Hi Jasper,
I hope you fully reference the replies in your essay! I am going to say some controversial things (I am definitely not rubbing my hands together in anticipation).
"Statement 1:The gig economy (the rise of freelancers) is one of the biggest emerging trends in the labour market, and it’s set to change the business landscape over the next decade, including the management consultancy sector."
I can remember discussing flexible labour markets in a global consulting firm back in 2004 . The idea was that trad consulting firms would get swept away by a tide of virtualized Uber-style consulting networks. This largely hasn't happened. What has happened is that many former consultants have gone client side and clients are now much more sophisticated buyers of consulting services. Well, sometimes they are. Not always.
"Statement 2: In a changing digital world consulting will significantly change over the next years. Digital is changing the operating model, services, and strategies of consulting firms"
Consulting firms need to change their service offerings every 2-5 years anyway. (as new needs, wants and fads emerge and old ones fade away) The off-shoring trend of the 90s/00s had a huge impact on professional services. Digital trends such as robotic process automation and artificial intelligence will have a similar impact on consulting firms. Exactly how much of an impact remains to be seen.
"Statement 3: A new generation is rising, and they want to put companies into motion and bring innovation, including to the consultancy firms themselves. The new generation have other values and drives (they value diversity and social justice within a whole new global context and they’ve been raised to learn in teams and work for the collective)."
No. Much of the hype about generational differences is seriously overblown and not supported by the evidence (including the comments about social justice and collective work). Data from the US indicates that new business formation is actually dropping. Even in the high-profile froth of Silicon Valley (which post-2008 took over from Wall Street as the place newly-minted MBAs went to play at being businesspeople), most startups are founded by people in their 40s. As Chuck D said, don't believe the hype.
Regards,
Matt
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