutical companies and numerous biotech clients. IMS is regarded as a leader in this area, having worked on all four of the most successful drug launches in pharmaceutical industry history. As a unit of IMS, the pricing and market access practice has access to IMS data and office resources in over 100 countries, while still maintaining a small-company feel.
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Unlike many other strategy consulting firms, IMS consultants generally work out of their local office, attending client meetings as necessary. This arrangement provides for significant client contact while facilitating a cohesive corporate culture.
GETTING HIRED While selectivity might vary a bit between offices, it is, at its best, truly difficult to get hired at IMS Consulting. “We typically hire about six to 10 applicants out of a pool of 800 to 1,000-plus,” an insider reveals. Another details on-campus recruiting efforts, which are limited to “a small handful of Ivies only, with resume drops at five to eight other schools.” In screening candidates, the firm looks for graduates with “high intellectual, writing, interpersonal, organizational and analytical capabilities.” Most important, though, is for candidates to express genuine interest in the field and working as a consultant for IMS, in particular—with a focus on building a career there. The actual interview process is typical of the industry, and more concise than some. Ultimately, successful candidates will have progressed through two to three rounds of interviews, spanning the usual behavioral and case interviews, including a mock client presentation to senior members of the office. There is a real focus on cultural fit, as well: “We rarely give an offer if someone aces the cases but is iffy on the fit,” a consultant explains.
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OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: The ongoing morale struggle at IMS can ultimately be sourced to recessionary cost-cutting measures that resulted in ‘skeletonthin’ staffing. Simply put, there’s too much work to go around and consultants are burning out. Currently, the firm is recruiting aggressively to hoist itself out of the recession.
Overall Satisfaction • “Overall, I’m pretty satisfied with the job. The people are great to work with, and the material is interesting. I feel like I am being paid to learn about what I love.” – Consultant • “I’ve worked in a number of consulting organizations. This one is the most rewarding experience. Challenges are significant, but are consistently pushing my growth. Leadership is well respected.” – Senior source • “I say this as a junior staff member: Overall, this firm will give you a ton of growth opportunities, but will also really try your patience, and after a few years reduce your motivation to do quality work.” – Analyst • “IMS doesn’t live up to the promise. The work isn’t half as interesting as you are told it will be, and quality of life has taken an exponential plunge in the last 12 months.” –Analyst
Firm Culture • “We are informal with one another, and because of our open-office arrangement, there are literally no barriers to approaching a colleague. Socially, we hang out on the weekends and I personally have developed some great friendships that will last.” – Entry-level analyst • “There is zero pretense in this office, and the relatively small office size fosters unique cohesion among an amazingly friendly and thoughtful, if not cerebral, bunch.” – Midlevel source • “Socially, we’re a pretty outgoing and down-to-earth group. People are intellectually curious, friendly and dedicated to quality in their professional efforts. Check the unbridled machismo and hubris at the door.” – Consultant
Supervisor Relationships • “My supervisors are focused on work and do their best to allow consultants to spend their time on projects, not bureaucracy. They are very informal and non-corporate, and have senses of humor about most things. No BS.” – Executive-level source • “IMS is unusual in that analysts will go play tennis with senior principals or have dim sum together—just for fun.” – Junior analyst • “Management constantly interacts with analysts and provides insights into consulting, industry and career development. I am very impressed by their level of support and commitment to welcoming analysts onto the team.” – New York source • “IMS puts you basically at the mercy of your project manager. If you get a bad one, she/he can make your life miserable and get away with it.” – Entry-level respondent
Interaction with Clients • “Client interaction is ramped up very quickly—I found myself presenting on my first project! This is a very special benefit of IMS.” – Midlevel consultant • “Seeing as I am a relatively new hire, I do not have very strong relationships with clients. However, given how short of a time period I have been working, I have gotten a very good amount of client exposure.” – First-year analyst
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• “Interaction ranges from very good clients who get the big issues, to completely incompetent middle-manager-level clients who totally get lost in the weeds and details of day-to-day processes.” – Junior consultant
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: It’s been a rough year on this front for IMS consultants. For a clearer image of life at the firm, take the typical industry gripes about long and erratic hours and magnify them.
Work Hours • “We don’t have enough people to do all the work, which makes for unreasonably long work hours. The senior people who are selling the projects don’t think about the fact that we don’t have enough people to do all the work they’re selling.” – First-year source • “Working hours have been very odd during my time here. This is likely as a result of a drop-off in demand for consulting during the economic downturn (hardly any work at all), and the corresponding short-handedness we had when work picked up again.” – Analyst • “Given the state of affairs lately, if you can get out at 5 p.m. or 6 p.m., you should go out and celebrate because that is not likely to repeat until your resignation.” – Analyst
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Work/Life Balance • “The more seasoned consultants balance this very well, but there needs to be greater firm effort to ease newer consultants into the consulting life and promote efficiency.” – Experienced source • “It is difficult most of the time; I usually feel like work travels home with me. I am almost always on the computer in the evening or weekends.” – Midlevel staffer • “At times, I have had to postpone or cancel personal appointments to be available to do work. This is sub-optimal, and I believe the firm is working to improve work/life balance.” – New York analyst • “You are lucky if you don’t have weekend work. Sunday evenings are mostly devoted to work. I’ve also been asked to work while on vacation this year.” – Consultant
Travel Requirements • “I really like the frequency with which I travel. We are on an office-based model and travel as needed, which I think works out to about two times a month for junior staff. Travel is typically limited to a day trip or an overnight trip.” – Analyst • “We don’t work on site, which is one of the big perks to me. We do travel to client meetings, and will sometimes travel for project work. In the event that we do travel, it’s always interesting—in the last year, I have traveled for work to London, Paris, Barcelona and California.” – New York insider • “I travel usually one time per month and it’s usually a day trip. I find it very manageable—it does not interfere with my work/life balance. It honestly happens so rarely that I am sometimes even happy to get out of the office for a change of scenery.” – First-year analyst
Compensation • “Compensation for entry-level hires tends to be slightly below market, from my understanding.” – New analyst • “It is no secret that we are underpaid consultants—the difference was that the firm rationalized and sold the compensation based on the lack of travel, the good work/life balance, etc. Unfortunately, the latter did not materialize; the utilization rates are still high, and the attrition rate has been accelerating lately.” – Midlevel source • “The bonus system is a bit of a joke—nowhere near what it is at competing consulting firms.” – Experienced consultant • “Financial incentives are misaligned. Senior staff want to sell more work, while junior staff do not get rewarded financially for the quantity of work done or the time spent on that work.” – Analyst
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Insiders have their fair share of qualms about IMS’s training offerings, but apparently the firm is aware of its shortcomings and is looking to remedy the situation. Promotion policies, on the other hand, are highly praised and are thought to be very fair.
Formal Training • “Much of the training material is rather weak; most people learn as they go. The good thing is that they tend to throw you in the mix, which forces you to learn fast.” – First-year analyst • “The formal training program here is quite shoddy, and not great preparation for the type of work you will be doing on a project.” – Junior source • “IMS offers multiple training opportunities, but they are usually webinars with vague titles like ‘Refresh your desktop course skills.’” – Consultant • “Training is a bit of a work-in-progress. Because of staggered start times of last year’s hiring class, training was a bit piecemeal. However, there is a definite recognition of this, and a definite active push to make training more formalized.” – Midlevel consultant
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Promotion Policies • “IMS is an exceptionally well-functioning meritocracy. They are willing to promote as quickly or as slowly as people demonstrate they want.” – Experienced consultant • “The firm will never fire you, and if you’re good, you’ll be promoted quickly.” – New York newcomer • “Workload is high, but promotions are frequent. Many people are promoted from analyst to consultant in one-and-a-half years.” - Analyst • “Promotion here has been fair, and I received a promotion after a year-and-a-half, but the problem is that the compensation bump is quite low, and there is not much to differentiate doing really thorough work and just OK work from a compensation perspective.” – Midlevel source
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: Any place where white, Christian men are underrepresented minorities is bound to score well in this category. IMS fits this description, proving to be one of the most genuinely diverse and open communities around.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “This is where the firm really excels; the people are diverse, not because we ‘tried’ to be, but it’s just the way we are. We have GLBT individuals at junior and senior levels. New mothers have been promoted. Maternity and child care are always supported. We don’t even think about discrimination—it’s a non-issue.” – Senior consultant Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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• “This is a very gay-friendly place. I believe every gay employee in the office is out, including myself.” – Analyst • “The IMS office is the most ethnically diverse place I have ever worked. Everyone gets along very well. We have a lot of after-hours events, which the majority of the office attends.” – Senior source • “The firm is truly welcoming and full of any background whatsoever.” – New York midlevel
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: As a prominent name in the health care industry, IMS should rebound from its recessionary woes with experience and determination. A recent takeover could alter this path, though its effects are still too new to be measured.
Overall Business Outlook • “From a revenue perspective, we are poised to grow. I’ve seen exciting and new opportunities come our way—new clients, new markets, new subject areas, new strategies.” – Senior source • “We’re back up on our feet after a weak year, mostly due to the down economy.” – First-year analyst • “We are in a very strong situation from a client point of view. We have some challenges in terms of rebuilding morale and our pyramid, given the impact of the economic downturn.” – New York higher-up • “Our office is often characterized by waves of people leaving for school or other jobs, which makes it scary, at times, to stay.” – Midlevel consultant
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “Leadership by the two vice presidents is exceptional—they seem to really care about their people.” – Junior source • “Our firm leadership is dedicated, in touch and strong advocates of our practice to senior management of the overall firm.” – Experienced staffer • “IMS was recently purchased by a private equity firm and taken private. We don’t know much about the grand plan.” – Senior consultant
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• “I’m not sure they are aware of the extent to which our firm struggles from burnout and internal flying by the seat of our pants at a junior, dayto-day process level.” – Entry-level analyst
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PRESTIGE RANKING
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KAISER ASSOCIATES
1747 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 900 Washington, DC 20006 Phone: (202) 454-2000 Fax: (202) 454-2001 www.kaiserassociates.com
UPPERS • “Unheard-of level of responsibility very early on” • “Quick project turnaround”
DOWNERS LOCATIONS
• “Lack of staff to meet our business requirements” • “Little transparency about how to get where you want to be”
Washington, DC (HQ) Cape Town Hong Kong London São Paulo Toronto
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT For Corporate Strategy practice: www.kaiserassociates.com/cs/careers For Economic Development Practice: www.kaiseredp.com/new/n_4_1.htm
PRACTICE AREAS Benchmarking • Innovation • Marketing & Sales • Mergers & Acquisitions • Organization & Leadership • Operations Capabilities • Strategy Development & Execution
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company Managing Director, North America: Mark Stein 2010 Employees: 105 2009 Employees: 120
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THE SCOOP Little firm, big business Kaiser Associates is a boutique management and business consulting services firm headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in London, São Paulo, Cape Town, Toronto and Hong Kong. Its business is divided into a corporate strategy practice in North America, Europe and South America, and an economic development practice in Africa, South America and Europe. Founded in 1981, the firm’s clients include five of Fortune’s Ten Most Admired Corporations, six of the top-10 in BusinessWeek’s Global 1000, six of the top-20 companies listed on BusinessWeek’s Information Technology 1000 and four of the EuroSTOXX 50. The firm’s consultants offer services in a number of industries, including aerospace and defense, chemicals, communications and technology, consumer packaged goods, power and utilities, financial services, health care, industrial, media and entertainment, oil and gas, private equity and retail.
Kaiser means king – of benchmarking Kaiser’s corporate strategy practice works with Fortune 500 and smaller companies to develop and execute business strategy. The practice is probably best known for its benchmarking practice, which it began in 1983. Kaiser also claims to have authored the first book on the subject—Beating the Competition: A Practical Guide to Benchmarking, published in 1985. The firm offers four different types of benchmarking services. The first, internal benchmarking, compares function and business process performance across geographies and/or business units within a company. Used as a performance improvement tool, internal benchmarking helps companies looking to improve their businesses to pinpoint and prioritize their problems. External benchmarking, on the other hand, looks at other companies in a client’s industry, or out-of-industry “best in class” companies, to identify processes or changes that could be helpful for Kaiser’s clients. The firm’s “consortia” benchmarking offering involves creating networks of 10 to 20 different noncompeting companies that share data in a common area of interest. Kaiser facilitates the data-sharing process, synthesizes the results, and identifies trends and insights to help everyone in the network. The consortia benchmarking exercises can focus on anything from public relations and corporate communications functions, to branding and call center operations. The fourth benchmarking service Kaiser offers is teaching others how to benchmark themselves. To that end, the firm’s benchmarking experts provide courses at graduate business schools, in seminars, workshops, and executive strategy sessions, at workshops for industry associations, and at special events led by global conference companies.
Going public In the late 1990s, Kaiser Associates began using the knowledge it gleaned from the private sector to lend a helping hand—for a price, of course—to the public sector. The firm’s economic development practice, which it opened in 1998, works with national, regional and local governments, multilateral agencies, donors and multi-stakeholder groups on issues related to sustainable economic development. The practice is mainly offered through the Cape Town office, which it opened in 1997, but Kaiser’s economic development consultants have also worked extensively in the Middle East, India and Europe. The practice offers a range of services, including offering advice on economic policy and strategy, industry development, regional and local economic development, transport and trade infrastructure development, trade and investment facilitation, and program development, management and evaluation. For example, Kaiser Associates worked with the South African government to develop an integrated small business development strategy. The strategy defined the government’s national approach to small and medium enterprise development and how it would support these businesses, covering issues such as targeting beneficiaries, accessing money, training employees, and a range of other services and support measures.
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Going the distance With just over 100 consultants, Kaiser has a surprisingly global reach, and often boasts of its offices’ international makeup and the number of languages spoken in its six offices. Each office covers wide swaths of territory, with Washington, D.C., handling business in North and Central America, the Caribbean and Asia, and the London office serving businesses and governments in Europe and the Middle East. The Toronto office is mostly caught up in Canadian contracts with clients in the aerospace, financial services, consumer products, natural resources, communications and utilities sectors, while the São Paulo location concentrates on South American clients, with an emphasis on those in energy, communications, pharmaceuticals and consumer products and services. It also has a growing economic development practice.
GETTING HIRED Kaiser’s “fairly rigorous” hiring process opens with a telephone interview, in which applicants (pre-screened for qualified resumes and competent writing samples) discuss “a mix of general background questions, a gauge of the candidate’s interest in Kaiser and a brainteaser.” From there, the pared-down group of candidates will be invited to “our D.C., London or Brazil offices” for a Super Day of interviews, which typically lasts “about seven hours.” “The Super Day is tough, but it gives us a very good feeling for a candidate’s potential,” an insider reports. Super Day candidates can expect “a variety of cases and fit interviews,” as well as “a timed writing sample.” During interviews, “I’m interested in candidates’ thought processes and how they approach a problem, as well as evidence of a strong work ethic and the ability to be a team player,” says an experienced recruiter. Overall, “successful candidates should demonstrate enthusiasm, interest in (and knowledge about) Kaiser and analytical skills.”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Kaiser Associates
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Morale at Kaiser was affected by cost-cutting measures, but an influx of new hires should see satisfaction return to previous heights. Since this survey was conducted, Kaiser has completed a significant recruiting effort and increased its consultant base by almost 50 percent.
Overall Satisfaction • “[I am] extremely satisfied here. Project turnover is very high, so you get broad exposure to many different industries in a short amount of time. Also, junior consultants have a high level of involvement across all areas of projects.” – First-year analyst • “Kaiser is an incredible place to start a career; the development opportunities they allow you to have are really unique.” – Junior consultant • “Our firm went through a significant headcount reduction in late 2008 and early 2009. Since then, we have seen the amount of our work pick up, but have not, however, hired any new entry-level employees. As a result, consultants are staffed to the max.” – Senior source
Firm Culture • “Working from a central location adds to the personal closeness within the firm. Also, foosball games, happy hours and impromptu firm lunches give employees the opportunity to socialize.” – D.C. analyst • “We are a friendly firm, with lots of young people, and I enjoy the people I work with. The people are driven, and while views about this vary, I think we’re generally fairly meritocratic.” – Strategy midlevel • “I think we’re all in the same boat in terms of morale (it’s low), but in general, I very much enjoy the people I work with on a daily basis.” – Experienced staffer
Supervisor Relationships • “Supervisors at Kaiser are very approachable and accessible to all consultants. The officers and managers at the firm enjoy working closely with consultants.” – D.C. midlevel • “We have great mentoring, and officers are often highly invested in the consultants that work in their practice.” – Health care consultant
Interaction with Clients • “Kaiser maintains strong, loyal relationships with our clients. The majority of our work is repeat business from our existing clients. Our clients view Kaiser consultants as business advisers and subject matter experts.” – Senior consultant • “Kaiser does a great job of allowing you to interact with clients and senior-level people within the company very early on.” – Telecommunications insider
Hours & Pay Vault’s Verdict: Comprehensive layoffs have led to extraordinarily high hours for the surviving consultants, who tell us they work for “modest” salaries and bonuses. Since this survey was conducted, Kaiser has undertaken an analysis of compensation trends in the strategy consulting industry and has increased its compensation across the levels by an average of 12.5 percent.
Work Hours
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• “Hours vary depending on project, though I’m out of the office by 6 p.m. most nights.” – Junior associate • “Recently, hours have been bad across the firm. Given our lack of adequate staffing, people have been overworked. Hours certainly fluctuate project by project, but they have definitely increased over the past year.” - Analyst • “Prior to this year, I worked closer to 55 to 60 hours per week, but we’re understaffed right now. Supposedly we’re hiring more people, so I’m hopeful the weeks of 80-plus hours are on their way out.” – Midlevel consultant
Work/Life Balance • “There is very little travel, so it’s easy to stay in touch with friends. Some work can be done from home, so you can often finish up work at home instead of at the office. Having a gym in the office is a plus, as well.” – Entry-level analyst • “The hours over the past year have created a work/life balance that isn’t sustainable, and is causing many talented people to look elsewhere. When I started with the firm [this] wasn’t the case.” – Senior consultant • “I definitely thought I was able to balance work and life when I first started at Kaiser; recently, that hasn’t been the case given our lack of staffing.” – Analyst
Travel Requirements • “Unlike most consulting firms, the travel is limited to about once every six weeks or so, depending on your project.” – Strategy consultant
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Kaiser Associates
• “Sometimes we’ll travel for client meetings—kick-offs, interim updates or final read-outs, but travel is few and far between. Even when we do travel, it’s only for two to three nights (maximum) at a time.” – Analyst
Compensation • “Pay at junior levels is average to less than average. However, pay increases quickly as you move up. Bonuses are paid out twice a year.” – Experienced staffer • “It used to be appropriate, but now isn’t as much given the hours we are now required to work.” – Technology consultant • “[Kaiser has] very modest bonuses and salary versus larger firms.” – Health care insider
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Trainings are “few and far between,” leaving eager consultants to seek out formal learning opportunities themselves. Kaiser Associates is currently in the process of adding a new development role, which is expected to be rolled out by September 2010.
Formal Training • “Most of the training is unofficial. Kaiser could do a better job of encouraging more official training.” – Analyst • “If you want to see training, it is on the consultant’s shoulders to suggest the training and come up with the format for it. The firm will rarely say no, but the opportunities need to be self-created.” – Midlevel insider • “A year ago, our VP of development moved to the revenue-generating side of our business, leaving our director of HR to handle staffing, recruiting, benefits/HR and development. Needless to say, she is overwhelmed and, consequently, trainings are few and far between.” – Senior consultant
Promotion Policies • “It’s not strictly up or out, though poor performers get the picture.” – D.C. associate • “Kaiser operates as a meritocracy, promoting its consultants as soon as they have demonstrated that they can perform effectively at the next level. Consultants become eligible for promotion once they have been in their position for 12 months.” – Junior consultant • “Consultants can advance quickly, and the firm is great about offering stretch opportunities to help you prepare for the next level. That said, it’s not a very transparent process.” – Associate consultant
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: While there is a formidable group of women at Kaiser—25 percent of the officer group is composed of women, and the firm is currently sponsoring two women for their MBAs—insiders generally feel that there is room for progress in this area.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “We do not do a good job of recruiting and retaining diverse employees. We’re slightly better about racial minorities than about women and GLBT employees. I don’t think the lack of diversity impacts advancement, as we have diverse senior people, but it does impact the feel and employee satisfaction.” – Senior source • “Diversity with respect to women is decreasing.” – Health care associate
Overall Business Outlook
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Vault’s Verdict: There’s no question that prospects have improved dramatically for Kaiser, but extensive layoffs have left too few consultants to address the bulging pipeline.
Overall Business Outlook • “Business is definitely picking up in 2010. Our current challenge is making sure we have enough staff to meet client demand.” – Strategy consultant • “We’re doing well right now—selling lots of work—and it feels like we’ve made it through the worst of the recession.” – Analyst • “Of the employees left from the past year, morale is low. There is a feeling of lack of support from senior leadership.” – D.C. insider
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “Leadership is much improved in recent years.” – Associate consultant • “I really look up to our firm’s MD. He handles problems quickly and efficiently, and is a strong leader. While I think our firm’s executive leadership (the partners) could be more in tune and present with consultants, they act once informed of problems or improvement areas.” – Experienced staffer • “The two owners of our firm work part time and off site; this certainly does not inspire a lot of confidence.” – Senior source
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BEST OF THE REST
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms
ABT ASSOCIATES INC 55 Wheeler Street Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 Phone: (617) 492-7100 Fax: (617) 492-5219 www.abtassociates.com
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company President & CEO: Kathleen Flanagan 2010 Employees: 1,500 2009 Employees: 1,300 2010 Revenue: $302 million 2008 Revenue: $249 million
LOCATIONS Cambridge, MA (HQ) Atlanta, GA Bethesda, MD Durham, NC New York, NY (Abt SRBI Inc. HQ) Over 40 offices around the world
UPPERS • Consultants hail from diverse backgrounds
DOWNERS • Bureaucratic
PRACTICE AREAS
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Behavioral Health • Child & Family • Commercial Alliances & Health Services Delivery • Education • Environment & Resources • Health Policy • Health Systems Strengthening, HIV/AIDS & Infectious Diseases • Housing • International Economic Growth • Public Health & Epidemiology • Survey Research • Workforce & Civil Renewal
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.abtassociates.com/careers
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Academic” “Who?” “Statisticians” “Number crunching”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Abt Associates Inc.
THE SCOOP Socially savvy consulting Since its founding in 1965, Abt Associates has grown into one of the world’s largest for-profit government and business research and consulting firms. The Cambridge, Mass.-based employee-owned firm, named after founder Clark Abt, employs more than 1,500 people in four U.S. offices and throughout 40-plus project sites in 37 countries. For the past 40 years, the firm has made its buck the same way its founder did: by applying social sciences systems and analysis methods to governmental and industrial problems. At first, the firm focused on transferring technology and systems used in the defense industry—such as systems analysis, computer modeling and simulation methods—to civilian application. Today, the firm works in a wide range of areas, including agriculture, behavioral health, biotechnology, child and family services, clinical trials, community initiatives, international economic development, international health, education, environment, emergency management, health policy, health systems strengthening, health services delivery, homeland security, homelessness, housing policy and programs, medical devices, national and community service, product development and pricing, public health and epidemiology, science and technology, substance abuse, survey research, welfare, and workforce development. Clients include the U.S. federal government, U.S. state and local government, international organizations, foundations, nonprofit associations and institutions, and businesses in a number of industries, including automotive, consumer products and services, financial, health care, international energy and utility, media, telecommunications and technology.
The ABCs of Abt Associates Abt Associates offers five major areas of expertise for clients: research and evaluation services; strategy, planning and policy services; survey data collection, management and analysis services; consulting, implementation, and technical assistance services; and finally, medical and life sciences consulting services. While the firm operates as a for profit, it nonetheless has had a hand in the creation, evaluation or shaping of a number of public programs in the U.S., including welfare reform, Medicaid, Head Start (an educational enhancement and readiness program), community service programs, crime and drug use prevention, statistical tracking of crime and low-income housing projects. The firm has also assisted governments worldwide in the implementation of programs and policy reforms during transition from command economies to market-oriented economies. In collaboration with the U.S. Agency for International Development, Abt Associates’ experts in agriculture, health, environment and trade have advised foreign governments on service delivery and sustainable market-based reforms. The firm also houses a subsidiary called Abt SRBI, which was created in July 2007 with Abt Associates’ acquisition of strategy and research firm Schulman, Ronca & Bucuvalas, Inc. The unit specializes in public policy and opinion surveys, banking and finance, telecommunications, media, energy, transportation, insurance and health care consulting services.
GETTING HIRED
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As an academically oriented workplace, Abt is home to consultants with a wide array of academic and institutional backgrounds. Of the 1,500plus employees onboard, a quarter hold a PhD or MD degree, while 44 percent have completed a master’s degree. Also of note, 35 percent of Abt Associates’ professionals hold degrees in the social sciences, while 31 percent completed studies in law, medicine, or other professional fields. 13 percent studied economics and 10 percent have a degree in the natural sciences or engineering, while 7 percent studied management and 4 percent humanities. Abt Associates’ careers website includes a detailed explanation of all the various levels of consultants, from research assistant up to the highest levels of principal associate. For recent graduates of undergraduate programs, the lowest-level entry point is research assistant, which requires little to no professional experience but a strong academic background and good quantitative, writing and research skills. Those with a bachelor’s degree and at least one or two years’ work experience can be hired on as associate analysts, while more experienced consultants with a bachelor’s degree and a recent master’s or MBA are qualified to apply for the analyst position, which requires more advanced technical and task management skills. Those with an advanced degree and significant experience may be eligible to apply for associate, senior associate and principal associate positions.
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THE ADVISORY BOARD COMPANY 2445 M Street, NW Washington, District of Columbia 20037 Phone: (202) 266-5600 Fax: (202) 266-5700 www.advisoryboardcompany.com
LOCATIONS Washington, DC (HQ) Austin, TX Chicago, IL Nashville, TN Portland, OR San Francisco, CA Chennai London
THE STATS Employer Type: Public Company Ticker Symbol: ABCO (Nasdaq) CEO: Robert W. Muslewhite 2010 Employees: 1,200 2009 Employees: 910 2009 Revenue: $230.4 million 2008 Revenue: $219 million
UPPER • Big on formal training
DOWNER • Compensation does not quite meet industry averages
PRACTICE AREAS
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Business Intelligence & Analytics • Clinical Research • Consulting • Healthcare Industry & International Offerings • Leadership Development • Strategy & Operations Research • Workforce Performance
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.advisoryboardcompany.com/content/careers/overview.asp
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Laid-back” “Narrow focus” “Fun culture, and lots of young people” “High burnout”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Advisory Board Company
THE SCOOP Members only D.C.-based Advisory Board Company is a membership-based professional services firm that provides best practices research, analysis, executive education and leadership development, software tools and installation support services, primarily to the health care industry. Members—who are charged a fixed annual fee for access to the firm’s services—include more than 2,800 hospitals, health systems, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, health care insurers, medical device companies and universities. Among the members are the top-18 hospitals as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, and 95 of the country’s 100 largest health care delivery systems. Since late 2007, the firm has also expanded its operations to include academic institutions, working with university provosts, heads of student affairs and administration leaders. In 2009, the firm was able to expand its services even further by acquiring the management and consulting firm Southwind. This acquisition, coupled with the firm’s business intelligence platform Crimson, allows the firm to provide tools and services in hospital-physician alignment and performance management. Southwind specializes in aligning hospitals and physicians through a comprehensive set of physician employment, clinical integration, and information technology deployment solutions. Most of the Advisory Board’s membership is located in the United States, however, the firm has expanded internationally, picking up new members abroad in the United Kingdom, Norway, India, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East. For its members, the Advisory Board’s research and services focus on business strategy, operations and general management issues. Recent research has looked at enhancing the quality of care through best-in-class physician engagement strategies and infection control efforts; looking at the impact of emerging clinical technologies on hospital economics and operations; and understanding how increased transparency in the health care sector affects consumer behavior and decision making.
From big picture to niche provider Back in 1979, when the firm was founded as the Research Council of Washington, its five employees promised to answer “any question for any company for any industry.” Most likely recognizing the enormity of that call to action, in 1983 the firm narrowed its focus to research for the financial services industry, at which point it also changed its name to the Advisory Board Company. In 1986, the firm planted the seeds for what would ultimately become its primary focus: a strategic research division dedicated to the health care industry that was available to members under the name Health Care Advisory Board (HCAB). By 1997, the Advisory Board spun off its more corporate and financially focused membership group, the Corporate Executive Board, as an independent company, and went public four years later under the ticker symbol, ABCO. In 2003, the firm launched its first business intelligence software platform, allowing CFOs in hospitals to provide clear data and analytics around revenue cycle management, and in 2007, the firm developed its first membership programs in higher education: the Student Affairs Program for student and academic affairs executives, and the University Provost Program for provosts.
Penny for your thoughts
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The Advisory Board believes it can offer the same kind of high-quality services (if not better) that other consultancies offer, but at a lower price. By providing a standardized set of services via its membership model, the firm says it is able to spread its largely fixed program cost structure across the entire list of participating organizations. Members participate in the research and analysis of the programs, and though a few programs include direct billable expenses, the majority have a flat-fee structure based on a member’s size and the total number of program memberships selected. Membership programs are broken down into six areas: strategy and operations research, clinical research, leadership development, business intelligence and analytics, physical performance, and health care industry and international offerings. By early 2009, there were 40 programs in all to choose from, including the recently developed health care programs in hospital/physician alignment, infection control, supply quality and emergency department operations. Members also draw on the firm’s library of proprietary research and tools, which contains more than 34,000 strategic and operational tactics, 150 service line forecasts, and 5,000 new technology profiles—all of which are disseminated via reports and briefings, meetings and teleconferences, access to Advisory Board experts, implementation toolkits, and custom-designed tools and calculators. Much of the research is gleaned from member executives themselves. The model appears to be working: For eight years running, the member renewal rate has been near or at 90 percent. The firm attributes the high renewal rate to its ability to fulfill client needs. At the same time, deferred membership revenue and membership renewals make up 80 percent of the firm’s annual revenue, making it easier to forecast the firm’s financial health in tough economic times. That’s good news for members and investors alike.
