The 2008 Best Small Firms to Work For: Katzenbach (No. 9)

It's not every day that a McKinsey & Company executive leaves to start a brand new consultancy. It's been a decade since Jon Katzenbach did just that—launching Katzenbach Partners in New York. In starting the firm, he brought with him a few of his old McKinsey co-workers, including co-founder Niko Canner. Even since the strategy firm's humble beginnings, Katzenbach swam with the big fish on campuses—frequently recruiting top talent away from the top firms. Today, the firm still applies some of the McKinsey methodology, only on a much smaller—and some would say more efficient—scale. Cookie-cutter solutions aren't Katzenbach's cup of tea—survey respondents say firm leadership encourages its consultants to think creatively (4.75 out of 5.00) . With only 170 consultants, Katzenbach has been too small to qualify for our Best Firms ranking, but this year makes it debut on out Best Small Firms to Work For. It's not every day that a McKinsey & Company executive leaves to start a brand new consultancy. It's been a decade since Jon Katzenbach did just that—launching Katzenbach Partners in New York. In starting the firm, he brought with him a few of his old McKinsey co-workers, including co-founder Niko Canner. Even since the strategy firm's humble beginnings, Katzenbach swam with the big fish on campuses—frequently recruiting top talent away from the top firms. Today, the firm still applies some of the McKinsey methodology, only on a much smaller—and some would say more efficient—scale. Cookie-cutter solutions aren't Katzenbach's cup of tea—survey respondents say firm leadership encourages its consultants to think creatively (4.75 out of 5.00) . With only 170 consultants, Katzenbach has been too small to qualify for our Best Firms ranking, but this year makes it debut on out Best Small Firms to Work For.