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Management Consulting
Management consulting refers to both the industry of, and the practice of, helping organizations improve their performance, primarily through the analysis of existing business problems and development of plans for improvement.
Organizations hire the services of management consultants for a number of reasons, including gaining external (and presumably objective) advice, access to the consultants' specialized expertise, or simply as extra temporary help during a one-time project, where the hiring of more permanent employees is not required.
Because of their exposure to and relationships with numerous organizations, consulting firms are also said to be aware of industry "best practices", although the transferability of such practices from one organization to another is the subject of debate[citation needed].
Consultancies may also provide organizational change management assistance, development of coaching skills, technology implementation, strategy development, or operational improvement services. Management consultants generally bring their own, proprietary methodologies or frameworks to guide the identification of problems, and to serve as the basis for recommendations for more effective or efficient ways of performing business tasks. (Wikipedia.org)
Network Leader: Michael Fanelli
Demetra Brown
Looking for some informative blogs focused on launching a career, career development, managing people, and leadership. Any suggestions...aside from the generic stuff?
105 weeks ago from Ask A Coach, Brazen Undergrads, Future Leaders, Inspiring Leadership and Management Consulting3 more
Allison Cheston:
Hi Demetra, I'm a career advisor working on a book and a career curriculum and am interviewing college grads up to age 30. I'd like to interview ...MoreHi Demetra, I'm a career advisor working on a book and a career curriculum and am interviewing college grads up to age 30. I'd like to interview you, by phone, about your career. And I will gladly share some resources. For more about what I'm doing, check out my profile. Thanks!
101 weeks ago
101 weeks ago
Demetra Brown:
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone, I will check as many of them out as possible.
Demetra
101 weeks ago
101 weeks ago
Yosh Beier
Want to understand what turns team players into team members? This free team effectiveness survey gets you thinking...
http://collaborative-capacity.com
20 weeks ago from Professional Development, Ask A Coach and Management Consulting1 more
Sara Gallagher
She pulled her looks together at the last minute and became the first project runway contestant to lose her money while shopping for fabric. Michael Kors admitted that her competitor's final collection was substantially stronger. So how did Anya score the $100,000 winner and what can she teach us about workplace competition? http://gearsandshifts.com/2011/10/what-project-runway-winner-anya-ayoung...
29 weeks ago from Personal Branding, Career Rocketeer, Job Resources and Career Coaching and Management Consulting2 more
TOP IDEA:
Diana Antholis
We are offering a FREE 8-week Summer Session on How to Be a Better Leader. It starts this Tuesday, 7/12, and covers 7/12: Planning, Motivating, Organizing, Communicating, Hiring, Setting Performance Goals, Training, Resolving Conflicts. Take the self-assessment first and rate yourself before and after the Summer Session. More details here - including how to sign up: http://bit.ly/njhDGy
45 weeks ago from Inspiring Leadership, Management Consulting and The Boss-Employee Relationship1 more
Kevin Li
ThinkVine (the start-up I help run) is hiring for client-facing consultants to help clients with marketing optimization delivered through our cutting edge solution... we're a rapidly growing venture-backed tech company so come on board and join in the fun! Website at www.thinkvine.com Check out my profile and get a hold of me through LinkedIn for more information. Spread the word!
48 weeks ago from Digital Marketing Consultants, Interactive Media and Marketing, Generation Y Marketers and Management Consulting2 more
Yosh Beier
More women on a team mean higher collective intelligence. And there is data to prove it!
http://collaborative-coaching.com/women-collective-intelligence
48 weeks ago from Ask A Coach and Management Consulting
Amanda Veinott
Leading across generations is a business issue that I am continually asked about. Besides the obvious challenges that cross-generational leadership has in the workplace (communication issues, stereotypes of each generation, differing needs in work-life balance, what career means to each generation), what are some challenges/business issues you think leaders face because of today's multi-generational workforce?
