The Journey is the Reward

Anyone attempting to identify and rank the influence of people within an industry or profession is certain to fail.
There is no complex algorithm or graduated instrument capable of correctly sizing the contributions of individuals, and we know better than to suggest otherwise. But if there were a single criterion that sets Consulting Magazine's Top 25 Consultants apart from the consulting masses, it would simply be how they helped to energize the profession. It's an accomplishment we believe our window permits us to uniquely view — or, at least, it's one we are prepared to stick our necks out for. Be it a consultancy CEO spearheading New Economy joint ventures, or a more junior consultant championing the rewards of work/life balance — those included on our Top 25 list have helped to alter and invigorate the profession's workforce.
And at the top of our list this year is Bill Nussey, iXL's CEO. We'd argue that no other individual tells more about the consulting profession today and where it's headed than Nussey. His move from venture capitalist to consultancy CEO mirrors larger forces that are now causing the profession to part with time-honored principles and adopt strategies that leverage the client portfolio, blurring the lines that have traditionally separated consultancies from their clients and partners.
For those curious as to who's counted today among iXL partners, you may want to check out our exclusive interview with Intel Corp. chief executive Craig Barrett. It appears the upstart consultancy has already made the giant technology company's short but growing list of strategic consulting partners.
Following Nussey at the top of our list are BCG's David Pecaut and Bain's John Donahoe. Any e-consultancy that thinks traditional strategy firms are being left behind by the New Economy is sadly mistaken. David Pecaut read the profession's tea leaves early, and foresaw the arrival of Nussey and other e-consulting champions. And, while BCG may not have cut the VC community off at the gate, Pecaut has made sure that strategy's old guard is leading the charge. Not by remaking itself into an e-consulting house, but instead as a source of quickly accessed talent. "Money is cheap, talent is scarce," was the sound bite Pecaut used to make BCG relevant in the highly impatient world of wealth creation.
Getting "plugged in" was exactly Bain's motive when it late last year named John Donahoe as its new managing director. Operating from Bain's San Francisco office, Donahoe earlier this year spearheaded the consultancy's single largest investment in 15 years, when it formed a New Economy joint venture with VC firm Kleiner Perkins and managing partners from buyout firm Texas Pacific Group.
Of the 22 other individuals we profile in this issue, we know you'll find more than an acquaintance or two to help illuminate a future career path. And whether you agree or disagree with those we have this year ordained, we'd encourage you to think of them as octane to fuel your journey ahead.