The fight among management consulting firms is strong as each firm must continuously prove its unique ability to bring value to a client. To be effective, the firm must ensure that it has the top professionals on board.
Management consulting firms often see their business adapt with the economic climate and/or other idustry forces. Nonetheless, even during tough and unstable economic times, firms must tackle voids and/or shortcomings in their project and management teams.
["We are coming out of a period of decreased consulting revenues and staff cutbacks, but we are beginning to see improved activity in several sectors of the profession,"
Taylor was a management consultant for over 10 years before forming the executive search firm Carl J. Taylor & Co. For the past twenty years, he has effectively identified and attracted top talent for large and small management consulting firms all over the U.S.
A Significant Challenge
When the need for an skilled professional and/or a critical management level person arises, a management consulting firm can face a big challenge recruiting the right individual to address that need. The more senior level professionals need to have the correct industry and/or technical experience, the communication skills to work with staff and clients, and the demonstrated capability to continuously market and sell the firm’s services. In addition, the firm will prefer someone who understands, and is comfortable in, the culture of the firm.
A career in management consulting is not desirable for many individuals because the requirements of this career are substantial - travel, client requirements, lifestyle issues, competition with other very capable firms, marketing, deadlines and selling services.
Taylor notes, "A person who has a very successful corporate or government career is frequently not able to make the cross over to a management consulting role because the prerequisites for success can be very different."
An Intensive & Aggressive Approach Is Required
Recently, Carl J. Taylor & Co. aided a small specialized management consulting firm in identifying and attracting a key senior level person to considerably expand its geographic reach and to widen its range of services for its existing and new clients. Given the firm’s specific market niche, the number of viable candidates with the suitable industry experience and technical skills was very small. The successful candidate was discovered through an intensive search of other consulting firms, selected government agencies, industry sources, related professional services firms and other organizations.
"Successfully recruiting management consultants requires a huge effort on the part of a firm and its recruiting agents. The specific requirements of the profession demand an active, aggressive recruiting effort to ensure the firm’s continued success in its very competitive environment."
Every management consulting firm is distinctive in terms of size, area(s) of specialization, and culture. To be effective in recruiting the right professionals, the firm needs an experienced management consulting recruiter who understands those differences.