Separating the good from the great with business analytics Advisory Board research indicates that, within specific terrains, what often separates the good companies from the great companies is access to better, more timely and more accurate information. To help organizations gain greater visibility into their performance, the Advisory Board has developed webbased business intelligence tools that provide members with real-time decision support, robust data collection, advanced analytical capabilities and quantitative research. The firm currently sponsors 11 ROI-driven business intelligence tools, along with best practice support and services. The firm’s aim is to help individual hospitals and health systems convert their endless streams of data into actionable solutions to enhance business performance and provide best practices to other organizations. Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Advisory Board Company
C*onsulting with H*Works Separate from its membership programs is H*Works, the Advisory Board’s more traditional consulting arm that works with hospitals to design and implement new strategies. Offerings include emergency department performance, workforce management, revenue management, technology strategy, inpatient and surgical management, nurse staffing, margin enhancement and growth in particular service lines.
GETTING HIRED Whether working with current consultants or hiring new employees, the Advisory Board says it approaches every interaction with a set of “core principles” that govern how it does business. These principles are founded on the belief that the sectors in which the firm works—health care, education and government—have “a charter above commerce,” and that working with these types of companies “requires an unyielding insistence on improvement.”
Prospective candidates should keep the following principles in mind come interview day: “generosity,” or giving more than is expected; “team engagement,” or working to foster a collegial, nonhierarchical environment where everyone has a “place at the table”; “growth”; “language,” or taking care to communicate ideas effective with colleagues; and having a “servant’s heart” when approaching members and their problems.
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Once in the door, there are five employment categories for consultants to choose from. First among them is research, in which consultants help develop the firm’s research in one of three research categories: original inquiry, internet news and/or strategic research. The second category is business intelligence, where the firm hires candidates with strong technology skills to be able to provide analysis of hospital operational and financial performance data, and train clients on the use of business intelligence software to diagnose issues and identify root causes. Other opportunities include Advisory Board’s executive education arm, where employees participate in organizing and delivering one of its more than 2,000 research presentations to members, including hospital and health systems executives, board members and clinical leaders. The other three categories include H*Works, marketing and accounting management, and administration and operations.
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AON CONSULTING WORLDWIDE Aon Center 200 East Randolph Street, 10th Floor Chicago, Illinois 60601 Phone: (312) 381-4844 Fax: (312) 381-0240 www.aon.com/human-capital-consulting
UPPER • “A good place to work”
DOWNER • “Opportunities for advancement can take longer than would seem appropriate”
LOCATIONS Chicago, IL (HQ) Over 220 offices worldwide
PRACTICE AREAS Compensation Consulting • Financial & Litigation Consulting • Health & Benefits • Human Capital Management • Outsourcing • Retirement
THE STATS Employer Type: Subsidiary of Aon Corporation Ticker Symbol: AOC (NYSE) Co-CEOs: Kathryn Hayley & Baljit Dail 2010 Employees: 6,300+ 2009 Employees: 6,335 2009 Revenue: $1.267 billion 2008 Revenue: $1.37 billion
*In July 2010, Aon Corporation announced its acquisition of Hewitt Associates for $4.9 billion. Hewitt will be merged with Aon’s current consulting and outsourcing unit under the new brand Aon Hewitt. The deal, which is expected to be finalized by November 2010, is the largest
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.aon.com/about-aon/careers.jsp
in Aon’s history, and will nearly triple the size of its HR operations,
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making it a $4.3 billion business by revenue.
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • “Mid market but aggressively moving upstream” • “Old ideas” • “Diverse” • “Insurance brokers masquerading as consultants”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Aon Consulting Worldwide
THE SCOOP The new world Today’s business is about people, and good people make good businesses. So says Aon Consulting, a $1.3 billion global human capital consulting firm based out of Chicago. According to Aon, the single largest challenge for the companies today is finding the right people to work for them, as baby boomers retire in developed countries, draining the talent pool, and developing countries—though growing rapidly—still do not have enough experienced managers. Companies are having a hard time meeting that challenge: One-third of managers hire below-average candidates “just to fill the positions quickly,” according to research conducted by Corporate Executive Board. Few companies have the global reach and expertise to do what Aon Consulting does to fill this gap for companies. With around 7,500 professionals in 220 offices worldwide, Aon helps its 10,000 clients—including half of the Fortune 500—to go global in its talent search, develop succession planning programs and manage employee-related costs like health care and benefits. Aon Consulting clients hail from a range of industries, including aerospace and aviation; automotive; construction services; entertainment; financial institutions; food system, agribusiness and beverage; health care; marine; natural resources; pharmaceutical/chemical; retail trade; technology and telecommunications; and the trucking industry.
Experiencing oneness The company’s connection to the insurance industry runs deep. Parent company Aon Corp. (Aon is the Gaelic word for “oneness”) is the largest insurance brokerage in the world based on brokerage revenue. Aon was established in 1982 by the merger of Combined International Corp. and Ryan Insurance Group. Administration of employee health plans evolved and spread into other areas of human resources, until finally in the mid-1980s, Aon spun off its human capital consulting business as Aon Consulting. Staying faithful to its Gaelic nomenclature, Aon’s business is conducted under a philosophy of inclusivity, with each unit or subsidiary acting as an extension of the corporate body. The resources of Aon Consulting are therefore fully available to the parent company’s clients.
Aon’s brawn Of the myriad consulting services offered by the firm, the strongest area is benefits. Aon advises clients on structuring, funding and administering programs dealing with health and welfare of employees, retirement, executive benefits, absence management, compliance, employee commitment, investment advisory and elective benefits services. Its focus on diversity forms the context in which these services unfold, with the ultimate goal being satisfaction of local needs while maintaining global strategies and policies. This allows decisions to be made efficiently from a central headquarters without ignoring the individual complexities of far-flung branches.
In times of trouble In addition to its HR consulting, Aon Consulting also offers financial advisory and litigation consulting services, including financial statement and white collar investigations, securities litigation, financial due diligence and financial valuation services. Included in this practice area is IT risk consulting, which covers a spectrum of IT issues, be it inappropriate computer use (dirty forwards), security management (hackers) or computer forensics and e-discovery (retrieval of the dirty forwards that the hacker deleted).
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Clients in this practice area include law firms, corporations, government entities or other organizations that are either being investigated or carrying out investigations, and wish to address the risks. Consultants for this area, including former law enforcement officials, attorneys, researchers and threat management experts, tackle issues of due diligence, embezzlement, commercial bribery, theft of intellectual or physical property, fraud, sexual harassment and workplace violence.
United by a common purpose (and parent) Aon Consulting sometimes follows the example of its own clients and turns to outside sources for help. When the firm is assisting a client in determining executive compensation, it utilizes fellow Aon subsidiary McLagan Partners, a pay and performance consultancy. McLagan specializes in compensation surveys that provide details about salaries, bonuses and long-term incentives for a range of functions and positions. It also conducts pay and productivity studies investigating the link between organizational and/or individual performance and pay. These resources allow Aon to set benchmarks for salary, bonus, commission, stock option and other pay structures. The company also takes full advantage of the expertise of subsidiary Radford Surveys + Consulting, a provider of compensation market intelligence to the technology and life sciences industries. Radford collects and controls global compensation survey databases, encompassing more than two million technology and life sciences companies of all sizes and stages of development.
Behaving badly? Outside the usual realm of human capital and management consulting services is Aon’s financial advisory and litigation consulting services (FALCon) practice that helps clients and their counsel resolve complex business, legal and regulatory issues. The FALCon group offers electronic discovery and
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Aon Consulting Worldwide
computer forensics services, litigation preparedness planning, information security, damages calculations, expert witness testimony assistance and litigation management assistance. The group also performs workplace violence and threat assessments, undertakes investigative and financial due diligence, and does white-collar, financial statement and internal corporate investigations.
GETTING HIRED Aon Consulting recruits entry-level consultants primarily from 16 “partner” universities across the United States, though online applications from graduates of other programs are accepted. Partner schools include Brigham Young University, University of California, Berkeley, Cornell University, University of Georgia, Howard University, University of Illinois, Northwestern University, University of North Carolina, Notre Dame University, University of Pennsylvania, Miami University, University of Southern California, St. John’s University, University of Texas, Temple University, and the University of Wisconsin.
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The on-campus recruitment process begins with an on-campus resume drop, followed by an on-campus interview. Candidates who make it through the first rounds of screening and interviews are then invited for in-office interviews. Interview questions are mostly behavioral based, with questions focusing on leadership, teamwork and professional challenges, among others. The firm explains that, when case study questions are involved, they “reflect the typical problem-solving challenges faced by our business professionals.” During such questions, the emphasis is more on how candidates approach a problem, rather than on the specific answers given.
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ARTHUR D. LITTLE 125 High Street High Street Tower, 28th Floor Boston, Massachusetts 02110 Phone: (617) 532-9550 Fax: (617) 261-6630 www.adl.com
UPPERS • Legacy name in the industry
DOWNERS • Short projects create a lot of highs and lows
LOCATIONS Boston, MA (US HQ) Paris (HQ) Houston, TX 30 offices worldwide
THE STATS Employer Type: Subsidiary of Altran Technologies Ticker Symbol: ALTRAN TECHN (Paris Bourse) CEO: Michael Träm 2010 Employees: 1,000 2009 Employees: 1,000+
PRACTICE AREAS
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Automotive & Manufacturing • Chemicals • Consumer Products • Energy & Utilities • Financial Services • Healthcare & Life Sciences • Private Equity • Public Services • Telecommunication, Information, Media & Electronics • Travel & Transportation
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.adl.com/careers.html
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • “Classy” • “Old-line operations consultants” • “Intellectual and introverted” • “Stodgy”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Arthur D. Little
THE SCOOP Mold-breaker Founded in Boston in 1886, Arthur D. Little lays claim to the dual titles of first and oldest management consulting firm in the world. The pioneering spirit of the founder who lent the firm its name is the stuff of legend. After a corporate restructuring in 2002, the firm was acquired by France’s Altran Technologies, a European leader in innovation consulting. So while Arthur D. Little himself may be long gone, the firm that bears his name is still going strong. The 1,000-plus consultants it employs today find themselves spread across 30 countries, offering tailored services to clients in industries including automotive, chemicals, energy and utilities, financial services, health care/life sciences, manufacturing, TIME (telecommunications, information technology, media and electronics), consumer products, private equity and transportation. The firm also serves state and federal agencies, as well as foreign governments.
Founding fathers Arthur Dehon Little was only half of the partnership of chemists that founded the firm. The other half was his fellow MIT classmate Roger Griffin, and together the pair set up as researchers for hire, pioneering the concept of process improvement through outsourcing research. Originally called Griffin and Little, the company’s name was changed following Griffin’s untimely death in 1893, when an experiment went awry. As his firm grew in size and capability over the years, Mr. Little developed something of a genius for eye-catching PR stunts, which served no small role in increasing the firm’s visibility and, thus, client base. Among the stunts designed to prove Little’s maxim of “Who says it can’t be done?” were Little literally turning a sow’s ear into a silk purse, as well as a competition among a group of staff in the 1970s to make a lead balloon fly—both of which achieved considerable acclaim. Those feats brought some visibility to the company, underscoring the unusual measures it was prepared to take to get the job done, and establishing Arthur D. Little as a leading name in the field by the 1960s—a position it maintained until the late 1990s, and a reputation it guards to this day. “Arthur D. Little may not be the easiest global firm to manage, but it will never become one of the ‘grey’ consulting firms where everyone gets brainwashed into behaving the same way and delivering the same products—unthinkable.” So wrote Rick Eager, U.K. managing director of Arthur D. Little in a 2006 overview of the firm’s history. “The firm’s great strength is its people and its culture. More Vivienne Westwood than Chanel—vive la différence!”
After the boom After a corporate restructuring in 2002, Arthur D. Little sold off parts of its business (and reduced its workforce by almost half). Altran Technologies bought the core management consulting business, as well as the Arthur D. Little name. This change led, perhaps unintentionally, to increased attention on business affairs in Europe, rather than in North America. In September 2006, this refocusing was formally confirmed by the shift of world headquarters from Boston to Paris. Moreover, German-born Michael Träm, formerly of A.T. Kearney, replaced Richard Clarke as the company’s CEO. Today, businesses engage Arthur D. Little for its ability to leverage technology, innovation and industry expertise and deliver long-term business improvements. Many of its management consultants possess a scientific background—which helps sets the firm apart in the eyes of its global clients—and aim to bring technological understanding to strategic issues that span all industries and functional domains.
Lifting the veil on research
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As an extension of its consulting efforts, Arthur D. Little also produces research reports and studies on the direction of business, the combined effect of which is meant to raise the company’s profile and mark it as a thought leader. Chief among these is a biannual publication called Prism, which reflects on emerging industry trends, updates on business-related topics, and insights into how businesses and business leaders are thinking. The firm is also a strong proponent of sustainability, with more than 40 years of experience in advising clients on the opportunities and risks presented by the issue, as well as in climate change and the carbon agendas. Arthur D. Little’s sustainable impulse is no mere attempt to take advantage of a relatively recent buzzword, however; as far back as 1906, its namesake founder was clearly concerned with the concept as a basic plank of good business strategy. “Every waste that is prevented, or turned to profit, every problem solved, and every more effective process that is developed makes for better living in the material sense and for cleaner and more wholesome living in the higher sense.”
GETTING HIRED Insiders say that if applicants don’t possess the “intellectual horsepower” needed to compete at Arthur Little, it’s hardly worth applying. “If you even try to bluff your way in you will be laughed out of the building,” says a current associate. For qualified candidates who pass prescreening phone interviews, subsequent interviews focus on “communication skills, both verbal and nonverbal (presentation, facilitation, etc.), soft skills (resilience, performance in stressful conditions, etc.) and hard skills (logic, mathematics, etc.),” according to one consultant, who adds that “knowledge of business/industry tools is given lower priority.” Interviewees will be asked to analyze and present (“to three senior managers,” no less) anywhere from one to four case studies, ranging in difficulty from “tough” to “the easiest case I have ever seen.” From there, evaluations might also include “brain-teasers” and technical examinations; as one insider reports, “They will check your thinking and your analytics, but no need to memorize pi to 10 decimal places.” Ultimately successful candidates will have endured up to “six interviews” before getting their hands on an offer. Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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BAINBRIDGE 4435 Eastgate Mall, Suite 130 San Diego, California 92121 Phone: (858) 320-0300 Fax: (858) 320-0313 www.bainbridge.com
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
UPPER
San Diego, CA (HQ) Boston, MA Carson City, NV New York, NY San Francisco, CA
• Young, dynamic firm
Employer Type: Private Company CEO: Carlos Arias 2010 Employees: 30 2009 Employees: 40
DOWNER • A bit under the radar
PRACTICE AREAS
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Acquisition Search • Benchmarking • Corporate Integration • Corporate Strategy & Development • Customer Strategy & Marketing • Due Diligence • Growth Strategy • Internal Process Assessment • Market Feasibility Studies • New Product Development • Organizational Dynamics • Performance & Operations
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EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.bainbridge.com/careers
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Bainbridge
THE SCOOP Bainbridge brains What began as a small, boutique firm set up to help a university professor research and publish his work has since become a national management consulting and capital advisory firm, organized as two separate companies under the Bainbridge umbrella. Established in Illinois in 1975 by Boulton Bainbridge Miller, Bainbridge, now headquartered in sunny San Diego, provides management consulting services and advises on mergers and acquisitions for companies ranging from startups to Fortune 1000 multinationals all over the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. The firm is organized as two separate companies—Bainbridge, Inc., the management consulting arm, and Bainbridge Capital, Inc., the advisory arm—both operating under the same roof. As a combined entity, the firm focuses on helping organizations perform better and grow faster, as well as capital advisory services, which include introducing clients to new industries and markets, and implementing public and private transactions.
Calling your number Bainbridge claims that its unique offering is the primary-source research it conducts for each client. While the firm’s methodology is proprietary, its research generally involves direct interviews with market participants including customers, clients of companies and industry insiders, in order to present the clients’ management with “a perspective they usually don’t see directly.” Bainbridge says its proprietary research methods help clients assess market opportunities and competitive threats, uncover new market trends, identify customers’ unmet needs and ensure that their clients are optimizing their position in the marketplace. One such research tool is Bainbridge’s trademarked customer account vulnerability assessment (CAVA), which is used by sales and marketing teams, or other individuals and groups who interact with or focus on customer-side business. Bainbridge’s in-house analysts perform one-on-one interviews with existing and potential customers, then assess and package those customers’ opinions, purchasing selection criteria, price and quality sensitivities, and requirements for switching vendors. The resulting reports are used to straighten out off-center strategies, to win new accounts, and to maximize sales and customer satisfaction. The firm’s other proprietary service, BenchMark, provides detailed metrics on operations, performance levels, strategies and expenses—all from bestin-class businesses in other industries worthy of emulation.
Masters of M&A Bainbridge takes a unique approach to M&A. Leveraging its strategy consulting expertise, the firm’s analysts help clients evaluate the best markets to enter, uncover hidden M&A opportunities before others do and eliminate the need to participate in auction environments. Services are rendered through every step of the M&A process—from discovery to due diligence, through to the deal’s close.
GETTING HIRED
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Bainbridge prides itself on being a “small and vibrant company.” In addition to campus recruiting at “leading universities,” it posts specific openings for consulting or internship positions on its careers page. Interested candidates are asked to upload their cover letter and resume, and hope they stand out enough to earn a callback. The firm says it’s seeking “highly motivated, professional, creative and resourceful” applicants who demonstrate a “results-oriented professional outlook.” Other coveted qualities include “strong research and analytical skills, excellent written communication skills” and proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite. Finally, the firm says, candidates with “foreign language skills are preferred.”
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BDO CONSULTING 135 West 50th Street New York, New York 10020 Phone: (212) 885-8001 Fax: (212) 515-2599 www.bdoconsulting.com
LOCATIONS New York, NY (HQ) Atlanta, GA Boston, MA Chicago, IL Dallas, TX Houston, TX Los Angeles, CA Miami, FL
THE STATS Employer Type: Division of BDO USA, LLP Executive Director: Carl W. Pergola 2009 Employees: 2,712 2008 Employees: 3,020 2009 Revenue: $620 million 2008 Revenue: $659 million * Employee and revenue figures are for BDO USA
UPPER • Good partner-to-staff ratio
DOWNER • Can be overlooked by the accounting wing of BDO USA
PRACTICE AREAS
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Business Restructuring • Investigations & Compliance • Litigation & Dispute Resolution • Risk Advisory
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.bdo.com/careers/
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • “People who know know BDO” • “Expanded into restructuring, but lacks the bench depth of other firms” • “Creative, smart” • “Wanna-be Big 4”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition BDO Consulting
THE SCOOP BDO and friends New York City-based BDO Consulting provides litigation, investigation, restructuring and risk advisory services to corporations, law firms, insurance companies, financial services companies and government organizations in a wide range of industries, including banking, insurance, subprime lending, hedge fund, broker dealer, retail, technology and software. BDO Consulting is a division of BDO USA, LLP, which is one of the United States’ largest providers of assurance, tax, financial advisory and consulting services. BDO is also the U.S. member firm of the larger BDO International, a global network of accounting and consulting firms that operates in more than 100 countries. Each BDO member firm is an independent legal entity. BDO Consulting prides itself on its access to the international BDO member firm network, as well as to the BDO USA network, which includes 37 offices and more than 400 independent alliance locations throughout the U.S.
Service rules Since July 2007, BDO Consulting has been led by Carl Pergola, who was previously the head of the firm’s litigation and fraud investigation practice. He has carried on the firm’s mantra of “service rules,” which in BDO’s terms means focusing on long-term client relationships and top-notch service. Senior professionals at BDO Consulting are actively involved in each client engagement, from inception to conclusion. To avoid sticker shock, the firm also says it communicates regularly with its clients about the scope of each engagement and discusses fees up front to “avoid surprises.” Boasting a structure that’s more nimble than the Big Four firms and claiming to have virtually no voluntary employee turnover, BDO Consulting has undertaken some high-profile engagements, including work for AOL Time Warner, Enron, American Express, Bayou Funds, Lipper Hedge Funds and Fannie Mae, to name a few.
BDO’s MOs The firm’s consulting services are broken down into four practice areas. The first (and largest)—litigation and dispute resolution—provides litigation support, dispute resolution and testifying services. In the past, client engagements have included providing testimony on damage claims, accounting practices, industry issues, bankruptcy-related matters, valuations, tax, and other litigation. The investigations and compliance practice area, meanwhile, provides public, private-sector, and not-for-profit clients a range of investigations and compliance services, including anticorruption compliance and investigations, anti-money laundering, computer forensics and e-discovery, corporate investigations and employee misconduct investigations, among other services. BDO consultants in this practice area have worked in federal law enforcement, corporate investigation departments, accounting and banking regulatory bodies and financial reporting departments in publicly traded companies. The third practice area, risk advisory, works to reduce risk, improve management, and design and implement internal control systems. Consultants in this practice area work in business process enhancement, compliance services, corporate governance, and enterprise risk management and internal audit services. The unit also provides fraud prevention and technology advisory services. And finally, the busy BDO business restructuring practice area advises clients in distress, providing financial advisory, business restructuring and transaction support services. Clients include corporations, lending institutions, private equity firms, hedge funds and law firms dealing with issues such as bankruptcy, out-of-court workouts, litigation, M&A due diligence and transactional support, profit improvement and turnaround services.
Get caught up
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Outside the courtroom and the boardroom, BDO Consulting is in the classroom. The firm offers a number of e-learning programs in areas such as fraud prevention, computer forensics and e-discovery, and internal control reporting. The accredited classes can be taken as part of continuing professional education and continuing legal education programs, with credits varying by state and occupational requirements.
GETTING HIRED BDO Consulting claims it’s looking, first and foremost, for individuals “with impact, the kind of people who will make a difference the moment they arrive—and who flourish under our core values of competence, honesty and integrity, professionalism, dedication, responsibility and accountability.” While that description may not clarify whether you’re the person for the job, the firm claims that its recruiting process is fairly transparent, as it allows new hires the time and opportunity to learn more about the firm, its employees and its culture. First, BDO makes an effort to introduce new recruits to the firm via open office tours, speaking engagements and other “meet-the-firm” events on campus. Once resumes are screened, candidates are asked to participate in on-campus, first-round interviews, which typically last 30 minutes and are held with BDO managers or partners. Second-round interviews are conducted in house, and include an interview with three BDO professionals, including a partner. The second round also includes a lunch or dinner with BDO associates. BDO does not publish an on-campus recruitment schedule, but encourages students to check with their campus career centers to see if there is an upcoming BDO event. For those enrolled in programs not targeted by BDO recruiters, applications can be sent to
[email protected].
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BUCK CONSULTANTS One Pennsylvania Plaza New York, New York 10119 Phone: (212) 330-1000 Fax: (212) 695-4184 www.buckconsultants.com
LOCATIONS New York, NY (HQ) 46 offices in 12 countries
THE STATS Employer Type: Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., A Xerox Company Ticker Symbol: XRX (NYSE) President & Executive Managing Director: Mike Roberts 2010 Employees: 2,185 2009 Employees: 2,000 2008 Revenue: $430 million
UPPERS • Has the backing of a strong parent company
PRACTICE AREAS Communication • Compensation • Global Consulting • Global Technology & Delivery Solutions • Health & Productivity • Human Capital Management • Retirement
DOWNERS • Frequent weekend work
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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Visit the Join Our Team section on the firm’s website
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • “Good senior consultants” • “Old-time actuaries” • “Strong in their niche” • “Uncertainty with many mergers recently”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Buck Consultants
THE SCOOP Bucking the trend Trips to a company’s human resources department usually mean you’re either looking for a job, sick, unhappy or, even worse, about to get fired. But Buck Consultants believes that it doesn’t have to be that way. The 94-year-old firm is a global employee benefits and HR consulting firm that helps clients manage their “human resources,” build an innovative workforce and unlock the full value of each organization’s human capital. Buck’s practice areas include consulting in communication, compensation, HR technology and administration, health and productivity, human capital management and retirement. Buck is an independent subsidiary of Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., A Xerox Company with approximately 130,000 employees. With 46 offices in 12 countries, Buck Consultants is frequently listed as one of the largest HR consulting firms in the U.S. and globally. In 1997, Mellon Financial Corporation acquired Buck Consultants, giving it a parent company for the first time in its then 80-year history. That relationship lasted until 2005, when Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) bought Buck from Mellon. In 2010, Xerox Corporation acquired ACS, and Buck became a Xerox Company, and continues to be a global leader in the HR consulting field.
Worker’s rights Buck’s beginnings can perhaps best be described as humble—hardly surprising given that the firm got going in the early 20th century, a period not exactly known for its great working benefits and conditions. Indeed, when George B. Buck Sr. started his consulting business in 1916, the idea of human resources—not to mention the concept of consulting—was extremely new. The firm, which started with only two employees, played its part in bringing both into the mainstream, however, and is credited with having developed several revolutionary HR concepts. These include establishing the first global employee stock ownership plan, developing the first fully integrated health savings account and offering innovative severance solutions. George Buck’s ideas were so revolutionary and so widely recognized that, in 1999, he was named one of the Men of the Century by Pensions & Investments. Specifically (if not exactly thrillingly), he was credited for “pioneering the application of sound actuarial principles to retirement plans” and for being behind one of the first consulting firms to specialize in the valuation of pension plans.
Say it loud, say it proud Buck Consultants also produces several publications every year to further penetrate the HR consulting marketplace. The publications provide information that human resources professionals can turn to for guidance. Global View magazine, which is published twice a year, Insight Out and an archive of published articles all tackle complex HR issues that employers might have difficulty facing as the world of employment conditions grows increasingly complex. Some examples of the topics covered in these publications are salary compression issues, long-term incentive plans, background checks, pay-for-performance communication, health care costs, incentive plans and much more.
GETTING HIRED
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The good news: Buck Consultants is hiring. The not-so-good news: Opportunities with Buck may be tricky to find online—or in person; as one insider attests, “The process involves too many people and takes too long.” The firm says its consulting openings are listed along with all ACS and ACS member companies online. To find a Buck Consultants vacancy, interested applicants must head to ACS’ recruitment page and type “Buck” in the keyword field; for a location-specific search, the firm directs applicants to first choose their desired location, then type in “Buck” in the keyword field. The persistent shall prevail!
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CAMPBELL ALLIANCE GROUP, INC. 8045 Arco Corporate Drive Suite 500 Raleigh, North Carolina 27617 Phone: (919) 844-7100 Toll Free: (888) 297-2001 Fax: (919) 844-7560 www.campbellalliance.com
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company Founder &CEO: John Campbell 2010 Employees: 250
UPPERS LOCATIONS Raleigh, NC (HQ) Boston, MA New York, NY Parsippany, NJ Philadelphia, PA Atlanta, GA Chicago, IL San Francisco, CA Los Angeles, CA Basel, Switzerland
• Loyal client base • Small case teams make it easy to make an impact
DOWNERS • “Overabundance of people who are married with children” • “Lack of work/life balance culture”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.campbellalliance.com/careers
PRACTICE AREAS
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Brand Management • Business Development • Clinical Development • Managed Markets • Medical Affairs • Sales • Trade & Distribution
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • “Key competitor in the health care space” • “Fall a bit short when it comes to strategic recommendations” • “Solid life sciences market research company” • “Seems to be a very conservative firm”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Campbell Alliance Group, Inc.
THE SCOOP One-track mind Campbell Alliance Group, founded in 1997 by John Campbell, is home to consultants who are experts in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. The firm is so committed to its specialization that it is even structured like the pharmaceutical companies that it assists. The firm claims that this structure and expertise allows it to “hit the ground running” whenever taking on a project, not having to take the time to learn about the industry, as is the case with larger, less specialized consulting firms. Due to this intense focus, Campbell Alliance primarily hires consultants who have years of experience working directly in biotech and pharma, or as consultants in the industry. That is not to say that there is no diversity in the experience and expertise of the consultants at Campbell Alliance. The firm’s practices are divided into seven main practice areas. The brand management practice assists companies with new product planning and in maximizing the commercial performance of drugs; the business development practice aids companies with licensing and corporate development; the clinical development group helps make new drug development more efficient, both fiscally and time-wise; the managed markets division helps clients develop and implement pricing, access, and reimbursement strategies; the medical affairs practice helps medical affairs departments work better at the organizational level and also helps develop product-specific medical affairs strategies; the sales group helps to organize and optimize company sales forces; and the trade and distribution team helps clients work better with their distribution channel partners. While consultants primarily work with within a single practice area, groups often times work together to solve a client’s more complex problems.
Aiming for client loyalty Those who have worked with Campbell Alliance typically come back for seconds. The firm boasts that about 90 percent of its business comes from satisfied, repeat customers, and advertises that its average score on customer satisfaction surveys is an impressive 9.5 out of 10. And that feedback isn’t just coming from your mom-and-pop pharmaceutical companies (as if such a thing exists); while the firm does count emerging and midsized companies among its customers, its client list includes all of the world’s top-20 pharmaceutical companies, as well as almost all of the top-50 pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
Sharing the knowledge With all the experience Campbell Alliance consultants bring to the table, it’s no surprise that they have a thing or two to share about the industry. Besides simply publishing articles and white papers, the firm also participates in dozens of events pertaining to the industry each year. Two such events scheduled for 2010 include a presentation of its Dealmakers’ Intentions Survey at the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest biotech event of the year, and a series of workshops at the Society of Pharmaceutical and Biotech Trainers annual meeting, a weeklong gathering of sales and sales training executives.
