Meaningful Consulting

Abstract As part of their MSc in Business Strategy & Consulting at Audencia Business School, students take part in a competitive assignment on the issues surrounding the organization of consulting firms and careers in this field. This semester, students were invited to consider the theme “meaningful consulting”. This is a particularly topical issue in the sector, given the rise of new work and management practices to remain attractive and retain talent, or societal debates surrounding the impact of consulting on client organizations and external stakeholders. Lucie Noury, head of the course and a consulting specialist, invited students to develop a reflective point of view on trends in the consulting sector. Students were asked to find an interesting and original angle on a given theme, to interview one or more consulting professionals on the subject, and to draw well-founded conclusions for a fresh perspective. The aim is twofold: to help students develop a critical viewpoint on current events in the sector, and to mature their career plans. Three submissions were chosen for inclusion in the Management Consulting Journal: ● Rita Dakkoune, Elie Barakat & Lily Atteia, for their article entitled “How to: Keep your head up in public and find meaning in your consulting work “ ● Noah Malka & Guillaume Rogeau, for their article entitled “Independent Consultant: Myth of Freedom or Reality of Overwork?” ● Marion Grange, Quentin Hoang & Inès Rambaud, for their article entitled “Big Three or NGO? When the quest for meaningful work becomes a dilemma…” The three tackle the subject from a variety of angles, from the image of consulting and consultants, to the impact of strategy consulting firms or the reality of independent consulting. We hope you enjoy reading them.