Hi FolksI'm about to join Accenture as an M1 and wanted to get a sense of what to expect in the first few weeks/maybe even the first month? I'm coming from industry and new to the world of consulting, albeit having been an internal consultant in a large and diverse organisation before. Also, how would my role as an M1 differ from say a C3 and M2 for example?Thanks in advance

First few days are introduction days. They will teach you how to log hours and what are company values etc. If you have a project assigned then you would start there immediately. If not then you will likely help with sales activities. As a manager you will have councelees. C3 is a consultant in his/her 3rd year. Usually some of them are already acting as a "managerial" position (which often is a requirement for promotion) so your role might not differ too much the C3 position. But likely you will have more responsibility (bigger project to lead, more complex solution architect role, whatever). In some countries managers have a score card, they are expected to sell certain $ or have a certain supervised revenue amount. M2 is a manager in his/her second year, so the difference is probably not that high. Same principle applies, so your M2 colleagues should have bigger responsibilities than you (like being a program lead instead of project lead). What is certain that they have a better network than you :-)Which reminds me; network as much as you can during your first year or you wont have a future at ACN. "Best" roles are always given via personal networks, don't rely on HR.Good luck, you will need it.

My advice for your first few weeks is this:1) There will be a whole bunch of mandatory ethics/anti-corruption etc training to do. Get it done before you get your first project. 2) Meet as many people you can in your team, especially those who will be representing you in laddering. 3) Meet your career counsellor and agree how often you will meet.4) Learn as much as you can about the laddering process. When you're on your first engagement meet determine who you need to get feedback from - remember MD feedback means more than SM - and work out how you're going to get that feedback. 5) When you're on your first engagement keep networking outside it, as with anything effective networkers will get the better projects. Don't leave it to your scheduler to just stick you anywhere.6) Determine what your priorities are. Do you want to work 9 to 6pm everyday or do you want to work all the hours Accenture asks from you? As with most things, Accenture will take as much as you are willing to give.Performance management and how you're judged against your peers will be totally different than what you're used to. Make it a priority to understand Accenture's system and start to play it. Good luck! If you can make Accenture work for you, it's a good place to be.

You are right at some extents, I do agree with you.

Thanks a ton Frio. Much appreciated!A few further questions if you don’t mind - 1) When you mention the word ‘laddering’ – is that part of the ACN’s performance management scheme? 2) As an M1, who would I be directly accountable to as a line manager? An SM or MD? 3) I understand that the schedules normally set projects. What is the level of influence I realistically have on this, and how can I best go about it please?4) And finally, I realise my role will involve a lot of travel and something I’m comfortable with. However, what level of travel should I realistically expect per month as a % in my early days, and post induction as BAU.Thanks in advance and sorry for going a bit overboard with the questions. Excuse the newb ;)

Thanks StringEmilMaybe over reading your statement - 'Good luck, you will need it.' - what am I getting myself into ;) Also, when you say network extensively. Is it a case of going on socials, etc? Any other golden tips to excel at this?Thanks

1) When you mention the word ‘laddering’ – is that part of the ACN’s performance management scheme?Yes. You get rated 1-n against peers which is called a ladder. Think political snakes and ladders. Accelerators = MD support. What will put you at bottom = not being in the top category as you'll inevitably be bottom fodder. Also your manager having to sell you to others is not good - the room should hear your name and be like "oh, that guy / girl" and have good connotations. 2) As an M1, who would I be directly accountable to as a line manager? An SM or MD?Potentially yes. Certainly for laddering representation. As an M1 you may functionally report into a more senior Manager (not a Senior Manager). This is bad as you will instantly be deemed to be below the person managing you and therefore it's unlikely you'll be in the top group. Ideally you want to report to an MD and you want to impress.3) I understand that the schedules normally set projects. What is the level of influence I realistically have on this, and how can I best go about it please?For first role it's a lottery. You'll get a choice if two are fighting for you. From there onwards it's about network. I don't ever speak to my scheduler. If I'm rolling off I'll set my availability date far in the future so i'm not on the scheduler's radar and then network like hell to get the role I want. 4) And finally, I realise my role will involve a lot of travel and something I’m comfortable with. However, what level of travel should I realistically expect per month as a % in my early days, and post induction as BAU.How long is a piece of string question so I can't answer. Usually, whatever the case you'll be allowed to work from home on a Friday. I'd say you can have a fair idea by which industry you are aligned to. Financial Services is probably more likely to be in London, Comms, Media and Tech is likely to be anywhere between London and Newbury etc. Aside from all the above laddering talk - just try and enjoy it and learn the ropes, how they do stuff etc. Great company and it's not a bad thing to do a year or so before thinking to much about performance management.

Chance will likely play a big part of your journey; which roles are available at the same time when you become available. But don't stress too much about this on your first year, just do your best where ever you end up.Also, in long run, try not to think TOO much about laddering process or you will burn our really fast. I have seen this happen to many colleagues. In the end you are just running against yourself and there are no winners in that race. Trying to force your rating is rarely worth it, but it is still important to understand the underlying process as much as you can.

Agentsmith you are a star! Thank you very much sir/madam. I like the idea of the Friday WFH (not aware of before). Something that will be quiet handy. Albeit a bit tricky if I were to have any assignments outside the UK.

Some solid advice there stringEmil. I will try keep my eyes on the ball focused on the long term win.

[quote]Some solid advice there stringEmil. I will try keep my eyes on the ball focused on the long term win. [/quote]Remember it's a game of two halves, you eat an elephant one bite at a time and life is like a box of chocolates.

[quote]Some solid advice there stringEmil. I will try keep my eyes on the ball focused on the long term win. [/quote]Remember it's a game of two halves, you eat an elephant one bite at a time and life is like a box of chocolates.

[quote]Agentsmith you are a star! Thank you very much sir/madam. I like the idea of the Friday WFH (not aware of before). Something that will be quiet handy. Albeit a bit tricky if I were to have any assignments outside the UK. [/quote]Actually good agreements upfront with the client usually do the trick... There's not that much difference for the client between you flying out on Thursday evening or somewhere during Friday afternoon. Even to the contrary, they will get more work out of you since your flight time will be in the evening rather than during the day when you could be doing valuable work.Of course both the client and your management need to agree to this; often it's the consulting firm itself that is more difficult to convince than the actual client.