53 weeks ago from Ask A Coach, Company Culture, GenYJourney: Tips, Insights, Experiences For Young Professionals, Human Resources and Management Consulting3 more
Allison Cheston, Sadya Siddiqui and La Donna Lokey recommended this
Cheryl Roshak:
I have to interrupt here and give my observations about the challenge of today's multi-generational workforce. In my opinion, the workforce has ...MoreI have to interrupt here and give my observations about the challenge of today's multi-generational workforce. In my opinion, the workforce has always been multi-generational as far back as I can remember when I first started working. I paid my dues when I first started working and took a lot of crap from both those younger and older than myself along the way. I worked in rigid tightly structured companies, and loosey-goosey ones too.
As a recruiter and career/life coach with my own company for the past two decades if not more, I have worked with Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, major ad agencies and design firms, publishing houses and more here in NYC and across the country and every company differs in respect to their culture, management style, and power structure. There is nothing that is across the board. Being privy to the inner workings of many companies, I have a clue as to which candidates will fit in or work out within a company and who won't, irregardless of their age or position. And when you sign on to work for a company, you sign on to play by their rules. Change of any sort takes time. As most employers will say to you, if you don't like it here, leave.
As a business owner I have had people of all ages work for me simultaneously and I have never had a problem with age or generations. We are a team united towards one goal, the success of my company. We believe in it, do business the same way, have the same ethics and pride in our work. If someone comes up with a better way to do things, we all listen. But I'm a small company and have that flexibility. As Regina says, corporate America is a slow moving beast. Well, I just wanted to add my two cents for what it's worth.
52 weeks ago
As a recruiter and career/life coach with my own company for the past two decades if not more, I have worked with Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, major ad agencies and design firms, publishing houses and more here in NYC and across the country and every company differs in respect to their culture, management style, and power structure. There is nothing that is across the board. Being privy to the inner workings of many companies, I have a clue as to which candidates will fit in or work out within a company and who won't, irregardless of their age or position. And when you sign on to work for a company, you sign on to play by their rules. Change of any sort takes time. As most employers will say to you, if you don't like it here, leave.
As a business owner I have had people of all ages work for me simultaneously and I have never had a problem with age or generations. We are a team united towards one goal, the success of my company. We believe in it, do business the same way, have the same ethics and pride in our work. If someone comes up with a better way to do things, we all listen. But I'm a small company and have that flexibility. As Regina says, corporate America is a slow moving beast. Well, I just wanted to add my two cents for what it's worth.
52 weeks ago
La Donna Lokey:
I have to agree with @Josephine and @Cheryl - and add that I'm starting to become really skeptical of all the generation-specific stuff I see ...MoreI have to agree with @Josephine and @Cheryl - and add that I'm starting to become really skeptical of all the generation-specific stuff I see posted. Is it generation-specific, or age-specific? I saw a lot written about Gen X (my generation) that was just plain wrong, and as an independent thinker & individualist, generalizations tend to bother me. And much of what I see begins to sound age-ist, so I go back to my old high school bumper sticker: "Label jars, not people!"
@Amanda I think it's an interesting question, but not one unique to our time. Would love to see you blog about this, as I suspect you've hit a vein (and a nerve!).
52 weeks ago
@Amanda I think it's an interesting question, but not one unique to our time. Would love to see you blog about this, as I suspect you've hit a vein (and a nerve!).
52 weeks ago
Yosh Beier
One thing that bees do much better than most teams: Friendly competition of ideas
http://collaborative-coaching.com/competition-of-ideas/
How well does that work on teams you know?
TOP IDEA:
Bennett Phillips
We've all heard the adage that great strategies often fail due to poor execution. What do you think are the missing factor(s) between strategy and execution.
63 weeks ago from Professional Development, Management Consulting, Inspiring Leadership and Human Resources2 more
Josh Allan Dykstra recommended this
Lindsey Donner:
I don't know if you guys are familiar with the Results.com team, but they do excellent webinars on execution and strategy combining the tenets of ...MoreI don't know if you guys are familiar with the Results.com team, but they do excellent webinars on execution and strategy combining the tenets of a number of thought leaders in this space.
Heath is right: strategy is often top-down (even in small companies) and it's also rarely communicated to the right people. So you may have a huge team--or a team of 5-- none of whom know if there's a strategy, what that strategy is, or what their role is in accomplishing it.
Huge problem. If your people don't believe, your company won't thrive. Your job is to get them on board and to look at the big picture, if you're a CEO or owner, not be the only person in the room with the power to make a decision. That's the exact opposite of execution!
62 weeks ago
Heath is right: strategy is often top-down (even in small companies) and it's also rarely communicated to the right people. So you may have a huge team--or a team of 5-- none of whom know if there's a strategy, what that strategy is, or what their role is in accomplishing it.
Huge problem. If your people don't believe, your company won't thrive. Your job is to get them on board and to look at the big picture, if you're a CEO or owner, not be the only person in the room with the power to make a decision. That's the exact opposite of execution!
62 weeks ago
LY Gian:
I agree with Noel that getting the respective department buy in is very important. This would involve informing them the benefits of such ...MoreI agree with Noel that getting the respective department buy in is very important. This would involve informing them the benefits of such strategy, the future trend and the big picture.
Besides that, a good change agent is also very important to ensure smooth transition from one phase to another phase. Any changes that is not properly communicated will bring confusion to the staff and customers.
62 weeks ago
Besides that, a good change agent is also very important to ensure smooth transition from one phase to another phase. Any changes that is not properly communicated will bring confusion to the staff and customers.
62 weeks ago
JenG
"What if I told you that you didn't have to experience failure to benefit from it?"
That's a quote from my guest post for Jonathan Fields. The idea comes from Gary Klein, psychologist and father of intuitive decision making research, who invented the idea of conducting premortems (as opposed to postmortems) before launching a new venture. Check it out. Think it could work for you? Gary's data says it does. http://bit.ly/g99sgH
71 weeks ago from Entrepreneurs, Professional Development, Management Consulting, Brazen Bloggers and Blogging Ideas3 more
Sadya Siddiqui recommended this
JRandom42:
"Hope for the best, plan for the worst, aim for somewhere in between."
Quote attributed to veteran paramedic after 30+ years on the job.
68 weeks ago
68 weeks ago
TOP IDEA:
Bryon Ownby
This week, someone said the recession ended in 2009, but someone said unemployment rates in 27 states had increased again...numbers, can we even believe in the numbers any more? When you see stats like this, what are your first thoughts?
87 weeks ago from GenYChat, GenYJourney: Tips, Insights, Experiences For Young Professionals, Management Consulting and Entry-Level Young Professionals2 more
Lindsey Sparks recommended this
David King:
I believe the recession did end by the definition of a recession which is back to back quarters with negative growth. Because of the increase to ...MoreI believe the recession did end by the definition of a recession which is back to back quarters with negative growth. Because of the increase to unemployment, it tells me that someone threw enough money at the problem to have one quarter of growth to "end the recession" and not actually fix the root cause of the recession, the lack of growth, or the rising unemployment.
Any time you get statistics showing you numbers saying one thing, there is always another statistician out there to show you numbers saying the exact opposite.
73 weeks ago
Any time you get statistics showing you numbers saying one thing, there is always another statistician out there to show you numbers saying the exact opposite.
73 weeks ago
Jonathan S. Ross:
The commonly reported U3 unemployment number is a polite fiction which provides a very inaccurate picture of the real job situation. The U6 number ...MoreThe commonly reported U3 unemployment number is a polite fiction which provides a very inaccurate picture of the real job situation. The U6 number (which has been around 18% for some time) is a more accurate assessment, as it also accounts for many who are deemed "underemployed" due to lack of hours, or in jobs that are not commensurate with skills, education and experience. While there are clearly some people with no interest in working yet expect their lives to be subsidized by others, if you look at the sheer number of people who are struggling to find sufficient work, you'll realize the real extent of where the economy is, and where it is heading. And if that isn't alarming, Google the recent Rutgers study entitled "The Shattered American Dream" and consider it a cautionary tale. If you have work (whether self-employed or a W-2 worker), be thankful and you better find a way to make yourself indispensable, because few people outside of unions or very uniquely skilled positions have "job security" and this will probably grow worse over time...