Leading by example
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John Campbell, founder and CEO of Campbell Alliance, has a good deal of experience as an entrepreneur and in the biotech and pharmaceuticals industries. Before founding the firm in 1997, Campbell was an executive with Lawrence Investing Company and, more prominently, the director of business development for GlaxoWellcome, putting the Glaxo in GlaxoSmithKline. Much of the inspiration to start his own consulting firm came from his experience at GlaxoWellcome, where he found that, although intelligent, many generalist consultants were unable to deliver significant and meaningful results in the highly specialized pharma industry. Campbell Alliance isn’t Campbell’s first foray into founding his own company, having co-founded HealthMatics, a medical software company. Campbell also has no problem sharing all he has learned through his experience in the industry. In 2005, Campbell wrote the book Understanding Pharma, which dissects eight key functional areas of a typical company and explains how they work together to discover, develop and commercialize drugs. The firm’s clients are not the only ones who recognize Campbell’s ability to develop a top-notch company. In 2006, Campbell won Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award in the Health Sciences Category, and on two other occasions was the finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award.
GETTING HIRED The firm’s hiring process is, as one insider puts it, “hard to fake.” While not among the industry’s most selective, Campbell Alliance recruiters have a particularly specific set of qualities and qualifications they seek in candidates. “We are looking to hire individuals with a focus and experience in the health care industry,” which certainly fits the description of “hard to fake.” Qualified candidates will have academic backgrounds in sciences or other health-related fields, and the firm puts a premium on candidates with real-world health care and biopharmaceutical experience. After an initial phone interview separates the truly qualified from the pack, applicants can expect upwards of “four in-person interviews.” Successful candidates won’t simply be health care whizzes or quantitative geeks; “two writing tests” are required “to prove language proficiency and communication skills.” Further, a set of “pharmaceutical case questions” is sometimes followed by “a PowerPoint proficiency test.” Overall, “the process went very quickly,” says one consultant, an excellent sign for imminently successful applicants hoping to land a position at Campbell Alliance.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Campbell Alliance Group, Inc.
Our Survey Says Corporate Atmosphere Above all, Campbell Alliance consultants value the quality of work they see each week, calling it “engaging,” “interesting” and “meaningful.” “Our projects make a significant impact on the pharmaceutical industry as a whole,” says one insider, “and with small project teams, I can take on a large role in each of these projects.” However, some fear the moments when these responsibilities become exhaustive. “People need to learn how to push back on unreasonable client requests,” one midlevel source attests, citing “too little training in people and project management” for “too many hours.” Regardless of hours put in, those who perform the best will see their just reward; “it is truly a meritocracy,” a consultant reports, also describing the workplace as “very professional” and “slightly conservative.”
Hours & pay Hours are “unpredictable” and, at their highest levels (read: “over 85 per week”), are capable of causing consultants to somewhat dramatically “crash and burn.” This is certainly atypical, though; others are able to forge far more reasonable balances. As one source attests, “I find the work and pace manageable and much less severe than my classmates’ at large firms.” “You can be somewhat flexible with your schedule and work from home whenever you need,” another adds, “as long as you get your project work done.” Travel requirements are well below industry standard, especially for lower-level employees. “At the consultant level you may go months without traveling,” a junior consultant says, adding that travel is reserved for face-to-face meetings and presentations. The firm notes, however, that it has recently adopted a regionally focused organizational structure, which aims to reduce travel requirements. Campbell Alliance consultants aren’t thrilled about “below-market” compensation, but as one insider notes, “base salaries and bonuses were recently adjusted to offer a higher base pay.” As with many companies over the past year, we’ve been also told that firm’s profitability has been affected by the recession, resulting in “mediocre” bonuses for “the last couple of review cycles.” Prior to the recession, the firm had boasted a 30 40 percent growth trajectory each year since its founding, and in 2010,the company has resumed growth and expects to post a double-digit gain over its 2009 revenue performance.
Diversity “Room for improvement” might be the best way to summarize the collective diversity on display at Campbell Alliance. While all groups are represented, including GLBT associates, some consultants say that overall numbers are inflated by the presence of international employees and “plenty of Asians.”
Overall Business Outlook 2009 was a challenging year for Campbell. The downturn saw flat revenue growth; during that period, bonuses, based in part on the firm’s performance, lagged behind typical norms, which caused concern for many consulting team members. But the firm is currently experiencing a return to growth—the first half of 2010 saw the firm running at near full-capacity, with a positive backlog for the rest of the year.
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The typical Campbell Alliance consultant remains steadfastly confident that the firm will emerge from the recession successfully and stabilize. “They’ll do fine,” says one junior source, later pointing to the firm’s need to invest in more professional development as it continues to strengthen its financial footing.
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THE CHARTIS GROUP 140 Broadway, 46th Floor New York, New York 10005 Phone: (877) 667-4700 www.chartisgroup.com
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company Managing Directors: Ken Graboys, Ethan Arnold & R. Christopher Regan 2010 Employees: 66
LOCATIONS Boston Chicago New York San Francisco
UPPER • Compensation is very competitive
DOWNER PRACTICE AREAS Advanced Operations • Applied Research • Organizational Alignment • Strategic Planning
• “Lack of administrative structures”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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[email protected])
chartisgroup.com/careers.php
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Great niche hospital firm” “Lots of travel” “Good thinkers” “Low profile”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Chartis Group
THE SCOOP For your health The Chartis Group is health care management consulting firm that seems to have an affinity for the number four. The firm provides four services in four major cities. It handles both coasts with offices in San Francisco, Boston and New York, and has the middle ground covered by an office in Chicago. The firm has worked with 81 percent of the U.S. News honor roll hospitals, nine out of the top-10 children’s hospitals and over 50 of the top Academic Medical Centers. To those clients, the firm offers services in strategic planning, advance operations, organizational alignment and applied research. Applied research oftentimes means compiling information for clients on a variety of topics, including health care financing, demographic trending, global health care quality, legislative impact assessment sand economic policy analysis. This research is often times used to produce reports that the company calls Insights. Some recent reports include “Patient Throughput: A Critical Strategy for Success,” “Aligning Academic and Clinical Missions,” “The Impact of the Capital Medical Crisis” and “The Art and Science of Execution.”
A healthy understanding The Chartis Group does not boast of a magical methodology behind its work. Instead, it insists that what sets it apart from other consulting firms is that its consultants understand that they will not be able to just come in and force their changes upon clients. Instead, they take a more measured approach, learning the ins and outs of their clients’ business, discovering who they are, what their challenges are and where they want to go. To ensure that their more individualized solutions are effective, the firm follows the following core tenets. For change to be long lasting, it must begin with an understanding of the organization’s economic and operating requirements, as well as knowledge of the market in which it is competing. If strategies are implemented without this understanding, they will either be ineffective or only short lived. The firm also relies on great deal of data and proven solutions to confidently back up its decisions and get the desired results.
GETTING HIRED The “extremely competitive” hiring process at Chartis is extensive, with interviews potentially reaching the double digits as the firm seeks to bring only the best-fitting talent onboard. According to an insider, “multiple phone interviews” comprise the first round of evaluations, dedicated mostly to determining a candidate’s basic qualifications and competency. The firm lists “six fundamental qualities” it requires for successful candidates: intellectual curiosity, academic excellence, a mind for numbers, natural leaders, passion for health care and humility. Candidates who clearly demonstrate these qualities in an initial screening interview will be invited to visit a Chartis office for a second (and final) round that includes “on-site interviews with four to six seniors/partners,” though borderline candidates often require “additional senior leader interviews” to determine their fate with the company.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere
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Consultants “love” the “exciting work” that comes across their desks each day at Chartis. “I get to work with the best health care providers in the country and help solve their toughest problems,” an insider enthuses. Others cite the “familial culture” as another source of satisfaction. “It’s kind of like working within a big family,” an associate says, while another appreciates that Chartis is “committed to supporting a lifestyle-friendly consulting environment.” “Particularly strong relationships with superiors” are tangible evidence of the familial atmosphere at Chartis.
Hours & pay Chartis consultants call “variability” of hours “the tough part” of the job, though they admit that “it comes with the territory” and that “overall average work hours” aren’t bad. “The firm is committed to trying to help us maintain a livable lifestyle,” says an associate. “However, there are certainly times where client deadlines/deliverables challenge the balance.” Others offer personal examples of balance, including a mother with “a young child” who is still “able to balance being a mom and working as a consultant.” Hefty travel requirements, which typically see consultants on-site with clients Monday to Thursday, certainly detract from the balance, though one source calls requirements “better than my previous firm’s.” Any dissatisfaction on the hours front is largely tempered by “very good compensation” that may even be “slightly higher than peers at other firms.”
Professional Development Formal training is “not particularly structured” according to Chartis consultants, who call it “ad hoc” but “frequent.” “It varies from person to person based on individual training needs,” a respondent explains. And while “formal new-hire training and formal mentoring” are available, they’re largely ill-defined—typical of a young, growing firm. With regard to promotion, “consultants are able to advance as quickly as they demonstrate the competencies defined in the role,” an insider explains. “It is absolutely not up or out, as long as the consultant continues to contribute to the firm in whatever role they level out in,” a colleague adds.
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CRG PARTNERS GROUP LLC 477 Madison Avenue Suite 1220 New York, New York 10022 Phone: (212) 370-5550 www.crgpartners.com
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
UPPER
New York, NY (HQ) Boston, MA Charlotte, NC Chicago, IL Dallas, TX Los Angeles, CA Washington, DC
• The recent recession has brought in a flood of new work
PRACTICE AREAS
Employer Type: Private Company Managing Partner: T. Scott Avila 2010 Employees: 200
DOWNER • Still largely unheard of in the greater consulting arena
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.crgpartners.com/util/careers.html
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
Bankruptcy Reorganization • Fiduciary Services • Financial Advisory • Performance Improvement • Turnaround Management
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Up-and-comer” “Second tier restructuring firm” “Small but growing” “Never heard of it”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition CRG Partners Group LLC
THE SCOOP A marriage of equals The firm’s current incarnation came to be in 2007 when The Recovery Group and Corporate Revitalization Partners merged to form CRG Partners Group. Prior to the merger, both firms offered similar services, with TRG providing turnaround, crisis management, financial advisory and wind-down management services and CRG offering interim management, financial advisory services, bankruptcy support, and M&A and due diligence support. In short, both firms helped failing businesses recognize and correct their deficiencies. So, while the merger didn’t much expand the breadth of the new firm’s services, it did add depth and specific expertise. Clients now choose from CRG’s five core services: turnaround management, performance improvement, bankruptcy reorganization, financial advisory and fiduciary services. The firm’s services may be rather precise, but the industries in which it operates are extremely diverse. Client industries vary from agriculture and forestry to health care, hospitality, transportation and warehousing. Quite simply, economic hardship isn’t industry-specific; struggling firms nationwide turn to CRG to keep them in the game.
Foreign friends Although CRG Partners has no offices outside the United States, it does have a presence in the international market. Based in Vienna, CRG Capital was founded in 1992 and was originally a part of TRG. Much like CRG Partners, the firm focuses on struggling and underperforming companies. Rather than provide consultancy services, however, CRG Capital provides investments to struggling companies in Eastern and Central Europe. Of course, CRG Capital operates in a different market from CRG Partners, but is still able to call on and utilize the firm’s expertise in underperforming companies at will; likewise, if CRG Partners determines that a client requires a cash injection to move forward, the Capital branch is a likely source of the investment funds. CRG Partners also maintains a cooperative alliance with Smith & Williamson, a U.K.-based restructuring and recovery firm. While not as familial a connection as it enjoys with CRG Capital, the firm relies on S&W’s British counterparts to add a personal touch to its clients across the pond.
Turnaround kings CRG Partners’ name has gained broader recognition since 2008, as financial crises threatened businesses worldwide. Prospective clients clamored for CRG’s turnaround expertise, and weren’t disappointed; for its successful efforts, M&A Advisor bestowed its internationally significant Turnaround Company of the Year award on CRG Partners in 2010, and also named William Snyder, one of CRG’s own, as Turnaround Consultant of the Year. Sharing the list of honors with more prestigious competitors like Deloitte, Alix Partners and BCG, CRG is a firm to watch after the exposure and sheer profit afforded to it by the global recession. William Snyder, the firm’s go-to rainmaker, has also developed a formidable reputation for himself as the nation’s preeminent source of advice for bankrupt corporations. After stopping the bleeding (ultimately turning a remarkable profit) at the Texas poultry behemoth Pilgrim’s Pride, Snyder—who one U.S. bankruptcy judge deemed capable of “pulling a rabbit from his hat”—won lucrative contracts to revitalize such high-profile clients as the bankrupt Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball.
GETTING HIRED
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A newcomer on the consulting stage, hiring info is unusually hard to come by for CRG Partners. What we do know is that the firm “is not adding to its staff at this time,” though it does note that, “if you are interested in being considered for future assignments, please submit your resume and we will contact you when appropriate opportunities become available.” To submit a general application, visit the firm’s careers page.
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CROWE HORWATH LLP One Mid America Plaza, Suite 700 Post Office Box 3697 Oak Brook, Illinois 60522-3697 Phone: (630) 574-7878 Fax: (630) 574-1608 www.crowehorwath.com
UPPER • “Challenging work”
DOWNER • Relatively low profile in the consulting industry
LOCATIONS Oak Brook, IL (HQ) 26 offices throughout the United States
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.crowehorwath.com/Crowe/Careers
PRACTICE AREAS Assurance • Benefit Plan Services • Financial Advisory • Forensic Services • Performance Services • Risk Consulting • Tax Consulting
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Member, Crowe Horwath International CEO: Charles Allen 2010 Employees: 2,400 2009 Employees: 2,500 2010 Revenue: $481 million 2008 Revenue: $507 million
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Crowe Horwath LLP
THE SCOOP Crowe knows One of the largest public accounting and consulting firms in the United States, Crowe Horwath LLP calls itself a “unique alternative to the Big Four” accounting firms. It provides audit, tax, risk and consulting services to companies in various industries, including construction, dealerships, educational institutions, financial institutions, food and agriculture, health care, manufacturing and distribution, not-for-profits, private equity groups, and state and local governments, among others. The firm’s 2,400 employees serve clients via 26 offices in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.
Around the South Bend The firm was founded in South Bend, Ind., in 1942 as Crowe Chizek by Fred P. Crowe, a public accountant and auditor, and Cletus F. Chizek, an accounting professor at the University of Notre Dame. The two-person outfit grew steadily through the years, expanding throughout the country. In 1991, Crowe Chizek joined Horwath International, a global network of more than 140 independent accounting and management consulting firms with offices in more than 400 cities around the globe. In September 2008, Crowe Chizek changed its name to Crowe Horwath LLP, drawing attention to its membership in the Horwath International network—a change that the firm felt better positions it to provide services to clients with international operations in the global marketplace. Following suit, in April 2009, Horwath International changed its name to Crowe Horwath International. The new network name combined the international awareness of the Horwath brand with that of Crowe Horwath LLP, and unveiled the new strategy to create a single global brand to build awareness as a highly integrated network of accounting and advisory services firms. Today, having served more than 350 international clients in more than 40 countries, Crowe is the largest member firm within the Crowe Horwath International network. Crowe is also the holding company for a family of wholly, jointly, majority- and minority-owned entities, including Crowe Wealth Management, a fee-only advisory firm offering financial planning and investment advisory services; Horwath Castillo Miranda, an accounting and consulting firm in Mexico; and Creative Financial Staffing, a provider of interim staffing, high-level project staffing and direct hire placements of accounting and finance professionals.
Other people’s pain is Crowe’s gain The 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act ushered in an era of painful reform for many companies, who continue to struggle to keep up with the law’s financial and accounting reporting requirements. The regulation, which was signed into law in response to corporate and accounting scandals like Enron and WorldCom, gave financial service consulting firms like Crowe a boost as companies looked for outside help in tightening their internal controls. Crowe’s business units have an eye on improving business performance in a more regulated business environment. The assurance practice area, for one, provides audits, reviews and compilations, and forensic services, and works with clients to bring their businesses into compliance with new Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. The risk consulting unit, meanwhile, offers corporate governance, enterprise risk management, internal audit, and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance services. The firm also includes a financial advisory practice area, which offers finance, public finance and wealth management services; a performance management practice area; and a tax advisory practice area.
Fishing for compliments
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Crowe is big on client communication. For each client, the firm promises to identify the client’s needs and set realistic goals, communicate these goals with the client, establish an “ongoing communications process” to talk problems through, resolve any problems quickly and professionally, ask for feedback at the end of an engagement, and provide ongoing research and advice on certain problems. But, just in case there was any miscommunication during a client engagement, Crowe has set up a system to win as much feedback—positive or negative—as possible from its clients. “It is important for us to understand how our performance is being perceived by our clients and whether we are delivering value,” the firm states on its website. As such, the firm has developed a three-part feedback process for clients to weigh in on how it does business. First, there is a web-based performance evaluation survey. Second, there is Crowe’s annual client relationship survey, established in 2002, which is sent to a random sample of clients and provides detailed information on clients’ overall level of satisfaction with Crowe. And finally, the firm has even created its own “feedback manager,” posting its phone number and email address on its website for clients to call at any point during an engagement with feedback.
Giving back Crowe’s mantra of “building value with values” doesn’t apply only to its business. With a long history of corporate giving, Crowe established the Crowe Foundation in 2006 to better align its charitable contributions with employees’ volunteer efforts. As such, the foundation aims to build value within the broader communities where Crowe employees live and work. For instance, the Volunteer Investment Program awards a $250 grant to not-for-profit community organizations for which the firm’s employees volunteer 30 hours in a given year. In addition, the firm provides a two-for-one match (up to $250) of personal contributions made by individuals serving on not-for-profit boards.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Crowe Horwath LLP
GETTING HIRED Crowe promises a family-like environment, where consultants have the opportunity to have “an exciting and exceptional career, with challenging projects, continuous learning and leadership opportunities.” For current students or recent graduates at the undergraduate or graduate level interested in applying to the Crowe family, the firm holds on-campus recruiting sessions every spring and fall for both full-time positions and for semester- and summer-long internships.
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To apply for an interview with on-campus recruiters, the firm suggests contacting universities’ campus job placement offices or by emailing campus_
[email protected]. The firm’s recruiting schedule is available online and includes visits to University of Florida, University of Illinois at Champaign, Northern Illinois University, University of Miami (FL), California State University at Northridge, University of California at Santa Barbara and Florida Atlantic University, among others.
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DEAN & COMPANY 8065 Leesburg Pike, Fifth Floor Vienna, Virginia 22182 Phone: (703) 506-3900 Fax: (703) 506-3905 www.dean.com
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
UPPERS
Vienna, VA (HQ)
• “Broad industry exposure” • “Responsibility given as fast as you can handle it”
Employer Type: Private Company CEO: Dean L. Wilde II 2010 Employees: 50 2009 Employees: 50
PRACTICE AREAS Consumer Products • Customer Targeting/Bonding • Energy • Financial Services • Life Sciences • Market Entry/Startups • Media & Entertainment • New Technology • Operational Effectiveness • Pricing • Private Equity/M&A Support • Retail Management • Telecommunications
DOWNERS • “Constantly on call” • “Lack of alignment between effort and promotion”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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www.dean.com/careers/recruiting.htm
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Up and coming” “Pass the slide ruler” “Tightly focused” “Oddballs”
© 2010 Vault.com Inc.
Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Dean & Company
THE SCOOP Value architects Vienna, Va.-based Dean & Company may be small, but the self-described “value architects” pack a big punch. Since its founding in 1993 by former Mercer Management Consulting colleagues Dean Wilde and James Smist, the management strategy consulting firm has realized over $20 billion in cumulative impact in added value for clients. The firm’s clients fall into two main groups: large corporations, typically Fortune 500s, and small but high-potential businesses. For larger businesses, Dean focuses on corporate strategy, business creation, growth, M&A and business redirection. For smaller businesses, the firm helps prioritize goals and to develop and implement strategies. Clients in both camps come from a number of different industries—including financial services, life sciences, private equity, telecommunications, media and entertainment, consumer products, retail management, new technology and energy.
Top picks Dean is selective about the clients it chooses to work with. The firm is the first to say it cannot solve every problem for every company. To solve problems for clients that fit the bill, Dean is also selective about the problem-solvers it hires. “Instead of employing armies of consultants,” the firm’s career page says, “our professional staff is composed of a small number of highly talented analysts and associates who bring a rich combination of analytic and business skills and experience to the table.” Staff members have degrees that run the gamut from economics to engineering to biology, and a number of staffers have spent their entire consulting careers with the firm.
Bonding time The firm helped to create the Delta Model, a management strategy philosophy developed by Dean CEO Dean Wilde and Arnoldo Hax of the MIT/ Sloan School of Management, along with input from the CEOs of Saturn, Siemens, Unilever and other major companies. The model revolves around the concept of “bonding,” a mechanism for attracting and retaining the most profitable customers, and posits that traditional ways of competing—on price, quality or features—work, but not forever, ultimately leaving businesses prone to competitors who can imitate these product-based items of differentiation and can steal customers away. Instead, the Delta Model focuses on moving beyond product-based elements and focusing on “locking in” a customer and winning their allegiance. In 2001, Wilde, Hax and the other members of the Delta Project published The Delta Project: Discovering New Sources of Profitability in a Networked Economy, which outlined the Delta Model.
Team player Dean has always been one to build up its professional networks. Since 1998, the firm’s private equity team has worked with Lindsay Goldberg to evaluate investments in a $10 billion private equity fund that evaluates up-and-coming tech startups as investment targets. The unit has reviewed more than 500 deals since that time. Dean has said it will also work with other private equity and venture capital funds when there is no potential conflict with Lindsay Goldberg, and has worked with KKR, Madison Dearborn and Apollo. Dean has also reached out to others to boost its profile in other industries. In 2002, Dean CEO Wilde founded DC Energy, which is located at the same Vienna, Va., office. The group focuses on the energy markets, and invests using an analytical approach to applying differential expertise, instead of the more common practice of using highly leveraged transactions that amplify narrow spreads. In 2006, Dean developed an alliance with Corporate Value Associates, a London-based consulting firm that markets itself as a “global strategy boutique.” More recently, Dean has spun off Dean Ventures, an equity investment firm that uses a rigorous analytic approach to identify and transact on global investment opportunities.
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GETTING HIRED Dean looks for “more quantitative candidates than the typical strategy consulting firm,” scouring “Ivy League schools (Harvard, Princeton, Dartmouth)” and “some Southern schools (Duke, Virginia)” for well-qualified fits. Those from top schools with “a high GPA in a science or engineering field” with “a particular emphasis on analytic ability” should be worthy of a first-round interview. Screening interviews are typically held on campus, where candidates dive right into the mix with a case study that will decide whether or not they deserve a call-back. Select candidates earn the right to prove their worth through two more case studies. “There are no special tests or standard questions,” an insider reports; it’s a very straightforward process meant simply to evaluate a candidate’s competence.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Dean consultants appreciate the friendships they’ve forged within the firm’s “extremely collegial” culture, but poor work/life balance and qualms with leadership have affected morale.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Dean & Company
Overall Satisfaction • “I’ve learned a lot and worked on an array of projects. But low firm morale (driven by HR decisions) and little work/life balance have dinged overall satisfaction.” – Strategy associate • “This company is much more focused on bottom-line improvement than on employee satisfaction or retention.” – Midlevel consultant
Firm Culture • “I like the analyst culture—the analysts are a great group of people to work and socialize with.” – East Coast staffer • “Socially, the firm has very nice people. It can be political, however, especially given competition between practice areas. Employees are professional in their interactions.” – Junior consultant • “It’s collegial at the bottom rungs and one-on-one with management. In case context, management pushes (too?) hard. Lower echelons view top management as being too heavily focused on the bottom line at expense of employee satisfaction.” – Experienced source
Supervisor Relationships • “Supervisors are very demanding of their teams.” – D.C. insider • “Supervisor relations are not rated higher than 8 [out of 10] because there is little sympathy on the part of supervisors regarding work/life balance.” – Midlevel insider
Interaction with Clients • “As an analyst, I have had the opportunity to interact with a range of C-levels, including the president of a major pharmaceutical company.” – First-year analyst • “Client relationships are rated high because clients are consistently pleased with our work. However, they are not rated 10 because the relationships are purely professional (we don’t go out drinking with them).” – Junior consultant
Hours & pay Vault’s Verdict: While hours are “manageable” for many, others feel the burn from 80- to 100-hour weeks, which occasionally include weekend “fire drills.” Compensation is reportedly “reasonable.”
Work Hours • “The hours are manageable for most employees, including myself, but some analysts work very long hours … on a consistent basis.” –Experienced source • “Over my tenure, I’ve averaged about 60 hours per week. The trough is 50 (when staffed on marketing) and the more frequent peaks reach 80 hours per week.” – Senior consultant • “Hours are highly unpredictable and dependent on the case team. It’s difficult to make weekday plans at any time (including later than 9 p.m.).” – Telecommunications associate
Work/Life Balance • “You are expected to be on call 100 percent of the time, and comp days for this effort are extremely rare.” – D.C. source
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• “The typical workday leaves little time for meaningful commitments (volunteer, social, etc.). Weekends … are frequently interrupted by fire drills and one-off requests.” – Strategy associate • “Hours are not too overwhelming, but it can be very frustrating to have to cancel plans at the last minute because the hours are unpredictable.” – Technology analyst
Travel Requirements • “Travel is limited for about 75 percent of employees.” – Virginia staffer • “Travel is very binary. The majority of cases require no travel for lower echelons. Those cases that do require travel usually need four to five days at the client site.” – Junior consultant • “Travel is all or nothing. Either you are in the office for the entire duration of a case, or you travel four to five days a week.” – Experienced respondent
Compensation
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Dean & Company
• “Compensation is reasonable for a strategy consulting firm, but low given the intensity of the work and complete lack of ‘beach time.’” – Junior associate • “The downside of compensation is that it is not tied to work effort. Also, a significant portion of the bonus is contingent upon staying additional years at the firm, so it’s never actually paid.” – Entry-level analyst
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: It’s mostly sink-or-swim at Dean, but marked improvements are in the works.
Formal Training • “Most training is unofficial, on-the-job learning. The environment can be very sink-or-swim.” – Telecommunications junior • “Initial training is somewhat helpful, but you learn the most by starting to work on a case. Some continuing training is offered on subjects such as finance, SQL and accounting.” – First-year analyst • “The company has boosted its official training efforts over the past year.” – Senior associate
Promotion Policies • “Overall, consultants advance at a reasonable rate.” – Midlevel insider • “It can be difficult to be promoted between levels, but within levels, promotions are fairly reasonable.” – Junior associate • “The firm does not have a formal up-or-out policy; however, several employees have been terminated over the past few years for not advancing quickly enough. Promotion factors are often beyond your control (you do not choose your cases).” – Business consultant
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: “There is nothing wrong with the diversity we have, it just is somewhat lacking right now”—which, stunningly, is exactly what’s wrong with it.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “There are no female managers or VPs.” – Junior source • “There is nothing wrong with the diversity we have, it just is somewhat lacking right now. The company is actively looking to improve that, though, and the issue of female diversity is only a recent thing (a lot of women left for graduate school recently).” – First-year strategist • “The firm actively tries to recruit more women, but has not succeeded in attracting women to the firm. Some minorities are underrepresented, but there are not specific efforts to attract any particular racial/ethnic group.” – East Coast insider
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Business has improved dramatically of late; now it’s up to leadership to help morale follow suit.
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Overall Business Outlook • “The business is doing well—the firm is at full utilization.” – Strategy consultant • “There’s plenty of business, but a very unsatisfied workforce. The firm will likely see strong headwinds in hiring new talent to replace frustrated employees after they leave.” – Virginia associate • “From a revenue-generation standpoint, things have improved a lot. However, morale is very low and many employees want to leave. The firm is much smaller than it has been historically, so there are fewer case opportunities.” – Senior consultant
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “Management lacks the ability to effectively manage the firm’s human capital. Professional growth of employees is not a priority. Also, management overreacted to the recession and laid off too many people, such that now we lack adequate staff.” – D.C. insider • “The principle issue is lack of effort at employee retention. Additionally, firm leadership has mostly promoted quantitative analysts/associates, with limited ability to manage clients. Few hold MBAs.” – Experienced source
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DROEGE & COMP. 405 Lexington Avenue, 35th Floor New York, New York 10174 Phone: (212) 557-7616 Fax: (212) 557-6788 www.droege-group.com
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company Chairman: Walter P. J. Droege 2009 Employees: 300 2008 Employees: 300 2009 Revenue: 190 million 2008 Revenue: 135 million
LOCATIONS Düsseldorf (HQ) New York, NY Arendal Barcelona Budapest Dubai Genevilliers Malmö Moscow Mumbai Munich Nieuwegein Shanghai Singapore Taastrup Vienna Warsaw
PRACTICE AREAS Growth • Restructuring • Efficiency Improvement
UPPER • Strong evaluation system
DOWNER • Limited brand name in the US
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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Droege & Comp. Attn.: Recruiting 405 Lexington Avenue, 35th Floor New York, NY 10174 Phone: (212) 557-7616 Fax: (212) 557-6788 Recruiting Coordinator: Ms. Terri Harris www.droege-group.com/en/careers-alumni/
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Droege & Comp.
