I'm sure some of you guys transitioned from industry to management consulting. What would be your advice for someone who is about to make the move? What are the culture shocks? What are the potential 'experience' gaps? Basically, what are the key differences between the two? Any suggestions about the sort of materials to read beforehand in order to bridge some gaps?

Network. Up down and sideways. Like you do in industry but more so.Keep remembering that you are adding value one project at a time. So you need to be visible to land the next "sale".Technical skills are easy. You will pick those up as you go along.

I've been on both sides of the fence more than once. From a culture perspective I'd say consulting is far less collegiate (regardless of what the marketing spiel protests - the more a firm bangs on about collaboration the less it practises it..) - in industry the differentiation between departments and career paths is such that there are plenty of colleagues with whom you do not compete. In consulting you compete with pretty much everyone else in the firm for revenue and recognition.....

Sounds like a competitive and back-stabbing environment. Is that a fair description?

no - you'd need to add 'self-aggrandising'