What Type Of Person Thrives In The Consulting Industry According To A Manager Supply Chain And Operations At A Big 4 Firm
To thrive in consulting, strong relationship-building and analytical skills are crucial, requiring individuals to "really sit with your client, understand their pain points," and master data analysis alongside compelling storytelling through presentations. Continuous learning and professional development, as exemplified by Renee's pursuit of multiple certifications, are also key to navigating the ever-evolving challenges faced by businesses.
Problem-Solving, Communication, Data Analysis, Relationship Building, Analytical Skills
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Renee Williams
Manager, Supply Chain & Operations
Big 4 Consulting Firm
University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago.
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey - MBA Supply Chain Management; MS Business Analytics
Engineering - Mechanical
Consulting & Related Professional Services
Consulting
International Student, Scholarship Recipient, Immigrant, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Strong relationship-building skills are crucial for success in consulting. The ability to connect with clients and understand their needs is paramount before jumping to solutions.
2. Excellent analytical skills and proficiency in tools like Excel are essential for quantifying solutions and creating effective models.
3. Consultants need strong storytelling abilities to effectively communicate findings and recommendations through presentations and reports. A commitment to continuous learning and skill development is also vital to adapt to evolving business challenges.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in this industry?
Persons that thrive in consulting need to be strong in relationship building. You have to be able to problem-solve, but not by immediately jumping into solution mode.
It's important to truly understand your client's pain points. Ask the right questions to get to the actual problem, because sometimes we're only aware of the symptoms, not the root cause. Getting to the right problem before jumping into solutions is key.
You also need really good analytical skills because you'll be working in Excel daily, running models, and quantifying your solutions and recommendations. Storytelling is also crucial.
We spend a lot of time preparing PowerPoint slides. It's less about the graphics and more about how you convey your message. You need to bring your message across to the audience, adding the right context and detail, and sharing the pertinent points.
So, storytelling skills, analytical skills, and a thirst for knowledge are important. The problems businesses face are constantly evolving, and you have to evolve with them. I've pursued two certifications in five years with my firm and am onto my third. I'm constantly seeking new skills and refreshing the ones I already have.