THE SCOOP Straight to the bottom (line) Founded in 1988, Droege & Comp. is a global consulting firm headquartered in Düsseldorf, boasting operations in the U.S., Europe, Middle East and Asia. A subsidiary of the Droege Group (Advisory & Capital), the firm is the second-largest German consulting firm. Created as a “consultancy of entrepreneurs serving entrepreneurs,” Droege prides itself on its skills in the area of restructuring and growth programs. Its approach is best summed up as practical, with a focus on achieving bottom-line results and tangible benefits for clients, such as cost savings, increased revenue and corporate growth. As such, services focus on portfolio alignment, top line optimization, optimization of process and cost, organization/governance, reducing assets and optimization of investments. Clients represent a range of industries, including automotive, chemicals/life science, retail and consumer goods, green energies, financial services, manufacturing and engineering, high tech/telecommunication and transportation. Consistent with that approach, the firm employs a results-based billing approach—a fee structure that links payment to the completion of previously agreed-upon goals. Droege’s client list is an indication that the approach works: 85 percent of the clients come to Droege through recommendation, and 70 percent remain with the company for more than three years.
Global reach Droege Group has 17 offices worldwide, most of them in Western Europe, but enjoys a burgeoning presence in Central and Eastern Europe (through locations in Budapest, Moscow and Warsaw), the Middle East (Dubai) and Asia (Mumbai, Shanghai and Singapore). The firm’s U.S. office is in New York City, where a group of 15 professionals serve an international array of clients, many of whom are subsidiaries of European companies. Droege generally focuses on midsized companies looking to enhance their international presence either through expansion from Europe to the U.S. or the reverse. It is able to provide expertise and resources, plus raw manpower, well beyond what its clients could marshal internally. International expansion engagements involve an evaluation of growth strategies and potential acquisitions, coupled with operational improvements. For clients who need to accelerate or facilitate overseas expansion or sourcing, the firm can act as a general contractor of sorts, adding local knowledge to the project design and ensuring integrated business services.
Looking East Droege also has a growing footprint in Asia. Its most recent expansion in the region came in 2007, when it opened an office in Mumbai, its first in India. Elsewhere in the region, the firm maintains a headquarters in Singapore, and covers a broad swath of the region, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, China and India. In addition to providing a bridge between Europe and Asia, these offices also allow Droege’s American clients to take advantage of on-the-ground expertise, for example in the area of low-cost-country sourcing.
Tweaking portfolios Droege also has a specialized M&A practice that serves global buyout firms, early-stage venture capitalists, midmarket private equity firms and hedge funds investing either in private equity or distressed debt. The company assists in raising funds from limited partners, performs due diligence and industry screenings, and advises on portfolio improvement. In addition, it consults on acquisitions and exit strategy when it comes time to sell.
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GETTING HIRED Droege prefers to call its consulting staff “implementers,” emphasizing the firm’s “implementation-driven” approach to serving clients. What does that mean, exactly? As the firm explains it, this refers to Droege’s ability to make quick, calculated changes for companies seeking help in restructuring their business or increasing the value of their business. And, since change doesn’t always come easy, Droege looks for implementers who not only know their stuff, but who can also “win acceptance for [their] initiatives and motivate people to take action.” The firm adds that, in order to succeed at Droege, consultants must have a “winning presence, confidence and leadership skills, sensitivity in dealing with people, and creativity.” But a “winning presence” alone won’t cut it. Candidates who are fresh out of a top-tier university, and have demonstrated both academic strength and consulting-relevant skills, will be considered for positions as business analysts. Analysts are not expected to be specialists in any one industry or consulting service, but rather work as generalists on a variety of projects. Those seeking positions at the consultant level or higher must have a postgraduate degree—typically either a doctorate or an MBA—and prior experience as a management consultant. Consultant candidates must also have strong analytical and communication skills, and expertise that allows them to work as specialists in one of the firm’s “competence centers.”
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ERNST & YOUNG New York, New York 10036 Phone: (212) 773-3000 Fax: (212) 773-6350 www.ey.com
LOCATIONS New York, NY (US HQ) London (Global HQ) Locations in 140 countries and territories
PRACTICE AREAS Advisory • Assurance • Core Business Services • Tax • Transactions
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company Chairman & CEO: James S. Turley Area Managing Partner, Americas: Steve Howe 2009 Employees: 40,732 (Americas) 2008 Employees: 41,535 (Americas) 2009 Revenue: $8.7 billion (Americas) 2008 Revenue: $9.8 billion (Americas)
UPPERS • “Strong growth” • “Great group of partners”
DOWNERS • “No downtime to catch your breath” • “Administrivia”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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www.ey.com/US/Careers
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Entrepreneurial” “Bean-counters” “Strong reputation” “Watch out for Lehman blow-back”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Ernst & Young
THE SCOOP Earnest Ernst For two decades, Ernst & Young has helped clients stay on the straight and narrow. The world’s second-largest accounting firm, Ernst & Young’s 144,000 employees around the world offer advisory, assurance, tax and transaction advisory services via offices in 140 countries. Ernst & Young LLP is the U.S. member firm of Ernst & Young Global, with over 40,000 professionals who work with clients in the asset management, automotive, banking and capital markets, biotechnology, consumer products, insurance, media and entertainment, mining and metals, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, power and utilities, provider care, real estate, retail and wholesale, technology and telecommunications industries.
Not consulting, “advising” It’s difficult to discuss EY’s consulting capabilities without delving into the realm of ancient business history. First, and perhaps most importantly, is that there is no such thing as a “consulting” wing at Ernst & Young. There is, however, an “advisory” unit, a term adopted as EY sought to rebuild its business advisory presence following the $11 billion sale of its original consulting unit to Capgemini in 2000. The reason for that shift in terminology appears to lie with CEO James Turley, who commented in 2007 that “’consulting’ is a very broad and no longer particularly helpful term.” Accordingly, the firm “advises,” where others might “consult,” on four core areas: performance improvement (finance, customer and supply chain and operations); risk (enterprise-wide governance, risk and compliance, internal audit, internal controls financial services risk management and actuarial); IT risk and assurance (IT risk management, application risk, infrastructure risk, and data risk and IT assurance); and other cross-advisory teams, such as IT advisory, people and organizational change, program advisory and strategic performance. While all of the above services are part of Ernst & Young LLP’s advisory unit, it’s the performance improvement services segment that addresses what might traditionally be viewed as management consulting services. While the offerings within that unit vary from country to country, the U.S. practice has just three core competencies: customer, finance, and supply chain and operations.
Keep it simple EY might be one of the largest firms of its kind in the world, but it is also trying to be one of the most streamlined. In April 2008, the firm underwent a major restructuring process to consolidate its business and position itself to capitalize on opportunities in emerging markets. As such, the firm brought together 87 national practices across Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa, and 15 national practices across Asia, to create operationally integrated EMEIA and Far East areas. These groups work alongside the already-integrated Americas area. Going forward, the firm is paying special attention to its operations in Russia, India and China, where revenue increased between 30 percent and 40 percent in 2008. By 2010, the firm will have invested $1 billion in its offices and operations in these markets. The firm also revamped its advisory platform to take advantage of recent growth in this service line. EY established a global project management office for all of its assurance and advisory services to streamline their operations “as a connected global advisory business.”
Advancing all kinds of causes
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As might be expected, the firm’s 18,000 advisory professionals worldwide are active in conducting and publishing research, with a particular specialty in the area of risk management. That’s not the only area the company pushes forward, however: Every year, EY organizes the Entrepreneur of the Year awards. Award winners are selected by independent panels of judges and area business and civic leaders in more than 135 cities in 50 countries. The purpose of the awards is to encourage entrepreneurial activity and to celebrate those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses. And the commitment to pushing boundaries doesn’t stop there, either. The firm regularly appears on lists of top employers for its practices and its commitment to all forms of equality and diversity in the workplace. See the news section below for a sampling of some of the company’s recent commendations.
GETTING HIRED Ernst & Young is actively hiring, following a period of relative stagnation. As such, we’re told, getting hired is now a significantly easier prospect than it has been the previous few years. That said, the firm’s selection process remains “extremely selective”—“even a little too selective” by some judgments. “We’ve gotten to the point that it is tough to get in the door for an office visit if you don’t have a 3.5-plus GPA and a good standardized test score (26-plus ACT, normally),” says a veteran of the process. Keep in mind that fulfillment of these stated requirements (think “best and brightest”) only qualifies candidates for an initial interview—nothing is guaranteed before an exhaustive “case interview process” is completed. The firm places a strong emphasis on assessing a candidate’s skills and aptitudes through real-world simulation of projects. Insiders say leadership is among the most highly valued qualities interviewers look for, followed by communication skills and analysis.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Ernst & Young
Our Survey Says Corporate Atmosphere Employee satisfaction at Ernst & Young ranks among the industry’s best, with associates eager to heap praise on their colleagues and work environment. One source cites the “entrepreneurial practice within a very large company,” also noting, “I have control over my own career, and I learn so much every day.” “We focus on hiring smart people and treating them with respect,” an insider reports. A senior consultant identifies the firm’s mentoring culture as a personal source of satisfaction: “I work for a group of partners whom I respect both personally and professionally, and who I feel have a genuine interest in me personally and in my career. I enjoy working with and training up our younger team members, and I find it very rewarding to be able to serve my clients.” Others describe the firm’s the culture as “inclusive,” “social,” “supportive” and “respectful.”
Hours & pay At EY, a seesaw schedule between “40 hours weeks” and “absolutely crazy, 70-hour” weeks would be considered the norm if managers didn’t allow a serious degree of flexibility with regard to travel, late nights and weekends. “Traveling every week can get challenging,” a source admits, though it’s countered by “a lot of flexibility in when and where I work.” For a real-world example, see this staffer’s attempts to juggle family life and work: “I have a new baby, and I balance work and personal life by coming in late (after 9 a.m.) and leaving at a reasonable hour (often 5 p.m. or earlier) so that I can maximize my time at home with the baby. This sometimes means working later from home after the baby is asleep, but I’ll take that tradeoff for the flexibility.” What staffers gain in flexibility, they might forfeit in compensation—which they do willingly. Some salaries may be “at industry standard,” but, a number of insiders agree with this associate who admits, “I know that I could make more money right now at another company.”
Professional Development The consensus amongst EY employees is one of real appreciation for the firm’s “very effective” formal offerings—when they can find the time to access them. “The formal classes offered are very good, but they’re offered very infrequently (once or twice a year),” a staffer explains. “If you can’t make a class, which is common given client responsibilities, you’re often stuck until next year.”
Diversity EY is extremely diverse,” a consultant reports, summarizing the widely held belief that the firm is among the most diverse in the industry. “We are a leader in terms of gender, minority and LGBT diversity, and have made those issues a national priority,” a midlevel source reports. “I don’t know of another place that puts more of an emphasis on inclusiveness.”
Overall Business Outlook
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Business is picking up in a big way at Ernst & Young. “EY cannot hire enough candidates to meet demand,” says a snowed-under associate. The pipeline is bursting, and though that could mean longer hours before new hires take root, it should also translate to better pay and more professional opportunities for consultants already on the books. “I think morale is great in our office, considering the events of the past year and the fact that most did not get raises last year,” an optimistic associate points out. “Most of that is a credit to our partner group and their positive attitude and commitment to developing and mentoring our people.”
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FIRST MANHATTAN CONSULTING GROUP 90 Park Avenue New York, New York 10016 Phone: (212) 557-0500 Fax: (212) 338-9296 www.fmcg.com
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
UPPERS
New York, NY (HQ) Boston, MA Seattle, WA
• “Compensation is incredible” • “We have recently transitioned to being a firm filled with younger professionals which has changed the social climate”” • The firm is hiring aggressively now
Employer Type: Private Company President: James M. McCormick 2010 Employees: 70 2009 Employees: 75
PRACTICE AREAS
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Acquisition Support • Advanced Marketing Segmentation • Business, Product, & Customer Profitability • Corporate & Business Strategy • Credit Risk Management • Customer Experience & Sales Effectiveness • Distribution Planning & Tactics • Enterprise Risk Management • Expense Management, Process Reengineering, & Benchmarking • Incentive Compensation • Joint Ventures/ Outsourcing • Organic Revenue Growth Strategies, Value Propositions, & Pricing • Organizational Design • Payments E-Commerce Strategy • Performance Measurement • Product Management & Pricing • Revenue Growth & Value Proposition • Risk Model Development • Strategic Finance • Technology Strategy & Systems Architecture • Treasury & Capital Markets
DOWNERS • Formal training is sorely lacking • Hours can be “grueling”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.fmcg.com/Careers
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Specialists” “Snobby—only Ivy League, regardless of ability” “Lots of work” “No career advancement”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition First Manhattan Consulting Group
THE SCOOP A bite out of the Big Apple Founded in 1980, First Manhattan Consulting Group is a strategy and risk management consulting firm serving financial institutions, vendors, investor groups and financial service providers. Since its founding, the New York-based firm has made its mark on the financial sector, completing over 3,000 assignments, including jobs for 80 percent of the 70 largest U.S. banks, major insurance carriers, banks and other financial institutions from 22 countries, and some of the country’s leading private equity firms.
On the fast track When he isn’t racing Porsches—one of his favorite (and fastest) pastimes—Jim McCormick is busy running the show as FMCG’s president. An expert in retail and commercial services, McCormick draws on over 30 years of financial services consulting experience as the face of FMCG. He has given testimony to the U.S. Senate Banking Committee and has appeared over 150 times as a speaker before various financial services industry groups, such as the Bank Administration Institute, Consumer Banking Association, NY Bankers , Institute of International Bankers, Risk Management Association, Corporate Financial Group, NACHA, The Capital Roundtable and others. McCormick has also appeared on CNN, CNBC and other broadcast venues, and has been widely quoted in national publications like Institutional Investor, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, The New York Times, Businessweek, Fortune, The American Banker and others.
Divide and conquer FMCG boasts a number of skills and services it offers to clients, not least of which is its trademarked Financial Personality (FP) marketing system. Over the years, the firm says, it has realized the importance of segmentation in the banking and financial services industries. But, relying on overly simplistic breakdowns like straight demographics is not enough. Jointly launched in 2006 with information services company Experian Group, FP provides marketers of lending products the ability to improve customer and prospect targeting, to better align products and offers, and to tailor messaging to appeal to prospects. Using the FP system, consumers receive a “score” that is based on their needs and attitudes toward a specific financial product—information gleaned from direct consumer market research. The scores provide information about a consumer’s product requirements (what needs they want fulfilled), beliefs (what emotions the product stimulates), and usage (how often the product is used). That information is combined with credit and demographic data and, after some number crunching, the reports are used to tweak media and marketing campaigns. Clients, FMCG boasts, “routinely generate two times to three times improvement in marketing spending return on investment.” FMCG has developed FP structures for most major lines of business in consumer financial services, including home equity loans and lines, mortgages, deposits, credit cards, life insurance, secured lending and investments.
Preach what you practice Never tight-lipped when it comes to advice for clients, FMCG also offers its expertise via its value-based management white paper series. These papers are made available to financial institutions, journalists, bank analysts and academics, and feature the firm’s insights on strategy, risk management, retail banking, marketing, technology and other topics relevant to the financial services industry. Recent issues have addressed stress testing, top-10 questions to ask during due diligence, small business deposit growth, payments strategy and breakthroughs in direct marketing.
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FMCG staffers also make themselves heard through presentations at national conferences and in their analysis of financial issues in the media. The firm’s managing vice presidents and vice presidents also appear regularly on panels and as speakers at industry conferences around the country and abroad. The firm has also been quoted over 500 times in numerous magazines, newspapers and industry publications and the firm’s experts, not known to be camera shy, have appeared on CNN, Reuters, Bloomberg and network news programs.
GETTING HIRED Word that the firm plans to “staff-up aggressively” in the near future will be welcomed by prospective applicants, particularly those who might be reluctant to consider themselves the kind of “high-octane candidates” FMCG typically targets. The firm also takes commitment seriously; according to one source, recruiters want to hear that qualified candidates are willing to “stick with the firm for the long term.” The interview process takes place over two legs. Imminent graduates can expect to meet with recruiters on campuses throughout the country; they should also expect recruiters to “vet” them “very carefully,” as both parties seek to “find the right fit.” Successfully screened candidates will be invited back to FMCG offices, where they’ll sit for “a day of 45- to 60-minute interviews with five to six professional staff members,” not the least of whom often includes “the president or executive vice president of the firm (the founder and co-founder).”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition First Manhattan Consulting Group
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere “The job is great,” says a humble insider, reflecting the general sentiment of many of his colleagues. “Projects are interesting,” says another. “I get more client interaction than I would get at any other firm.” When they aren’t praising the quality of work they see each day, consultants highlight the “interesting and friendly” nature of FMCG culture. “Analysts spend time working, thinking and eating together at one of the many community tables we have in the office,” an associate reveals. “We have recently transitioned to being a firm filled with younger professionals, which has changed the social climate. We are not the First Manhattan Consulting Group of Vault guides gone by.”
Hours & pay Consultants call the long, often variable hours at FMCG “grueling” and “a challenge.” That said, one associate highlights the commitments the firm makes to protect consultants from burnout: “The firm is very respectful of vacations, weekends and outside commitments. The emphasis is on getting the work done—if you need to leave for an hour in the middle of the day, that’s fine.” Travel requirements can admittedly be on the “aggressive” side, but “travel varies by practice.” Any gripes about schedules are countered by a compensation package that one respondent dubs “the best in the industry.” “Bonuses and profitsharing are great,” says one consultant. “We work hard, we work smart, and we are rewarded for that hard work.”
Professional Development Outside of some initial training for new hires, it’s largely trial by fire for FMCG consultants. After “one week of training for new first-year analysts,” an associate says, “most of the training is on the job. Analysts will typically be staffed within their first week or two at the firm.” While this experience can be daunting, consultants generally appreciate the invaluable lessons they learn in the process; not only do they help adjust to life in the industry, they also give consultants a head start in what is called “a true meritocracy.” According to a senior source, “Professionals are promoted as soon as they are ready—for some, this means spending only six months as an analyst before transitioning to a midlevel position.” “Some analysts have progressed to partner in six to seven years,” adds another insider, underscoring the ease with which top performers can ascend through the ranks.
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As one consultant says, “FMCG thrived in spite of the recession.” In fact, the firm “did not lay off a single employee” in the midst of economic turmoil. “Our clients are almost always repeat clients,” the source continues, “who continue to come back because they are impressed with the strength of our team and work.” “The entire firm is growing exponentially this year,” says another associate. “We expect to continue to staff up aggressively to meet growing demand.” It certainly helps to have leaders who “are quoted on an almost-daily basis in the most important trade journals and in mainstream business publications.”
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FREDERIC W. COOK., INC. 90 Park Avenue, 35th Floor New York, New York 10016 Phone: (212) 986-6330 www.fwcook.com
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company Founder & Director: Frederic Cook Chairman: George Paulin 2010 Employees: 70
LOCATIONS Atlanta, GA Chicago, IL Los Angeles, CA New York, NY San Francisco, CA Tarrytown, NY
UPPER • A strong name in the executive compensation camp
DOWNER • Very narrow niche
PRACTICE AREAS
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Compensation Advisory • Compliance • Corporate Governance • Incentive Design • Total Compensation Review • Transaction Services
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EMPLOYMENT CONTACT fwcook.com/careers.html
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Frederic W. Cook., Inc.
THE SCOOP Money matters Founded in 1973, Frederic W. Cook & Company has provided over 2,500 clients with their services, which typically address a broad range of employee compensation issues. Using published surveys, custom studies and its own internal database of compensation metrics, Frederic Cook consultants help client leadership determine appropriate base salaries, benefits and bonuses, and severance packages for their employees. Of course, not every client firm will require the same compensation system, regardless of industry; clients expect an intuitive, personalized compensation scheme that takes their unique circumstances into account—and that’s where FWC consultants claim to differentiate themselves. The firm’s professionals are also well-versed in financial law, as clients often seek their advice on sticky pay situations resulting from ethnicity or gender discrepancies. Outside of compensation, FWC also provides solutions regarding corporate leadership, as well as advice on mergers, acquisitions and transitions to the public or private spheres. The firm touts its influence as compensation advisors to half of the firms populating the Dow Jones Industrial index, and a quarter of those in the S&P 500. Perhaps it achieved such significance because of a nondiscriminatory client policy which sees it take on both private and public corporations as clients (including foreign companies, in spite of the challenges posed by exchange rates and foreign finance laws), as well as trusts, foundations and universities.
Knowledge pays Aside from providing its services as an advisory body, FWC also shares its wealth of compensation-related knowledge to prospective clients and the community at large. Most notable among these efforts is the annual release of three “core surveys” that examine long-term trends and immediate obstacles the industry faces. Dubbed the “Annual Survey on Long-term Incentives,” “Board of Directors Compensation Report,” and the “Top 250 Long-term and Stock-Based Grant Practices,” each analyzes a particular function within the industry. For example, 2009’s Top 250 evaluated the integrity of certain non-salary incentives for employees in the face of unprecedented economic pressures. Somewhat predictably, results showed that more employees preferred immediate, strictly monetary incentives to the long-term, less tangible alternatives (stock options, for example) that leadership is more likely to offer in tight times.
GETTING HIRED The firm “aspires to hire only the best,” warning prospective applicants of the need to bring a good deal of confidence and quality to the table. What qualifies a candidate as the best? “Creativity, judgment, entrepreneurial energy, initiative, independence and willingness to assume responsibility are highly valued,” the firm says. Recruiters “place special emphasis on individuals who are self-starters,” according to the firm, “and [those] who possess a high level of business acumen and commitment to excellence in a demanding, fast-paced professional environment.” Those deemed capable are promised to be “rewarded with a supportive, dynamic and enlivening atmosphere.”
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For those who find these descriptions eerily familiar, the firm “would like to hear from you” at
[email protected].
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GRANT THORNTON LLP 175 West Jackson Boulevard, 20th Floor Chicago, Illinois 60604 Phone: (312) 856-0200 Fax: (312) 602-8099 www.grantthornton.com
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company CEO: Stephen Chipman 2009 Employees: 5,840 2009 Revenue: $884 million* 2008 Revenue: $1.05 billion* *Special advisory services only
LOCATIONS Chicago, IL (HQ) 51 Offices throughout the US
PRACTICE AREAS Advisory Business Strategy • Forensics, Investigation & Litigation • Governance, Risk & Compliance • IT • Performance Improvement • Restructuring/Turnaround • Transaction Advisory Services • Valuation • Audit • Tax
UPPER • Strong, historic reputation in the industry
DOWNER • Consulting work sometimes gets overshadowed by the accounting bent
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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www.grantthornton.com/careers
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Solid mid-market provider” “Mostly accountants” “Intelligent, well-paying” “Stodgy, old school”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Grant Thornton LLP
THE SCOOP The Big Five? Grant Thornton is one of just six worldwide tax, audit and advisory organizations. Although not a member of the so-called Big Four, the firm has established itself as a fairly big fish. The firm can trace its roots back to 1924, when Alexander Grant, only 26 at the time, left Ernst & Ernst (now Ernst & Young) to start his own public accounting firm, Alexander Grant & Co. As the firm grew it, absorbed 49 other firms, most notably the U.K.-based Thornton Baker, and in the mid-1980s the firm rebranded itself Grant Thornton. Despite its exclusion from the Big Four, Grant Thornton’s structure is very similar, with each member firm acting as its own distinct, legal entity. And, like PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst & Young, the firm features a U.K.-based limited company as its coordinating entity.
Parts of a whole As would be expected of a firm of its size, Grant Thornton offers a wide range of services across a wide range of industries. It boasts three main practice areas: tax, audit and advisory. Its advisory unit has worked with clients in 18 industries, including both the public and private sectors and not-for-profit organizations. The firm provides solutions for issues complying with new legislation, managing risk, containing costs, streamlining business processes, increasing security of computer networks and identifying strategic transaction opportunities. The consulting unit also includes a forensics, investigations and litigations branch that researches economic foul play and advises corporations involved with criminal abuse lawsuits. Owing its existence to an “unprecedented increase in business-related investigations and litigation,” Grant Thornton consultants step in to protect clients’ reputations and avoid the costly business interruptions that can accompany high-profile lawsuits. Discretion is a major concern for the branch and its clients; consultants make a point of “uncovering, detecting and deterring fraudulent or abusive activity” in a bid to address trouble areas as quietly as possible.
Publishers, too Grant Thornton frequently shares its research and insights with clients and the general public. The firm periodically releases 30 specialized newsletters, specific to certain industries, such as the automotive or financial industries, while others deal with broader issues concerning federal legislation, general accountancy developments and not-for-profit regulatory matters. Grant Thornton also releases white papers, reports and surveys, and partners at the firm have published a number of books. Moreover, the firm regularly hosts and attends seminars and industry events, also hosting webcasts and podcasts. The firm’s research and publications are free to view on its website.
Green Thornton Declaring itself a “steward of the environment,” Grant Thornton adopted a comprehensive environmental sustainability policy, dubbed ExperienceGreen, which aims to “minimize the overall impact of business operations on the environment.” The initiative is directed from the top down; employees are encouraged to participate by practicing responsible waste disposal methods, and National Chairperson John Messer is the firm’s most visible environmental advocate. Leadership is proactive in its environmental direction, funding local “greenest office” competitions and dictating a moratorium on unnecessary travel. In particular, Messer leads by example, hosting industry panels on corporate responsibility and organizing informal sustainability alliances with corporate networks and NGOs alike.
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GETTING HIRED Grant Thornton’s recruitment process generally begins on campus, where the firm targets qualified candidates who’ve dropped resumes at campus career centers. Pre-screened candidates will then get “the opportunity to personally present your resume” in the form of a “30- to 45-minute interview,” either in person or on the phone. The firm’s goal here is straightforward: simply to “evaluate your qualifications” to see if a subsequent interview is in line with “mutual objectives.” Successful candidates will be invited for a second interview, also roughly 30 to 45 minutes in length, but involving a much “greater level of detail.” Candidates should prepare to give in-depth histories of academic, personal and professional backgrounds; the firm prefers to hear “specific examples of situations” rather than long-winded life stories. The third and final round finally sees imminently successful candidates brought in to Grant Thornton offices to “meet with all levels of personnel, from associate to partner.” “Our staff will continue to ask questions to learn even more about your background, qualifications and interest in Grant Thornton,” the firm explains. “After the office visit, your recruiter will gather all of the feedback and make a final employment decision.”
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GREENWICH ASSOCIATES 6 High Ridge Park Stamford, Connecticut 06905 Phone: (203) 629-1200 Fax: (203) 629-1229 www.greenwich.com
UPPERS • “Blue-chip reputation and brand” • “Calm workplace”
DOWNERS LOCATIONS Stamford, CT (HQ) London Singapore Tokyo Toronto
PRACTICE AREAS Commercial Large Corporate Banking • Foreign Exchange • Derivatives • Equities • Fixed Income • Insurance • Investment Banking • Investment Management • Strategic Consulting Group • Treasury
• Lacking green initiatives and programs • “Some of the managing directors are stuck in old ways of doing things and need to begin to change”
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company Senior Managing Director: Steven Busby 2010 Employees: 200 2009 Employees: 170
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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Jenny O’Donnel Phone: (203) 629-1200 E-mail:
[email protected] To submit your resume: erecruiter.greenwich.com
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Greenwich Associates
THE SCOOP Purveyors of financial intelligence Greenwich Associates is an institutional financial services consulting firm that earns its keep by sharing proprietary financial research with its clients. Its research programs, which rely on annual interviews with key industry executives in more than 70 countries, are the foundation of its consulting services, which include providing ranking and ratings information on service providers, benchmark information on best practices and market intelligence on overall trends in the financial markets.
Keeping it small…sort of Charley Ellis founded Greenwich Associates in 1972. The firm’s mission: to offer high-quality proprietary research and consulting advice to senior-level clients in major financial enterprises. The firm’s initial offerings were in personal trust services, large corporate pensions and large corporate banking— and only in the United States. Eventually, its business expanded to include a wide range of clients in the financial sector, including stockbrokerage, fixed income, foreign exchange, derivatives and investment banking markets around the globe. The range of services offered has also expanded over the years to include global programs, custom research, online tools and services, as well as specialized analytical services. Today, although Greenwich Associates has tried to stay small and close-knit, it has expanded to include offices in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan and Canada, which service more than 250 clients around the world.
Thousands of sidekicks Greenwich Associates doesn’t believe in outsourcing its research. In addition to its internal staff, the firm touts its thousands of research partners, who are professionals at large corporations, plan sponsors and buy-side institutions. The firm interviews and tracks research partners in dozens of countries across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. In return for their help, research partners receive the intelligence that the firm acquires and creates from its surveys and analyses. This intelligence is produced in the form of white papers and other research on institutional finance, covering areas such as ratings and rankings of financial services providers, market trends and best practices, and peer compensation information. In equities and fixed income, the firm tracks over 5,000 investors from 70 countries. In the insurance field, the firm conducts 35,000 interviews with risk managers, CFOs, treasurers, legal counsel and other professionals working in insurance and risk management. Within investment management, nearly 3,000 U.S., Canadian and European pension funds, foundations, endowments and other institutional funds are interviewed, in addition to 75 consultants in 18 countries. Middle-market and small business-market studies are run continuously, and cover interviews with nearly 25,000 U.S. companies (small business being defined as annual sales of $1 to $10 million, and middle market as annual sales of $10 to $500 million). The activities of more than 5,000 senior corporate finance and treasury professionals from 70 nations are interviewed to provide the best corporate finance and treasury research.
Cutters are for cookies Greenwich Associates makes a point of emphasizing the customizable nature of its research. With custom research, the firm attempts to “collect, monitor and act upon client data at close to a real-time basis.” It claims that its custom research finds the answers to four fundamental questions. First, how are the client’s customer needs changing? Second, how is the client doing relative to its competitors? Third, if the client is not performing to expectations or potential, why not? And finally, what does the client have to do to reach its potential? Some areas in which the firm can perform custom research are strategy formulation, strategy measurement, market trends and customer behavior, and competitive position.
