CONSULTANTS WHO LOVE CONSULTING – MICHAEL MELENBERG, CMC
Q1 In brief, describe how you entered the profession of management consulting, or when did you decide that management consulting was a profession that you wanted to enter?
I completed a Master of Science degree in Strategy and Organization Consulting, which was a degree that was entirely aimed at preparing students for Management Consulting. It was through the program that I really confirmed that Management Consulting was a profession that I wanted to enter.
Q2 What do you love most about consulting?
There are two things that really drive me: 1) people/relationships, and 2) problem solving. In consulting, you have an opportunity to help people solve their problems. In addition, I really enjoy the variety of both working with new people and working on new problems.
Q3 What do you like the least?
When I am deep in the middle of all the analysis to figure out how to solve the problem, I find myself feeling removed from the aspects of what I love about consulting (people/problems). But it is a means to the end, which is helping people solve their problems so I still do it happily.
Q4 What has been your most satisfying engagement and why?
My practice involves a lot of software implementation, and so it is great when you get to be there when it goes live and it is quite successful. My recent work with a client in the banking industry, we launched Workday (a Human Resources Information System), and it went very well. Of course, for me, it was also about being able to celebrate that success with the many people I got to know and befriend over the several-months-long, intense engagement.
Q5 What personality trait has helped you the most in your career?
I have found being able to process things quickly has been very useful – both in building relationships (think "quick wit"), and being able to converge ideas. Otherwise, transparency comes to mind, as I am quite open and honest, which I believe most people are then able to trust me quickly.
Q6 Finally, if you were stranded on a desert island - What is one book and one luxury item you would take with you?
Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" comes to mind (really a trilogy - but you can buy it as one "book") as I really enjoyed the book and would need something enjoyable to pass the time (something that captures the imagination). I also read it on a beach in Mexico... so perhaps it will make me think I am just on vacation in Mexico!
As for luxury item, I'd probably have some sort of air mattress type thing (maybe a hammock) so that I could sleep somewhat soundly!
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