Thursday, August 18, 2005
Tirade against consultants shows no signs of letting up...
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.
A new set of figures about spend on external advisers is released by the UK government and in no time at all we've got national newspapers bemoaning the waste of taxpayers' money and the outrageous daily rates being paid to consulting gurus.
At this point I'd like to quote Mick James from a piece he wrote defending consultants earlier this year:
"I’m appalled by the inability of a national newspaper to even consider the possibility that some of this consultancy spend might represent value-for-money"
If you missed his sterling defence of the consulting profession, you can find it here:
How much longer do consultants have to keep justifying their very existence?
Reading the latest Scotsman article and Independent article it's hard not to be equally appalled. Where's the balance in these pieces, the journalistic integrity? In one there's a quote from an MP outraged at the government spending £1,000 an hour on consulting gurus. Sorry - £1,000 an hour?!?! Which planet?!
In the other the £2,000+ daily rates of some consultants are compared with the "daily earnings" of other professionals. A top lawyer, for example, can expect to be paid £1,200 a day. The implication being how can these consultants possibly be worth £2,000+ ? The only problem is the apples & pears nature of the comparison. The lawyer actually has take home pay of £1,200 a day, whereas the figure for consultants is their daily billing rate - only a fraction of which will be their take home pay! But of course, that wouldn't fit the thrust of the article - which is to show consultants in the worst possible light. My take? Success breeds envy...
Seen any other articles that are similarly biased against the profession? Or that rare breed - an article defending consultants? Do post them here if you would... Rgds, Tony
Monday, August 15, 2005
Staff shortages in consulting
Question: When is a jobs bonanza not a jobs bonanza?
Answer: When your skills don't match the skillsets consulting firms are actually looking to hire!
My last blog post attracted criticism from several candidates who felt there simply isn't a "jobs bonanza" in the management consulting market right now. The evidence they presented is that they've found it impossible to secure a new job in consulting this year. The caveat to my "Jobs bonanza" statement is, of course, that the demand profile for consulting services has shifted quite considerably over the last years - so those individuals that were in demand 5 years ago are not necessarily the same people firms would like to hire today. I do stand by my assertion that this is the best time in the last 5 years to be looking for a consulting job - but clearly only if you've got the skills that are in demand.
The results of our first Quarterly "Consulting Prospects" survey will be out in the next couple of weeks - and the survey findings highlight the areas within consulting that are growing most robustly (and thus the practice areas that are most likely to be hiring). Unsurprisingly practice areas like Manufacturing are on the demise, whilst the likes of Financial Services and TMT consulting are back in vogue. Watch this space for the full findings...
But back to the "Jobs bonanza" debate.
As sponsors of the MCA's riverboat cruise last week, I had the chance to meet with a couple of hundred consultants from the likes of Accenture, Capgemini, Atos Consulting, BT, Deloitte, etc. Having been challenged on the state of the recruitment market in consulting, I went to the event hoping to hear first hand from consultants just how busy they are and how aggressively they are now recruiting.
I wasn't disappointed.
In aggregate, I heard that the major consultancies are now bumping up against serious capacity constraints - they simply don't have the number of consultants necessary to meet accelerating client demand. Recruitment teams are under tremendous pressure and have been given some stratospheric hiring targets for the next year. To try and address the shortfall, consultancies are getting creative and I heard that firms are encouraging consultants to take extra pay in lieu of holidays; introducing initiatives to entice new mothers back into employment; bolstering employee referral schemes. In short, all the things you would expect organisations to do if they find they are turning away business owing to staffing shortages.
The key for those struggling to get hired, then, is to present oneself (in the form of one's CV / resume) as someone that has the skills that are currently in demand. If you can prove you have these skills you will get hired. Back in 2003 the state of the market was a valid impediment to even suitable candidates securing a consulting job; but in 2005 you need to look beyond this. A lack of interviews or offers is a reflection on the candidate rather than the market...
Tony
PS if you need help reworking your CV / resume, click here now
Answer: When your skills don't match the skillsets consulting firms are actually looking to hire!
My last blog post attracted criticism from several candidates who felt there simply isn't a "jobs bonanza" in the management consulting market right now. The evidence they presented is that they've found it impossible to secure a new job in consulting this year. The caveat to my "Jobs bonanza" statement is, of course, that the demand profile for consulting services has shifted quite considerably over the last years - so those individuals that were in demand 5 years ago are not necessarily the same people firms would like to hire today. I do stand by my assertion that this is the best time in the last 5 years to be looking for a consulting job - but clearly only if you've got the skills that are in demand.
The results of our first Quarterly "Consulting Prospects" survey will be out in the next couple of weeks - and the survey findings highlight the areas within consulting that are growing most robustly (and thus the practice areas that are most likely to be hiring). Unsurprisingly practice areas like Manufacturing are on the demise, whilst the likes of Financial Services and TMT consulting are back in vogue. Watch this space for the full findings...
But back to the "Jobs bonanza" debate.
As sponsors of the MCA's riverboat cruise last week, I had the chance to meet with a couple of hundred consultants from the likes of Accenture, Capgemini, Atos Consulting, BT, Deloitte, etc. Having been challenged on the state of the recruitment market in consulting, I went to the event hoping to hear first hand from consultants just how busy they are and how aggressively they are now recruiting.
I wasn't disappointed.
In aggregate, I heard that the major consultancies are now bumping up against serious capacity constraints - they simply don't have the number of consultants necessary to meet accelerating client demand. Recruitment teams are under tremendous pressure and have been given some stratospheric hiring targets for the next year. To try and address the shortfall, consultancies are getting creative and I heard that firms are encouraging consultants to take extra pay in lieu of holidays; introducing initiatives to entice new mothers back into employment; bolstering employee referral schemes. In short, all the things you would expect organisations to do if they find they are turning away business owing to staffing shortages.