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Thinking big picture For bigger-scale research requests, Greenwich Associates offers large-scale market research in both the consumer and institutional markets via its wholly owned subsidiary, CCL, based in Toronto. CCL’s research is primarily focused on providing business-line and marketing professionals with insights into customer satisfaction, market benchmarks, customer behavior and awareness, and product and service trends. Interviewers conduct more than 600,000 interviews per year in English, Spanish, French, and Chinese, via five call centers and from over 300 computer-assisted telephone interviewing stations. And, of course, each CCL report can be customized to meet a particular client’s needs.
GETTING HIRED Recruiters actively seek “outstanding individuals with high aspirations” to join the fold at Greenwich Associates, guaranteeing “professional growth and personal fulfillment”. The firm has an extensive interviewing process, in which both members and consultants interview candidates. Hiring the perfect candidate is exceptionally important to the firm, as there is big advocacy towards buy-in and positive firm morale. Applicants are encouraged to submit resumes online on the firm’s “career opportunities” page at www.greenwich.com.
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THE HACKETT GROUP, INC. 1001 Brickell Bay Drive, 30th Floor Miami, Florida 33131 Phone: (305) 375-8005 Fax: (305) 379-8810 www.thehackettgroup.com
LOCATIONS Miami, FL (HQ) Atlanta, GA Chicago, IL New York, NY Philadelphia, PA San Francisco, CA Amsterdam Frankfurt Hyderabad London Paris Sydney
THE STATS Employer Type: Public Company Ticker Symbol: HCKT (Nasdaq) CEO: Ted Fernandez 2009 Employees: 724 2009 Revenue: $142.7 million 2008 Revenue: $192.1 million
UPPER • Innovative, out-of-the-box thinking is encouraged
DOWNER • Travel is a must
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.thehackettgroup.com/about/careers
PRACTICE AREAS
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Finance • Global Business Services • Human Resources • IT • Procurement • Supply Chain • Transformation Consulting
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Finance-oriented” “Limited” “Strong in their core field” “Data-sellers”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Hackett Group, Inc.
THE SCOOP Three-pronged attack The Hackett Group, founded in 1991, assumed its current form after being acquired by Answerthink Inc. in 1997. Helming the ship is Ted Fernandez, who has held the position of CEO since co-founding Answerthink in the mid 1990s. Hackett can be distinguished by its three core service groups: REL Consultancy, the firm’s working capital division, offers cash flow solutions; recently acquired Archstone Consulting offers expert strategy and operations advice to consumer, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and financial services clients; and Hackett Technology Solutions, the firm’s aptly-named IT branch, provides comprehensive solutions to all things technology. The Hackett Group boasts a myriad of high-profile clients, the likes of which include GE, BBC, IBM, Wal-Mart, AT&T, Pfizer and American Express, among others. In its short history, the company has worked with over 2,700 major corporations and government agencies, including 97 percent of the Dow Jones Industrials, 73 percent of the Fortune 100, 73 percent of the DAX 30 and 50 percent of the FTSE 100.
Win-win Hackett Group’s 2009 acquisition of Connecticut-based Archstone Consulting was a major coup for the firm. Not only was Hackett’s reach extended into previously untapped industries, but Archstone’s IT strategies and BPO advisory expertise increased the depth and breadth of Hackett’s services. Archstone still retains a notable degree of autonomy from its new parent firm, allowing it to keep relationships with existing clients personal and transition-free. While little has changed on the ground for Archstone consultants, having access to Hackett’s international network of resources has only improved business prospects.
Setting the mark One of Hackett’s more popular and unique offerings allows clients to measure its performance against that of the firm’s competitors. In its benchmarking studies, the firm helps clients identify sources of dissatisfaction and offers strategies to eliminate them using the same metrics. It’s only natural, then, that clients would use Hackett’s own benchmarks to compare it to other consulting options. The firm touts its 4,000 benchmark-strong database as “the most comprehensive in the world,” and it certainly wouldn’t be so if Hackett itself weren’t included. In 2010, Hackett extended its benchmarking practice to have a more global impact when it forged an alliance with Japan’s Nomura Research Institute. The alliance dictates that NRI will sell and deliver Hackett’s data in Japan, China, Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines and Indonesia. This is indicative of a broader strategy at Hackett, as the firm has struck similar deals with consulting firms in Scandinavia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Only the best Hackett’s clients get access to more than just advisory services when hiring the firm. Each client gets instant access to the firm’s Best Practices Intelligence Center, where they can research and read about Hackett-Certified Best Practices. Strategies can only be classified as best practices after they have been thoroughly evaluated, using the firm’s benchmark studies of 3,000 organizations. Along with the practices themselves, of which there are over 1,400, the firm’s Intelligence Center features additional research and information on Hackett Group members-only events.
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GETTING HIRED Hackett recruiters look for applicants who demonstrate “insight, passion and commitment.” The firm lists five particular qualities it says the successful candidate will embody. “We look for people who are: insightful, thorough, committed, passionate and collaborative.” Creativity might be another cherished attribute; according to the firm, “The problems our clients face are complex; we have to be imaginative and innovative.” For more tangible requirements, the firm cites “excellent analytical ability, outstanding MS Office and data modeling skills, and excellent verbal and written communication skills,” among others, as necessary qualities for consultant positions. “Business and economics” undergraduate degrees “are preferred.” And, as ever, “applicants must be willing and able to travel to client work locations.”
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HAY GROUP The Wanamaker Building 100 Penn Square East Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107 Phone: (215) 861-2000 Fax: (215) 861-2111 www.haygroup.com
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
UPPERS
Philadelphia, PA (HQ) 86 offices in 48 countries
• “Freedom to act” • “You can make a difference”
PRACTICE AREAS
DOWNERS
Building Effective Organizations • Employee Effectiveness Surveys • Leadership & Talent • Reward Services
• Lack of consistency in practices across offices • “Minimal career coaching”
Employer Type: Private Company Chairman: Chris Matthews 2010 Employees: 2,600+ 2009 Employees: 2,600
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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www.haygroup.com/ww/careers
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“There’s no one stronger in compensation consulting” “One-dimensional” “Strong for analytical projects” “Small lad in a big town”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Hay Group
THE SCOOP Find your way with Hay Group If a company needs help with its staff—whether to develop, motivate or train them—then Hay Group is the consultancy they go to first. The 67-year-old firm specializes in human resources and is the creator of the most widely recognized job evaluation methodology in the world. The global firm, based in Philadelphia, uses the research it carries out on a company and translates it into what it calls “actionable insights.” It then passes these on to the client company, with the goal of improving its business strategies—as well as execution of those strategies—and boosting staff engagement at the same time. On top of that, Hay Group makes sure that its clients’ employees are doing the job that is right for the skills they possess through a range of leadership and talent assessments. In addition to carrying out customer and employee surveys to make sure clients are on the right track, the firm also provides clients with direction on employee reward services and how to build an effective organization. Clients come from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, and from virtually all industries, including the chemicals, consumer goods, education, financial services, health care, life sciences, manufacturing, oil and gas, retail services and technology. The firm operates in four practice areas. The first, leadership and talent services, offers capability assessment, leadership transformation and talent management services. The reward services group offers clients help with reward strategies, total reward framework advice, executive rewards, job evaluation, reward information services and benefits advice. Hay Group’s consultants are also assigned to a practice area for building effective organizations, which ensures companies’ strategies are aligned with their operating models, and to the employee and customer surveys unit, which includes employee engagement and customer research services.
Matchmaker, matchmaker Have big shoes to fill? Hay Group can make sure its clients pick the best managers to fill executive positions with the help of its extensive leadership and talent research databases. Founded by Harvard psychologist David McClelland, Hay Group’s leadership and talent practice uses substantive, empirical research into human behavior and its effect on organizational performance to help clients assess and select the best managers and executives for their companies.
Measuring up Hay Group backs up all of its advice with its industry-renowned methodologies and data services. Since the 1960s, the firm has collected more than 6.1 million individual leadership assessments of 533,039 individuals, including 74,513 executives from 5,473organizations. It has also built over 1,959 competency models for clients, and its organizational climate surveys are available in 28 languages. The firm uses this data in a variety of ways, most notably for its job evaluation methodology—the first of its kind in the market—which is used by over 8,000 organizations around the world to determine the value of a job. A complementary methodology is Hay Group’s “role-profile matrix,” which serves as the “evaluation of the job evaluation method.” It allows managers to see the difference between roles and to identify any gaps in order to determine how to shift jobs around. The matrix is most often used by boards and senior management in succession planning. Another Hay Group tool: PayNet. Developed in 1997, the database allows managers to compare online rewards across sectors on an international basis. It is the world’s largest database on remuneration for management positions, with more than 12 million individual records from more than 13,000 organizations.
Making the list
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Hay Group often partners with publications to recognize standout companies. Since 2002, the firm has paired up with Fortune to rank the most admired companies in the world, providing detailed analysis to make the case for each firm listed. Issues assessed for the ranking include attraction and retention of talent, culture, leadership, performance measurement, strategy implementation, managing through economic uncertainty, execution, innovation, ability to conduct business globally, board effectiveness and reward programs. Since 2005, the firm has also created the Best Companies for Leadership ranking, in collaboration with Chief Executive magazine and BusinessWeek online. And, since 2007, Hay Group has partnered with The Wall Street Journal to publish the annual “WSJ/Hay Group Executive Compensation Report,” which looks at various aspects of compensation, based on employee survey results. The firm also joins forces with Bloomberg Businessweek to publish the Best Companies for Leadership. It’s not all collaboration, however; while Hay Group might share some bylines, its consultants take full credit for a number of other survey and reports, which the firm releases regularly.
GETTING HIRED Hay Group takes a unique approach to recruiting and interviewing candidates. For example, recruiters spurn most on-campus activities, preferring to hire personally referenced candidates or to pinch laterals from competitors. Moreover, interviews typically don’t include case studies, a method of evaluation adopted by the industry at large. Rather than examining work experiences or academic records, the firm uses its own set of evaluations to try to understand a candidate’s nature as deeply as possible (which can make interviews difficult to prepare for). When presenting one’s self to interviewers, it’s important to keep several notes in mind. “Flexibility is key,” the firm says, adding that candidates should be able to change their behavior or appearance for the “situation or individual they are dealing with”—with the interview serving as the first test of this flexibility. Further, the firm notes, “We expect to see evidence of initiative and of soliciting colleagues’ help,” underscoring the importance of appearing a personable team player. Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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ICF INTERNATIONAL, INC. 9300 Lee Highway Fairfax, Virginia 22031 Phone: (703) 934-3603 Fax: (703) 934-3740 www.icfi.com
LOCATIONS
THE STATS Employer Type: Public Company Ticker Symbol: ICFI (Nasdaq) CEO: Sudhakar Kesavan 2010 Employees: 3,500+ 2009 Employees: 3,500 2009 Revenue: $674.4 million 2008 Revenue: $697.4 million
Fairfax, VA (HQ) Over 40 offices worldwide
PRACTICE AREAS Clearinghouses & Resource Centers • Economic, Policy & Regulatory Analysis • Enterprise Solutions and Information Technology • Human Capital Strategies • Management Consulting • Program Management • Regulatory Support • Research & Evaluation • Scientific & Risk Assessment • Strategic Communications • Training, Education, & Technical Assistance
UPPER • Strong public-sector presence
DOWNER • Limited name recognition outside its immediate circles
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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www.icfi.com/Careers
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition ICF International, Inc.
THE SCOOP From inner-city to international ICF International was founded in 1969 as a venture capital firm known as the Inner City Fund, but by 1972 it had become apparent that its consulting practice was its most lucrative. After a decade-long stint as ICF Kaiser, the newly christened consulting firm cut all ties with Kaiser Engineers and became ICF Consulting in 1999. The firm retained the moniker until 2006, when it changed its name to ICF International—an effort to reflect its global presence. Since 2002, the firm has acquired 11 different companies, including two divisions of Arthur D. Little in 2002. ICF currently partners with government and commercial clients to deliver professional and technological services, a far cry from its original purpose of funding startup companies in inner-cities.
The people’s firm ICF offers a wide range of services to its clients—11, to be exact, in eight distinct markets: climate change, defense, energy, environment, health, homeland security, social programs and transportation. In each case, the firm dictates potential policy changes, provides information and data, or facilitates technological changes. Among ICF’s clients are both governmental agencies and private entities, with the majority of contracts coming from the public sector. Not only do a bulk of the firm’s clients hail from the public sector, but ICF has a habit of winning contracts in the name of the common good. For example, ICF has secured contracts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support efforts to combat obesity and tobacco use, and to provide quantitative health data for the national program of cancer registries. Similar contracts have seen ICF serving the Office of National Drug Policy, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Get involved in the community Given its for-profit work in the public sector, it’s of little surprise that community involvement is a major facet of ICF’s corporate culture; the firm devotes an entire department, the ICF international environment and community team, to serving charitable and environmental causes. Since 1995, the firm has raised $68,000 through its annual charity auction and donated the money to charities in the Washington, D.C., area selected by employees. Auctions consist of employee donated items and services, such as homemade foods and weekends at partners’ beach houses. ICF also contributes to and participates in events organized by the Red Cross, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Toys for Tots and Habitat for Humanity, among many other local and national charities.
Green is gold ICF also counts environmental stewardship among its corporate responsibilities. Accordingly, the firm actively participates in Environmentors, an after-school program that pairs high school students with adult mentors who assist with environmental projects and educate about possible careers in environmental work. For its dedication to limiting the environmental impact of employee commutes, the Commuter Choice Leadership Initiative named ICF the best workplace for commuters. On a grander scale, both Environmental Finance Magazine and Climate Change Business Journal have awarded the firm prestigious honors for its comprehensive commitment to sustainability.
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GETTING HIRED According to the firm, “we hire recent graduates who are eager to apply their academic knowledge toward complex business issues.” ICF spends quite a bit of time on campus, looking for qualified candidates of all academic backgrounds (ranging from environmental studies to mathematics to public policy majors) to begin what an insider labels a “very stringent and selective” hiring process. With such a broad range of industry-specific openings— from climate change and sustainability to fuels and technology, with an impressive array in between—qualifications vary dramatically. However, the firm does place a common focus on strategic analysis, and most candidates will need to demonstrate real quantitative aptitude. Look for ICF recruiters at a number of undergraduate campuses and career fairs throughout the U.S., particularly at large public institutions such as the University of Michigan, University of Virginia, University of North Carolina and Penn State.
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INGENIX CONSULTING 12125 Technology Drive Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344 Phone: (866) 223-6738 www.ingenixconsulting.com
UPPERS • Strong parent-company backing
DOWNERS LOCATIONS Eden Prairie, MN (HQ) Atlanta, GA Chicago, IL Denver, CO Falls Church, VA (The Lewin Group) Kansas City, MO New York, NY Rocky Hill, CT Salt Lake City, UT San Francisco, CA London
• Limited variety of projects
THE STATS Employer Type: Wholly owned Subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group CEO: John Nackel 2010 Employees: 1,000+
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.ingenixconsulting.com/Careers
PRACTICE AREAS
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Hospital & Physician Solutions • Insurer & Health Plan Solutions • Public Sector Solutions (The Lewin Group)
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Ingenix Consulting
THE SCOOP For all your health care needs Ingenix Consulting is a data-driven consultancy specializing in health and human services. Consultants hail from a diverse array of professional and academic backgrounds, with human health the only common concern. Medical doctors, registered nurses, IT professionals and business veterans all collaborate under the Ingenix banner, providing clients with an unusual depth of expertise and breadth of services. The typical client falls under one of three service categories: hospital and physician solutions, insurer and health plan solutions, and public-sector solutions. Each category retains its own specific services, but the bottom line is clear: Many in the health industry struggle with financial inefficiencies, and it’s Ingenix’s business to provide solutions. Consultants also give advice and interpret the mercurial, labyrinthine nature of American health care policy. Finally, through its subsidiary the Lewin Group, the firm offers policy research and data analysis, fiscal management and program optimization for the public sector.
The more you know Information is certainly one of Ingenix Consulting’s strong suits, with the firm having access to the largest claims-based repository in the world. This database—owned by the firm’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group—includes fully integrated medical, pharmacy and lab data for over 157 million people. Ingenix was founded in 1996 by UnitedHealth Group in order to acquire and integrate health care information technology capabilities, and its subsidiaries are able to leverage this information to their advantage.
Covering its bases Much of Ingenix’s growth has come organically, but since 1998, four key acquisitions have helped to speed up that growth and broaden its capabilities. In 1998, the firm acquired Reden & Anders, a management and clinical consulting firm. The acquisitions were quiet for the next nine years, until the firm acquired both The Lewin Group and Healthia Consulting in 2007. Healthia added to the firm’s abilities in IT strategy, while The Lewin Group, which has maintained its name and continues to operate as its own entity, is a health policy and research consulting firm. In 2008, the firm made its most recent acquisition, acquiring Global Works Systems, Inc., a software and services health care IT firm.
GETTING HIRED As far as the Ingenix is concerned, “if you have talent for technology, interest in health care, and motivation to succeed, we want to meet you.” Recruiters scour campuses of “leading universities” across the country, “looking for people who know where they want to go.” In particular, the firm seeks “bright college students looking forward to careers in medicine, computing technology and business.” Creativity is among the other qualities coveted by the firm: “If you have a solid track record for innovation and accomplishment, we’re eager to talk to you.”
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Prospective applicants can search for specific opportunities and drop resumes online via UnitedHealth Group.
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KPMG LLP (U.S.) 345 Park Avenue New York, New York 10154 Phone: (212) 758-9700 Fax: (212) 758-9819 www.kpmg.com www.us.kpmg.com www.kpmgcampus.com
UPPER • “Very diverse”
DOWNER • Some sense of entitlement around offices
LOCATIONS New York, NY (HQ) 88 offices throughout the United States
PRACTICE AREAS Accounting Advisory • Business Performance • Corporate Finance • Financial Risk Management • Forensic • Internal Audit, Risk & Compliance • IT Advisory • Restructuring • Transaction Services
THE STATS Employer Type: KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm, is the US member firm of KPMG International Chairman, KPMG International: Timothy P. Flynn Chairman & CEO, KPMG LLP (U.S.): John Veihmeyer Deputy Chairman and COO, KPMG LLP (U.S.): Henry Keizer Americas Head of Advisory: Mark Goodburn Global Head of Advisory: Alan Buckle 2009 Employees*: 22,960 2008 Employees*: 23,914 2009 Revenue*: $5.076 billion 2008 Revenue*: $5.679 billion *Employee and revenue figures are for KPMG LLP U.S. only
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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www.kpmgcareers.com
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • “One of the most well known” • “Type-A employees” • “Seasoned; diverse”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition KPMG LLP (U.S.)
THE SCOOP Network kings Professional services giant KPMG International operates as an international network of independent member firms, which includes KPMG LLP U.S., known as a Swiss cooperative. While the member firms that make up KPMG International might be independent of one another, their businesses are similarly organized around three service lines: audit, tax and advisory. And, within those service lines, the offerings from country to country are likely to be pretty consistent, too. Indeed, as of October 2009, KPMG advisory services will be organized into three groups that address distinct client issues: performance and technology, transactions and restructuring, and risk and compliance. While that simplifies the firm’s offerings from the nine categories it offered before, the shift will likely change little about the day-to-day work its consultants do; they’ll still be committed to mitigating risk, improving performance and creating value on behalf of clients. In North America, KPMG member firms include KPMG LLP (USA) and KPMG LLP (Canada).
Alphabet soup KPMG’s roots date back to 1870, when accountant William Barclay Peat hung out his shingle in London. In 1911, his firm merged with New Yorkbased Marwick Mitchell & Co., forming a business that later became known as Peat Marwick. Meanwhile, over in Scotland, Glasgow accountancy Thomson McLintock partnered with Dutch and German accounting firms to create Klynveld Main Goerdeler (KMG), an alliance of independent practices operating throughout Europe. The 1987 tie-up between KMG Main Hurdman and Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co. was considered the first megamerger of modern accounting, and the resulting entity, eventually named KPMG, organized its consulting activities into a separate business unit in 1997. Three years later, KPMG spun off KPMG Consulting with an initial public offering. The now-separate consulting business took over KPMG’s consulting work for several companies, eventually changing its name to BearingPoint in October 2002. The bulk of BearingPoint’s assets are now owned by Deloitte, which purchased them after the company filed for bankruptcy protection early in 2009. As part of the spin-off that created BearingPoint, KPMG signed a noncompete agreement with its former consulting arm, which limited KPMG’s ability to provide certain types of services. Following the spin-off, KPMG continued to provide advisory services, but any limitations on its ability to provide a full range of services ended when the noncompete agreement expired in 2006. Today, KPMG’s advisory practice generates around one-quarter of the company’s overall revenue.
Service matters While it may have reorganized its advisory service lines in October 2009, it is unlikely that what KPMG advisors do will be changing too much. As such, the nine service lines it previously relied on are a good guide for the type of services and specialties that will be on offer from the firm: accounting advisory, business performance, corporate finance, financial risk management, forensic, internal audit, risk and compliance, IT advisory, restructuring and transaction services.
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In addition to helping clients, the firm is also committed to helping the environment; it is currently in the midst of a three-part environmental program called the KPMG Living Green Initiative. The primary goal of the program—begun in 2008—is a 25 percent reduction in member firms’ combined carbon footprint by 2010, a target that has involved both an investment in renewable energy sources and limiting use of nonrenewable energy. Measuring and reducing the firms’ emissions profiles is the first step of the plan; the second step involves supporting environmental projects in member firms’ local communities. Finally, KPMG aims to help employees and suppliers—in addition to its clients—reduce their impact on the environment.
GETTING HIRED KPMG is currently seeking “newly qualified or experienced professionals” to fill consultant roles “across tax, audit and advisory” sectors. Insiders call the hiring process “highly selective”; as one midlevel associate says, “Hiring filters tend to be very good—not perfect—but much better than any other company for which I have worked. Their percentages are better than most.” “The firm makes sure that the brightest and most capable people are staffed on audit and advisory engagements,” a colleague adds. The “bright, interesting, team-oriented people” who meet the KPMG’s hiring requirements can expect to be flown to one of the firm’s offices for faceto-face interviews. For tips on succeeding in those, real-life profiles of current KPMG consultants and inside looks, visit the firm’s comprehensive Careers Magazine at www.kpmg.com.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Satisfaction is relatively high at KPMG, where “a diverse culture seeks to encourage dialogue and collegiality within its ranks,” according to an insider, Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition KPMG LLP (U.S.)
although some complain with the sense of “entitlement” around the office. Still, there’s a culture of friendliness and collegiality between managers and consultants, and the primary focus is on getting the work done smoothly and efficiently. The firm “focuses as much on teamwork as on client needs and making a profit,” a midlevel source notes. “They achieve that triple balance a lot more than other companies for which I have worked.” The quality of work consultants are assigned is also a source of satisfaction. As one source details, “They allow many experiences to come together on engagements and at client sites,” offering consultants a wide array of projects, across various industries.
Hours & pay KPMG consultants don’t whine too much about their work hours, and claim to appreciate the reasonable work/life balance they’re afforded. “I work about the right amount of hours,” an associate states, adding caveats for “some extra work” and “tele-work days sacrificed for firm or client needs.” And while travel requirements are industry standard, KPMG staffers don’t seem to mind. “The travel is interesting,” says a senior consultant, adding “The work is interesting, and the teams with whom I was working were pretty terrific. So I don’t have a lot of heartburn on the travel requirements.” Pay, we’re told, is highly competitive and “very fair,” though “last year we did not receive bonuses or raises due to the uncertain and difficult economy.”
Diversity “We have a diverse workforce,” says an associate, reflecting a truth that might not necessarily extend to “all levels” at KPMG. The firm notes that new KPMG LLP U.S. Chairman and CEO John Veihmeyer has made diversity a top priority, and the firm has many programs in place to encourage and promote a more diverse workplace. “The firm has recently been promoting a diversity-supporting message,” confirmed one source, “so what I have seen so far may change in the near future.”
Overall Business Outlook KPMG consultants have welcomed the economic turnaround with open arms; after all, more work means better pay and, ultimately, happier consultants. “The economy has started to turn around, and our staff has been trimmed down to more market-respectful levels. We feel good and strong,” says a senior source. Most importantly for consultants on the ground, another adds that “management has indicated that bonuses and raises are back on the table this year.”
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Confidence in firm leadership also runs high—and while they may not be the most diverse group of individuals, consultants think that “they have the right lieutenants on staff to execute brilliantly. We’ll be in good shape.”
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KURT SALMON ASSOCIATES 1355 Peachtree Street, NE Suite 900 Atlanta, Georgia 30309 Phone: (404) 892-0321 Fax: (404) 898-9590 www.kurtsalmon.com
UPPERS • “Accessibility to top-level clients” • Flexibility
DOWNERS LOCATIONS
• No telecommuting options • “Too closely tied to the state of the US economy”
Atlanta, GA (HQ) 14 offices worldwide
THE STATS PRACTICE AREAS Health Care Facility Development • Information Technology • Operational Planning • Strategy Retail & Consumer Products Customer Experience • Information Technology • Investment Banking • Merchandising & Planning • Private Equity • Product Development & Sourcing • Store Operations • Strategy • Supply Chain • Turnaround & Restructuring
Employer Type: Subsidiary of Management Consulting Group Plc, a British Public Company Ticker Symbol: MMC.L (London Stock Exchange) Chairman: Mark Wietecha President RCP: John Karonis Managing Director, Health Care: Jim Berarducci 2010 Employees: 500 2009 Employees: 400 *In June 2010, Kurt Salmon Associates announced a partnership with Ineum Consulting. The two will create an independent consulting firm under the name Kurt Salmon, but will retain their respective names and identities until January 2011.
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT Americas: www.kurtsalmon.com/careers_list.php Asia Pacific: Email:
[email protected]
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Europe: Email:
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THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Great momentum” “One-size-fits-all approaches” “Good boutique firm” “Heavy on retail and not much else”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Kurt Salmon Associates
THE SCOOP Knowledge of streams and currents Kurt Salmon Associates is a management consulting firm serving the retail, consumer products and health care industries. It was founded (spawned, one might be tempted to say) in Nashville, Tenn., in 1935, as the solo operation of Kurt Salmon, a German immigrant and textile engineer. The company has since grown into a multinational operation spanning 14 offices in Europe, Asia and North America.
Attention to retail In its retail and consumer products practice, KSA offers business strategy, operations and technology optimization to clients from the entire sweep of retail and consumer goods, including clothing, footwear, groceries, jewelry and other areas. It identifies consumer trends, optimizes pricing, facilitates market penetration, assists in brand launching, and guides mergers and acquisitions, among other services. Additionally, a team in KSA’s retail practice is devoted to private equity services, offering investment thesis development, due diligence and exit support services to private equity funds, merchant banks, investment banks and portfolio companies.
Operating on health care Though set apart from its consumer products and retail practice, the heath care practice uses many of the same approaches. KSA collaborates with clients—whether they be large hospital systems, community hospitals or small physician groups—on a variety of issues, from developing long-range strategies to maximizing building performance, from forging physician partnerships to advancing electronic health records. To assist with facility planning, the firm will perform site assessment and capital planning, determine capacity requirements and form alternative facility scenarios. It may be contracted to advise the health care client on a merger or acquisition, or to model a potential market. KSA performs IT consulting in this practice, as well.
Modern methods KSA is a strong advocate for the use of innovative technology to drive success. The firm often helps clients select and implement software that will optimize, or even automate, their business processes, such as order fulfillment, project tracking, inventory management or other supply chain issues. It integrates IT solutions into its service to clients where appropriate, and works to develop software that meets specific needs. One way KSA keeps its fingers on the pulse of important industry trends is with regular, direct consumer and client-based research, which often develops into more in-depth work. Most recently, KSA revived the topic of localization based on an influx of inquiries from retail leaders. As a result, the firm invested in a significant body of research (surveys, case studies, secondary research) and is now helping to develop strategies and implement the processes, organizations and tools required to support them.
Smooth as silk
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In June 2010, Kurt Salmon Associates announced a partnership with Ineum Consulting. The two will create an independent consulting firm under the name Kurt Salmon, but will retain their respective names and identities until January 2011. Both firms have previously been operating under the U.K.-based Management Consulting Group umbrella for over two years, and now intend to offer clients “a better mix of business and functional expertise.” Ineum employs over 1,100 consultants throughout Europe, the U.S., North Africa and Australia, while KSA currently has 500 consultants in the U.S., Europe and Asia, and focuses on strategy and operations management to the consumer products, retail and health care industries. The firms claim that their new union will establish a “one-of-a-kind” consulting firm that will provide expertise in strategy, management, organization and corporate transformation, while remaining “strictly independent from outsourcing, IT development or vendors.”
GETTING HIRED While the hiring process at KSA is very selective, insiders suggest that straight As and endless hours preparing for case studies won’t necessarily land you the job. That’s because a big chunk of the firm’s recruitment process emphasizes the importance of hiring cultural fits, rather than intelligent wet blankets. So who are the candidates that fit in? “Our consultants hail from a variety of educational, professional and cultural backgrounds,” the firm says, “but all have integrity, drive, passion and a commitment to excellence.” Creativity is held in high esteem, as is the ability to lead professional teams in high-pressure business settings. Qualified applicants typically have MBAs or bachelor’s degrees in business, engineering, and other physical sciences or quant-heavy disciplines. More specifically, successful applicants for consultant roles will exhibit “exceptional drive, excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.” Foreign language skills, with an emphasis on Chinese and Spanish, are also a plus. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit resumes online at www.kurtsalmon.com.