73 weeks ago
73 weeks ago
Bennett Phillips
Three-part question: What do you think of the credibility of online education? Would you hire someone with a degree from an online college if you were in a position to do so? Which online institutions have the best reputation?
77 weeks ago from Human Resources, The Boss-Employee Relationship, eLearning and Management Consulting2 more
Michel A. Legault recommended this
Rishona Campbell:
To be fair, the University of Phoenix does have actual "campus"; so they cannot be considered an "online only" school.
73 weeks ago
73 weeks ago
Jeannie Chan:
depends. I think online degrees compared to degrees from the worst "real" schools are the same. But few no online degree can compare to a ...Moredepends. I think online degrees compared to degrees from the worst "real" schools are the same. But few no online degree can compare to a Harvard degree, unless it's an online degree from Harvard (which they do offer. not exactly 100% online, but mostly.)
Unfortunately, the online degree with the best "reputation" for being an online degree probably also carries with it the most stigma that it is in fact an online degree. So, I would probably urge you to consider online education program from a traditional school. It will give you the benefit of listing that school on your resume, and may avoid that question entirely.
73 weeks ago
Unfortunately, the online degree with the best "reputation" for being an online degree probably also carries with it the most stigma that it is in fact an online degree. So, I would probably urge you to consider online education program from a traditional school. It will give you the benefit of listing that school on your resume, and may avoid that question entirely.
73 weeks ago
TOP IDEA:
Bryon Ownby
I was driving down the freeway last night on the log commute home and notice a trailer ad that stated the greatest resource was 60ft ahead (aka pointing to the driver of the road tractor pulling the trailer). My intial thought was companies may place their associates on their balance sheets, but what about individual managers, are they still keeping assoicates on the P&L or have they made the transition? How has your experience been of spoken culture vs reality?
86 weeks ago from Company Culture, Management Consulting and Entry-Level Young Professionals1 more
Chanelle Schneider:
It's true. They want to look good to the public but they treat their employees like second class citizens.
85 weeks ago
85 weeks ago
David King:
Bryon,
If managers made employees their own profit and loss center (actual cost against their output) and tracked that, they can put associates on ...MoreBryon,
If managers made employees their own profit and loss center (actual cost against their output) and tracked that, they can put associates on their P&L and track their earned value.
How an organization treats their employees is another issue. An organization is compromised of people and it is really up to the values of the people who create the organization to ensure the values and culture of the company is to the highest quality they can make it. Attrition rates for companies would be reflected if they see a decline in top talent leaving for other companies with a better organizational culture.
73 weeks ago
If managers made employees their own profit and loss center (actual cost against their output) and tracked that, they can put associates on ...MoreBryon,
If managers made employees their own profit and loss center (actual cost against their output) and tracked that, they can put associates on their P&L and track their earned value.
How an organization treats their employees is another issue. An organization is compromised of people and it is really up to the values of the people who create the organization to ensure the values and culture of the company is to the highest quality they can make it. Attrition rates for companies would be reflected if they see a decline in top talent leaving for other companies with a better organizational culture.
73 weeks ago
JenG
I've had some bad experiences trying to help people get a job that were connected to me through "friends of friends" or further. I know we talk a lot here at Brazen about the power of networking, but it's losing it's sheen for me. Frankly, networking beyond my immed. circle just hasn't delivered the best condidates.
I talk about what happened, why flakes are ruining it for the rest of us, and how to get a job anyway in my post "Why Social Networking Isn't Getting You a Job" http://su.pr/1e0MY4
82 weeks ago from Management Consulting, Social Media, JobSTART 101, Career Changers and Ask Penelope Trunk!3 more
Sadya Siddiqui recommended this
Timothy Johnson III:
Alexandra has a good point. I'd second that. Or, you could have that person work on a "trial" project for free, to ascertain their works habits, ...MoreAlexandra has a good point. I'd second that. Or, you could have that person work on a "trial" project for free, to ascertain their works habits, etc, and based on the outcome, then hire them.
