consulting on S Anand

Less is more

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:00:00 +0000

The hours in consulting are pretty long. 65 hours a week used to be my norm, and that’s ignoring the travel time to and from work. So there wasn’t too much life outside of work. (I’ve come to realise, though, that what you do outside of work doesn’t change that much with more free time. What does change is that you just enjoy it more – both in and out of work.)

We have a day, once every month or two, where you take time off from whatever project and head back to the office. One such featured a session with the managers telling the consultants how to succeed. Pretty good advice, actually… but that’s not what I’m going to talk about. It’s something about the nature of that advice.

The advice had a lot of TO-DOs and suggestions. Do this. Do that. Focus more on this. Focus a lot on that. Great. Now we know what to do more of.

My question, towards the middle of the session, was: OK, so what do we do less of, then?

You can’t do more of something unless you do less of something else. In most places, it’s easy to answer this with: “Oh, you need to be more efficient.” or “Cut the idle gossip”. For us, none of these were applicable.

The question pretty much remained unanswered. And with good reason. It’s a tough question.

Later, I got involved with a proposal. I wrote a few bits of it. (One page, actually.) Others wrote a few bits of it. And then some standard appendices were added to it. Finally, it ended up as a 180-page document.

The interesting thing is, I can bet no human ever read those 180 pages end-to-end.

I know no one at our end did, because we turned it around in 1 week, and I was the last to assemble the document before sending it out.

I’m guessing no one at the client end did, because they’d have gotten 5 such documents, and had a week to shortlist down to 3.

So if we didn’t read it and they didn’t read it, why did we put it in?

I think I know why. In my IBM days, I had to make a presentation to the management on productivity. I knew nothing of management or productivity. So I put in a report that had a lot of high-sounding words (you know… value-add, leverage, etc.) that looked reasonably impressive and had no basis in fact.

I did that mostly because I was scared. Of seeming to know less. Of being wrong. You know.

(Funnily enough, the presentation was pretty well received. I don’t know if it was because they were polite or had become numb to bullshit.)

This fear is pretty common. I know how that 180-page document ended up as a 180-page document, and I’m sure you’ve seen this happening before. First, here’s a sample conversation at the client end, when they’re writing up a request for information.

Martin: So, what do I put in the RFI?

Clive: Here’s a template we used. You can use some of that. Ask Nick for the one he used last month, and Natalie for hers. Maybe you should get something from our procurement team and information security group to be on the safe side.

Martin: And how do I make the RFI out of this? (BTW, this is a “bold” question that’s rarely asked.)

Clive: Well, make sure you cover everything from all of these documents.

So the RFI asks asks:

if any of your 80,000 employees are a member of any one of the following 340 organisations that are considered disruptive,
how many employees you have in each geography, function and vertical – where the break-down provided is as per their definitions (we cook up numbers which, if you add up, totals to over 200,000)
how much you spent on paper-clips last fortnight, and other such intimate corporate P&L secrets

And we answer these. The answers to the above 3 questions were “No”, a table of numbers, and “We are not at liberty to divulge this information…”

Now, looking at the answers above, it still doesn’t add up to 180 pages. It’s hardly half a page. But you’ve got to take the following conversation at our end into account.

Steve: You know, we’ve got to put in some details about our methodologies in this section.

Me: I have.

Steve: Yeah, but maybe we should add more, you know, like supply chain methodologies and change management.

Me: But they’re irrelevant!

Steve: Well, can’t say that. Change management is always relevant. SCM… well, no harm putting it in. They can skip it if they don’t want to read about it.

That’s it, isn’t it? There’s no harm in doing more. I’ll just toss it in. If you don’t want to read it, skip it. I’ll just ask you to do more of these. If you can’t, skip the useless stuff.

An innocuous sounding statement: do more. I tremble whenever anyone suggests it. There’s no defence.

There’s a fundamental belief at work here. That more is better.

This is fueled by a lack of confidence. Put in high-sounding words. They look impressive. What’s missed is that experts use jargon because they understand what it means, and it conveys a lot in few words. Others follow a cargo cult science.

What we lose, though, is subtle.

Firstly, it wastes time. It wastes my time. It wastes your time. But hey, time is not all that important. (I’m not saying this sarcastically. I believe that wasting time is quite OK, really, and it’s not such a big deal.)

What’s more important is that it destroys focus. Some things in the document are important. Most others are not. In a 180-page document, I can’t find the important stuff! It actually does harm to put it in if it’s irrelevant.

That’s the tough tradeoff, really. A tangible incremental value against an intangible loss of focus. The value looks attractive when you’re less confident. The document seems completely unfocused anyway.

So what the heck, put it in.