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LECG 80 Lancaster Avenue Devon, Pennsylvania 19333 Phone: (610) 254-0700 www.lecg.com
UPPER • Broad array of industries and practice areas covered
DOWNER LOCATIONS
• Competitive environment
Devon, PA (HQ) 37 offices in 9 countries
THE STATS PRACTICE AREAS
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Actuarial Services • Antitrust & Competition Policy • Audit, Risk & Compliance Services • Bankruptcy & Restructuring • Economic & Financial Regulation • Environment & Natural Resources • Strategy & Performance Improvement • Finance, Valuation & Damages • Financial Services • Forensic Accounting • Government & Regulatory Oversight • Healthcare • Human Resources Strategic Consulting • Insurance & Reinsurance • Intellectual Property • International Arbitration • Labor & Employment • Life Sciences • Legal Technology & Analytic Consulting • Securities • Tax • Technology • Telecommunications • Transportation
Employer Type: Public Company Ticker Symbol: XPRT (Nasdaq) CEO: Steve Samek 2010 Employees: 1,300+ 2009 Employees: 900+ 2008 Employees: 2,500 2009 Revenue: $263.2million 2008 Revenue: $335.6 million
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.lecg.com/careers
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Solid litigation support work” “Not friendly” “A competitor” “Storybook fall from grace”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition LECG
THE SCOOP Ask the experts LECG is a global litigation; economics; consulting and business advisory; and governance, assurance, and tax expert services firm. The firm provides independent expert testimony, original authoritative studies, strategic financial advisory services and innovative business consulting solutions to Fortune Global 500 corporations, middle-market firms, AmLaw100 law firms and government agencies around the world. LECG’s experts, comprised of academics, former government officials, industry leaders and experienced consultants, conduct economic and financial analyses, and undertake independent verification to provide objective opinions and advice to legislative, judicial, regulatory and business decision-makers. The company was formed in March 1988 and, in 2003, it launched an IPO on the Nasdaq. Since its founding, the firm has seen more than 9,900 clients come through its doors, and has worked with them on over 18,000 projects in more than 50 countries. Among those clients are Fortune Global 500 corporations, law firms, and local, state, and federal governments and agencies in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. The range of industries those clients represent, meanwhile, is almost as diverse as their geographical reach: energy; entertainment, media and sports; environmental and insurance claims; healthcare and life sciences; telecommunications; and transportation. In March 2010, LECG merged with SMART Business Advisory & Consulting, LLC. With this addition, LECG expanded its services to include SMART’s expertise in financial advisory and business consulting practices, including technology, business process improvement, compensation and benefits, accounting, actuarial and tax.
There’s no “I” in LECG When contracted by a client for a project, LECG shapes a team of directors, senior and junior staff. The credentials and certifications of LECG staffers include, but are not limited to, PhDs, MBAs, MDs, masters in health services administration and JDs, plus a longer list of more obscure accreditations, which includes CPAs, CIAs, CISAs, business valuation specialists, certified business analysts, certified business managers, certified financial analysts, certified forensic computer examiners, certified insolvency and restructuring advisors, and EnCase certified examiners. In many cases, LECG’s senior staff and professionals continue to hold positions outside of the firm in their respective fields, working for research labs, corporations, universities, government agencies or elsewhere. Thus, they are professionals, not professional witnesses.
GETTING HIRED
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Given LECG’s service offerings that span a wide array of industries and practice areas, the firm’s consultant pool is equally varied with specialists, consultants, associates in economics, accounting, assurance, governance, tax, finance, insurance consulting and business consulting, as well as in disciplines such as, electronic discovery, environmental studies, actuarial, banking and real estate, higher education, health care services and archival research. Most staff, made up of research analysts, associates and consultants, hold a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in economics, finance, accounting, computer science, engineering, business, statistics and other areas related to LECG’s service offerings. Responsibilities range from researching and analyzing complex issues in litigation, public policy and other fields, to supporting governance, assurance, and tax issues. Senior staff supporting litigation, economics and disputes typically hold advanced degrees related to LECG’s work, and manage projects involving regulation, litigation and strategic consulting. As project leads, they clear the way for lead experts to define, analyze and reach independent conclusions for clients facing economic or finance-related issues, and are plugged into the latest economic and financial theories and applied methodologies, the firm explains. Senior staff supporting the consulting, governance, assurance and tax segments provide financial advisory and business consulting services, serving clients throughout the U.S. and the U.K. They offer innovative solutions to public and private companies in the areas of financial advisory and business consulting, technology, business process improvement, audit and accounting, compensation and benefits, actuarial and tax. Audit services are provided through SMART and Associates, LLP through an alternative practice structure. For staff positions, the application and interview process is fairly standard. Candidates first meet face-to-face with LECG representatives on campus. Second-round interviews—held either on campus or in an LECG office—include behavioral and case questions to assess how candidates exercise judgment, their previous experiences and their ability to tackle real-world business problems. For case studies, interviewees are expected to provide their responses in a short presentation, followed by a discussion session with interviewers to go over the candidates’ case study assumptions and recommendations. Experienced applicants looking to join LECG as a senior staff member may be involved in a more varied interview process geared toward gauging their problem-solving skills, industry experience and assessing their “client-service orientation.” For a preview of what life is like as an LECG consultant/associate, the firm offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to work for the firm as an intern. Interns work with LECG researchers, consultants and associates, learning the ins and outs of the firm’s research methods and getting firsthand experience on client engagements. Interns are recruited annually at certain US campuses, or may be directly recruited through referrals. LECG’s recruiting schedule is available on its online careers page.
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MARS & CO. 124 Mason Street Greenwich, CT 06830 Phone: (203) 629-9292 Fax: (203) 629-9432 www.marsandco.com
LOCATIONS Greenwich, CT San Francisco, CA London Paris Shanghai Tokyo
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company Managing Officer & Chairman: Dominique J. Mars 2010 Employees: 250 2009 Employees: 250
UPPER • “Very loyal client list”
DOWNER • The Mars name isn’t as widely recognized in the US as it is in Europe
PRACTICE AREAS Strategy Consulting
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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Office-by-office recruiting contacts available at: www. marsandco.com/index_en.html
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Innovative concepts, cool company” “Small boutique, dominated by its founder” “Strong and complex analysts” “Youngsters”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Mars & Co
THE SCOOP Red planet sees green Mars & Co. is an international strategy consulting firm that’s all about exclusivity. The firm’s “raison d’être,” it says, is to pour all of its resources into a limited number of clients and to serve them, worldwide, on an exclusive basis. Its founder and chairman, Dominique G. Mars, says this makes the firm “the only consulting firm of any consequence to guarantee ‘fidelity’” to its clients. A bold assertion, indeed.
Many offices, one Mars The stay-small-but-true firm employs approximately 250 consultants who work in six offices in Connecticut, California, London, Paris, Tokyo and Shanghai, although the firm operates under a “one-office” concept. That means a client in San Francisco has as much right to draw on the Paris office’s resources as a French client does. Chairman Mars, who founded the firm in 1979 after leaving BCG, says he would ultimately like to employ 400 to 450 consultants with a portfolio of 30 to 40 clients.
Tough talk for tough times Mars & Co’s clients, likely shaken by recent market events, can rest assured that their “Martians” mean to fight. The firm’s language, when it talks business, is a reminder that Mars was the name of the Roman god of war, likening markets to “battlefields” and its analysis as “ripping apart the economics and modus operandi of the industry.” It also promises to “dissect” the “enemy’s forces,” as well as market forces. True to its stated intention of acting only in the best interests of its clients, Mars & Co keeps clients’ identities tightly guarded. Only very occasionally does one happen to slip into the public eye—as it did early in 2008, when it emerged that none other than French President Nicolas Sarkozy had hired the firm to help develop criteria for “report cards” to be issued to all of his ministers.
The eight levels of Mars Teamwork is a big deal at Mars & Co, but everyone has their own role to play on that team. There are eight professional levels at the firm, which, in increasing order, are: associate consultant, senior associate consultant, consultant, senior consultant, project manager, vice president, senior vice president and executive vice president. Associate and senior associate consultants primarily do research and data management, and are hired for their strong research and analytical skills. Via Mars & Co’s apprenticeship-style training program, new entrants can be promoted quickly to the next level and are always integrated as members of a project team. Consultant-level staffers are responsible for carrying out rigorous analytical tasks and for thinking out practical solutions to solve clients’ business problems. They work under senior consultants and project managers, who design and manage modules of projects so the projects are intellectually coherent and useful to clients. Project managers not only lead the project teams, but also are expected to train more junior staff while providing value-creating solutions for clients. Vice Presidents also work closely with project teams, and have additional responsibilities in client relationship development and concept development. There is no predetermined promotion schedule at any of the eight levels. As such, the firm prides itself on being a meritocracy—promotions come only when they are deserved.
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GETTING HIRED Speaking of Mars’ hiring process, one proud associate reports, “Lots of people apply, but few make the cut.” Recruiters appear on campus at a select few schools, seeking “resumes, cover letters and a transcript” from qualified academics with an interest in strategy consulting. To be successful in the initial screening rounds, students or recent graduates should have “high GPAs and have taken rigorous courses with plenty of analytical emphasis,” according to a current consultant. By the time successfully screened candidates move on to second-round interviews, one associate warns that “if they feel that you’re weak on quants, you won’t stand a chance.” On-site interviews vary slightly by office. There are generally two rounds: the first with senior-level consultants and a person from human resources; the second with two or three members of senior leadership. According to one consultant, “You will probably be given market-sizing questions, brain-teasers and cases, as well as fit type questions.” Another source suggests that candidates “practice mental math,” a suggestion echoed by other descriptions of a process rife with “general interest and aptitude-type questions.”
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere There’s a healthy satisfaction on display at Mars, and the quality of the work on consultants’ desks each day is a big reason for that. One associate cites “very important work for top-tier clients” as an example, adding, “It’s always interesting and you are always learning new things.” “I have learned
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Mars & Co
a lot and have greatly improved my quantitative skills,” another echoes, but states that “it’s not a long-term career unless you prefer not to see your friends and family except on weekends that you’re not working.” Firm culture is another evergreen source of consultant satisfaction. It’s “a great group of very smart and motivated people who are good at working in team settings,” one senior source details. “People here work hard together and develop strong bonds.” “For the most part, everybody gets along well and is willing to offer help to those needing it,” a respondent pipes in. And, most associates have positive relationships with leadership, owing largely to “a common understanding of what is like to be a lower-level employee.”
Hours & pay Mars consultants struggle to balance hours—which “can vary wildly depending on the project and how well organized your PM is”—with their personal life. “An easy project would be 60 hours a week,” a consultant tell us, “and a hard project would be more like 90 hours a week.” “Clients have big issues that need our attention to address, and time is money for them,” a colleague adds, “so we need to work against tight deadlines, and that requires long hours more often than not.” It is possible to balance work and life at Mars, but “you need to be focused and efficient to make time work to your advantage. Technology also helps.” Others have dimmer views of the possibility of juggling too many commitments. “Management doesn’t seem to care in the least about your life outside of the office if it conflicts with project/client demands,” says a burnt-out consultant. And while compensation isn’t bad, the issue of “no bonus plan at the lower levels” does fuel some dissatisfaction.
Professional Development “Most training is on the job via coaching by senior people on your team,” one midlevel source says of Mars’ formal training offerings. “There is some classroom-based training—mainly on specific topics or techniques. Outside training is used for software and foreign language on an as-needed basis.” Another consultant paints a darker picture, reporting that “sometime within your first six months, you will probably get two days of ‘official’ Excel and Access training. Everything else is up to you to pick up from your peers or on your own time.” “You need to be vocal in asking for assistance,” a junior associate says of mentoring opportunities. When it comes to consultants’ promotion prospects, “there is no up-or-out policy in place, which is bad for top performers and great for low performers.” “A good associate consultant can be promoted to senior associate consultant after a year, but two years is probably more of the norm,” a veteran says of expected timetables for advancement. “From consultant to senior consultant it usually takes a little longer, but it can be done in as little as a year, given the right set of circumstances.” Notably for new hires, “there doesn’t appear to be a ceiling for undergraduates because some of the most senior people started at the very bottom.
Overall Business Outlook Consultants admit that there was a time in the not-so-distant past “when the sky was falling” at Mars, evidenced by salary freezes that have only “just started to thaw.” But the general perspective now is one of optimism for the future. Some take heart from the company’s performance and commitment to its employees during the height of the recession, citing the facts that “no offers were rescinded or start dates delayed,” and “no layoffs occurred,” as examples of Mars’ dedication to long-term sustainability.
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For now, prospects are so dense that consultants are “over-utilized” which, while undoubtedly good for business, has produced “fairly low” employee morale. Associates are generally confident in the firm’s “very approachable” leadership, saying that the “direction of the firm is very clear and simple to understand.”
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NORTH HIGHLAND 550 Pharr Road Atlanta, Georgia 30305 Phone: (404) 233-1015 Fax: (404) 233-4930 www.northhighland.com
UPPERS • Strong respect for personal life • Employee-owned
DOWNERS LOCATIONS Atlanta, GA (HQ) 45 offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific
• Limited visibility in the industry • No room for entry-levels
THE STATS PRACTICE AREAS Customer Experience & Engagement • Execution • Finance & Accounting • Human Capital • Information Technology • Operations • Strategy & Advisory
Employer Type: Private Company Managing Officer & Chairman: Dan Reardon 2010 Employees: 2,200 2009 Employees: 750 2010 Revenue*: $143 million 2008 Revenue*: $168 million *Revenue figures are for US only
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Creative, innovative boutique” “Local” “Experienced” “Never heard of them”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition North Highland
THE SCOOP Southern comfort Founded in 1992, Atlanta-based North Highland believes that the best consultants are happy consultants—so much so that the firm is owned and managed by its employees. Perhaps that’s why each of the firm’s 45 global offices is staffed locally—an approach that minimizes consultants’ travel time, while still providing clients with easy access to North Highland’s best resource: its 2,200 professionals. The firm offers business solutions to Fortune 1000 clients, nonprofit groups and government agencies in the United States, Asia, Europe and Australia, working with companies to define strategies, streamline operations, empower people, integrate suppliers, leverage technology and maximize customer interaction. North Highland’s “globally local” philosophy extends to its international offices, in the sense that all member firms are expected to adhere to the same standard of business and industry experience, combined with on-the-ground local market expertise. The firm’s Shanghai office serves multiple cities across China.
Forget the frequent flyer miles According to North Highland lore, Dave Peterson woke up one morning, after weeks on the road as a consultant with a Big Five firm, happy to finally be home. When his two-year-old daughter saw him that morning, she asked her mother, “Does Daddy still live here?” That was 1991. The next year, Peterson founded North Highland as a new kind of consultancy—one that focused on rewarding good consultants with a more balanced lifestyle that promised less travel and more time to work on the job at hand. Peterson envisioned a company that selectively hired the best consultants, staffed projects locally and guaranteed the quality of its work by giving each employee a stake in the firm’s success via an employee-owned stock ownership plan. Today, Peterson’s vision has taken shape in a firm that has grown exponentially. As might be expected, North Highland also claims that its clients are happier—a phenomenon the firm attributes to faster completion of projects by consultants who are focused, experienced and hold a stake in North Highland’s success. Clients turn to North Highland for help with customer experience and engagement, execution, finance and accounting, human capital, information technology, operations and strategy.
GETTING HIRED North Highland reserves its recruiting efforts only for experienced candidates “at the top of their game.” New hires typically have significant general consulting experience in business process and/or technology, and often have specialized knowledge.
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Though not exactly resort-like—consultants are expected to work for their money—North Highland sees itself as a destination consulting firm. “Working at North Highland,” the firm explains, is a hardworking consultant’s “reward for all the talent and hard work that got them here.”
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OPERA SOLUTIONS 17 State Street, Unit 164 New York, New York 10004 Phone: (646) 437-2100 Fax: (646) 437-2101 www.operasolutions.com
UPPER • Creative, dynamic environment
DOWNER LOCATIONS New York, NY (HQ) Jersey City, NJ San Diego, CA London New Delhi Paris Shanghai
• Global team approach can make for difficult communication
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company CEO: Arnab Gupta 2010 Employees: 350+ 2009 Employees: 200
PRACTICE AREAS
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
Credit & Risk Services • Marketing Services • Re-Engineering • Supply Chain Optimization
www.operasolutions.com/careers_professional_development. html
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Opera Solutions
THE SCOOP If it’s Baroque, fix it Opera Solutions is a global management consulting firm that applies analytics, technology, deep data analysis and industry expertise to transform clients’ problems into big profits. Established in 2004, Opera has undergone rapid growth, and today has over 350 consultants in offices in North America, Europe and Asia. Opera’s client set spans a wide range of sectors, although its focus is on “data-rich” companies, industries and functional areas, including financial services, consumer goods, manufacturing, distribution and retail. The firm also has longstanding relationships with blue-chip firms, as well as emerging companies, including many of those owned by leading private equity firms What sets Opera Solutions apart from its competitors, though, is a concept almost unheard of in the consulting services world: a commitment to provide all of its clients with sustainable results in 12 months or less.
Zero to 60 How does one achieve significant, ideally lasting, change in a matter of months? The firm centers its strategy around the fact that clients do not have the tools, visibility and analytic skill set to take advantage of the information and data at their fingertips, and are therefore unable to drive effective profit growth and create long-term strategic advantage. Opera focuses on exploiting that data and information to create value—and doing so quickly. As such, the firm develops state-of-the-art technology and analytics that support rapid identification and capture of profit opportunities from very large pools of data.
Second time’s the charm Although Opera has only been around for a few years, many of its members have worked together for a long time; Opera’s founders are former founding members of Mitchell Madison Group, begun in 1992. Opera is more than a simple retread of a tried and tested formula, however—many of MMG’s executives left the firm due to irreconcilable differences about its direction. Opera, therefore, was a chance for some of those people to prove that their instincts were correct.
It ain’t over… Opera has designed offerings and analytics specifically focused on creating value from its clients’ customer, purchasing, transaction and market data. These include Opera’s captive data cleaning and structuring facilities, “insight cube” technology for rapid dissection and analysis of huge data sets and next-generation predictive and segmentation modeling capabilities. (For instance, in a global competition to improve Netflix’s movie recommender engine, Opera finished fourth out of 4,200 competitors.) Opera emphasizes an end-to-end approach to its engagements, creating hard, measureable performance improvement plans, which allows the firm to offer a range of to profitably offer a range of gain-share fee arrangements that make many projects self-funding for clients. Moreover, the firm provides technology and analytics services under a range of per-use or monthly fee arrangements that provide flexibility to clients, as well as recurring revenue to Opera.
The global language of Opera
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Part of the key to Opera’s methodology lies in its global network of people and resources; the firm has properties in the U.S. (in New York, Jersey City and San Diego), Europe (London and Paris), New Delhi, India and Shanghai, giving it a global reach that encompasses some of the biggest business markets on the planet. That reach also allows the firm to operate a global staffing model, increasing the speed at which it can analyze all the data it collects—and therefore deliver client results faster, too. Opera consultants are every bit as eclectic as the firm’s scattering of locations would imply. Consultants, culled from the leading business schools and undergraduate programs in North America, Europe and Asia, specialize in change management, process re-engineering, negotiation and integrating analytics into a real-world operating environment. Those who focus on analytics—among them mathematicians, statisticians and data management specialists—hail from well-regarded universities and technical institutes, and many hold PhDs. Opera houses over 100 analytic specialists, and they typically work out of one of three scientific and technical centers of excellence.
GETTING HIRED Opera Solutions has an annual on-campus recruiting process for new hires at the undergraduate and graduate level. General consulting staff and analytical specialists are hired through this process. Undergraduate and non-MBA programs targeted by the firm include Caltech, Cornell University, Dartmouth College and Thayer School of Engineering, Harvard College and MIT. MBA programs on Opera’s rotation include INSEAD, Sloan, Tuck, Ross, Wharton and Columbia. Experienced hires interested in more senior positions at Opera are recruited year-round, and are invited to submit their applications to
[email protected]. Consultants at Opera Solutions, the firm says, should be “comfortable with ambiguity, flexible in the face of a fast-moving environment, and energized by solving complex analytic and business challenges.” Given this description of the firm’s ideal consultant, it makes sense, then, that Opera’s interview process is geared toward discerning these qualities and capabilities in candidates. “The purpose of the interview process,” the firm says, “is to test your ability to think analytically and creatively.” Candidates are evaluated based on their quick, under-pressure problem-solving capabilities via case studies and behavioral-based questions to gauge how they would fit with the firm’s overall culture. Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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PA CONSULTING GROUP 4601 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 600 Arlington, Virginia 22203 Phone: (517) 227-9000 Fax: (571) 227-9001 www.paconsulting.com
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company CEO: Alan Middleton 2009 Employees: 2,546 2008 Employees: 2,709 2009 Revenue: £370.1 million 2008 Revenue: £431 million
LOCATIONS Arlington, VA (North American HQ) London (Global HQ) Cambridge, MA Denver, CO Los Angeles, CA Madison, WI New York, NY Princeton, NJ Offices throughout Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and Oceania
UPPERS • “European culture” • “Ability to work at home occasionally” • Employee ownership
DOWNERS • “Lack of cooperation between practices” • “Tendency to run activities ‘by the book’” • “Base pay could be higher”
PRACTICE AREAS
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Asset Management & Infrastructure • Benchmarking & Market Analytics • Business Process Effectiveness • ERP Delivery Partner Services • Geographic Information Systems • HR Transformation • Knowledge Management • Product Development & Delivery • Program Management • Rapid Business Review • Real Estate Strategy • Risk Management & Governance • ROI-driven Strategy • Service Management • Solution Builder • Sourcing
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EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.paconsulting.com/Careers/
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition PA Consulting Group
THE SCOOP British-born It might sound like it originated in the Keystone State, but PA Consulting Group’s home base is actually in London, where it was founded in 1943. With offices in 14 countries, the firm has a presence in nine U.S. cities: Boston, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Madison, New York, Princeton and Arlington. The firm employs more than 300 professionals in the States, serving clients in a number of industries, with particular emphasis on communications, media and entertainment, defense and government, energy, financial services, and health care and life sciences. Elsewhere in the world, PA Consulting has offices in Europe and Latin America, with around 2,600 employees reaching clients in approximately 35 countries. These employees are owners, too: the firm is independent and owned by its people. Its consulting expertise covers a wide range of services and solutions, including management strategy, information technology, human resources, complex program delivery, operations improvement, risk management, sourcing and more.
From war machines… PA’s roots lie in war-torn Great Britain. With the country desperate to churn out weaponry and supplies at a faster-than-usual rate, but with so many workers on the front lines, its remaining workforce was relatively unskilled. Entrepreneur Ernest Butten and two associates founded Personnel Administration Ltd. to advise the manufacturing sector on improving management and boosting productivity. Even in its earliest days, the firm was prepared to take bold steps—it solved two problems at one stroke by training women (then a very controversial act) to assemble bombers, thus maintaining productivity in factories while freeing up more men to head off to the front. The firm continued on a growth path through the postwar years, and by the 1970s it was ranked with Booz Allen Hamilton and McKinsey as one of the largest consultancies in the world, boasting offices across Europe, Australia and Asia. That proved to be the firm’s pinnacle, however, as several years of low revenue, coupled with an overall decline in the consulting industry left the firm with a fraction of its former headcount, and flirting with bankruptcy by the 1990s.
…to computing machines Under the leadership of Jon Moynihan, who took over in 1992 and remains at the firm today, PA became an early competitor in the technology consulting field, developing expertise in both tech selection and application. Accordingly, the firm has enjoyed a period of growth that has once again established it as a big player in the industry—although not quite as big as it once was. That’s not to say that the company doesn’t still consider itself a competitor to the biggest names in its industry, however; on its website, the firm claims its consultants’ skills “span a wider range of capabilities than any major consulting firm.” Within the U.S., that wide range of skills translates into a wide variety of consulting services, all of which are geared toward transforming clients’ businesses. And while the list of specific consulting disciplines and solutions may be lengthy, they’re all aimed at producing the same core outcomes, as far as PA’s clients are concerned: “managing risk, mobilizing staff and integrating initiatives to deliver sustainable change quickly.”
Insights
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The firm claims to work with companies “from insight to implementation”—an approach that sees the company developing unique insights for clients, as well as delivering end-to-end solutions. Its insights don’t stop coming once a job is done, however, nor are they forgotten when a contract is completed; PA dedicates sections of its website to insights on a dozen different business areas—ranging from capturing customer value to lean organization consulting to supply chain issues. In addition, the firm puts out a publication for senior executives called Viewpoint. Published on an occasional basis, the magazine examines major competitive issues facing organizations.
GETTING HIRED Generally, PA Consulting uses a three-pronged interview process for recruiting new analysts. Candidates are interviewed and given verbal and numerical tests in the first stage. The verbal test is meant to assess candidates’ capability to comprehend written information and to understand and analyze the logic of written arguments, while the math test is used to measure candidates’ quant and computational skills in the workplace, and uses data presented in a variety of formats, including graphs, diagrams and statistical tables. If they make the grade in stage one, candidates move onto the second stage, which entails visiting one of PA’s “assessment centers,” where groups of hopefuls are interviewed, given case study exercises and asked to work out problems in group exercises. The third, and final, stage includes an interview with a member of PA’s management group.
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THE PARTHENON GROUP 200 State Street Boston, Massachusetts 02109 Phone: (617) 478-2550 Fax: (617) 478-2555 www.parthenon.com
UPPER • “Spirit, loyalty and dedication to one another”
DOWNER LOCATIONS Boston, MA (HQ) San Francisco, CA London Mumbai
• The two-case model
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.parthenon.com/careers
PRACTICE AREAS Business and Financial Services • Consumer, Retail & Restaurants • Education • Healthcare & Life Sciences • Industrials • Information/Publishing • Private Equity • Technology
THE STATS
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Employer Type: Private Company Chairman & Managing Partner: William F. Achtmeyer 2010 Employees: 200 2009 Employees: 200
THE BUZZ
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“Entrepreneurial boutique” “Rescind much?” “Work a lot, but also seem like a fun group” “Two-case model”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Parthenon Group
THE SCOOP Temple of consulting expertise The Parthenon Group is a business strategy consulting outfit with expertise in corporate strategy, private equity, education and health care. Founded in 1991 by two former Bain consultants—John Rutherford and William Achtmeyer—the firm’s 200-plus consultants operate out of offices in Boston, San Francisco, London and Mumbai (opened in January 2008). Parthenon’s clients include Global 1000 corporations (eg, ThomsonReuters and eBay), as well as high-potential growth companies, private equity clients, health care and education clients, and nonprofit groups.
Parthenon times two In 2000, founding partners Rutherford and Achtmeyer decided to split up the company’s practices. Achtmeyer assumed leadership over the strategy side of the business, while Rutherford took over Parthenon Capital, a private equity firm. The two are now legally separate entities.
In it for life The Parthenon Group’s approach to business is to form “life-long partnerships” with clients—and it pays more than just lip service to that mantra. Since 1992, the firm has offered unconventional risk-sharing payment structures, including offering services in exchange for equity and success fees. Under the work-for-equity method, Parthenon is compensated with a stake in the client corporation. Equity gained in this manner is held for a set period, and its sale is generally discussed with the client beforehand to avoid disruption of the market for those shares. Traditional billing is available to clients, but Parthenon says it works best when accountability is highest and when it has a personal commitment to achieving results for a client. Further exhibiting its comfort with working with stock, in 2007, Parthenon launched its own hedge fund, Strategic Value Capital. Targeted stocks belong to small and mid-cap U.S. and Canadian public entities. Like the private equity practice, Parthenon employees can spend three to six months working at SVC to learn investment processes and how to assess the potential of companies in the fund’s portfolio.
A different kind of capital The Parthenon Group is as proud of its ability to produce intellectual capital as it is of its ability to produce spending capital. The firm regularly produces scholarly materials on business trends and insights, in addition to two newsletters: Parthenon Perspectives, which covers different aspects of the firm’s target industries and businesses, and Edupoints, a newsletter specifically geared toward the education sector.
Helping by example Parthenon Chairman Achtmeyer sets a good example for his staff when it comes to philanthropic causes. In addition to managing his firm, Achtmeyer is also the former chairman of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and is currently an overseer for the Handel and Haydn Society and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He has instilled the same kind of commitment to charity work at his firm, which, since 1993, has contributed over $4 million to charitable causes.
GETTING HIRED
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Parthenon insiders tell us they’re currently experiencing “unsustainable” workloads, which bodes well for those seeking positions at the firm. That said, high demand won’t be enough to bring on candidates who lack talent or qualifications. “We are looking to hire people who will be very smart, dedicated, creative and hardworking,” an insider says, adding that “there is also a heavy importance placed on people who work well with others and have strong interpersonal skills.” The recruiting efforts at Parthenon are geared toward three types of candidates: undergraduates or professionals without an MBA degree, recent MBA graduates and experienced, senior-level hires. Those who fall into the first category are usually considered for associate-level positions, while MBA graduates are typically recruited at the principal level and, once in the door, will work as Parthenon’s primary client contacts. Usually, the firm recruits at the top national and international business programs, including Harvard Business School, INSEAD, Kellogg, London Business School, MIT Sloan School of Management, Stanford, Tuck, ISB and Wharton. Experienced hires are typically recruited to fill Parthenon’s highest-level openings, as principals or senior principals. These candidates, the firm says, should have an MBA and broad professional experience, since they will be helping to plan, execute and deliver projects to the client, if hired. For undergraduates and MBAs looking to stay busy the summer before their senior/second year, Parthenon offers a summer intern program. The 10-week internship includes a weeklong orientation training to learn about the firm’s strategy, analysis techniques and values. At the end of the program, summer interns are asked to show off what they’ve learned by giving an individual presentation to Parthenon’s management team. Those who do well are offered full-time offers for when they complete their undergraduate/MBA degree.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Parthenon Group
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Parthenon consultants recognize the reality of “ups and downs” at the firm of late, but the general sense coming from insiders is one of sustained satisfaction. “I could not have chosen a better place to work than Parthenon,” a consultant gushes. “I constantly feel challenged, respected and valued. Our projects have been highly varied, but each one brings a new learning experience.” Others prefer to cite the firm’s culture as a major perk. “Parthenon’s culture is what sets it apart from other consulting firms,” an associate states. “There is an amazing spirit and camaraderie across the whole office. It’s not an exaggeration to say that most people are genuine friends and people you would party with or be roommates with, not just colleagues.”
