No, it does not procure personal assistants for busy execs; PA Consulting Group is a leading management, systems and technology consulting firm, that helps companies build effective strategies for growth through innovation and the application of technology.
For example, when the mineral water company Evian wanted to broaden the international appeal of its product by matching it more closely with today's healthier, more nomadic lifestyles, it called PA's consumer research department.
They came up with a new bottle design and that enabled Evian to sell more water to consumers on the move. It is designed to be a "lifestyle accessory" with looks which would stand out on a crowded shelf. It combines an easy-carryring top and a leakproof drinking spout with an easy-to-grip spring-back shape. PA picked up the silver gong in the Consumer Product category of the Institute of Packaging's annual Oscars, for its design.
Apart from its consumer research division, the group has made a name for itself by pushing corporate clients to improve performance, mobilise human resources, including managing major projects, and designing and implementing full e-business solutions. For its efforts, earlier this year PA Consulting was named overall winner of the fifth annual Management Consultancies Association (MCA), Best Management Practice Awards.
To get a foothold in this outfit you will need an excellent academic record and the emotional intelligence to be able to work co-operatively with others and present yourself and your ideas effectively and persuasively. In return the firm offers a competitive salary, and benefits including signing-on, joining and annual performance-related bonuses, as well as transport allowance, pension scheme and private healthcare. And it believes that all staff should be shareholders.
Sarah Toon, who graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in Management Sciences, says: "I did not know much about PA initially, but the more research I did, the more PA emerged as a firm with an excellent reputation. Perhaps the thing I enjoy most of all is the people I work with, and the diversity both of people and projects. There are about 20 people in my project team, from a range of different business areas, so there is genuine variety in the projects you might get involved in."
The corporate culture centres on innovation, results and teamwork. The working environment encourages fresh thinking and new ideas that will deliver pragmatic business solutions for its diverse range of clients. But, teamwork is an overriding feature; consultants continually share knowledge and ideas and work in multi-disciplinary teams.
Visit www.paconsulting.com/join_pa for up-to-date information on graduate vacancies and its online application form. Although it accepts applications all year, PA would prefer to receive the majority of them by December 13.
