Honest assessment, would you recommend joining Kearney or Strategy& in the ME anytime soon? (2025) Or is the situation too fragile right now, given layoffs etc? Aware that the market is tough for everyone, but seems like those 2 firms have been struggling a lot?

likefunny
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

Both are struggling bad. But S& is better and backed by PWC. Kearney is a sinking ship. The firm is done, just operating based on core and shell.

like

What does core and shell entail for them?

like

I have an aversion to S& in the region because of the dominance of one particular ethnic group. The ability to rise in ranks and learn key consulting skills, in my view, is limited with that group. In other markets I would have recommended them. In the ME region, I would, with great reservation, suggest take the least odious option in front of you - Kearney. It is not going to close shop anytime soon, but is going through a tough time…and given their leadership and partner quality…along with high level of churn, I don’t think they will be sailing with full wind any time soon…I suspect it will eat worse before it gets better.
I expect more productive partners will leave shortly and that will cause further challenges to the firm economics, causing further retrenchment and even higher dependence on the key accounts, causing further discounts which then results in a shrinking partner bonus which then prompts further attrition of productive partners. Vicious circle really.
But K is still very diverse and has a good learning platform in place…one of the best consulting schools you can go to.

like

That is a real shame if that is the case.

like
Recent IconRecent

Ignore the OCed Kearney bias. Want a real opinion? All consulting firms are not in the best shape right now simply because the main market slowed down. It’s not as easy as before, no fast track promotions left and right, no safety nets for bad performers, etc. While Kearney, S&, RB and other did do rounds of lay offs, they remain great firms that are hard to reject if you were given an offer.

likefunny

No fast track promotions? Excuse me? What about those bad performing partners that were fast tracked?!
No safety net for bad performers? That’s why good people are OCed while HR Friends take LOAs, go and come back as they please!

like

Kearney is a sinking ship
Strategy& is struggling but I believe will be able to recover given the backup from PwC

like

Avoid Kearney by all means

likefunnysmart

C2, I was not part of the OCed folks, so chill.
OP - Trust me, Kearney is the worse house in ME. DM me and I can provide facts.

likehelpful

C2 not true. The ADS practice head that just left was one of the most toxic. Clear favourites, would lose his temper and shout at consultants and would just lie to the client ($9.57bn in savings…!)

likehelpful

Run like the wind from Kearney

likefunny

I hear all these things about Kearney but then I still see them winning projects left and right in public sector… where is the truth?

like

Thanks K1 for leaving 5 comments in this thread only. Your opinion is clear too.
Thanks for keeping this community professional and unbiased.

likefunnysmart

Depends if you are Lebanese or not

likefunny

Of course without second thought, S&

like

Tough call. If you aren’t from the ME, Kearney still has an edge over S& despite all the noise you hear about on here.

like

pays more, also letting you go the fastest

funnysmart

I work in S& and I know peers in Kearney. The answer depends on which industry you are interested in (S& has one of the strongest TMT consulting practices in the region) and if you already have some contacts in the company.

Overall I would recommend S& at the moment however it is quite challenging to build your credibility in the firm and it is required to do so within a short timeframe otherwise you are in the list of bad guys

like

Agree with S&1, Kearney TMT practice is very weak in MEA. Would recommend OW or S& instead.

like

All firms are struggling right now. K better than S& overall. For specific practices would put S& higher. Despite current struggles, K is far better - diverse people and diverse projects. Also from what I hear there is an acknowledgement that things need to change and behind the scenes work is being put in. Will take time to materialize though. Certain practices are in a more comfortable position than others

like

🙄

like

All firms are struggling somewhat tbh, no one has escaped unscathed in current market

like

F

Related Posts

Hello, any idea on an average salary for Technology lead with 5 yoe in infosys. How much shld I ask for? I currently have 9lpa with 14lpa as an offer from other organization.

like

I have been interviewing with OW for about 5 months. Started interviews in late December, finished in March and now waiting on an offer. They said they were going to extend but it’s been weeks where they are “finishing up there offer”. Any insights into what’s going on? I’ve let them know I have a competing offer and they all but ghosted me.

like

Which MNC companies have Allstate as their client ?
any idea on this topic , has ay one worked with Allstates client in any of the service based companies ?

