3 out of 4 stars
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The Mece Muse is an in depth and thorough handbook to a career in consulting supported by an impressive collection of advice from leading industry players. It is however not a particularly smooth read and the specific focus and makes it somewhat inaccessible to the lay reader. However, it is a rich source of information for those about to embark on their consulting career.
The book switches between narrative accounts of past experiences, to bullet pointed advice and best practice strategy, to conversational reported accounts of interviews with consulting professionals. This eclectic mix of informative material is organized into three sections: Mindset, Performance and reflection giving a full picture of a consulting career. The book moves through these sections in which can be gleaned many nuggets of valuable advice or experience, however, the approach to the important concepts needed to create a great consulting career is at time, a little scatter shot.
While the style is intentionally organic some of the transitions between sections little clumsily handled and some concepts are not followed through to a meaningful point. For example the MECE analysis strategy of the title is only perfunctorily explained and how it governs the logic of the book is never fully laid out. Some of these ellipses could be put down to the assumption that the reader is aware of consulting terms and practices, however, some points are not clearly argued at all and cannot be excused. Expressions such as “low hanging fruit” are thrown out but not shown how they are applicable to consulting practice.
The introductory anecdote is the most disappointing, lurching from idea to idea in amongst a not very clear narrative that requires consulting inside knowledge to follow. It is disappointing because it is could be a great lead into the themes and purpose of the book if only more elegantly paced and logically developed.
That being said there is some great advice in here and emphasises some points that are glossed over like the importance of relationships and impact of manners in forwarding or curtailing your career. The extensive interviews also provides tangible real world examples that grounds and adds credence to all the advice given.
All in all I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. It is an invaluable collection of information that lefts above a halfway mark but the clumsy style and lack in clarity prevents me giving it a 4 out of 4.
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The MECE Muse
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