Here is a list of books and magazines that will help you tremendously in your consulting career.
Being well-read is a real bonus when you apply for a consulting job. Here are a few reasons why:
1. During the recruiting process, your business literacy will be tested both overtly and covertly.
2. Exposure to the situations, solutions, problems and so forth that exist in business will be an indicator to you of how serious you are about pursuing this career. If you don't enjoy reading about business problems and their solutions, you are unlikely to enjoy consulting about them.
3. You will be able to get started on your new job faster, if you are well-informed.
Click here for the
recommended reading for consultants.
Now that you know why you should read, here is what you should read:
In Books:
Ethan Rasiel, a former McKinsey consultant wrote The McKinsey Mind and The McKinsey Way. These two books give a great deal of in-depth information regarding firm culture and practices. You will learn a lot about things like 80/20 thinking, hypothesis driven problem solving and subjects of that nature. I will cover these items here, but there is already good information to be had in these books.
Two more excellent books are Good to Great and Built to Last by Jim Collins. He has also written quite a few other very fine books, and I recommend them, but these two are my favorites. They truly capture the essence of today's business world. You will hear Jim Collins' books discussed in consulting circles on a regular basis. They have had a measurable impact on the way that consultants interact with clients and the way in which corporations evaluate themselves.
The Best in Magazines and Periodicals:
Although, I have never read the Harvard Business Review cover-to-cover, I definitely recommend it. There is always something of timely interest to be found. Whether it's setting up organizational systems with an eye to talented employee retention or how to encourage bottoms-up innovation, there is always something interesting and timely in every issue.
The Economist is quite good. Because I have had experience with McKinsey, it has been surprising to me to find out how many people keep up with The Economist regularly. I always subscribe to The Economist. It really helps with understanding the most important issues in today's global economy. The business, economics, and finance sections are especially interesting.
Fortune Magazine always has in-depth, high-quality articles on the leading thinkers in the business world. It also has good information about the top companies. Fortune is well-written and makes good reading.
Click here to learn
how to network at information sessions!