Hi Folks, I have an offer from IBM. They told me that variable component is not written in CTC breakup but you will get some amount each year

Is it so ?

like

Which one to.choose
1)deloitee role offered is "IAM developer" work.will be sailpoint or any other tool.
2)cognizant java developer with spring boot

Please suggest

like

If I decline health insurance at IBM, do I get a cash payment? I have an offer from another firm that gives me $5k... does IBM give anything?

(Wife has free health insurance via her city job)

like

I’ve got an offer of 20 LPA from Mindtree with 12% bonus included, what will be my in hand salary? Mindtree.

C3 designation.

like

Does anyone have any insight on what is entailed during an “expertise chat” at McK? I spoke to a recruiter and made it through to the next step. The next step is the expertise chat before progressing to the official first round interview. For reference, this is for their Healthcare Services & Technology practice. TIA

like

I had my kind of hr round with TCS
They did not have a detailed discussion regarding the compensation .
But they told i will be getting link for uploading documents and then hr would be discussing for compensation.
Its been 2 days. No update. Can anyone guide. Why 2 hr rounds ? N how much time it takes?

like

Has anyone recently done a single-round super day (4 cases in a day) at McK? Want to know if the interviews were back to back and whether they were all straightforward/typically structured.

like

What band will Capgemini provide for 9.5 YoE?
Tech stack offered: SQL, SSIS/Pentaho, data migration
Also, how much can I ask for CTC?

Holding an offer of 24L (22 fixed + 2 variable)

like

Anyone join Guidehouse recently? How was the experience and did you get a great offer given the transition? Any issues?

likehelpful

Hi All,

I got offer from IBM. My DOJ is December 14th 2022. I am a UI developer. i want to know what is the bench policy in IBM. Do we get projects. How will be the client interviews?

S&P Global Hi Fishes,

When can we expect back to office. S&P Global

Hey folks. I am having 2 yrs experience. I am getting 130% hike to my CTC in IQVIA. Should I go for it? Is it a good and worth company? The profile is G130- Business Analyst! Also, in terms what is the level of G130 grade?

like

Hey Folks,
Need your inputs on following points for these two firms:
WLB,
Job safety,
Growth and learning,
If there are salary cuts or delay in payments?
UST(Client- NetApp, Roles - Individual Contributor)
Vs
CIBER(Client - TIAA, Roles- will be working with team) .
Package almost same in both.
PS- I have always worked in Team not sure or confident on how I will be able handle as individual contributor .

like

Hi All, I have received LOI from Wipro 8 days ago.I’m waiting for offer letter.Any one received LOI in March and also offer letter.May I know how much time Wipro takes to release offer letter? I’m not an immediate joiner. Thanks in advance.

like

Hi Fishes, Good Evening.

I have 2 review in progress in Green and 1 review in progress in orange from today in
Infosys profile. Any idea what it does mean?
Please share your experience and thought when will I get my offer letter.

Thanks in advance

like

Any connections at McGraw Hill? Thinking of applying for their curriculum specialist role. Transitioning from teaching.

like

Hello Fishes

Please can you help me with in hand of these org

Tcs-15lpa
Cognizant- 16.7lpa
Wipro- 18 lpa

like

More Posts

What books should I read on being a good manager? I’ve been promoted to manage a team of 6 and feel like I’m failing them. Any books on managing a remote team would help especially, but I’ll take ANY help I can get

like

Can anyone at Ford Motor Company tell me more about the “Learning Analytics and Engagement Specialist” remote position? Very curious and would love a referral!

like

Planning to network with PAS-systems practice to see if I can move from indirect tax tech to Systems. Howz the work environment ?

like

Are Analysts expected to travel while working for the consulting practise at Deloitte India? How often is one staffed on/rotated across projects?

like

Hi Fishes,

I am looking for an opportunity in Accounts and Finance Department having experience of 10 year+ and completed my PGDBA

Currently working with MakeMyTrip india Private Limited as Assistant Manager

like

Hello everyone,

Can anyone let me know what exactly is a solution engineer post in Tech Mahindra

like

Got an offer from tech company.
Director level, (Group Product Manager) title
Base $175k + 14% yearly bonus. Tc is around 200k

Is that a fair deal for Toronto?

like

Bain & Company Any Toronto Bainies willing to flag my CV to a recruiter this week for the AC role? I know first round invitations are going out between this week and next so hoping I can take comfort in the fact that I was at least seen and sleep peacefully at night 😅 Bain & Company

like

This is so true. People are way too easily lead. It's maddening.

