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I’m Sorry I Broke Your Company
Book

I’m Sorry I Broke Your Company

When Management Consultants Are the Problem, Not the Solution

Berrett-Koehler, 2013 plus...


Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable

Recommendation

Modern management theories don’t hold water over time, says Karen Phelan, an experienced management consultant, who highlights holes in the major management concepts and practices that have governed companies in recent times. No authority is too lofty to escape her rebuttal: Phelan rejects Michael Porter, Gary Hamel and C.K. Prahalad, Warren Bennis, and Jim Collins. She explains why companies should not be so eager to seek the advice of management consultants, though she acknowledges that some scenarios do call for outside help. While she offers few solid alternatives to the theories she sets out to debunk, getAbstract suggests Phelan’s advice and no-nonsense insights to firms that hire consultants, to consultants themselves and to anybody who hopes to become one.

Take-Aways

  • Finding the right consultant can make a difference, but the wrong one can do harm.
  • Consultants often work with a standard set of major management concepts.
  • Beware before you sign up for approaches that may not fit your organization.

About the Author

Karen Phelan owns Operating Principals, a consulting firm, and worked for Deloitte Haskins & Sells and Gemini Consulting.


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    A. N. 1 decade ago
    You didn't tell us anything significant about the book. Do you mean "you don't need an expert?"
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    J. S. 1 decade ago
    the section at the end which reviews when to hire a consultant is a good check list