81 weeks ago
81 weeks ago
Ryan Healy:
Networking is definitely skill, and it's definitely time consuming. But Im convinced that it is the most powerful career tool, if done right. ...MoreNetworking is definitely skill, and it's definitely time consuming. But Im convinced that it is the most powerful career tool, if done right. The power of networking sites like Brazen for example, is in the ability to help you create an initial connection with someone. From there, it is up to you to do the research, meet, question, etc. After you know the person is a good fit, then you can take the next step. Online networking doesn't eliminate the need for all the proper steps, it just makes finding and connecting much easier.
81 weeks ago
81 weeks ago
Bryon Ownby
I have stumbled across an opportunity to do research for a professional organization on backchannel, a term that is coined to explain using social media in the learning/classroom environment. Does anyone know of someone that may have the "voice" or have performed an extensive amount of research on this?
85 weeks ago from Education, Education Conversations and Management Consulting1 more
Jessica Bahr:
I feel like NASA would have done research on this. They aren't allowed to advertise, they make a lot of educational videos to get news about what ...MoreI feel like NASA would have done research on this. They aren't allowed to advertise, they make a lot of educational videos to get news about what they are doing. The 'advertise' through educational videos and services.
84 weeks ago
84 weeks ago
Bryon Ownby
This week, someone said the recession ended in 2009, but someone said unemployment rates in 27 states had increased again...numbers, can we even believe in the numbers any more? Why you see stats like this, what are your first thoughts?
87 weeks ago from Career Changers, GenYJourney: Tips, Insights, Experiences For Young Professionals, GenYChat and Management Consulting2 more
Sarah Peck recommended this
Daniel Grieser:
Both are correct, the definition of recession relates to economic activity numbers, those usually correlate to employment levels, but not always.
85 weeks ago
85 weeks ago
Sankar S
How much of a value add is a certification like CSCP (From APICS) to an aspiring consultant's resume? I am currently pursuing MBA... need your views on this. Thanks heaps!
Bryon Ownby
Anyone here on Brazen attending the 2010 ASTD ALC (American Society for Training & Development, All Leaders Conference) event in Washington DC this weekend? If so, I would like to connect with you there!!!
86 weeks ago from Education, Education Conversations, Management Consulting, Inspiring Leadership and Human Resources3 more
Ronalda Koster
I'm a numbers person so naturally I love data. Recently I've started counting things in my daily life and have loved the changes it's driving. For example, two weeks ago I counted the amount of times I said, 'like' each day and by yesterday I've decreased that amount by 180%. Are you passionate about anything that you can count?
92 weeks ago from Digital Marketing Consultants, Management Consulting, Productivity & Time-Management and Freelancing2 more
EricHFriedman:
If you really want to freak yourself out(!), count the times you blink (!) Academy award winner Walter Murch (ref his book 'In The Blink of An ...MoreIf you really want to freak yourself out(!), count the times you blink (!) Academy award winner Walter Murch (ref his book 'In The Blink of An Eye') holds we blink when we change our internal thoughts, context, sensory flow, etc. Think about your blinking, think about your thinking, and try and have a nice day anyway! -Eric!
92 weeks ago
92 weeks ago
Dr. Paul D. Giammalvo:
Awesome TED talk, Ronalda, thanks for the link!! I have been a TED subscriber now for about 4 years, but never saw that specific talk. Thanks ...MoreAwesome TED talk, Ronalda, thanks for the link!! I have been a TED subscriber now for about 4 years, but never saw that specific talk. Thanks again for sharing.
BR,
Dr. PDG, Jakarta
92 weeks ago
BR,
Dr. PDG, Jakarta
92 weeks ago
Ronalda Koster
I'm a numbers person so naturally I love data. Recently I've started counting things in my daily life and have loved the changes it's driving. For example, two weeks ago I counted the amount of times I said, 'like' each day and by yesterday I've decreased that amount by 180%. Are you passionate about anything that you can count?
