Hello everyone,Im an NHS worker (nurse by training and held various managerial roles working on NHS modernisation plans etc.) I started looking into my career options last year and have now been made offers by a few consultancies. Consultancy has always been an area I've looked at with interest.However as I lack exposure to the 'real consulting' world I wonder what people's thoughts are on these companies:Hay GroupHedraBTI know BT has a fantastic reputation and so may enhance my career prospects in years to come but both Hedra and Hay group have impressed me by thier approach and style. What are people's thoughts on both? Professionalism, culture, remuneration etcThanks for the advice!

Hi KimmI would v v much like to speak with you if possible. I logged on here tonight to ask exactly the same question, I have pretty much the same background and have offers from the same firms and need to decide by the end of the week (my own target). I have got it down to to two of them but no further.please email if interested in talking further, have set up nhsconsulting@yahoo.co.uk if you want to make contact, sooner the better for me.

It is always interesting to learn what non consultants perceptions are of consulting companies!I'm perhaps a little biased as I used to work BT a couple of years ago and still hold them in high regard. However Im quite confident that experienced management consultants that are not ex BT would see this question as a 'no brainer' too. I can't understand why anyone would chose these companies over BT. Is this one of those 'work/life balance' questions?I would advise you to view this on a long term basis; you should look at the projects you will be working on, they calibre of the people around you and the reputation the company has. it is really important to think about how companies will look on your CV and the projects you will have worked on.If this is a question of work life balance; well I never had a problem with BT. I always felt supported by my colleagues. Not sure about the cultures at the other firms but my thoughts on Hedra consultants are not positive- i've never found them to be very thorough and as for Hay, the two people I know who used to work there seemed to find it very hard to get respect from other firms when they tried to leave.I hope this helps you!Maria

I can't believe you guys are deliberating this!Such a NO BRAINER!To give you a hand, this is the perception of the consultancy market. If you get the chance to work for these guys-take it!BT/SyntegraPA ConsultingMicrosoft HealthIf you dont get the chance to work (it's very competitive to get in these companies) try the indirect way (i.e they'll have contracts with other consultancies like the Atos Origin alliance, Perot with BT etc etc.)GOOD LUCK! As mentioned this is SUCH A NO BRAINER!

HiShane / Maria and anyone else's twopenneths v welcome.Have an offer from Perot Systems to work on the BT NHS London contract and from Hay Group. Was v inclined towards Hay but anybody got any views e.g. is doing the Perot work with BT going to carry enough weight for the next moves etc....thanks

HiShane / Maria and anyone else's twopenneths v welcome.Have an offer from Perot Systems to work on the BT NHS London contract and from Hay Group. Was v inclined towards Hay but anybody got any views e.g. is doing the Perot work with BT going to carry enough weight for the next moves etc....thanks

From what I know about BT and their relationship with Perot I would go with Perot. As Shane said working for companies like BT would be great for career prospects and it's quite competitive to get in...so even if you get the chance indirectly I would take it. Perot are a reputable company with an international setting: always good for future moves. I know a couple of people who work with Perot directly and indirectly (i.e through BT) and I havent heard anything that would hinder success. The team seem to be knowledgable and professional with a lot of them being ex NHS.Not an expert on Hay but without sounding vain the fact that they are not well known would sound alarms for me-unless you are one of those 'risk takers' and can afford to perhaps make a potentially wrong/risky move. -as mentioned earlier as well the couple of ex Hay people I know found it v hard to move on to another reputable consultancy so based on that I would say future prospects may be limited here. Hay may be a nice group of people to work with but working for a nice company doesnt pay the bills in my opinion or make work the work 'fun'.Sorry if that is not what you wanted to hear but you did ask!Hope it helps!