Hours & pay There’s little question that Parthenon staffers work long hours; it’s how consultants react to those demands that differs greatly. While some reveal their ire for “slogging” over “16-hour days, seven days a week,” others view the strain as a reflection of meaningful responsibility. “Principals and associates work long hours sometimes, but most of it is due to the level of responsibility you get very early on in your career here,” says a grateful associate. “Even when I’m working 90 hours in a week preparing for a big presentation, I know that I’m going to be on a team and/or be at the office late at night with some of my best friends.” Exceptionally reasonable travel requirements certainly help tip the work/life balance somewhat in favor of life; as one source notes, “The low frequency of travel has allowed me to really make Boston my home and not have to worry about where I will be staffed on a project that has me away from friends, family, significant others, etc.” For their sacrifices, Parthenon consultants earn “very fair,” “competitive” compensation, including bonuses during recent down years.
Professional Development After “detailed, comprehensive” orientation for initial hires, Parthenon’s formal training opportunities are sparse and sometimes difficult to access. However, the void is largely filled by “informal mentoring and coaching from teammates and colleagues,” making it easier to survive the on-the-job instruction that comprises the vast majority of training. The firm also makes it easier for entry-level consultants to get ahead, often offering full tuition reimbursement for associates who choose to head to business school and return to Parthenon with an MBA. Consultants have the choice to either seek out this “significant investment” or move casually through the ranks, and note that Parthenon is not strictly up or out in its promotion policies.
Overall Business Outlook
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A “very significant” rebound is effectively on at Parthenon after a rough 2009, pushing morale upward and ensuring promising prospects for the coming years. “Parthenon has established itself as the premier consulting firm when it comes to nonprofit and for-profit education,” says a proud consultant, noting that it “has added several new, large clients as long-term relationships.” The pipeline is full of projects—so much so that some warn of imminent “burnout in the next 12 months” and a workload that “is not sustainable.” The firm notes, however, that a full class of new associates and principals will be starting in fall 2010, which will help alleviate the workload.
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POINT B 1420 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2200 Seattle, Washington 98101 Phone: (206) 517-5000 www.pointb.com
LOCATIONS Chicago, IL Denver, CO Los Angeles, CA Phoenix, AZ Portland, OR San Francisco, CA Seattle, WA
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company, Employee-Owned Co-founders: Tim Jenkins, Darran Littlefield, and Jim Hodge 2010 Employees: 390+ 2009 Employees: 380+ 2010 Revenue: $78 million 2008 Revenue: $90 million
UPPER • Big on employee choice and flexibility
DOWNER PRACTICE AREAS
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Business Advisory Services • Business Continuity Planning • Change & Communication Management • Executive Coaching & Organizational Development • Finance Management & Operations • Human Capital Management • Interim Management • IT Strategy & Transformation Marketing & Customer Strategy • Merger/Acquisition Integration • Operations Management & Optimization • Process Improvement • Product/Service Innovation & Launch • PMO Setup 8 Organization • Regulatory Compliance • Software Selection • Strategy/Organization Development • Sustainability • Technology Operations/Security • Third-Party Partner Integration
• Newly minted college grads should look for work elsewhere
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.pointb.com/careers/
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“A hot name for work/life balance” “Project managers, not consultants” “Funny staffing model, but it works” “Retired road warriors”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Point B
THE SCOOP Making a Point When companies want to get a job done without flying in consultants from across the country or signing multiyear contracts, they go to Point B. The management consulting firm specializes in leadership and strategic execution for companies that need immediate access to business professionals who can bring about real strategic change. Point B completes over 800 engagements each year. Clients range from startups to Fortune 100 companies, and have included Alaska Airlines, Microsoft, PetSmart, the Starbucks Coffee Company, the State of Washington and Xerox. The firm’s work has spanned a number of industries, including banking and financial services, health care, biotechnology, government, telecommunications, software and technology, manufacturing, distribution, retail, insurance, and media and entertainment.
$200 went so much further in the 1990s Point B was founded in early 1995 by Jim Hodge, Tim Jenkins and Darran Littlefield, three Seattle-area entrepreneurs and former Accenture managers. Beginning with an initial investment of $200 and one client at launch, their decision to establish the firm was built on a belief that most organizations were being underserved by traditional consulting firms. The biggest issues, as far as the founders saw it, were that traditional consulting firms often sent inexperienced work teams to clients, spent too much time drafting methodologies rather than effecting change, and were plagued by potential conflicts of interest and an inability to execute. Accordingly, Hodge, Jenkins and Littlefield started Point B with the aim of doing things differently. Among other things, the firm believes that “different” involves focusing specifically on execution and actually getting projects done; providing flexible access to leaders; eliminating “big firm” overhead; and avoiding alliances, reseller agreements or other pairings-up that could compromise the company’s objectivity. Today, the $200 initial investment has translated into revenue of over $90 million, and a firm that employs nearly 400 professionals.
Going local From 1995 until 2000, Point B established itself by focusing exclusively on its local Seattle market, but has since expanded nationally. Despite its expansion into new markets, however, the firm believes in staying local; when a client calls for help, the firm appoints a consultant who lives in or near the client’s town. That management philosophy reaps two major benefits: First, consultants enjoy easier lifestyles and, second, because Point B consultants hardly ever travel, clients save money by not working with out-of-market experts. Geographically, Point B currently serves clients in the Seattle, Phoenix, Portland, Denver, San Francisco, Chicago and Los Angeles markets.
Jack of all trades Point B’s competitive advantage is not so much what it does, but how reaches its end goals. Self-described experts in the “practical art of getting things done,” the firm works with clients on issues such as integration following a merger or acquisition; process improvement; getting new systems up and running (or maximizing the use of existing systems); decision making; project launch or turnaround; getting quick wins; recruitment issues and more. It also works with clients in the areas of recruiting, business and technical analysis and business case development. Generally, Point B serves in a consultative role, but it is also frequently asked to fill an interim leadership position and help hire a replacement. Its consultants are selectively hired based on their prior experience; new hires typically carry between seven and 15 years of experience in the business, and come from settings that include successful startups, large corporations and leading professional service firms.
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Swimming with the big fish While Point B claims to differentiate itself from the bigger consulting shops through its unique and exclusive focus on bringing the experience and unbiased consulting to help their clients achieve their strategy, that doesn’t stop it from butting heads with some of the titans in the field. The likes of Accenture and Deloitte offer similar consulting services as part of their menu of services, a fact that occasionally leads them into competition with Point B for contracts. The firm also faces competition from local or specific industry-focused consultancies, but claims to have to compete on less than 10 percent of its opportunities.
GETTING HIRED The same firm that describes itself as “collegial,” “participative,” “supportive” and “fulfilling” also promises prospective hires that they will “find the clients, colleagues and support to do [their] best work, advance [their] career and have a life outside of it, too.” Point B’s promise is a big one, which is why it reserves its recruiting efforts for experienced professionals with proven track records.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Point B
The firm’s hiring process is a thorough one, given that it focuses on the long-term potential of its candidates, not on fulfilling immediate staffing needs. Throughout the process, the emphasis is as much on fit as it is on candidates’ skills and work experience. Generally, the process takes a few weeks and involves a comprehensive set of interviews conducted by Point B consultants who, while evaluating candidates, also provide insights into life at the firm.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere The typical Point B consultant is “very satisfied” by any number of the firm’s assets. Chief among them is the firm’s “consensus-driven culture” that has “lots of room for different views and levels of engagement.” Despite a largely “virtual working environment,” one consultants says, “I never feel removed from the company, my fellow associates and the events occurring across the market. Efforts are specifically made to ensure that people are included, offered the opportunity to contribute and support each other.” The firm is also known for the exceptional degree of work/life balance it grants its consultants; the vast majority of respondents cite it as a perk that sets the firm apart from its peers.
Hours & pay Insiders tell us they work extraordinarily reasonable hours each week. There’s no question that “approximately 35 to 45 hours per week” is a true rarity in the industry, and contributes to the firm’s exceptional work/life balance the firm is known for. “The firm does a great job of giving opportunities to balance work/life,” a source reports. “It starts with working only in local markets, and they also give you control of the projects you’d like to work on.” A colleague is more straightforward, noting only that “I have never heard of or found anything better.” Pay is not among the most generous in the industry, but considering the perks of life at Point B, consultants don’t find too much to gripe about.
Professional Development To be frank, there is little formal training on offer at Point B. However, all new hires are required to have extensive experience in the field, nullifying the need for initial trainings. And, given the free-market nature of work at the firm, consultants are well-suited to surviving on their own or through informal mentoring relationships. They are also given free rein to pursue professional development opportunities suited for their own interests and client needs either within or outside the firm. In fact, many Point B associates have professional certifications (i.e., PMP, Six Sigma, Executive Coaching) that Point B financially supports. Of course, “there are some formal classes,” a consultant mentions, “but even the style of those is discussion-based.” The firm notes, however, that as part of its consultant development program, it offers coaching, 360-degree feedback and hands-on skill building at the client site.
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Promotion paths at Point B are similarly ad hoc and ambiguous. “The organization is very flat,” a consultant explains, “so there are not a lot of places to be promoted into. You kind of make it up as you go.” The firm explains that there are a number of career paths an associate can take based on his/her interests and strengths, that are not explicitly dictated by the firm—some paths are defined, while others are created based on the specific desires of associates. Moreover, many of the roles at Point B rotate, so associates have the opportunity to wear various hats throughout the course of their career. Practically speaking, most ‘promotions’ come in the form of raises, which are completely up to the individual to determine—they’re the ones controlling how much or how little work they’re going to do each year.
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PROPHET 150 Spear Street, Suite 1500 San Francisco, California 94105 Phone: (415) 677-0909 Fax: (415) 677-9020 www.prophet.com
LOCATIONS San Francisco, CA (HQ) Chicago, IL New York, NY Richmond, VA Hamburg London Madrid Zurich
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company CEO & Chairman: Michael Dunn 2010 Employees: 123 2009 Employees: 130
UPPERS • Great project experience from day one
DOWNERS • Formal training can be lacking
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT PRACTICE AREAS
www.prophet.com/about/careers
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Brand • Design • Innovation • Marketing
THE BUZZ
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“Innovative and creative” “Black turtlenecks” “The little engine that could” “You better fit one of their cliques”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Prophet
THE SCOOP Get on the band-wagon Want to know where to invest your money? Who your most profitable customers are? How you can change your image to enter into new, high-growth markets? Ask the brand and marketing experts at San Francisco-based Prophet. Founded in 1992, the firm specializes in helping clients grow and change by focusing on performance improvement in four key areas: branding, marketing, design and innovation. Within that focus is a deep understanding of who a client’s customers are, and the state of the industry in which they operate—an understanding that merges analytic techniques with creative approaches to finding or creating value for clients. The list of entities that have enlisted Prophet’s services includes staples of the Fortune 500, such as Cartier, GE, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Monsanto, NBC, Staples, UBS and United Airlines.
While brand strategy is the company’s main area of expertise, it offers services across three additional practice areas: marketing strategy and effectiveness, growth and innovation, and customer experience practice. Between those four, the firm covers all the angles related to how a company displays itself in the public eye and relates to its customer base.
More than just a logo Prophet’s consulting strategy is anchored in its belief in the power of the brand. The firm’s brand strategy practice area works with clients to gauge how their brand impacts customer behavior in a given category, to manage and monitor its equity over time, identify opportunities to extend it into new markets and segments, and to establish the ideal roles and relationships among brands in a portfolio. Specific brand strategy services include brand identity and positioning, brand portfolio strategy, brand architecture and design, measurement systems and customer analytics services.
What do clients get for hiring Prophet? For one company—Cargill, which wanted to transform its brand image from a commodities supplier to a solutions provider—Prophet’s branding advice translated into five years of record sales. One of the largest private corporations in the United States, with 141,000 employees and operations in the agriculture and food business in nearly 60 countries, Cargill worked with Prophet to figure out current perceptions of its brand, and how to transition those to the company’s desired perception. From there, Prophet’s consultants designed new brand strategies for positioning Cargill as a solutions provider, and helped develop new internal and external communications campaigns to reinforce the new brand positioning. Within a year of implementation of the Prophet project, Cargill broke the $1 billion annual earnings mark with $1.29 billion in profits, and went on to earn five straight years of record earnings growth.
Go-to gurus CEO and Chairman Michael Dunn, Vice Chairman David Aaker and Senior Partner Scott M. Davis are the biggest branding brains behind Prophet’s service offerings. Dunn, at the helm, has overseen the development of the entire firm’s strategy. He also continues to serve as a strategic advisor on a number of Prophet’s client engagements, especially if they happen to be in the specialty retail, financial services, high technology and Internet sectors. An acknowledged expert in his field, Dunn has published broadly, making up a list that includes the books Building the Brand-Driven Business—co-authored with colleague Scott Davis—and 2009’s The Marketing Accountability Imperative. No less prolific is Vice Chairman David Aaker, who has more than 100 published articles and 14 books to his name. That list includes his latest title, Spanning Silos: The New CMO Imperative, and others including Managing Brand Equity, Building Strong Brands, Developing Business Strategies, Brand Leadership, Strategic Market Management, From Fargo to the World of Brands and Brand Portfolio Strategy.
Scott Davis, with 20 years of experience under his belt, has worked with many of Prophet’s biggest clients, including GE, ExxonMobil, The Carlson Companies, Johnson & Johnson, The Wrigley Company, Boeing, Payless ShoeSource and Allstate. His 2000 book, Brand Asset Management: Driving Profitable Growth Through Your Brands, was named one of the top-30 books of 2000 by Executive Book Summaries. His latest book, The Shift, was published in spring 2009, and received positive critical acclaim.
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GETTING HIRED Prophet says that, as a high-growth firm, it is “always looking” for new consultants to be a part of its team. Although the firm’s careers page does not offer many details on just how the recruitment process works, it does instruct applicants to email their resume to the firm’s director of recruiting, Alix Hahn, at ahahn@ prophet.com. In an in-house interview on what it takes to build a career in marketing consulting, Prophet Senior Partner Scott Davis said the firm is looking for operational experience. For example, what responsibilities did a candidate have in his or her previous role and what decisions were they in charge of making? “I have to understand what they were accountable for,” Davis says. Another stand-out factor is whether a candidate has both line experience and consulting experience. “We don’t always have the luxury of providing a six-month training program prior to a consultant’s first project,” Davis explains, since oftentimes new consultants will be asked to jump into a project “almost on day one.”
Davis also gives some useful advice for candidates who are called in for an interview. First, he says, candidates should “definitely use their contacts” to ingratiate themselves with the Prophet interviewer. Next, they should show that they have done their research on the firm and on the specific interviewer (no pressure). And finally, be prepared to review your resume and to explain how you made a difference in your previous job. “Two to three good stories well-told stick, as opposed to 15 different sound bites,” Davis claims.
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PROTIVITI 2884 Sand Hill Road, Suite 200 Menlo Park, California 94025 Phone: (650) 234-6000 Fax: (650) 234-6998 www.protiviti.com
LOCATIONS Menlo Park, CA (HQ) More than 60 offices in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe
PRACTICE AREAS Cost & Working Capital Optimization • Finance & Accounting Excellence • Information Technology Effectiveness & Control • Internal Audit & Financial Controls • Litigation, Restructuring & Investigative Services • Risk & Compliance
THE STATS Employer Type: Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Robert Half International Inc. Ticker Symbol: RHI (NYSE) President & CEO: Joseph A. Tarantino 2010 Employees: 2,500 2009 Employees: 3,000 2009 Revenue: $383.6 million 2008 Revenue: $546.9 million
UPPERS • “A great place to start your career and grow professionally” • “My firm cares about me, both as a professional resource and as a person, [and] I feel like part of a team”
DOWNERS • “We’re still a young company and make rookie mistakes” • Spending as much time as possible at the client site
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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www.protiviti.com/careers
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
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“Good people, easygoing” “SOX people on life support” “Nice niche in the risk assessment space” “Cutbacks”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Protiviti
THE SCOOP A rose by any other name Protiviti, whose name is a combination of the words “professionalism,” “proactivity,” “independence” and “integrity,” provides independent internal auditing and risk consulting services to clients. Founded as a subsidiary of Robert Half International in 2002, in the days leading up to the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the firm started out with 760 professionals from Arthur Andersen’s U.S. internal audit and business risk consulting practices. Today, with 2,500 professionals operating out of more than 60 offices in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe, the Menlo Park, Calif.-based firm serves clients in a broad swath of industries, including communications, consumer products, distribution, educational institutions, energy, financial services, government, healthcare, hospitality, life sciences, manufacturing, media, nonprofit, real estate, retail, services, technology, transportation and utilities. Clients include more than 35 percent of all Fortune 100 companies, more than 25 percent of all Fortune 500 companies, and more than 20 percent of companies listed on the Fortune 1000. After its founding, the firm expanded at a rapid pace, growing to more than 60 offices around the world today. Its experts, specializing in risk and advisory services, help clients by providing the necessary business process and technology skills to address challenges related to finance and transactions, operations, technology, litigation, governance, risk and compliance. In addition, Protiviti’s internal audit expertise spans a variety of areas, including internal audit activities on a fully outsourced basis or working with existing internal audit functions to supplement teams lacking adequate staff or skills.
Go digital Protiviti has created a software platform that further helps clients with their internal auditing and risk management. Designed, developed and delivered by Protiviti’s risk technology solutions team, which includes more than 75 professionals, the Governance Portal streamlines how and when changes related to governance, risk and compliance (GRC) are implemented, and provides the visibility and insight needed to manage and mitigate critical risk and compliance issues. Leveraging the experience of Protiviti’s consultants, the Governance Portal integrates content, commonly accepted frameworks, real-world knowledge and leading-edge technology. The software also helps clients manage financial controls, compliance management, IT governance, internal audit and risk management. To date, more than 350 clients around the world have used the Governance Portal.
Second SOX thoughts While Protiviti’s U.S. revenue surged after the 2002 enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, also known as SOX, the pace of revenue has slowed, as most companies have made progress in complying with its provisions. Not helping matters, in 2006, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board issued additional regulations and guidance, which some businesses interpreted in ways that prompted them to reduce their reliance on outside firms to help them with compliance. In its quarterly financial reports, Protiviti’s parent company, Robert Half International, includes a standard disclaimer regarding Protiviti’s future success, noting that it “will depend on its ability to retain employees and attract clients.” RHI added that “there can be no assurance that there will be ongoing demand for Sarbanes-Oxley” or other regulatory compliance services—a change that could “adversely affect” Protiviti’s future financial results.
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Foreseeing this bump in the road, the firm has shifted to a broader solutions-based approach, focusing on a range of business consulting services for clients. This transition has also been supported by a series of acquisitions in 2006 to expand its service offerings beyond its staple regulatory compliance and internal audit services. That year, it purchased several firms to boost its capabilities in risk management, forensic investigation and litigation, not to mention the purchase of Enspier Technologies, Inc., whose technology and management consulting skills were then used in the establishment of a wholly owned subsidiary focused on public-sector operations: Protiviti Government Services, Inc. In April 2007, it acquired PENTA Advisory Services, LLC, a specialist in restructuring and insolvency services, litigation services, and bankruptcy-related tax, accounting and administrative services. Most recently, in early 2009, the principals and staff of Houston-based Gordius Consulting joined Protiviti’s litigation, restructuring and investigative services practice, contributing their expertise in the energy and financial services industries and international arbitrage to this practice.
Spread the Protiviti word As one of the world’s largest independent internal audit and risk management firms, Protiviti has a thing or two to say about its areas of expertise. The firm regularly participates in and sponsors a variety of industry conferences and tradeshows to share risk management strategies. For example, Protiviti participated in the June 2010 Institute of Internal Auditors’ International Conference that included seminars and meetings on issues such as governance, compliance, fraud prevention and detection, information technology and internal audit best practices. The firm also hosts webinars and local events to provide insight into a variety of internal audit and risk management issues. Protiviti’s subject-matter experts frequently contribute articles to trade publications, as well. For the bookworms, Protiviti’s online library provides complimentary access to its survey reports, white papers, resource guides, regulatory updates and newsletters. In addition, the firm launched a podcast series, Powerful Insights, in late 2009. Protiviti’s KnowledgeLeader, a subscription-based website, offers additional tools, templates and resources, such as best practices, white papers and methodologies.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Protiviti
GETTING HIRED “Our interview style focuses on one thing: you,” the firm says, and it means it. The objective of Protiviti’s interview process is to evaluate candidates across the board, not based solely on quantitative aptitude or college GPA. “All we ask is that you be yourself,” the firm continues. “We look forward to getting to know you better by learning about your background, past experiences and the achievements that have shaped who you are today.” Protiviti is looking out for “enthusiastic” candidates at “top-tier universities across the country” who are “highly articulate, analytical and eager.” The interview process seems to be fairly consistent, with an average of three rounds of interviews, the final of which is held on site. The firm also looks out for candidates’ preparedness; “be sure to do your research as you prepare to speak with us,” the firm cautions. Prospective interns must be current university students within one year of graduating (with either a bachelor’s or master’s degree), with preferred majors in business administration, accounting, finance or management information systems. The internship entails an average of 50 percent out-oftown travel to client work sites, so interns should come equipped with reliable transportation to and from clients.
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Candidates for junior consultant and intern positions are encouraged to drop resumes on campus at any one of Protiviti’s preferred universities, or to submit an application directly on the firm’s website on the Join Our Team page within the Careers section.
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ROLAND BERGER STRATEGY CONSULTANTS 2401 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 500 Troy, Michigan 48084 Phone: (248) 729-5000 Fax: (248) 649-1794 www.rolandberger.com
LOCATIONS Munich (Global HQ) Chicago, IL Detroit, MI New York, NY 36 offices worldwide
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company CEO: Martin Wittig 2010 Employees: 2,000 2009 Employees: 2,100 2010 Revenue: €616 million 2008 Revenue: €670 million
UPPERS • “Worldwide transfer programs” • “Potential for individuals to impact the whole firm”
PRACTICE AREAS
DOWNERS
Corporate Development • Corporate Responsibility • Marketing & Sales • Operations Strategy • Restructuring & Corporate Finance
• “Low-impact projects and activities” • “Opaque staffing procedures”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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www.careers.rolandberger.com
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Open and friendly culture” “Political” “Europe-oriented” “Lost momentum”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Roland Berger Strategy Consultants
THE SCOOP A Berger joint From its humble beginning as a small, one-man consulting firm, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants has grown into an international giant. Ranked among the top-10 in global strategy consulting, it is the largest consulting firm to have emerged from Europe, where it still does the bulk of its business; 26 of the firm’s 36 offices worldwide are located in Europe. Within the U.S., the firm has just three locations, with offices in Africa and Asia completing its global footprint. All told, the company employs around 2,000 people worldwide, and provides strategy consulting to many of the world’s largest corporations in a variety of industries. Those include automotive, construction, chemicals, energy, environmental technology, financial services, machinery, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, rail, telecommunications, and travel and tourism.
One man, one vision Roland Berger founded the firm in Munich in 1967, growing it into a major player in its field and employing 100 staff within a decade of its founding. The consultancy has passed many landmarks in its journey to its present state; in 1980, for example, it became the first European firm to gain acceptance into the U.S. Association of Management Consulting Firms (formerly ACME). That acceptance was an early indicator of the firm’s international reach, and especially impressive given that it didn’t arrive in the U.S. in a permanent way until 1995. While it has found success easy to come by in its home market, Roland Berger has found the American market to be a tougher nut to crack. While there are a variety of reasons for that, legislation is a major one; Deutsche Bank bought a majority stake in the firm in 1988, which added restrictions to the firm’s intentions to establish itself Stateside. Specifically, the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act forbade the firm from establishing an independent office within U.S. borders. Because of that, it wasn’t until 1995 that Roland Berger set up a representative office in New York, with the help of several American partners. Three years later, the firm regained majority control, enabling it to open an independent office in Detroit, Mich. That same year, it also consummated its relationship with New York, transitioning that office’s status from representative to independent. The firm’s presence on the continent rose to three offices in 2008, with the establishment of a Chicago hub.
A literate bunch Roland Berger has no shortage of publications available to the public and its clients. Published three times a year in German, English, Russian, Chinese and Polish, the firm’s think:act magazine discusses perspectives and opinions on top issues relevant to business decision makers. The firm also publishes think:act CONTENT—which presents “cutting edge research and analysis” on a specific topic each issue—as well as Automotive INSIGHTS and an executive review aimed at the capital goods industry. In addition, the firm has two “well-established” academic imprints, which together have put out more than 40 books since their inception: The Academic Network, which aims to make the firm’s research available to the general public; and The Management Series, which features the PhD dissertations of Roland Berger’s professionals.
In the spotlight In 2007, the firm committed to a three-year partnership—which has since been renewed through 2012—with the World Economic Forum, a nonprofit organization that serves as a platform for discussion about global issues. Through the partnership, Roland Berger will help to shape the content for the Forum’s summits, panels and debates, and will develop new ideas for its educational sessions. Roland Berger’s particular area of interest is the Forum’s Young Global Leaders program, which helps bring together some of the world’s brightest young minds to work on global issues.
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Giving back In March 2008, Roland Berger used some 50 million of his own private resources to set up the Roland Berger Foundation, an organization that promotes human rights and dignity throughout the world. The Foundation gives a yearly award of 1 million to an individual or institution that helps to promote dignity and education. In addition to the good works of Roland Berger the man, Roland Berger the firm plays its part in giving back to the community, especially through pro bono initiatives. For example, it takes part in Focus:HOPE a nonprofit civil and human rights organization located in Detroit. The group’s goal is to use intelligent and practical action to fight monumental issues such as poverty and racism. The organization helps the community through activities such as food programs for mothers, education and training courses, day care provision, and education and other volunteer activities.
GETTING HIRED Roland Berger’s hiring model is a clear reflection of its own makeup in North America. “Our offices in the U.S. are small compared with our competitors,” an associate remarks. “This is why it is even more important to be very selective.” What the firm lacks in size and prestige is countered by a host of more unique options. Roland Berger’s international culture ranks among the most attractive for potential hires; accordingly, the firm is looking to further that image with similarly minded new hires. “We look for highly qualified candidates, typically with business educations and resumes with an international flavor,” one insider says.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Roland Berger Strategy Consultants
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: It’s the people at Roland Berger who make the serious lifestyle commitments livable at the firm.
Overall Satisfaction • “I really enjoy working for Roland Berger—I like my colleagues very much. They are all smart and intelligent people. We learn a lot from each other. I also enjoy going out from time to time with them.” – Detroit associate • “I find my job fulfilling in that it allows me to create longstanding relationships with clients and the freedom to shape my own efforts and development.” – Strategy executive • “I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else right now.” – Consultant
Firm Culture • “Partnership is one of our core values. It is important for the way we work together in our teams and with our clients. Roland Berger is a very entrepreneurial company. Our partners ask everybody to develop his or her own ideas and take responsibility.” – Midlevel consultant • “It is collegial among consultants; the individual can have a high impact, given the small U.S. base.” – Chicago consultant • “The company culture is based on our corporate values: excellence, entrepreneurship and partnership.” – Junior source
Supervisor Relationships • “Every consultant has a mentor who is responsible for his/her individual development and is supported by HR. Personally, I have a very close relationship with my mentor, and he contributes a lot to my development.” – Strategy consultant • “My supervisor is a real role model for me. I can learn a lot and he really takes care of my personal and professional development.” – Entrylevel source
Hours & pay Vault’s Verdict: Roland Berger consultants find themselves with tight schedules, packed with international travel and late Friday nights.
Work Hours & Compensation • “Hours vary dramatically—once in a while, either nothing is going on or the team is working past midnight, but usually most consultants are done by 8 p.m. or so.” – Midlevel consultant • “Sometimes projects require more attention, but there is absolutely no face time attitude.” – Midwest insider • “I prefer having a challenging job and interesting projects instead of a job with regular working hours.” – Strategy analyst • “Compensation is fair, but consultants have low influence on utilization rates that impact bonuses.” – Midlevel consultant
Work/Life Balance • “My mentor pays attention to my work/life balance. He really avoids making the team work on weekends.” – Analyst • “Of course, working on a very demanding project for a client who is extremely under pressure can mean working on a weekend or late at night. But our partners make sure that we have more time to relax after a very challenging project.” – Midlevel source
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• “Disruptive, last minute/unexpected travel happens more often than it should.” – Chicago associate
Travel Requirements • “I travel quite a lot. But I also have the chance to discover other countries, which is extremely interesting for me.” – Detroit strategist • “Travel tends to be all or nothing in the U.S.: You can be in the office for months or not see an office for months, depending on the assignment. If a project beckons, you go, even internationally.” – Experienced consultant
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Consultants rave about the firm’s kickoff training in Munich, which gives new hires the chance to both learn their trade and network within it.
Formal Training • “The best training I had was the kickoff training in Germany, with new Roland Berger colleagues from all offices worldwide. I not only learned a lot, it was also fun and I made a lot of friends.” – Midlevel consultant • “There is an excellent corporate training program with regard to hard and soft skills. The more experienced you become, the more individualized the offerings are (e.g., individual coaching, special presentation skills, leadership).” – Associate Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Roland Berger Strategy Consultants
• “There is quite an extensive training offering, and every consultant is expected to participate in mandatory trainings plus those agreed upon with his/her mentor.” – Detroit senior
Promotion Policies • “Consultants advance on average every second year of tenure; the best ones, faster than that.” – Experienced source • “You can progress very quickly through the ranks, and there are a lot of examples of colleagues who have been elected partner in their early 30s.” – Chicago staffer • “It’s not up or out, except at entry level.” – Strategy consultant
Diversity Vault’s Verdict: The firm’s international roots make for an ethnically diverse consultant corps, but the utter lack of women among the ranks is a cause for concern.
