Management consultants are called in to provide independent expertise and assistance to clients about management issues within their organisations. Typically, the service involves improving effectiveness, diagnosing faults, suggesting and helping to implement remedies. In reality this means anything from providing strategy to turn around an ailing retailer to being involved in the creation of a new dotcom.
Projects can last days or years, with consultants working in teams or individually.
Firms of management consultants are generally divided into generalist, strategy, human resources and IT consultants. The dramatic rise of e-business has created demand for specialist skills in this area. Management consultants come from many different backgrounds, but they share the ability for hard work. It is important to have an enquiring, analytical mind, confidence, creativity and good interpersonal skills to be able to liaise at high levels. A degree of flexibility is required, as overseas travel may be required.