Management Consultant Career Description
Management consultants study the methods, techniques and principles that guide a business to achieve its objectives. Management consultants work independently and are approached by businesses to advise them on matters relating to general management, strategy, personnel, finance, marketing, sales, production and public relations. Management consultants investigate problems or opportunities, offer suggestions and conceive action plans to be followed.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Management consultants advise and guide management in overcoming problems relating to changing circumstances in and outside organisations. They have to expose difficulties and opportunities, submit possible solutions and show how these solutions should be applied. Management consultants may receive requests to:
» Analyze the structure of firms in order to rectify problem areas.
» Advise and guide management in order to improve functional areas such as marketing or financial control.
» Train personnel in certain fields.
» Assist senior management with strategic planning.
The environment in which management consultants work, depends on their field of specialisation - such as marketing, personnel, finance or strategy - and on the firms that consult them. Some management consultants are mainly office bound, such as financial consultants, while other consultants work on premises stipulated by clients, such as industrial consultants and personnel
consultants.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need? Management consultants must be able to
work independently. Management consultants in the various fields of specialization need the following characteristics:
Marketing
These consultants must be very disciplined persons who can analyse problems in an accurate and systematic way. They must be able to communicate effectively and should enjoy working with people.
Finance
Financial consultants have to be good with figures and must be extremely neat and methodical in their work. They should also have an eye for detail.
Personnel
These consultants work mainly with people. They have to be good listeners and objective in all their decisions.
Strategy
These consultants must think in terms of the
long-term opportunities of a business. They have to be good leaders and be able to think creatively in order to solve problems.
Where can I work?
Management consultants can be employed by management consulting firms or in businesses as consultants for management.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
Management consultants who are hardworking and motivated can earn a good salary on their own or in management consulting firms. After completion of their studies and after they have gained some experience, they will be equipped to start their own businesses.
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