What do professional services firms such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte and Peppercom have in common?

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Firms ranging from Korn Ferry and Egon Zehnder to Hewitt and KPMG all have something in 51wvzE9LivL common. So, too, do Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte and, yes, Peppercom. What is it, you ask? Well, it turns out we're all featured in a brand new book entitled, “The Art of Managing Professional Services” by Maureen Broderick (disclosure: we're helping to publicize the book).

Broderick's tome is a veritable treasure trove of war stories from leaders of the very best run firms in the world.

In the book you'll learn the common characteristics of successful firms, how to make values stick, mastering the client management lifestyle (my kingdom for a clue as to how best to do that) and the ways in which top firms plan and budget.

There's a case study on how Korn/Ferry changed its culture on the fly. Another one focuses on Ogilvy PR's global growth strategy (bring it on, Ogilvy). And, there's a fascinating section all about two simultaneous mega-crises that shook KPMG to its very roots.

“The Art of Managing Professional Services” should be on the reading list of any public relations firm owner or executive, as well as anyone who aspires to one day lead an Edelman, Makovsky or Golin Harris. Truth be told, I wish I'd read the book when Ed and I first opened shop in his squalid, one bedroom apartment. I would have avoided many mistakes.

Author Maureen Broderick's insights were gleaned from in-depth interviews of more than 130 leaders. I can state that reading it has made me smarter and more attuned to 'what's next' and 'what could be.'  And, for any leader, regardless of the sector in which he toils, that's huge.

Now, if only Ms. Broderick could author a book entitled, “The Art of Managing the U.S. Government.” Oh well, such is the stuff of dreams.

6 thoughts on “What do professional services firms such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte and Peppercom have in common?”

  1. Good for you, Beth. I agree. This is more of a reader service than a placement. The book’s an easy read and is chock full of best practices and fresh thinking. That last sentence will be counted as a placement, Lunch.

  2. Thanks for the question, Book. I’m actually writing a follow-up blog about specific things I’ve learned from the book. Re: your question, absolutely. In fact, Skadden Arps and other top law firms are profiled in it. My guess is Amazon would be the simplest way to obtain one. I’ll find out though and include in today’s blog.

  4. Hmmm…that is a good question. While we will certainly be merchandising this excellent coverage, i’m not sure we can count it as a placement, since it is from sources so close to the book publicity.

  5. A very legitimate question, Lunch. I think I’ll ask Beth Starkin to respond since she manages the relationship with Maureen. Oh Beth?

  6. looks like an interesting book and thanks for the disclosure info. i will pick up a copy…
    that aside, this blog post can’t count as a placement, can it? 😉