classic with some good tips

The first couple chapters were amazing and applicable. Unfortunately the last quarter of the book devolves into multinational cross Branch drum beating and doesn't really apply to anyone anywhere. I work for a 80,000 person engineering firm and the last few chapters felt like I was wasting my time looking for valuable information.

This book is a business classic. Written in 1993, this book is almost 100% relative to professional services firms today. (With the hilarious exception of the few times he talks about how firms can use *computers*! The future is now!)

Maister walks through almost every part of running a consulting firm, and discusses the management strategies and challenges. He focuses a lot of effort on people issues - hiring the right staff and then growing them into the professionals you need. He also spends a lot of time talking about where money comes from and what sales and marketing strategies make sense.

Frankly, the only part of this book that was less useful to me was the part about partnerships (since I don't work for a partnership-model firm). Otherwise, this is an absolute must-read for anyone who works in consulting and wants to understand more about how their business runs (and should be running).

Horribly outdated but some parts remain valuable

This book was a valuable resource to me when I was a partner in a CPA firm.

Somewhat dated, but still a treasure trove for PSF leaders. At first glance, almost distressing in its depth and completeness but that's natural of any canonical book about any subject.

Книга очень выделяется среди других в своей категории. И выделяется она своим качеством. Это качество – опыт автора. Давно не доводилось найти столь хорошую бизнес книгу.

Хотя и автор ориентировал книгу на компании бизнес которых построен на партнёрской модели и только на указании услуг, но если постараться то можно переложить ценнейший опыт автора и на другие компании, которые не имеют ничего общего с вышеуказанными.

Книга очень и очень хорошая! Рекомендую!

A timeless classic.
"per partner profit" rings true.

The book that I highlighted in almost every page. It is like the PS management bible to me. I think all the lessons in this book stood the test of time ver well.
I wish I’ve read this 10 years a go.

A collection of articles originally published in HBR, this volume has become, for good reason, the standard handbook for anyone in a leadership or management role in a professional service firm: consulting, law, accounting, etc. Each chapter provides a solid introduction into the most important aspects of firm management, from practice-building to compensation to how to lead other professionals.

Fantastic guide for anyone in any industry that requires billing for thinking. Written for accounting and law firms, but applies to all sorts of fields including the social sciences.

Great content. Eye opening in how and why firms are managed the way they are.