PA Consulting – “Great place to work - but you're somewhat on your own”

Pros

Great people with tons of experience, insight and ambition.
Large degrees of freedom - as long as you perform, which allows you to focus on many of your own interests, ideas for business development, etc.
Have become more focused on the need for directed business development as a result of the crisis (more focus on client themes, account work, getting out in front of clients), which will give you great experience in thinking commercially/thinking business development
Surprising focus on work/life balance, given that we are in the consulting business
Fairly few 'clones' - as many people are outside/experienced hires.
When everything comes together we can hit a very high standard when it comes to issues important to the client (insight in issue at hand, team experience, ability to challenge, ability to deliver, etc.)

Cons

Very focused on costs - could do with loosening up a bit and spending some money on the social side of things.
Somewhat tightly run from the UK top (however, this IS getting better)
The flip side of the large degrees of freedom is that you can find yourself very much alone if you are not performing or not able to join up with good performers
You are measured on a lot of things (personal and professional) but in the end really only rewarded/punished for your utilisation (and sales at higher levels)
Partner group not all up to what you'd expect. Quite a few whose only reason for success is their ability to 'play the system'
Only measured on your own results - no plus points for team work, cross-practice work, etc. - you end up doing only what is good for you and only for the short-term.
Have lost quite a few people these last 12-18 months (Denmark)

Advice to Senior Management

Give more management responsibility to local partner group
Find a way to reward us for team work, cross-practice work, etc. - you'll be surprised!
Make the direction of PA clear to us all - show us the top management team more often
Start recruiting again - we need some new blood!