Do more of this. And that too.

So what can you do? Quite a bit, surprisingly.

Firstly, you’ve got to believe that less is more. The response to “What’s the harm in adding…?” is “It dilutes the message”. There’s two things here. Believing it. And having the courage to say it. Trust me, you really believe it only when you say it.

Next, you’ve got to understand – really understand – before you write or speak. That requires not fooling yourself. And it requires a lot of practice. I’ve had nearly 20 years of training in fooling myself, so it’s an uphill task. Many people are worse off, never having tasted true understanding.

Third, you’ve got to be brave enough to shut up, or say “I don’t know”. Initially, this was tough for me, but I learnt from a friend. I always thought him not-so-smart, but honest. He’d ask, “But why?” and when I’d explain, he’d say, “I don’t understand it.” After two hours of trying to get him to understand, I’d realise that I was the one who never got it in the first place. After a while, I got into the habit of being very prepared before I explained anything to him.

Saying “I don’t know” doesn’t make people think less of you, I’ve found. I know a lot of people disagree with me. One of the most consistent feedbacks I’ve received in the first half of any project or firm I’ve been in is, “He should speak up.” Dammit, I don’t have anything to say! If I know something, I’ll say it. If not, I’ll shut up. Now, despite this feedback, no one’s quite objected to me. And in the second half, they’re always amazed at how much I’ve improved based on the feedback.

The feedback had nothing to do with it, of course. I just happen to know more in the second half of a project.

There’s a reason why your boss wants you to talk. It makes you appear knowledgable. In the short term, that’s good. You talk about “value” and “leverage” and people nod wisely.

In the long term, it makes you less able to say “I don’t know.” (What? This brilliant chap who knew all about value and leverage doesn’t understand our way of calculating ROI?)

It makes you less likely to ask questions.

It makes you learn less.

It makes you dumb.

On the other hand, I’ve learnt to plead ignorance up front. “Do you understand ROI?” “No.” Not even an excuse for it. Frankly, it saves time.

Sometimes, a meeting’s running late, I’m hungry, and I just nod at whatever’s said, and you lose the window of opportunity to ask. Except, I’ve learnt, there’s no such thing as a window of opportunity. If you don’t get it, ask. If they’ve said it thrice, and you still don’t get it, ask. More likely they’re not clear about it.

Postscript: This morning, I had to convert a document into a standard template. My document was 3 pages long. The template (just the headings) was 14 pages long.

Why? Because someone wants all documents in that format. Does it help them? Maybe not. But it has to be done. Standards.

Sometimes, it’s easier to give up. The smart thing is to minimise the effort on pointless work. I took 15 minutes. Beyond a point, I protect myself rather than the poor reader.

Comments

Arun 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: Great post! So much there that I can relate to! Aside, I haven’t said this before, but your music search totally totally rocks! Far better than anything out there!
Chandoo 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: really well written, I could relate to almost everyword in the post. I think this behavior is becoming more visible in consulting space, somewhere between adopting to processes, sticking to standards and working across global teams entire junta have lost focus on what is actually needed. and that thing with 3 page doc going into 14 pages template.. well I couldnt help but laughout loud coz that is exactly what I was doing yesterday evening…
Ravi 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: So… how could you have made that post shorter? ;) I have a related question: what in the background of a consultant (or product manager, or any entry level MBA position) enables them to make recommendations about an industry they don’t really understand well? For that matter, how much of decision making in most organizations is done on the basis of a wink and a nod, rather than any of the reports that aren’t read? Most long reports exist just to justify decisions that are already made, and as such it is imperative that the “important” information be buried.
Sanjeev Sujan 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: Great post. I can’t say how many times I have done that myself (fitting a 2 pager into 15 slides). Standardizing is something that is now ingrained in all probably because most people really don’t know what they are doing and just want to play it safe (as you mentioned).
ND 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: Nice post. The person compiling the proposal has a very important job. Ensuring that there are no references to other clients in the “cut-paste” process! Usually there is some statutory requirement or other that requires canned questions on domains that may have little bearing on the immediate decision making. I sometimes feel these questions can be asked once or twice a year to vendors, instead of making it a part of every proposal. Saves time and the environment. I can visualize your proposal starting on a meandering journey before being safely ensconced in the cozy confines of an archives room!
ritesh kini 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: :) Totally identify with all of it…Agree, less is…perhaps sometimes..adequate..
Deepak Mittal 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: Sorry, but I still don’t understand, what to do less or not do at all.
Deepa Mohan 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: Excellent post ! I have often wondered about those reports-that-no-one-reads-fully…but this was so much more articulate. Thanks.
Aman 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: Takes me back to my RFI/RFP response days when the measure of a good document was its weight - very rarely have i come across managers prescribing a less is more approach btw, how are you doing.?.dropped you a mail.
Samir Desai 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: Excellent post and very very well written! I guess it applies to almost any sort of service firm. Standards, templates, checklists, processes, books of knowledge, and what not …sigh! :)
Chitra 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: You hit the nail on the head! But is there a ‘diplomatic’ way to get around this :-)?
Madhu 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: Pretty good:) There shud be a law that shud make anything more than 10 slides/10 pages illegal:)
priya 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: Excellent piece. Can save time and brings in more clarity.
jake 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: hey, good post. perceptive.
Prashanth 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: Your post is a perfect mirror! But in this labyrinth of standards, policies and global marks, many corporate “parrots” have lost the real motive behind these. And instigating “More or/is less” people like you to write such a long long long article:) So u wasted my time and even ur time,So u r effective at last! Nice article Maaaaaaaaan
Ankush Garg 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: Dear Anand, You have captured what I have sometimes always felt about consulting world. I have referred to your post on my blog - www.ankushgarg.com (and shared some extracts) and added some of my thoughts to it. Our firm is based on partnering model, where in our client engagement we are partners, not consultants. When you go with that mindset, you are the part of the client, there is no you and no client, there is only We. And We learn together and We execute together. p.s : let me know if you do not appreciate my pasting extracts from your post on my blog. I shall remove them
ContentConcepts 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: Hi Anand, You hit it on the nail. I ve been doing this all my life. Yes, am an Editor. I was chucked out of a consulting company for evangelizing less-is-more writing. Result? Am an entrepreneur now. We provide no-nonsense content. www.contentconcepts.in
Kalidas 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: Brilliant one !Why such a long post to drive home the point :-) ??
me 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: and that’s why consulting is short for con and insult? http://tinyurl.com/yedrju
Moody 14 Jan 2008 12:00 pm: I was searching for a song and it hit your site - can you email me the below given song coz ur link to the song is not working Aa bataa dein ki kaise jiya jaata hai - Dost
karthikeyan 16 Jan 2009 10:18 pm: Excellent Article. But I guess you covered the points you wanted to convey may in the first 25% of the section. So, Telling more to convey less is more (Just kidding).. May be i should stop here :-)

Da Vinci Code trailers

Wed, 14 Dec 2005 12:00:00 +0000

Da Vinci Code trailers.

Comments

Sai 15 Dec 2005 9:56 pm: Anand, tell us a bit about Infosys consulting. They seem to be on a big expansion drive. Hows it out there?
S Anand 16 Dec 2005 7:32 am: I can mail you, Sai. What’s your e-mail ID?
S Anand 16 Dec 2005 9:39 am: BTW, the del.icio.us tag on “The Da Vinci Code” is an anagram: c i con thee david.
Sai 16 Dec 2005 7:42 pm: Anand it is peaceforall@gmail.com
Sai 16 Dec 2005 7:46 pm: Thanks!

How to survive worst case scenarios

Sat, 03 Dec 2005 12:00:00 +0000

How to survive worst case scenarios, like a riot, plane crash or car without brakes. Also includes an alien abduction scenario.

Comments

Rajiv 5 Dec 2005 7:50 pm: Are you still at BCG?
S Anand 5 Dec 2005 9:08 pm: Infosys Consulting right now.

Am busy

Wed, 05 Feb 2003 12:00:00 +0000

I have blogged about 5 days last month – my lowest since June 2000. Guess it shows that the combination of consulting and family life cures even the most determined Web addicts. I’m not sure when life will return to normal. Please excuse the infrequent updates until then.

Amitabh Mall

Wed, 14 Aug 2002 12:00:00 +0000

Update: There used to be an unflattering (Photoshopped) picture of Amitabh Mall here. It’s been taken down on request.

I got a digital camera. Here’s a snap from it.

Now, you may be wondering why the snap looks bad. That’s not true. Meet Amitabh, friend and colleague. Looks a little different. Unfortunately balding early. After all, he’s a consultant. Currently unsatisfied with the object of his attention (either the food or me) to the extreme. Following a unique love-life model.

Monday

Tue, 25 Jun 2002 12:00:00 +0000

Spoof on Monday (PwC) at introducingmonday.co.uk.

Consulting Central ranking

Tue, 26 Jun 2001 12:00:00 +0000

Having seen a bit of it from the inside, I agree with Consulting Central’s ranking of consulting companies.

I have joined BCG

Thu, 22 Feb 2001 12:00:00 +0000

BCG has been kind enough to employ me.

