Biggest Challenges Faced By An Associate Consultant At Mercer
Peter's biggest challenge as an Associate Consultant at Mercer is navigating the inherent ambiguity in client requests, noting that "a lot of times clients come to us with a business problem...and a couple weeks down the line, we realize what they actually want us to solve is a slightly different problem." This requires careful alignment between project goals and client needs to avoid "a lot of late nights trying to rework things in the last minute."
Project Management, Communication, Problem-Solving, Client Management, Ambiguity
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Peter Yuan
Associate Consultant
Mercer
University of British Columbia
UCLA Anderson School of Management (MBA)
Finance
Consulting & Related Professional Services
Consulting
International Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Managing client expectations and aligning project goals with client needs is crucial and challenging.
2. Resolving ambiguity in client requests requires effective communication and problem-solving skills.
3. Successfully navigating misalignment between perceived and actual client needs can lead to longer hours and last-minute rework
Transcript
What is your biggest challenge in your role?
The biggest challenge is sometimes dealing with the level of ambiguity when it comes to what a client thinks they want and what they actually want. A lot of times, clients come to us with a business problem they're looking to solve.
A couple of weeks down the line, we realize what they actually want us to solve is a slightly different problem. We've spent weeks, countless hours, trying to solve something that isn't what they truly want.
The hard part about the job is making sure there is perfect alignment between what we're doing, what the client is saying, and what the client actually wants. When those pieces come together, it makes for a really great project.
When those pieces don't come together, it usually means a lot of late nights trying to rework things at the last minute.