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Consulting Skills Development

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Chances are if your only skill is underwater basket weaving, it will be difficult to forge a career as a management consultant.  Successful management consultants possess marketable skills and the deep sector experience within one or two industries.

In addition to developing expertise in a given industry, the following generic skills are marketable for strategy consultants:
  • Impeccable researching skills (desk research, telephone interviewing and face-to-face)
  • Outstanding analytical and syntheses skills (e.g. the ability to delve into deep data analysis and then synthesise the key messages / "so whats")
  • Excellent written communication (to produce word and powerpoint reports)
  • Strong PowerPoint presentation creation (essential for developing client presentation packs late at night!)
  • Commitment to delivering excellent client service (i.e. the desire to put in the long hours when you have to ensure a quality deliverable for the client)
  • Excellent verbal communication skills (e.g. being able to communicate in a structured manner during internal and external meetings)
  • Excellent Team Skills- successful consultants are able to work in diverse teams, under tight deadlines, to deliver quality work for clients
  • Highly Organised - days may include various activities.  The ability to schedule and follow through with these activities is vital
  • Knowledge of computer systems and of software applicable to industry 
  • Sales skills - consulting is a business, selling your tallents and your product is a skill that should be developed during the early part of your career (and you need to be able to sell your client's product)
  • Objectivity - lack of bias when working with others

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