Hi Board,I was wondering how ATK are perceived in industry and in the consulting world? I’ve heard everything from them being described in hallowed terms, to being a top-strategy house but not MBB all the way across to many having never heard of them.I am considering applying (no idea if I’d get in) and would like to know how ATK is perceived. What’s the deal with A.T. Kearney - could anyone share some insights?Ta

I'm in the camp of "a top-strategy house but not MBB [which is a good thing]"ATK does similar work to other good consultancies, but has a much more "normal" culture (consultants are smart and work hard, but are much less up themselves than MBB).

Thanks anon - any other views out there?

ATK have been seen as leaders in operations (supply chain, procurement, sourcing and general operations). Although true, they do a lot more than this and quite a bit of broader strategic work and change/transformation.Very well respected, good pay, bright people and hard but varied and interesting work. Not perfect and not MBB but certainly a top notch consulting firm in my opinion.

I rate ATK - highly. For a new hire they offer enough rigour to make them serious contenders for a top tier slot, better work/life balance than MBB, early specialism (which in this market makes you more attractive than MBB), and a strong brand which is not associated with the elitism of MBB either (and believe me this elitism can be as off putting for clients considering hiring ex MBB as it is attractive for potential hires to join MBB in the first place).Give me a candidate from ATK and one from MBB and 9/10 the ATK candidate will come across better at interview, collaborate with me more closely, and impress the client more readily. MBB are very good, we all know that, but they inculcate confidence briming over into arrogance which puts clients off, and their generalist experience (unless quite senior where they get more specialist) is harder to align with specific roles in this market.

Don't ATK work really long hours? The American culture can be really bad too (American MCs aren't exactly known for their 'caring and sharing' attitude to human resource management)?