Tom SpencerThe 7 S Framework can help executives and consultants to understand the inner workings of an organisation, and it provides a guide for organisational change 1. Background DEVELOPED around 1978, the 7 S framework first appeared in a book called The Art of Japanese Management by Richard Pascale and Anthony Athos, and also featured in […]
The NPV of an investment is the present value of the series of cash flows generated by the investment minus the cost of the initial investment 1. Net Present Value (NPV) explained THE net present value (NPV) of an investment is the present value of the series of cash flows generated by the investment minus the […]
The Porter’s Five Forces framework is used to determine the competitive intensity and attractiveness of an industry HARVARD Business School professor Michael Porter, in his 1979 book Competitive Strategy, developed the Porter’s Five Forces. The Porter’s Five Forces framework is used to determine the competitive intensity and attractiveness of an industry. Attractiveness in this context […]
THIS post, part 4, considers the principles developed by Sun Tzu on strategies for effective leadership. It is the 4th and final part in a series looking at how Sun Tzu’s military precepts provide a timeless guide to modern business leadership. Part one looked at the qualities of successful leaders. Part two considered principles for organising […]
PART 3 of 4 considers the principles developed by Sun Tzu for dealing with business rivals and follows on from part one which looked at qualities of successful leaders, and part two considered the principles for organising your business affairs. I have summarised Sun Tzu’s principles into four simple categories: Qualities of a successful leader; […]
PART 2 considers the principles developed by Sun Tzu on organising your business affairs, and follows on from part one which looked at qualities of successful leaders, I have summarised Sun Tzu’s principles into four simple categories: Qualities of a successful leader; Oranising your business affairs; Dealing with rivals; and Strategies for effective leadership. 2. […]
AN IMPORTANT step towards obtaining a job in a consulting firm is to create a target list of firms that you would like to work for. This can be a very time consuming process. With the view to saving you a couple of hours, I have prepared a list of consulting firms operating in Australia. […]
HR consulting firms THE list of HR consulting firms is part of the full list of consulting firms in Australia: Amazing Results Greg Bailey Consulting Inspiritive Maxumise Michael Page International Right Consulting 1. Amazing Results Website: www.amazingresults.com.au Amazing Results has its head office in Sydney and also operates out of Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra. Amazing […]
THE list of IT consulting firms is part of the full list of consulting firms in Australia: The DLA Group JDCA Technology Dimensions Red Prime Media & Communications SMS Management & Technology Wiliam 1. The DLA Group Website: www.dlagroup.com.au DLA is located in Sydney. The DLA Group is an IT consulting, software development and distribution […]
Background to The Art of War SUN TZU wrote The Art of War in approximately 490BC in the Kingdom of Wu, China, and became a general for the King of Wu in 512 BC. For the next 39 years his precepts were followed and the Kingdom of Wu was victorious. And then, they forgot … […]
The BCG growth share matrix is a simple conceptual framework for resource allocation within a firm 1. Background to the BCG matrix IN 1968, BCG developed the growth share matrix, which is a simple conceptual framework for resource allocation within a firm. 2. Purpose of the BCG matrix The BCG matrix is a simple tool […]
WARREN Buffett‘s 2006 letter to shareholders makes for very interesting reading. One of the sentiments that Buffett expresses in the very first page of his letter is one of gratitude to the managers who have run his companies over the last 42 (now 44) years. Buffett indicates that he and Charlie Munger, Berkshire’s vice chairman, […]
SWOT Analysis is a strategic planning tool used to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats involved a business venture 1. SWOT Analysis Explained ALBERT Humphrey is credited with inventing the SWOT analysis technique. SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool used to evaluate the strengths (S), weaknesses (W), opportunities (O), and threats (T) involved a business […]
THIS list of guides and books is a a work in progress. If you come across any other useful resources that I haven’t listed here, please let us know. Online case interview guides Make Your Case: Master Consulting Interviews | WallStreetOasis.com ATKearney – interview casebook Deloitte – 2007 Boston College – Conducting Case Interviews Deloite […]
UNDERSTANDING financial statements is very important if you are looking to invest, become a consultant, work as a CEO or in upper management, or want to start and run your own business. Understanding financial statements will allow you to assess a company’s current financial strength, and determine its profitability and creditworthiness. This article provides an […]