The key for those struggling to get hired, then, is to present oneself (in the form of one's CV / resume) as someone that has the skills that are currently in demand. If you can prove you have these skills you will get hired. Back in 2003 the state of the market was a valid impediment to even suitable candidates securing a consulting job; but in 2005 you need to look beyond this. A lack of interviews or offers is a reflection on the candidate rather than the market...
Tony
PS if you need help reworking your CV / resume, click here now
Monday, August 8, 2005
Jobs bonanza for consultants!
Have just returned from summer vacation, so apologies there've not been postings to our consulting blog for the last weeks. But the exciting news as I got back to my desk is that there's been an absolute flood of bookings from consulting firms committing to attend this October's management consultancy careers fair at Olympia.
It seems that firms are expecting a real hiring spree when the holiday season is over and I've returned to find we now have 40+ exhibitors at the careers fair - including prestigious employers like Accenture, Atos Consulting, BearingPoint, Capgemini, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, IBM, Infosys, PA Consulting, Proudfoot and Serco Consulting (to name but a few).
Would be great if you could join us there - if of interest do click on the image below for full details...
Hope to see you there in just a few weeks' time. Tony
It seems that firms are expecting a real hiring spree when the holiday season is over and I've returned to find we now have 40+ exhibitors at the careers fair - including prestigious employers like Accenture, Atos Consulting, BearingPoint, Capgemini, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, IBM, Infosys, PA Consulting, Proudfoot and Serco Consulting (to name but a few).
Would be great if you could join us there - if of interest do click on the image below for full details...
Hope to see you there in just a few weeks' time. Tony
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Concerned about a colleague's behaviour?
Are they binge drinking, gambling or taking recreational drugs to cope with life in the fast lane? Have you tried and failed to get through to them? Are you worried about the consequences for their career, health and home life?
betty tv is making a documentary series for Channel 4 which aims to help people in trouble turn their lives around and they have contacted Top-Consultant to see if we can help. They would like to speak to consultants who are worried about a colleague or friend.
Please call Kamala on 020 7290 0660, or e-mail kamala@bettytv.co.uk. All contact will be in strict confidence.
betty tv is making a documentary series for Channel 4 which aims to help people in trouble turn their lives around and they have contacted Top-Consultant to see if we can help. They would like to speak to consultants who are worried about a colleague or friend.
Please call Kamala on 020 7290 0660, or e-mail kamala@bettytv.co.uk. All contact will be in strict confidence.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Financial Services + Public Sector consulting show best prospects for growth
There are some fascinating results emerging from our first Quarterly Barometer of the Consulting Industry (if you haven't taken part yet, click here to do so right away).
The respective health of the US and UK consulting markets are portrayed - as viewed by you our readers. We also look at the consulting sectors that hold the best promise for growth and the preliminary results show consultants are very bullish about prospects for the following sectors:
The respective health of the US and UK consulting markets are portrayed - as viewed by you our readers. We also look at the consulting sectors that hold the best promise for growth and the preliminary results show consultants are very bullish about prospects for the following sectors:
- Public Sector
- Financial Services
- Healthcare & Pharma
- Telecoms, Media & Entertainment
Also fascinating are the new technologies and emerging business trends that you feel will present consultancies with considerable new revenue streams in the next years. The full report will be published at the end of the quarter. To be one of the first to receive a free copy of this, simply take part in the short survey today.
Rgds, Tony
London bomb blasts
July 7th was a distressing day for all those of us who work, live or know people in Central London. Our thoughts go out to everyone who was caught up or affected by last Thursday's events.
Following the bomb blasts, the Institute of Management Consultancy was compelled to postpone its much-anticipated annual conference - due to take place the very next day. The event has now been rescheduled to 9th September and our thanks go to the 160 attendees and speakers for their flexibility and understanding regarding this late change of date.
Full details of the rescheduled conference can be found by clicking here
In the meantime, our thoughts are with all those affected by events in London on July 7th - and particularly those poor individuals who still do not know the whereabouts or fate of their loved ones.
Tony Restell
Director, Top-Consultant.com
Following the bomb blasts, the Institute of Management Consultancy was compelled to postpone its much-anticipated annual conference - due to take place the very next day. The event has now been rescheduled to 9th September and our thanks go to the 160 attendees and speakers for their flexibility and understanding regarding this late change of date.
Full details of the rescheduled conference can be found by clicking here
In the meantime, our thoughts are with all those affected by events in London on July 7th - and particularly those poor individuals who still do not know the whereabouts or fate of their loved ones.
Tony Restell
Director, Top-Consultant.com
Tuesday, July 5, 2005
Breathtaking sights await consulting candidates
BT's fast-growing consulting business have been very shrewd and decided to make use of the BT Tower in London as an enticing venue for its next experienced hires careers event taking place on 26th July.
I was also invited to the BT Tower in the last months and I have to tell you it is simply breathtaking!! From the top you're so high up you feel like you're in the clouds - then you look down and see the London Eye way below... it really is quite an experience.
So if you're free the evening of 26th July and would be interested in finding out more about consulting career opportunities at BT then take a look here and be sure to register in the next days. This is an opportunity not to be missed...
Tony
I was also invited to the BT Tower in the last months and I have to tell you it is simply breathtaking!! From the top you're so high up you feel like you're in the clouds - then you look down and see the London Eye way below... it really is quite an experience.
So if you're free the evening of 26th July and would be interested in finding out more about consulting career opportunities at BT then take a look here and be sure to register in the next days. This is an opportunity not to be missed...
Tony
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