92 weeks ago from Digital Marketing Consultants, Management Consulting, Productivity & Time-Management and Freelancing2 more
Alessandro Machi:
Interesting that I can connect to this topic and that we appear to have similar business focuses as well. I use numbers for baseball all the time. ...MoreInteresting that I can connect to this topic and that we appear to have similar business focuses as well. I use numbers for baseball all the time. I think it is the number one sport for studying trends and who well or not so well a ballplayer is doing.
92 weeks ago
92 weeks ago
Ronalda Koster:
I have a friend that runs a SAS data mining algorithm on sports team to predict trades before they happen as well as which teams will win. If you ...MoreI have a friend that runs a SAS data mining algorithm on sports team to predict trades before they happen as well as which teams will win. If you are into sports it's a great past time.
P.S. Since I can't edit my post - the 180% should ready 80%.
92 weeks ago
P.S. Since I can't edit my post - the 180% should ready 80%.
92 weeks ago
Amanda Viehland
Searching for Technical/Business analysts in St. Louis, Dallas, Austin, and Houston! - Sense Corp - aviehland@sensecorp.com
Ben Baran
Seeking all independent business consultants: Whinot ( http://www.whinot.com ) provides free publicity and PAID WORK opportunities for independent consultants. Complete the Basic Registration (go to http://bit.ly/Whinot_registration) in less than a minute or take a few minutes to complete your profile. Consultants with a complete profile are more likely to be identified for new consulting opportunities. Learn more at http://bit.ly/Whinot_learnmore
99 weeks ago from We're Hiring, Hire A Freelancer and Management Consulting1 more
AcumenRecruiter
GREAT opportunity in VA available for a recruiting coordinator looking to GROW into a jr. recruiter role and gain exposure to social media at the same time! email me at rscherman@acumensolutions.com for more details.
100 weeks ago from Brazen Careerist's Top 50 Gen-Y Companies, Career Rocketeer, Management Consulting, Recruiters Unite! and Human Resources3 more
AcumenRecruiter
Looking to get into management consulting? What do the words Entrepreneurial, Problem Solver, Ambitious, Leader, Passionate, and Dedicated to the Community mean to you? Well Acumen Solutions is hiring! We offer on the job training! Email rscherman@acumensolutions.com with your resume and availabilty to speak on the phone.
Have questions? Feel free to leave them here!
107 weeks ago from Management Consulting, Brazen Undergrads, The Job Genius - For Serious Job Seekers, The George Washington University School of Business Alumni Group and Career Rocketeer3 more
JenG
Is a leadership shortage looming in corporate America, or is it already here? http://su.pr/2jpUSu
107 weeks ago from Career Rocketeer, Inspiring Leadership and Management Consulting1 more
Josh Allan Dykstra:
@Sean - Well, for whatever it's worth, I think it's quite brilliant.
106 weeks ago
106 weeks ago
JenG:
@Tariq: Yes, cronyism and nepotism is def. a problem. Where I work, we have diversity intiatives that are not just limited to hiring ethnic and ...More@Tariq: Yes, cronyism and nepotism is def. a problem. Where I work, we have diversity intiatives that are not just limited to hiring ethnic and racial minorities, but also imply one shouldn't hire family members! Amazing that has to be said, but...
@Byron: Yes, I'm seeing that too. It's sad, but understandable. We rarely understand the value of seed corn until our crop is poor. How is your current program working?
@Sean: Yes, that's the ideal, isn't it? Put in a little mentoring time now, but gain a lot of free time later when you have a group of capable and confident workers!
Thanks for the plug, Sean. Much appreciated!
106 weeks ago
@Byron: Yes, I'm seeing that too. It's sad, but understandable. We rarely understand the value of seed corn until our crop is poor. How is your current program working?
@Sean: Yes, that's the ideal, isn't it? Put in a little mentoring time now, but gain a lot of free time later when you have a group of capable and confident workers!
Thanks for the plug, Sean. Much appreciated!
106 weeks ago