The cost benefit analysis is a basic analysis framework that involves weighing up the costs and benefits of one course of action against another IN YOUR consulting case interview you will most likely be required to make a recommendation on a hypothetical business problem. Understanding how to […]
THIS article looks at some of the questions that you should consider asking in your consulting case interview. After reading this article and one of my previous articles on researching for your consulting case interview, make sure to access the practice case interview questions. Questions, everyone’s asking them Preparing a resume, and building a personal […]
IF YOU”RE in your final or penultimate year of your degree, and you’re interested in pursuing a career in the commercial field, you will probably have started thinking about which career path you want to take. Consulting is an attractive career prospect, but you may also be considering investment banking. There are many similarities between […]
THIS article looks at why, how and what to research for your consulting case interview. To get started with your interview preparations, take a look at my list of consulting case interview practice questions. Preparing for an interview with a consulting firm can be a difficult task. Having obtained an interview, you will need to […]
THIS article is intended to be pretty light-hearted. It provides an insight into the strengths of the current Australian economy after talking with two aspiring amateur economist taxi drivers. Taxi driver 1 I was chatting with the taxi driver on the way home from work last week, and he was complaining to me that, despite […]
It’s the economy, stupid “IT’S THE economy, stupid” is a well known phrase that was widely used during Bill Clinton‘s 1992 presidential campaign against George Bush senior. The phrase was coined by Clinton campaign strategist James Carville and refers to the notion that Clinton was a better choice because Bush had not adequately addressed the […]
What is an asset? THE question, “What is an asset?” seems like an absurdly simple question. But if you understand the answer to that simple question, and act on it, you have started down the path that leads to riches. Few people become rich, so clearly then, few people understand the answer to this question. […]
THIS is the first of a series of posts looking at the consulting case interview. Below, I provide ten insightful tips that will help you achieve success in your case interview. The information below is from my own thoughts and by reference to Vault Guide to the Case Interview. 1. Practice, practice, practice Preparation is […]
APPLYING for a job as a consultant can be a difficult and daunting task. Consulting jobs are highly sought after and the competition is intense. The process of polishing your resume, writing applications and preparing for case interviews can be exhausting and time consuming. Over and above the time actually spent in interviews, each consulting […]
McKinsey & Company Boston Consulting Group Bain & Company Booz Allen Hamilton 2. Boston Consulting Group Organisation type Private Company Headquarters Boston, Massachusetts, USA Key people Hans-Paul Burkner, President and CEO Size 3,900 consultants (2007) in 66 offices across 38 countries Revenue $1.8 billion (2006, Vault) Expertise Business strategy Mission BCG is committed to: · […]
McKinsey & Company Boston Consulting Group Bain & Company Booz Allen Hamilton 3. Bain & Company Organisation type Private company Headquarters Boston, Massachusetts, USA Key people Steve Ellis, Managing Director. A Stanford MBA, Ellis co-founded Focus, Inc., a Silicon Valley consulting firm, before coming on board at Bain. Orit Gadiesh, Chairman of the Board Size […]
McKinsey & Company Boston Consulting Group Bain & Company Booz Allen Hamilton NOTE: In July 2008, Booz Allen Hamilton separated its two core businesses into two companies. Booz Allen Hamilton now provides U.S. government consulting, and Booz & Company provides commercial management consulting. 4. Booz Allen Hamilton Organisation type Private company Headquarters McLean, Virginia, USA […]
BACK IN 1998, Warren Buffett gave an inspirational talk to a group of MBA students at the University of Florida, College of Business. In the speech, Buffett gives his perspective on investing, in which he outlines the need to understand the underlying economics of the businesses that you invest in, and the need to stick […]
A LOT of people have trouble describing what a consultant does, because ‘consulting’ is such broad term. The Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary defines a consultant to be a person who provides information or advice. Since consultants are typically employed to analyse the problems and challenges faced by management and to develop plans for improvement, they […]