I think that if you are looking to work in management with a non-profit, you can learn some really useful skills. Analytical skills are certainly brought to bearâŚ
I donât really believe that in that time I gained a lot of useful skills. I think I mainly gained a lot of information about very particular business sectors, which would be useful if I wanted to go and work in those business sectors. Otherwise, Iâm not sure it is completely generalisable.
I think we have seen greater need for managers, makes sense. As groups are growing, are professionalising, there is more of a need for people who have management expertise and who are learning management and thinking hard about it.
Your quote in the 80 K article seems pretty lukewarm on management consulting, and Iâm wondering if this talent gap in animal advocacy has made you more positive?
I wouldnât over-update based on my experience in management consulting. I only worked in it for one year and at one firm. Of my friends currently or formerly in management consulting my rough sense is only ~half agree with my take. E.g. my brother has been in management consulting for 7+ years and disagrees with me, and heâs smarter than me :)
I think the confusion is partly caused by the term âmanagement consultingâ; I think âbusiness consultingâ is more accurate. My experience has been that the big consulting firms mostly solve specific business problems (e.g. how to cut costs by 10% without hurting sales) not management ones. So I wouldnât necessarily expect someone who does a few years at a big consulting firm to be a great manager.
That said, seeing mismanagement problems in our movement has updated me on the value of bringing in people from outside our movement with greater management experience. That could come from consulting, but I think could just as easily come from experience managing at other big firms or nonprofits that value good management.
You are quoted in the 80,000 hours article about management consulting as saying:
In your most recent podcast interview you stated:
Your quote in the 80 K article seems pretty lukewarm on management consulting, and Iâm wondering if this talent gap in animal advocacy has made you more positive?
Two thoughts here:
I wouldnât over-update based on my experience in management consulting. I only worked in it for one year and at one firm. Of my friends currently or formerly in management consulting my rough sense is only ~half agree with my take. E.g. my brother has been in management consulting for 7+ years and disagrees with me, and heâs smarter than me :)
I think the confusion is partly caused by the term âmanagement consultingâ; I think âbusiness consultingâ is more accurate. My experience has been that the big consulting firms mostly solve specific business problems (e.g. how to cut costs by 10% without hurting sales) not management ones. So I wouldnât necessarily expect someone who does a few years at a big consulting firm to be a great manager.
That said, seeing mismanagement problems in our movement has updated me on the value of bringing in people from outside our movement with greater management experience. That could come from consulting, but I think could just as easily come from experience managing at other big firms or nonprofits that value good management.