Must-Have Management Consulting Reading List
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. As you go through the recruiting and interviewing process, your business literacy will be tested within the process and in an informal way in conversation.
2. You will be able to get a good feel for whether or not you will really enjoy consulting. If you don't like reading about the different types of situations, problems, solutions and so on that make up the world of business, you will probably not enjoy being a consultant.
3. If you already know the ropes, you will be able to hit the ground running when you are hired.
Click here for the management consulting books and magazines.
Now that you know why you should read, here is what you should read:
Authoritative 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.
Among Magazines and Periodicals:
The Harvard Business review always has at least one good, timely article to enjoy. I have never read the whole magazine, but I still do read it regularly. I learn something interesting and pertinent every time. There are always specific articles on how to implement good practices in business, such as encouraging bottoms-up innovation and setting up organizational systems to retain good employees.
You will want to have a look at The Economist. Because of my experience with McKinsey, I have been very surprised to find out how many people read The Economist on a regular basis. This is one magazine that I always subscribe to. It is very helpful in understanding the key issues in the global economy today. Areas of particular interest are business, economics and finance.
You will always find high-quality, in-depth articles in Fortune Magazine. It will tell you a lot about the top thinkers in today's business world. You will also find current and pertinent information about the best companies. Fortune is very interesting to read because it is well-written and informative.
Click here to learn networking at consulting presentations and information sessions!
Being well-read is a real bonus when you apply for a consulting job. Here are a few reasons why:
1. As you go through the recruiting and interviewing process, your business literacy will be tested within the process and in an informal way in conversation.
2. You will be able to get a good feel for whether or not you will really enjoy consulting. If you don't like reading about the different types of situations, problems, solutions and so on that make up the world of business, you will probably not enjoy being a consultant.
3. If you already know the ropes, you will be able to hit the ground running when you are hired.
Click here for the management consulting books and magazines.
Now that you know why you should read, here is what you should read:
Authoritative 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.
Among Magazines and Periodicals:
The Harvard Business review always has at least one good, timely article to enjoy. I have never read the whole magazine, but I still do read it regularly. I learn something interesting and pertinent every time. There are always specific articles on how to implement good practices in business, such as encouraging bottoms-up innovation and setting up organizational systems to retain good employees.
You will want to have a look at The Economist. Because of my experience with McKinsey, I have been very surprised to find out how many people read The Economist on a regular basis. This is one magazine that I always subscribe to. It is very helpful in understanding the key issues in the global economy today. Areas of particular interest are business, economics and finance.
You will always find high-quality, in-depth articles in Fortune Magazine. It will tell you a lot about the top thinkers in today's business world. You will also find current and pertinent information about the best companies. Fortune is very interesting to read because it is well-written and informative.
Click here to learn networking at consulting presentations and information sessions!
About the Author:
Management Consulted is a one-stop shop for prospective consultants. Written by a former McKinsey consultant, it covers consulting resumes and consulting interviews. Read the guide to management consulting jobs today!