White Space is a unique resource for those with an interest in the thought leadership produced by consulting firms. For management consultants in particular, the ability to gain a detailed understanding of the subject matter, quality and volume of the thought leadership produced by leading firms is absolutely invaluable in helping to shape your own thought leadership programme.

And let’s make no bones about it, thought leadership is worth getting right – for a number of reasons – especially in an industry where people and their brainpower is generally the greatest asset a consulting firm has: 

• Thought leadership leads to recognition by clients of the expertise and forward thinking demonstrated by clients. It helps to position your firm as a trusted brand. This in turn leads to -
• Lead generation. Clients want to employ experts – and aside from case studies, thought leadership is one of the best ways of showcasing expertise
• Reinforcing relationships –having good quality content and insights, backed up by media coverage of these insights, helps you to engage your clients
• Differentiation – if you are part of the firm which identifies a trend or offers a new take on an idea, you will immediately differentiate yourself from competitors in having something new to say
• Agenda setting – you will reach a senior-level audience by having something to say at a strategic, public policy and 'agenda setting' level
• Internal knowledge sharing – an important by-product of good thought leadership is that it is potentially as educational for colleagues as it is for clients
   

Most management consultancies ‘do’ thought leadership at some level. All of those involved in thought leadership will be aware of how time consuming, costly and difficult it is to do. So there is a very strong argument for equipping yourself with as much information as possible to get it right – and White Space will help you to do exactly that.
 

White Space has been researched and written by Fiona Czerniawska, a leading commentator on the consulting industry. She is the joint founder and managing director of Source (www.sourceforconsulting.com), a leading source of information about the management consulting market. Fiona has had more than 15 years experience as a management consultant, primarily working in the areas of marketing and strategy, and now speaks lectures and writes extensively on the consulting industry and related issues. Her books include The Intelligent Client and Management Consulting in Practice: Award-Winning International Case Studies. She is also the co-author of Business Consulting: A Guide to How it Works and How to Make it Work and Buying Professional Services, both published by The Economist.

 What is included in White Space?

Around 30 leading global consulting firms are included in White Space. If your firm is not included and you believe it should be, please contact Fiona Czerniawska.