Post Photo
likefunny

PwC Partners.....can you explain the big operating model change that was announced that had no bearing on staff. Why announce it then? What benefits can we expect?

What metrics do you think are most important to measure for success of a Plaintiff’s firm? Obviously revenue, but what else is at the top of the list for you?

like

Best Escape Room in Houston?

like

Hi there -
I applied to an experienced consultant position at Bain and just heard back. Yesterday, I received an invite to a HireVue one-way interview to complete. Today, I received an invite for a coffee chat with a consultant. I’m of course going to do both, but the emails make it seem like they are almost two separate paths/disconnected processes. Can anybody offer some insight into each of these/the process?

like

I want to find ways to build up team morale without resorting to clichés like a pizza party. What are some of your favorite ways to give back to employees?

like

What books would you recommend for someone wanting to get better at sales?

like

Looking for a shit hot senior/ACD copywriter to team up with at my current top tier agency full time. If you’re nice and have a great book fire me a message

What is life like at a large Bay Street law firm?

like

Can anyone offer insight on Human Capital M&A interviews from the Big 4? What’s the process like? Case or behavioral?

like

Likes for DM please .

like

Additional Posts in Middle East Consultants

Any Porsche fanatics, especially classics, that wanna make friends / start a group in Dubai ?

like

What salary to expect at a Director level at PwC in Saudi Arabia? I am a brit with over 15 years experience in transformation consulting, and never worked in the ME!

like

2021 Recruitment: What are the recruitment expectations for your firms this year? Is it going to be similar to last year with little to no recruiting in the UAE and some in KSA, or you reckon will be generally better?
My firm, a small boutique in the region, is only recruiting on a case-by-case basis this year.

like

Going for a final round interview with OW Dubai. Can anyone share their experience?

McKinsey & Company Strategy& people are getting a $4500 special recognition bonus on top of the annual bonus!🤑

How are y’all firms doing?

Boston Consulting Group McKinsey & Company Kearney Oliver Wyman Roland Berger

like

What are the strengths of Bain in the Middle East? How's the company compared to other players in the region?

like

How is Marsh & McLennan regarded in the MEA?

like

Have a friend who will soon be joining McK Digital in Abu Dhabi. Anyone have any perspective on the culture, WLB and perks there?

like

Situation: got an offer from firm X; highly likely to get a better offer from firm Y but official offer would take a couple of more weeks in best case scenario. However, firm X’s offer validity about to run out. Would you: (1) accept X’s offer now but rescind later if Y converts (2) ask X for additional time to decide (they’re “prestigious” and may not offer additional time...) (3) Play straight, decline X and hope Y converts (4) any other creative ideas ...???

like

Would you ever choose a tier 2 over mbb in the region? If you, why?

like

Bain & Company Bain & Company Senior Manager / Principal role compensation for consultants based in Riyadh?

like

McKinsey & Company Which firms have strong healthcare practices in the ME, specifically in Dubai? Considering applying to MBB (McKinsey & Company and Boston Consulting Group) or Kearney in the region. Is anyone willing to chat / refer?

like

Best cashback credit cards in the UAE?

like

Senior manager and associate partner at MBBKOW how comfortable are you in dubai? Can you afford a nice house, car and generally (within reason) not worry about money?

Assume wife works as manager in big 4 consulting

like

I had the first round with a consulting firm and it takes them more than a month to arrange the final round and the recruiter is not being responsive. Is that normal?

like

Currently looking to make a lateral move to other firms in the region. Anyone can suggest good and serious headhunters?

like

How hard is a secondment with PWC from Dubai to Toronto/any where in Canada? Given that I’m Canadian, would it be easier? And for how long can it be? Im at a senior consulting level.

like

People that hop between Dubai and Riyadh like me anybody interested in meeting up sometime and maintaining a semblance of a social life?

Any tips for someone trying to break into consulting in the GCC from the US? Applying blindly hasn't worked out. Head hunter recommendations would be great as well!

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal