Kent Oliver Bhupathi, MEcon

The way that I navigate this matter is by clearly articulating all the risks [that I see as] associated with their preferred approach. It's good practice to of course acknowledge their expertise in their own business --but you're there to highlight nuanced considerations they might overlook. Aim for a balanced analysis that respects their perspective but underscores potential pitfalls. Additionally, document all communications and decisions. This practice not only protects you but also serves as a valuable reference for future cases, ensuring that your analysis is transparent. By combining respectful dialogue with thorough documentation, you maintain professionalism and safeguard your consulting integrity.

Step one -- work hard to cultivate a diversity of thought leadership! Encourage team members to bring their unique perspectives and expertise to the table (and hopefully you will have hired a team of varied backgrounds). A variety of viewpoints is usually the ticket to innovation and deeper insights. Next -- tackle challenges (and complexity) together. Strategic collaboration can break down intricate issues into manageable parts, leading to clearer, more effective strategies.

1) Share work experiences that (as best as possible) directly pertain to the specific consulting type the job requires, showcasing how your skills align to role nuance. Highlight instances where you successfully applied these skills, emphasising their relevance to the role. Additionally, conduct thorough research into the industry and practice. This preparation allows you to convincingly answer "why here?" and "why now?", demonstrating your [genuine] understanding and interest in the company's unique position and current opportunities.

Speaking from personal experience only -- when I am leading a consulting project, having a realistic match between the time it actually takes to do a rough draft and the deadline is key (need a healthy buffer)... otherwise you are left with a strain on your resources and morale. So, spend a little time to set achievable deadlines based on team capacity and project scope. And, to me, you are best able to achieve such by resisting the urge to micromanage. Trust in your [hopefully] robust hiring practices and empower your team to take ownership of their tasks. Micromanagement tends to stifle creativity and hinders productivity -- which wastes time. In trying to foster a culture of trust and autonomy, you can enhance project performance.

Navigating economic uncertainty requires a strategic approach focused on diversification and flexibility. By diversifying assets, you mitigate risk across different market segments, reducing vulnerability to unexpected changes. Additionally, maintaining a flexible portfolio allows you to adapt to market fluctuations. Prioritising long-term growth over short-term volatility hacks ensures sustainable performance (this is a personal bias, though). Such an approach not only stabilises returns but also positions you to capitalise on emerging opportunities, fostering resilience and returns amidst unpredictability.

To stand out as an economist (whilst on the job market), focus on clearly communicating the quality of your academic research and practical analytics skillsets (employers often want to hire people that can simplify!). Highlight your research's real-world applications and how your analytical insights can address current business-economic challenges. And, demonstrating the relevance of your expertise to the specific job opportunity, such as by aligning your skills with the job's goals, will further distinguish you as a valuable candidate. This all underscores your ability to translate complex economic concepts into actionable strategies for business success.