Redefining Consulting: A Focus on People and Performance at Point B -Emily Panozzo
The consulting industry has faced unprecedented challenges over the past few years, a reality that has reshaped our landscape and tested our resilience. We’ve witnessed firms reacting to this turbulent environment with measures such as layoffs, slowed hiring, delayed start dates, and even staff buyouts. While these strategies may offer a temporary fix in the pursuit of profitability during tough times, they often miss the mark when it comes to addressing the root causes of our industry’s systemic issues.
I recently came across an HBS article that poses a critical question: Are Management Consulting Firms Failing to Manage Themselves? At Point B, we are committed to ensuring that the answer is a resounding “no.” In the fall of 2023, I proudly assumed a new leadership role within the firm, driven by a clear mandate: to enhance our client delivery organization. My mission is to elevate the experiences of our customers and employees while simultaneously boosting our financial performance.
In the fourth quarter of last year, we took a proactive step by developing a comprehensive Delivery Roadmap. This strategic framework encompasses a variety of initiatives aimed at achieving our objectives, from streamlining processes and enhancing communication to investing in training and development for our team members. We have been diligently executing this plan throughout the year, demonstrating our commitment to applying the same rigor and discipline to ourselves that we encourage our clients to adopt:
- Making a plan and sticking to it
- Strong governance and decision-making; ensuring the right people are involved along the way, both for buy-in and coordination
- Proactively identifying risks and acting quickly to mitigating them
- Celebrating progress over perfection
It’s a powerful illustration of a consultancy truly taking a page from its own playbook!
As consultants, we often find ourselves immersed in the art of delivering exceptional results for our clients. Yet, it’s all too easy to neglect the opportunity to reflect on our own internal practices. We must recognize that our ability to serve our clients effectively is intrinsically linked to our own organizational health. In 2023, Point B placed its faith in me and made significant investments in our infrastructure to ensure we not only exceed client expectations but also foster an environment where our team can thrive. I am genuinely proud of the strides we’ve made in cultivating a culture that prioritizes collaboration, innovation, and well-being.
If you’re looking to partner with or work for a consultancy that excels in transforming businesses while genuinely caring for its people, Point B is the place to be. We understand the complexities of the consulting landscape and appreciate the challenges you face. Together, we can navigate these complexities, emerging stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to tackle the demands of the future.
At Point B, we believe that our success lies not just in the value we provide to our clients but also in how we cultivate an environment where our team can succeed.
You can read the HBS article here.
Emily Panozzo is a business performance leader with over 15 years of experience in aligning people, processes, and technology to drive successful outcomes. As the Director of Delivery Business Performance at Point B, she has led organizations through complex transitions, including technology implementations and business process transformations, with a focus on the healthcare sector and academic medical centers. Emily excels in designing and executing solutions that ensure seamless operations while fostering organizational resilience and efficiency.
Connect with Emily on LinkedIn.