Diversity Issues With Respect to Women, Minorities, and GLBTs • “There are two female consultants in all of North America.” – First-year analyst • “We have a highly diverse working environment ethnically, but more gender diversity needed.” – Senior source • “Diversity is very important in recruiting. We are a very international and multicultural team. This is how we can develop the best and most creative solutions for our clients.” – Strategy consultant
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: Performance isn’t uniform across sectors or regions, but the overall curve points upward and onward.
Overall Business Outlook • “Everyone else cut headcount in 2009 but we actually added people, so we are well positioned for growth in 2010. We’re aggressively targeting several new sectors.” – Strategy consultant
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• We’re doing great, at least in Europe.” – Consumer goods insider
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SCOTTMADDEN, INC. 2626 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 480 Raleigh, North Carolina 27608 Phone: (919) 781-4191 www.scottmadden.com
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company President & CEO: Brad Kitchens 2009 Employees: 80 2008 Revenue: $25 million
LOCATIONS Raleigh, NC (HQ) Atlanta, GA
UPPER • Small consulting teams means lots of mentoring and exposure to upper management
PRACTICE AREAS Energy Industry • Federal Government • General Management • Shared Services • Sustainability
DOWNER • Mainly a local name
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition ScottMadden, Inc.
THE SCOOP Get energized Raleigh, North Carolina-based ScottMadden, Inc., built its reputation providing management consulting services primarily to the energy industry, but has since branched out far beyond that core capability. Those beating a path to the firm’s door include large corporations in industries as diverse as entertainment, pharmaceuticals/health care, manufacturing and high tech/communications, as well as the federal government. Founded in 1983 as the Scott Consulting Group, the company’s services include strategic assessments, solutions development and performance monitoring.
Slow and steady wins the race ScottMadden prides itself on sticking to fundamentals that work—so much so that President and CEO Brad Kitchens described the firm as “kind of the tortoise versus the hare,” in an August 2008 interview, adding, “We’ve never laid off a consultant due to slow business, and we’ve grown modestly.” Modest or not, the firm has enjoyed prolonged growth for over quarter of a century—a journey that began with Scott Consulting’s focus on the utilities industry. It continued when Tom Madden, former CEO of business management consultancy Theodore Barry & Associates, joined the firm in 1990. Renamed Scott Madden & Associates, the firm expanded its service offerings to include general management consulting in the early 1990s, but still only for the utilities market. In 1994, Scott Madden & Associates established its shared services practice, while the acquisition of SMG North America in 1998 enabled the firm to develop a proprietary online survey methodology. In 2005, both founder Peter Scott and Tom Madden left the firm—an occasion that saw the firm emerge with its current branding: ScottMadden, Inc. By 2007, the firm had completed more than 2,500 energy-related projects and had extended its reach globally via strategic alliances with management consulting firms in Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Today, almost 10 percent of the firm’s current business is overseas, often from North American clients with international operations.
No idle (or inexperienced) hands ScottMadden’s emphasis on staying small means it is very selective about who it hires. According to the firm, most of its new hires already possess an MBA and “substantial” work experience before joining up. The smaller size also means that everyone is kept busy: Even the firm’s highest-level partners actively participate in client engagements and devote more than 50 percent of their time to direct participation in consulting work.
Keep it simple Having built its reputation in the field, it’s not surprising that ScottMadden’s largest practice area is its energy industry practice. Working with companies of all sizes, the practice helps clients to develop and implement their strategies, plan their businesses, improve their processes, restructure their organization and increase value. The firm’s second-largest functional area is its shared services practice—a unit that can perhaps best be described as the antithesis of outsourcing. The reason? It works with companies to centralize specific functions across their business units or global operations, such as human resources, IT supply chain, finance and accounting, and real estate and facilities management. Shared services consultants help clients build a “business within the business.” helping to develop a business plan, a scorecard and incentives for performance, and consequences for nonperformance.
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Pundits that publish ScottMadden’s consultants are experts in the energy industry, and they’d like everyone to know it. The firm regularly provides expert industry insights via presentations at conferences or in media interviews on the energy industry, shared services, outsourcing or and general management areas. It also publishes the twice-yearly Energy Industry Update, which compiles breaking news, emerging issues and recent developments in the industry. The Perspectives newsletter focuses more specifically on major industry trends and is published every spring and autumn.
GETTING HIRED ScottMadden actively recruits at a number of MBA programs throughout the United States, including Duke, Emory, Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt. Applicants from these schools should expect two rounds of interviews, the first of which is held on campus. During the initial meet-and-greet, the recruitment process begins with one 45-minute behavioral interview. Final-round interviews are held at either the firm’s Atlanta or Raleigh offices. This round usually lasts half a day, and includes additional behavioral interviews and a presentation—usually focused on candidates’ past work or internship experiences—with lunch. Throughout the process, the firm says it does not use case studies, instead putting the main focus on personality fit.
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THE SEGAL COMPANY 333 West 34th Street New York, New York 10001 Phone: (212) 251-5000 Fax: (212) 251-5490 www.segalco.com www.segaladvisors.com www.sibson.com www.segalco.ca
LOCATIONS New York, NY (HQ) 21 locations around the United States and Canada
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company President & CEO: Joseph A. LoCicero 2010 Employees: 930 2009 Employees: 900+ 2009 Revenue: $197.1 million 2008 Revenue: $194.2 million
UPPER • Get to work directly with clients from day one
DOWNER PRACTICE AREAS Benefits, Compensation & HR Consulting • Communications Consulting • Investment Consulting • Strategic HR Consulting
• Unclear promotion path
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT
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www.segalco.com/careers/index.html
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition The Segal Company
THE SCOOP Flock of Segals Founded in 1939, The Segal Company focuses on benefits and HR consulting and actuarial services for a wide variety of employers and plan sponsors. Owned by its employees, the firm is a union of practices, all falling under the umbrella of The Segal Group, Inc. Those practices offer services in three major markets: corporate and nonprofit, government (local, state and federal) and multiemployer plans. It also works with professional services firms and has a significant presence in the higher education field. Having been one of the original players in employee benefits consulting, the firm claims to be behind many practices now considered standard in the field, such as supplemental benefits programs and preferred provider organizations (PPOs). All told, the benefits programs the firm advises on cover more than eight million workers in the U.S. and Canada, for firms that range in size from hundreds of employees to hundreds of thousands. Segal is committed to providing a distinctive, quality service for its clients. To that end, the firm emphasizes that it is not interested in providing services that clients already perform for themselves, but rather in finding new ways for clients to increase their insights into the options available for provision of employee benefits. Segal also publishes a number of newsletters and reports, many of which are geared toward specific locations and markets.
Trusted advisors According to Segal, it is the “only firm with a national commitment to the multiemployer environment,” a fact that Segal believes means it understands the market “better than anyone else.” With that being the case, perhaps a little explanation is in order. The firm defines multiemployer plans as being “essentially benefit programs sponsored and administered by boards of trustees made up of both labor and management, representing participants from many organizations.” The chief advantage of such funds is that they can provide benefits—everything from retirement and health care to disability and other welfare benefits—to people who might otherwise not have access. That group includes union members who change employers frequently or those who work for small companies that would be unable to offer a benefits plan independently. Given the proportion of the workforce under that description, being the industry leader in the field is no small feat—and Segal claims to work with more multiemployer funds than its top-three competitors combined, in a list of almost 20 industries stretching from air and transportation through construction, entertainment, food, maritime, motion picture, professional sports, radio and television, and trucking. Serving the multiemployer market means that Segal’s consultants must be able to find the middle ground between different interest groups that can include trade union members and leaders, employers, trustees, advisors and board members.
Serving the public sector Another significant portion of Segal’s main service offerings are aimed at the public sector. Indeed, the list of services for public-sector clients and multiemployer clients is virtually identical. Both contain the following elements: retirement benefits, health and welfare benefits, compliance, communications (for multiemployer it’s “participant,” while for public sector it’s “employee” communications), administration and technology, fiduciary liability insurance and fidelity bond brokerage, and investment consulting.
Practice makes perfect
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The corporate and nonprofit consulting services are actually handled by Sibson Consulting, Segal’s HR consulting division, which helps organizations get the highest possible returns on their investments in human capital. It focuses on employee benefits, organization and talent, performance and rewards, sales force effectiveness and technology, and has provided services to over half of the Fortune 500, as well as providing HR and benefits consulting for institutions of higher education. The investment consulting services mentioned above are handled by Segal Advisors, Inc., an SEC-registered affiliate of Segal established in 1969. Providing services for over 240 clients, with more than $65 billion in assets, the unit provides investment advice that complements the HR and benefits work done by Segal.
GETTING HIRED While Segal does not publish the specifics of its recruiting process on its career page, it does offer some insight into the type of applicants it’s looking for. For actuarial consulting, for example, the firm says having a quantitative-oriented degree—such as in actuarial sciences or mathematics—is a definite plus, while for the human capital consulting practice, a degree in HR, organizational development or organization/human behavior is the most relevant. While having a background in quantitative skills is a plus, the firm notes that its consultants come from a wide array of backgrounds, ranging from humanities to technical degrees. “What is critical,” it says, “is a commitment to client service, a track record of achievement, and strong communication, problem-solving and analytical skills.”
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STERN STEWART & CO. 75 Broad Street, 29th Floor New York, New York 10004 Phone: (212) 261-0600 Fax: (212) 581-6420 www.sternstewart.com
THE STATS Employer Type: Private Company Chairman & CEO: Joel Stern
UPPERS LOCATIONS New York, NY (HQ) Beijing Dubai Frankfurt Jakarta Johannesburg Kuala Lumpur London Melbourne Mumbai São Paolo Singapore Tokyo (Franchise)
• “Direct access to C-level executives” • “Value-based management expertise”
DOWNERS • “No large analyst class” • “Limited recognition of the firm in fields outside strategy, value management and corporate finance”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT Email:
[email protected] www.sternstewart.com/index.php?content=careers
PRACTICE AREAS
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Corporate Finance Advisory • Governance • Value Based Management • Value Based Operations • Value Based Strategy
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“High end, but narrow niche” “So 1990s” “Respected EVA guys” “One-trick pony”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Stern Stewart & Co.
THE SCOOP The virtue of value The advice that Stern Stewart & Co. gives to clients is built around EVA (economic value added) and VBM (value based management), extending into value based strategy, value based incentive compensation and value based operations. EVA is a term that gets thrown around by a lot of people these days, but it all began at Stern Stewart. Let’s be very clear—if you don’t believe in EVA, then this is not the firm for you. If you do, though, you won’t be alone. Hundreds of companies have adopted Stern Stewart’s EVA methods and ideas, including Best Buy, Briggs & Stratton, Credit Suisse, Coca Cola, Goldman Sachs, Herman Miller, Hertz, Grupo Modelo (the makers of Corona beer), Morgan Stanley, Siemens, Sony, the U.S. Postal Service, Whole Foods and the Williams Companies. The firm likes to stick with these clients for the long haul too—it believes that six months to three years might be necessary to fully internalize its methods.
Chicago-style, deep-dish EVA CEO Joel Stern says that the origins of EVA came from his time at the University of Chicago, when he began to feel that the reigning model of EPS (earnings per share) was inadequate for determining the true value of companies. After graduating, Stern spent 18 years at Chase Manhattan Bank, where he helped create the concept of “free cash flow,” and continued working on the ideas that would become EVA. In 1982, he decided that the time was right and teamed up with G. Bennett Stewart, who was also an EVA believer and alumnus of the University of Chicago, to form Stern Stewart. The two men spent the next decade refining and promoting the ideas of EVA, which culminated in Stewart’s groundbreaking 1991 book on the subject, The Quest for Value: The EVA Management Guide. Although Stewart’s book remains the core EVA text, it can be a pretty dense read, so the firm has also published a variety of other books that simplify or modify the method, such as 1998’s EVA: The Real Key to Creating Wealth, by consultant Al Ehrbar.
So how does it work? The firm’s EVA method seeks to determine the real profit of a company as seen from the perspective of shareholders. Basically, it’s the net operating after-taxes profit minus any opportunity costs for invested capital. This number is then compared to the minimum rate of return required by investors, known as the weighted average cost of capital. The amount that the company is above or below that rate is then used to judge the company’s health. EVA believers feel that this method is superior to others because it can be calculated at the divisional level, it better tracks performance over time, and it recognizes that companies must eventually account for both operating and capital costs. EVA-ites say that EPS, by comparison, fails to show how many resources went into creating growth. Plus, EVA simplifies a company’s finances by coordinating the three basic financial statements (income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement) into a single method for calculating value. Another major benefit of EVA, according to the firm, is that it keeps shareholders happy, which makes companies safe from hostile takeovers. Stern also says that EVA creates greater transparency, because it’s too hard for sections of a company to hide from its glaring spotlight.
Early adopter One of the most famous companies to come onboard with the idea of EVA was soft drink manufacturer Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola likes to describe how EVA inspired it to switch to cardboard containers for shipping cola concentrate. Although the stainless steel containers that the company had been shipping were reusable, the lower initial cost of cardboard containers freed up assets that could be used right away for other purposes. The value of those freed assets more than made up for the money saved through the reusability of the steel containers.
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Some rain on the parade EVA does have its detractors, however. Much of this skepticism comes from the belief that EVA-ites rely too heavily on just one metric. Business guru Gary Hamel has said, “No one measure can capture all the dynamics of corporate performance.” Some people worry that companies that depend too much on EVA will start to ignore other important areas, such as product quality and customer satisfaction. Many high-tech firms feel that EVA doesn’t adequately measure the value of innovation and knowledge capital. In addition, even some EVA believers acknowledge that although it’s excellent for determining financial statement issues like the value of an acquisition, it doesn’t give much insight into how to run companies on a day-to-day basis (although Stern Stewart would, of course, argue these points).
But that’s not EVA-rything But the Stern Stewart process is more than just calculating EVA. Having developed and pioneered EVA management practices and incentives, the firm offers corporate finance advice from a value perspective, rather than relying on conventional accounting measures, which they claim bear little relationship to shareholder value. The firm tries to figure out how customers can not only be given value, but also generate it. Among its array of methods are benchmarking to determine the client’s value against current and future estimates for both the market and competitors; coordinated allocation of investment funds based on greatest potential value; and customized pricing strategies. In addition, the firm selects strategies for each unit of a business based on growth, efficiency or consolidation. It may establish a pay-for-performance culture to increase results and, in periods of transition, analyze and streamline mergers and acquisitions. The firm also helps clients get in shape for IPOs.
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Stern Stewart & Co.
GETTING HIRED Early interviews focus largely on aptitude, as recruiters sift through qualified candidates to find those particularly well suited for life at Stern Stewart. “Solid background and understanding of corporate finance, accounting and economics is required,” an insider states. Accordingly, “early-round questions are very technical, but fair,” a colleague says of the largely quantitative examination process.
A recent hire points out that “later interviews seemed to focus more on fit.” After showing aptitude and (hopefully) proving to be a sound fit with Stern Stewart’s culture, the process culminates in a “case presentation” given to a large group of Stern Stewart consultants.
OUR SURVEY SAYS Corporate Atmosphere Vault’s Verdict: Stern Stewart is a small firm, and it feels like it. Associates appreciate the opportunities for personal and professional growth that the environment affords.
Overall Satisfaction • “The size of the firm encourages entrepreneurship, rapid growth and collaboration. The part that I enjoy the most about my work at Stern Stewart is knowing that the advice we offer typically results in value creation and superior shareholder returns for our clients.” – Senior consultant • “I have learned a great deal during my time here. You are given a lot of responsibility right from the start, and have the opportunity to attend client meetings after a few months from starting.” – Midlevel source • “Stern Stewart represents a great opportunity and an excellent way to develop a professional career in consultancy.” – New York staffer
Firm Culture • “It’s a group of entrepreneurial, international, results driven, friendly people. Consultants are financially and strategically sophisticated, smart, humble and down-to-earth.” – Senior consultant • “The annual barbeque at senior management’s home showcases management’s hospitality and offers some nice R&R outside of the office setting.” – Associate • “It’s a small firm, so there’s less of a social culture in comparison to other firms (no weekly get-togethers).” – Analyst • “Although there are no specific diversity initiatives, there is diversity at the company, and every potential hire is given a fair opportunity.” – Midlevel source
Supervisor Relationships • “Senior management is always available when needed, and provides a direct line of sight and work relationships.”
–
Midlevel staffer
• “My supervisors are very collaborative and friendly. The relationship is very professional and they treat me with much respect.” – Senior consultant • “I have a great relationship with my supervisors. They’re interested in my career development and frequently ask for my opinion regarding major decisions (e.g., hiring).” – Analyst
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• “I believe this is one of Stern Stewart’s strengths: In my six years of consulting experience here, I’ve been able to establish solid relationships with most of my clients.” – Experienced insider • “I really enjoy the human interaction with our clients. Projects end, but relationships with the clients last forever.” – Senior consultant • “Clients know and appreciate that we always go above and beyond to satisfy their requests.” – New York staffer
Hours & pay Vault’s Verdict: The hours are comfortable, but realistic for the industry, and Stern Stewart consultants genuinely enjoy their project work, sometimes even putting in more extra time than is necessary.
Work Hours • “I am comfortable with the amount of time that I spend working. Sometimes, projects are so interesting that the team prefers to spend extra time thinking out of the box to come up with an original solution, and we enjoy this process.” – Experienced consultant • “The company is sensitive and understanding of hours worked. Also, efforts are made to minimize late hours when possible.” – Associate • “If I think about the opportunity to grow in the firm, the type of work we do and the problems we are solving, I find my extra hours totally worth it.” – East Coast insider
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Stern Stewart & Co.
Work/Life Balance • “The firm is great at balancing work and life. I’d say it’s better than any company my friends work for. They will ask to make sure you aren’t overburdened with work. You can even go to the gym in the early evening and then come back and work.” – Junior source • “As long as you are able to get your work done on time, face time is not an issue.” – Associate • “Senior management encourages employees to make use of full vacation time throughout the year.” – Midlevel consultant
Travel Requirements • “Travel to client sites may constitute 50 percent of a month or more.” – Experienced source • “Travel varies by the week and month. This month, I was traveling for an entire week; two weeks I traveled only for two days; and one week I didn’t travel at all. I’m always back in town for the weekend.” – Senior consultant
Compensation • “Compensation is on par with top consulting firms, but with a stronger pay-for-performance component.” – Experienced source • “Though bonus payments have been delayed as a result of recent economic crisis, there is a general sense of optimism within the firm about bonus payments for 2010.” – Senior consultant
Professional Development Vault’s Verdict: Efforts to implement formal training are dependent on how busy partners are, which typically leaves consultants scrambling for hands-on experience. That said, the firm claims to be increasing its training efforts and has initiated formal training programs for consultants of all levels in summer 2010.
Formal Training • “It’s all about hit-the-ground-running experience—mostly on-the-job training.” – Finance consultant • “This is an area where the firm may improve. Most of the training is on the job, and the company relies a lot on the recruiting efforts to ensure appropriate skill levels.” – Associate • “Usually, when we are very busy running projects, supervisors prefer to train their analysts while on the project.” – East Coast staffer
Promotion Policies • “Promotion is merit based, and the firm is extremely flexible. After a year, I was promoted from analyst to senior analyst. Promotion to associate is a possibility.” – New York insider • “The company’s promotion policy is very good. There are no set time lines—instead, it is reviewed individually. As employees take on and handle increased responsibility, there is potential for promotion.” – Midlevel source • “The company does not have an up-or-out policy, and most people at the firm have developed quick careers. In the future, having a stricter promotion policy may help the company to sustain growth.” – Senior consultant
Overall Business Outlook Vault’s Verdict: High morale is a precious asset in tough times, which must please the Stern Stewart brass. Respondents are confident that the firm is on course for sustained growth.
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Overall Business Outlook • “I would describe employee morale as high. We’re looking to hire, but making sure we select the right candidates who will fit in with the firm.” – Analyst • “We strongly believe finance discipline, value-based strategy and focus on value creation are areas where top managers are looking for sound consulting work, and thus favor us over our competitors.” – Senior consultant
Confidence in Firm Leadership • “We have strong leaders who understand the vision and goals of the company, and how to achieve them.” – New York insider • “Leadership is proven and performs well.” – Midlevel consultant
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VIVALDI PARTNERS 125 Park Avenue, Suite 1500 New York, New York 10017 Phone: (212) 965-0900 Fax: (212) 965-0992 www.vivaldipartners.com
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
UPPERS
New York, NY (HQ) Buenos Aires Düsseldorf Hamburg London Munich Singapore Zurich
• “Access to Vivaldi’s upper management” • Client contact
PRACTICE AREAS
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
Analytics • Innovation • Marketing • Strategy
Employer Type: Private Company Founder & CEO: Erich Joachimsthaler 2010 Employees: 80 2009 Employees: 80
DOWNERS • “Lack of career path clarity” • “Smaller size leads to less structure”
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT Email:
[email protected]
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Vivaldi Partners
THE SCOOP Build me a brand For New York-based Vivaldi Partners, building a good brand is like composing a masterpiece. The firm’s brand strategy and marketing specialists liken themselves to “architects” who develop and implement all the activities to build a “house,” or brand, formulating strategies, developing new product concepts, designing business models, creating stronger brands, and activating marketing or brand-building programs. Some of the firm’s highest-profile clients have included American Express, PepsiCo, Campbell’s, DIRECTV, Telefonica, Procter & Gamble, Siemens and Volkswagen. Industries served include the automotive and manufacturing, consumer products, energy, oil and gas, financial services, food and beverage, media and entertainment, not-for-profit, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, professional services, retail, technology and telecommunications, travel and leisure, and business-to-business sectors.
Can you DIG it? All of Vivaldi’s work is driven by its DIG ideology—Demand first Innovation and Growth. DIG drives plans and strategies to reflect comprehensively the outside demand from customers. That is, rather than searching out groups and demographics that may be interested in an existing product or service, the firm instead designs or changes products and services to accommodate what really matters to customers or consumers. To achieve this, Vivaldi undertakes a broad assessment of behaviors, needs and wants in the social-situational context of work or life to determine demand. The assessment can make use of as few as 15 consumers through journals, in-field observation and discussions, or it can be conducted through a proprietary digital platform that provides access to a pool of more than 10,000,000 consumers. In addition to communication and data-collection, the platform allows for Vivaldi and its strategic partners to gather location-aware marketing insights in over 20 countries and across geographic and industry boundaries (both business to consumer and business to business). The methodology behind these immersive studies is based on the everyday actions of three categories of consumers, as defined by Vivaldi: “the fringe,” those with unusual or extreme patterns of consumption; “the edge,” those armed with high awareness of products, including availability, quality and lasting power; and “the core,” those in the middle of the bell curve who exhibit average consumption patterns. Additional methodologies are followed, but the company continually returns to an analysis of basic consumption habits. Vivaldi sums up the approach with its mantra, “the best predictor of behavior is behavior.”
Making the brand The firm is particularly known for its brand management expertise. Over the years, it has completed more than 500 branding assignments on five continents. Clients are guided through a complete cycle: creation of a product concept, design of a business plan, and ultimately launch and development of the brand. Vivaldi’s creative teams are experienced in all aspects of design, including corporate, industrial, environmental, packaging and naming. If this proves not to be enough, or inappropriate to the best direction of the brand, independent entities can be brought in to supply new design ingredients. Vivaldi also applies this knowledge to brand valuation. It can advise clients on the drivers of a given brand’s value, and it can help identify and tap new markets. The firm has access to over 75 studies on the effectiveness and penetration of brands in over 20 industries.
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Speak your mind The big brand brains at Vivaldi regularly publish their thoughts on the branding and marketing industries, penning books and articles on consumer insight, brand strategy and marketing. One of the firm’s most prolific writers is founder and CEO Erich Joachimsthaler, who has published nearly 60 articles in publications like the Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Marketing, the Sloan Management Review and the Harvard Business Review. In 2007, Joachimsthaler wrote Hidden in Plain Sight: How to Find and Execute Your Company’s Next Big Growth Strategy, published by Harvard Business School Press. As a follow-up to his award-winning marketing tome, he has also started a blog, Hidden in Plain Sight, which builds on the lessons he included in his book.
GETTING HIRED Candidates trying to sell themselves to Vivaldi Partners are typically subject to a multi-round interview process that includes a resume review, a phone screen and then two more rounds of in-person interviews. Throughout these stages, candidates should expect to be interviewed by approximately three individuals of different management levels, and to answer consulting and case questions based on past Vivaldi projects. More junior applicants should demonstrate “outstanding potential” and relevant educational and—if possible—work history, Vivaldi says, while for more senior applicants, “some unique skill must be evident.” Whatever your level, the firm expects applicants to be ready to answer case questions on—what else?—marketing, branding and strategy.
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ZOLFO COOPER Grace Building 1114 Avenue of the Americas, 41st Floor New York, New York 10036 Phone: (212) 561-4000 Fax: (212) 948-4226 www.zolfocooper.com
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
UPPER
New York, NY (HQ) Los Angeles, CA Roseland, NJ Birmingham, UK British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Glasgow Leeds London Manchester
• “The pay”
Employer Type: Private Company US Practice Head & Senior Managing Director: Jonathan A. (Joff) Mitchell 2010 Employees: 300 2009 Employees: 300
DOWNER • Constant travel
EMPLOYMENT CONTACT www.zolfocooper.com/about/contact
PRACTICE AREAS
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
Corporate Finance • Creditor Advisory • Cross-Border Restructuring • Financial Investigations & Dispute Services • Interim & Crisis Management • Performance Improvement • Restructuring & Turnaround Consulting
Jennifer Clifford, Recruiting Manager Email:
[email protected]
THE BUZZ
what other consultants are saying • • • •
“Smaller firm, but good people” “Was top of restructuring, but has fallen off” “Niche and good at what they do” “Less prestigious”
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Vault Guide to the Top 50 Management and Strategy Consulting Firms, 2011 Edition Zolfo Cooper
THE SCOOP There in a crisis The insolvency and restructuring experts at Zolfo Cooper work on both sides of the Atlantic, with three offices in the United States, five in the United Kingdom and two in the Caribbean. Its U.S. headquarters is in New York City, while U.K. operations are managed from the London office, and Caribbean operations from the Cayman and British Virgin Islands. Since its founding in 1985, the firm has worked on over 800 engagements, offering turnaround consulting, interim and crisis management, performance improvement and cross-border restructuring services to corporations, financial institutions and law firms. Though it’s relatively small in size, Zolfo Cooper has worked for a number of high-profile clients, including Polaroid, Sunbeam, Federated Department Stores, Laidlaw, Malden Mills, Morrison Knudson, Laker Airways and NRG. Recent public assignments include MGM, Flying J, Hawaiian Telcom, Buffets, Cygnus, LandAmerica and TOUSA. Restructuring is what put Zolfo Cooper on the map, and its directors are frequently called upon to fill clients’ executive suites on an interim management basis. In 2009, the firm added senior talent and expanded to include financial investigations and dispute services. But Zolfo Cooper also provides corporate finance, litigation and creditor advisory services. Its industry expertise runs the gamut—clients past and present have hailed from the energy, airlines, automotive, media, entertainment, health care, food service, restaurant, retail, manufacturing and distribution, telecommunications, real estate, transportation, shipping and other service sectors.
Just Zolfo Cooper, thanks Any references to “Kroll Zolfo Cooper” are outdated—they’re leftover from the firm’s six years under the umbrella of Kroll Inc., the New York-based risk consulting giant. Kroll acquired Zolfo Cooper in late 2002 for $153 million in cash and stock. The relationship ended in November 2008, when Zolfo Cooper’s leadership completed a management buyout. The deal was led, on Zolfo Cooper’s side, by a team consisting of Senior Managing Director John Boken, U.S. Practice Head and Senior Managing Director Joff Mitchell, and Senior Managing Director Scott Winn. Today, Zolfo Cooper is an independent, privately owned firm.
Remember Enron? Many people remember Zolfo Cooper for its involvement in the 2001-2002 collapse of Enron; in addition to working on the bankruptcy, firm co-founder and then-Chairman Stephen Cooper was tapped as interim CEO of the energy giant when CEO Kenneth Lay was forced to resign. The assignment was something of a coup, as Cooper—who began his career as an accountant—had little previous experience in the energy sector. He went on to yet another newsworthy gig in 2005, when he led the hot, delicious turnaround of North Carolina’s Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in 2005.
GETTING HIRED Zolfo Cooper insiders say that, as a small firm with a niche focus on restructuring distressed companies and organizations, hiring is very selective. And, while the firm offers few specifics on the step-by-step recruiting process, consultants indicate that the process is “not very structured,” made up of two to three interviews, and is very much focused on how candidates would fit into the general working environment. Qualified candidates who lack personality will rarely succeed here. Insiders say that most interviews are behavioral in nature, with a lesser emphasis on case work and quantitative aptitude than elsewhere.
Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
It’s difficult to say whether the firm is currently hiring or not, considering the dearth of career resources available on its website. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Jennifer Clifford at
[email protected] for more information.
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Customized for: Ashmita (
[email protected])
Visit Vault at www.vault.com for insider company profiles, expert advice, career message boards, expert resume reviews, the Vault Job Board and more.
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About the Editor
Customized for: Ashmita (
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Naomi Newman is the Global Consulting Editor at Vault. Covering the top consulting firms in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, she also writes Vault’s Consult THIS blog. Naomi graduated with a BA in American Studies from Barnard College, with a concentration in economics.
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