Winning Cultures-The Boston Consulting Group | TopMBA.com

Winning Cultures-The Boston Consulting Group

By QS Contributor

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A global leader in business strategy consulting, BCG has proven that a successful work culture will go a long way in attracting talent.

 

BCG operates from 61 offices in 36 countries around the world.

What do you believe really motivates the best candidates to join BCG?

Surveys conducted amongst new MBA graduates suggest that job seekers look for a combination of challenging work, financial reward, international opportunities and a strong corporate culture - and that is exactly what we offer at BCG. We provide an extremely creative and supportive environment where you constantly learn on the job, by applying a whole set of sophisticated tools and methodologies, and also by interacting with bright people inside and outside the firm. BCG provides one of the lowest leverage ratios that you can find anywhere in the consulting industry, which means that senior management works closely with junior consultants. In addition, we invest heavily in peoples" development through an excellent off-the-job program. Continuous learning is inherent in our corporate culture.

Do you think that the reasons why MBA graduates join the firm have changed in recent years?

Pre-2000, careers in consulting and investment banking were the favourite choices for ambitious MBA graduates. Now, the landscape is more diverse. There are new competitors, as VC, PE, entrepreneurship and also highly attractive entry positions in industry, that are extremely attractive for job seekers. People are still looking for similar attributes as career, but there are more alternatives today. People that are joining us today might not always have a long term perspective in consulting, but understand that a couple of years in our firm are of highest value for any subsequent attractive career step. Consulting at BCG can be a great career accelerator.

How important is the issue of work-life balance to MBA graduates?

"Continuous learning is inherent in our corporate culture."

Work-life balance as a concept is constantly gaining importance in a world and economy that is increasingly complex. For a newly graduated MBA, such considerations may be of lesser importance, but they do become increasingly important further into the career and at different stages of life. As an organisation, BCG has always been sensitive to the concept of a balanced career,and the necessity to value peoples" personal commitments and needs. We are offering a variety of flexible and part-time work models and concepts.

What part do formal training and development programs play in attracting and retaining good people?

Fast career progression and fast learning are key for the people who work within our firm. An essential part of career development at BCG is regular performance reviews and feedback, through which we can highlight strengths and areas to be improved. During the feedback sessions, we also recommend formal training programs. Training, feedback and promotions are an integral part of the development process. On each career step, you face new challenges and tasks.
We work with the best in-house and external trainers to make sure people benefit as much as possible from the off-the-job program.
We believe that continuous learning and development is not only essential to attract new graduates, but also the most important lever to retain people.

Specifically what is it about your culture that gives you an advantage in the "war for talent"?

BCG has a strong heritage in strategy consulting, and although our project portfolio today covers a wide range of activities, we always apply a strategic perspective. Our consultants are encouraged to question and probe, to express their views, to speak up, to put things into different perspectives. As long as your ideas and concepts are intellectually sound, they will be listened to and, above all, valued. We believe that we have created a true meritocracy where the most junior team member has a voice. From day one on, new consultants are exposed to high level issues where they conduct analysis, give input and work on solutions. In this environment you develop and grow each day.

People that are looking for a challenge, constant learning, intellectual stimulation, and flat hierarchies will find our culture very stimulating.

This article was originally published in . It was last updated in

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