Business History Books » Business Consultant » Debunking Consultants
Debunking Consultants
Question:
> Which ideas and theories are sound,
The ones you understand and can apply with some success. > and which are ultimately useless fads?
The ones you read about last year. Recent fads are at least entertaining. To me that’s useful. > Fast Company Magazine has a great section called the consulting debunking > unit. http://www.fastcompany.com/online/resources/cdu.html Each month they > test one of the tried and true sayings of consultants to see if they stack > up… > Personally I find the rest of Fast Company to be full of uncritical, gee > whiz articles by consultants promoting their latest ideas, but the > consultant debunking unit is great.
I agree. Occasionally some of the other stuff catches my eye. I subscribe now, but think I’ll go back to skimming it free on the racks and the web. Overall still more interesting and upbeat than the rest. Has anyone else noticed the inordinate kudos for Kinko’s. Not an issue goes by without some sort of positive mention. I bet the get free copies. > What’s your experience with management consultants?
Zero outside of their books. I plan to keep it that way unless one wants to spring for lunch. — Kris Buttermore Giant Squid, Inc. – New product concepts http://www.GiantSquid.com
Response:
> Management theory is a worldwide growth industry these days.
I’d say management BLARNEY is a worldwide growth industry. Check, for instance, "The witch doctors". JC — http://web.mit.edu/camoes/public/
Response:
[snip] >What’s your experience with management consultants?
Murray, As long as they don’t misquote or misrepresent my findings, and they pay their bills on-time, I think management consultants are fantastic and worth every penny. This seems to be the exception, not the rule. Fortunately those with whom we are currently engaged are exceptional. Sherman Whipple, Sargent & Associates Strategic Services 10 Industrial Park Road, Hingham, MA 02043 http://www.whipplesargent.com
Response:
Management theory is a worldwide growth industry these days. Terrified of falling behind, business executives flock from one management guru to another in search of a competitive edge. Catchwords such as "chaos," "excellence," and "quality" echo in corporate halls and bounce around boardrooms the world over. Which ideas and theories are sound, and which are ultimately useless fads? Fast Company Magazine has a great section called the consulting debunking unit. http://www.fastcompany.com/online/resources/cdu.html Each month they test one of the tried and true sayings of consultants to see if they stack up. In the current issue they ask grounds keepers whether level playing fields are a good thing for competition. "Our first stop: Steve Trusty, 55, executive director of the Sports Turf Managers Association, a Council Bluffs, Iowa-based organisation for professional athletic grounds- keepers and agronomists. According to Trusty, there’s a very good reason why playing fields aren’t level: Flatness would ruin them. "Most playing fields with natural-grass turfs, including football and field hockey, are crowned in the centre, so water can drain to the sides instead of pooling on the field," notes Trusty. "There can be a 12- to 24-inch difference in height between the centre of the field and the sidelines." Other stories look at frogs in hot water, dancing with bears, how many words the Inuits have for snow and the effect of personal goal setting on success. Personally I find the rest of Fast Company to be full of uncritical, gee whiz articles by consultants promoting their latest ideas, but the consultant debunking unit is great. What’s your experience with management consultants? Murray Robinson, Managing Director, M3 Multimedia Marketing