Great work with great impact, delivered by an insecure, insular firm of mercenaries
Pros
1. Methodology that works: like check-lists or not, they work. And yes the methodology is largely around the detailed codification of basic processes/tasks - but as the saying goes you manage what you measure. And the more tight your process controls are (or the better codified even the most simple processes are) the higher the probability that you will achieve the objectives for which the processes were designed. And that's absolutely the case with this firm. 2. Interesting set of very diverse people: in addition to a rather anemic rank of analysts/junior consultants (outside of Australia), the firm attracts professionals that have come from a wide variety of backgrounds, including strategy consulting and investment banking. They generally come with very interesting life stories as well, which makes for some fascinating conversations outside of client work 3. Financial incentives that are very well aligned to firm objectives: this is a firm that directly links every aspect of your contribution to the firm - from project delivery to writing intellectual property - to dollars and cents. This is absolutely refreshing, and provides the right incentive structure to drive the desired behavior. You may work on a less than interesting piece of research for business development, but you will get credit points that translate to a portion of your bonus for your efforts 4. Deep knowledge of the global resource (specifically mining) industry: in an economy where vertical market specialization is still seen as providing significantly more value than generalist experience, PiP is a great firm for those interested in developing deep expertise within this sector. What's even better is that , traditionally, the resource sector come s with a relatively small pool of management consulting talent when compared to other sectors - which could mean potentially easier/more lucrative exits
Cons
1. This is a large international sole proprietorship - not a firm. Get ready to hear the name of the firm's founder preceding any and all requirements to do with any and all tasks you will be asked to complete. " really likes the slide's margin this way". " really does not like when this word is used in this context". With experience in other 'traditional' strategy consulting firms I understand fawning to the peculiarities of the partner within whose pyramid you have found yourself, but never at the level of the global Managing Director! This does not only affect cosmetics, but unfortunately extends to Director (i.e. Senior Partner) autonomy - and there is nothing worse than working for someone who doesn't have as much say as (you think) they should. 2. This is NOT your traditional management consulting firm - intellectual rigor is not the MVS here (most valued skill): the methodology - as previously stated - is highly productized. There is a check list for everything you will ever need to do in this firm (yes, absolutely everything). Engagement work plans are check lists. Again: the approach for how to address a client's unique bottom line problem is housed in a check-list that you use as a 'starting point' (i.e. see which of the entries are relevant). I have already said it works - the question for someone coming in is: do you want to work like that? If the answer is a yes, you will enjoy the experience. 3. This is a firm of financial mercenaries: the firm maintains no office footprint. You work from your home office until you get staffed on a client site. At least in North America the population of consultants is mostly early mid-career professionals with various career successes, and a very noticeable 'lull' in career momentum just before joining PiP (by the way, this description absolutely fits me - it is a journey, and there no shame in it!). PiP is generally the alternative to independent consulting for these folks - after all steady income beats constant business development. The challenge is felt at the informal culture level, where the aggregation of previously independent consultants, coupled with the very efficient comp structure with the clear incentives, yields a group that I would describe as 'financial mercenaries' Very smart agreeable people that operate as individuals - akin to a large highly efficient geographically disparate sales team (personal gain first and foremost). Again, nothing inherently good or bad with this model, just a consideration for what the best fit for you might or might not be