Prof Vijay Kumars Interview tips

Sat, 10 Feb 2001 12:00:00 +0000

Prof. Vijay Kumar was kind enough to give us hints on how to prepare for placements.

How to prepare for interviews

Have a list of intelligent but unoffensive questions for each company.
Contact alumni who are working there, and find out what work is like.

What should I find out

How does the work improve my employability or value? Specifically in terms of the
- Nature of work
- The experience that I get
- Skills acquired
What will the salary growth be over time?
What are the perks at different levels?
What are the promotion and growth opportunities?
What industries does the company focus on?
How many people are there, and what is the employee growth rate?
What do clients feel about you? (Talk to clients themselves – maybe friends in client organisations.)
Which is the largest office? Where are most of the projects executed? (It makes a lot of sense to get into this office. Project staffing is usually done with people in the same office.)

What should I question

Revenue per employee. Is the denominator total employee hours or billable hours? That makes a big difference. Usually its the former, to make it look inflated.
Why are you giving me international figures? What are the Indian figures for revenue per consultant? Revenue per partner? Salary per consultant? Billable hour percentage? Consultant to partner ratio? As a rule of thumb, the consultant’s salary is one-fifth of the revenue per consultant. For partners, its usually half.
What components of the cost-to-company will come to my pocket? Could you break down the components of the cost-to-company?
What component of the pay is sign-on? The larger the sign-on, the less the basic pay, and hence the less the next year’s pay.

What does an interviewer want

Brains: logical thinking, primarily
Creativity
Hard-work, but one can take that for granted for a person from the IIMs
Willing to take direction, and yet is a self-starter
A person who can explore new ideas on their own
Good interpersonal relationships
A person who can make casual conversation
Can suavely deflect objectionable questions
Well dressed, good posture, etc.

Should I go for consulting?

If you like solving problems, want to move quickly from one assignment to another, and like helping people, you’re good for consulting.

How are consultants evaluated?

Quality of assignments
Followup on assignment
Client feedback
Budget overruns (applicable more to PLs and managers)
Input into thought leadership and knowledge-base
Strengths and weaknesses
Future directions for improvement.

Comments

pegasus 2 Feb 2007 11:03 am: nice points… I also once had the fortune of visiting him in person.

What consultants must do

Sun, 28 Jan 2001 12:00:00 +0000

Consultants’ role this year will be to convert old economy companies into new economy ones. Old economy strategy consultants will gain.

McKinsey PPT

Thu, 19 Oct 2000 12:00:00 +0000

The McKinsey presentation was this evening at Lord’s. Yes, that’s the Lord’s Cricket Ground. So at 7PM, there was this huge crowd of people strolling over to the Nursery Pavillion, wondering why Lord’s had a square cricket pitch. Google and AskJeeves haven’t given me an answer yet.

McKinsey’s presentation had two high points. First, it was mercifully brief. The entire presentation was for 2 or 3 minutes, and all that this partner said was, “Hey, we love LBS. You know about us. So we’re all standing here, here, and here. Come over and talk to us.”

So we went over and talked. I mean, I hate networking, especially if I don’t have any questions to ask. But still, I’ve been instructed to collect visiting cards. So may as well. I walked over to a lady called Sacred, who told me what she was doing at the Business Technology office at London. Sounded like fun. Then I met this partner at the Kuala Lumpur office, called Alex Smith. He was wearing a terribly funny looking shirt, and I figured he just couldn’t be from McKinsey. But he was. So I asked him how he ended up in Kuala Lumpur? I guess it kindof embarassed him, because he started of with how his significant other was there, and that he moved there, and she moved to Paris, and how it was a long story, and let’s not get into it. Fine by me. Anyway, I spent the next half-hour just listening to him. It was a nice experience, and I walked away without bothering with a card.

I haven’t mentioned the other high point, though. Chocolates. The people at Lord’s handed out these HUGE balls of chocolate that was shaped like a cricket ball. I ate mine in a flash. When I was leaving, I found another on the floor. I mean, this is getting to be a habit. But this time, there were no qualms. The wrapper was on, and I hadn’t stepped on it. Sure was a feast that night!

Vault reports

Tue, 03 Oct 2000 12:00:00 +0000

Vault.com has some extremely good free reports. They include the Guide to Consulting and the Guide to Investment Banking. They also have some extremely good company reports. Ideal for placement research.

Placement magazine

Fri, 29 Sep 2000 12:00:00 +0000

LBS’ placement cell publishes a magazine called Target, some of whose pages I’ve scanned. It gives an idea about what consulting and finance is, what companies look for, how to prepare for interviews, alumni feedback, etc. Sorry about the small size of scanning, but I had to conserve disk space. I’ll bring the book to IIM-B when I come back.