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informative
reflective
medium-paced
Highly informative, if not the most engrossing read. Helps contextualize where consulting came from (did not realize they were supercharged by multiple waves of significant public policy change) and the challenge they pose to building healthy, independent, dynamic institutions. Much of the analysis focuses on England and Europe, but my exposure working with/in consulting (albeit, a boutique firm) generally aligns with the descriptions provided.
informative
medium-paced
Basically fuck accenture x
Infuriating and revealing.
Could have been a tad more exciting and less repetitive.
Could have been a tad more exciting and less repetitive.
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
The authors provide a great deal of information of consultancies’ past and present trouble, proposing solutions to govern control consultancies have over government. It’s a dull read, but nice for the information and acts as a unifying body of work for much of the research done in and around this research area.
challenging
informative
slow-paced
Very interesting, but a bit hard to read sometimes. The structure makes in challenging to follow the line of argumentation. But definitely worth the slow but steady pace I used to get though the book.
informative
medium-paced
I understand my industry much better. Very UK and Europe focused.
This book was very topical given a current Senate inquiry in Australia underway into the use of consultants due to a scandal in early 2023 that revealed PwC provided confidential information to its international clients on how to avoid paying taxes on the very tax strategy it was contracted to develop by the federal Treasury Department! I was disheartened to read, almost the exact situation happened in the UK 10 years ago. So whilst there has been short-term pain for PwC with the CEO resigning, etc. and an awareness by the public about the amount of money spent on consultancies by government annually there doesn’t seem to be any long-term consequences and they will bide their time before they gain business with government again. In fact, many ex-politicians and experienced public servants become consultants themselves, so I can’t see a shakeup of the industry or any long-term change soon!
But as far as the book, I wish it had explained the history of 'New Public Management' which was introduced in the 1980’s by Western democracies (and by a Labor government in Australia) to run the public service like the private sector which is perceived as more efficient. I think this ideology has had more impact and is the cause of the current hollowing out of the public sector, rather than consultants alone. The author also didn’t clearly differentiate between contracting consultants to develop strategy vs “outsourcing” of government services. Outsourcing is very different, but this wasn’t clear in the book and examples of outsourcing were used to highlight issues with consultancy firms. Whilst I understand the book’s focus was on scrutinising the negative aspects of consultants, I would have liked to see some examples included where consultancy services have complemented and produced better outcomes for society.
But overall, I’m glad books like these are being written to highlight engaging the consultancy industry and outsourcing services isn’t always the most efficient way to provide services to society, nor do the public necessarily benefit from these changes. There are many complexities, especially in a society where people resent paying taxes and have little respect for public servants but want 24/7, personalised, high tech instant services when and where they need them (which requires investment!) and not hiding this investment in the public service, by engaging consultants instead!
But as far as the book, I wish it had explained the history of 'New Public Management' which was introduced in the 1980’s by Western democracies (and by a Labor government in Australia) to run the public service like the private sector which is perceived as more efficient. I think this ideology has had more impact and is the cause of the current hollowing out of the public sector, rather than consultants alone. The author also didn’t clearly differentiate between contracting consultants to develop strategy vs “outsourcing” of government services. Outsourcing is very different, but this wasn’t clear in the book and examples of outsourcing were used to highlight issues with consultancy firms. Whilst I understand the book’s focus was on scrutinising the negative aspects of consultants, I would have liked to see some examples included where consultancy services have complemented and produced better outcomes for society.
But overall, I’m glad books like these are being written to highlight engaging the consultancy industry and outsourcing services isn’t always the most efficient way to provide services to society, nor do the public necessarily benefit from these changes. There are many complexities, especially in a society where people resent paying taxes and have little respect for public servants but want 24/7, personalised, high tech instant services when and where they need them (which requires investment!) and not hiding this investment in the public service, by engaging consultants instead!