I studied Business Administration at the University of Bath – based on the well-respected Bath MBA, it had an emphasis on the latest business theories that can be used in “real” life from day one. It also gave me the opportunity to complete two six month work placements, one with HSBC (project management) and one with Euronext.liffe (financial derivatives analysis). After attaining a 2:1, I applied to Analysys Mason consulting in mid-2006 and started work in September 2006. The slight gap was to allow me to backpack around Australia and Vietnam before starting work!
I was given a steep learning curve when I entered Analysys Mason, within a week joining an already under-way project to provide an expert witness testimony as to the value of a mobile operator which had been confiscated by the government. A month and a half later I moved onto probably my favourite project, a service costing project in Egypt.
We had been commissioned by a mobile operator to provide a detailed model of the cost of providing services (e.g. how much it cost the firm for one SMS to be sent) based on two different methodologies. This is extremely valuable to the operator when setting the price levels for various services. The team consisted of four people – the project manager, a consultant and two business analysts (of which I was one). We flew out to Cairo to discuss the data we needed with senior management. Although we worked hard during the week, we found time to visit the pyramids, climb Mt Sinai and visit Sharm-el-Sheikh – fantastic! Overall the main project lasted three months, with another three months of training the mobile operator’s staff to take control of the system.
Analysys Mason has a strong early training programme, with courses in finance, presentation skills, excel modelling and telecoms. However, I find the quickest way to learn is to get out there and work alongside subject experts – and this works well at Analysys Mason. Early on in my career I was given whole elements of projects to complete – and if I didn’t have the knowledge it was up to me to ask my colleagues for assistance. Throughout my time with the company I have found people happy to share their knowledge – no matter how busy they are. As I become more senior, I try to make sure I do the same. There is also a good knowledge management system, where more complex issues can be discussed.
In terms of career development, my line manager has worked closely with me to constantly identify the “next step” to take more responsibility. Once we’ve identified it, it is partly up to me to make it happen; for example a previous area I needed to develop was my knowledge of fixed networks (I’m in the mobile sector group) – I identified an appropriate project and asked to work on it.
I chose Analysys Mason for five main reasons:
- I liked the variety that consultancy (as a sector) seemed to offer
- I wanted to work in a technology area – but on the strategy side rather than on the engineering side
- I was attracted by the team structure of the company – many consultancies have a “pyramid” structure with a large number of entry level team members and a small number of senior team members on a given project. Analysys Mason, in contrast, has a flat team structure with (typically) an equal number of entry level and senior team members, meaning it is possible to get a lot more responsibility early on.
- I wanted to travel
- I was attracted by the co-operative / teamworking aspect of the projects. As a rule, everyone in Analysys Mason is happy to help anyone else.
Analysys Mason is a stimulating, multi-cultural environment. Every day brings new challenges and new learning opportunities. Although you might find people a little rushed if you’re on a different project, when you’re on the same project you build up a strong layer of trust that extends throughout your career.
I have a strong sense of community spirit – and have recently qualified as a special constable in the Metropolitan police, which is normally what I do on my Friday nights [patrolling the streets of Islington in full uniform]. I also enjoy going to good restaurants, as well as bowling and paint-balling. I recently helped to organise the London office paint-balling trip – and we’re just lining up an after-work bowling trip for next month.
