Good morning,I was wondering, linking up with another very interesting thread here, where would you say the most creative work is done in terms of "Lets try a couple of new ideas" instead of "Lets follow what we have always done with some minor changes".I guess most revolutionary changes (vs. evolutionary ones) are done in Strategy rather tha software implementation. What do you think?Which consultancies come to mind here?Have a nice weekend everyone :)

Many of the big consultancies gain their success by applying tried & tested methodologies with their clients. In theory, at least, they should be continuing to innovate with these methods to reflect the latest business thinking and practice. But companies buy big consulting firms for exactly this reason -- methodologies to ensure repeatable success.Strategy is a different beast -- here, the objective is seeing differentiation and advantage -- so creativity is the name of the game.

VI,I guess this depends on your definition for creativity. Anyhow, I feel that when approaching a problem in strategy consulting, there is a tried and tested internal methodology which is to be followed. Look at, for example, the way you will present a solution for a client's problem in a ppt presentation.If you challenge this 'way of doing things' within your firm, this methodology of being "creative", you are challenging the status quo. Would you agree?Which consultancies would you say are more open to new approaches and, furthermore, encourage it? I feel it is not as much a problem of the firm, than it is to find a good mentor.

Creative solutions come from the client. They will only sign off on something they agree with; to get agreement to anything that stretches convention requires them to have come up with the idea themself and have gone through an internal process to come to terms with the idea.If strategy consulting was just about handing out strategies to clients, it would be a creative pursuit. Ultimately though, the client defines the strategic boundaries either through conscious decision or limitations on their capability. Consulting is successful when it helps the client either crystallise their strategy or realise it. Off-the-wall creativity is the remit of futurists and thinktanks and is fine for them. In management consulting, it leads to shelfware though, which is a sign of project failure.