The McKinsey Mind - Book Report/Review Example

The McKinsey Mind A Book Report In the world of business administration that is relatively new, there are new changes and revolutions taking place almost on a daily basis. These pertain to the operational realities of the activities connected with management and other complementary theories like 'thoughtware' and globalization. Literature has become one of the foremost ways of keeping abreast of such key trends and changes for managers. One such that is being reviewed in this paper is titled "The McKinsey Mind". This book provides important insights as far as understanding the reach and effect of globalization on the modern day organization is concerned. Authored by Ethan M Rasiel and Paul N Friga, The McKinsey Mind is a book that deals with the solutions based perspective of the phenomenon known as management. It is a simple book with simple ideals. One of the foremost themes of this book is problem solving. With descriptions of specific issues and individual solutions, this book caters to a plethora of industries and related problems. In this way, the book provides insights into the problems of various industries and how these may be solved in an industry specific manner to adopt the "McKinsey model" in any scenario. The perspective in this book is one that encompasses both the 'problem giver' as well as the 'problem solver'. This is one of the foremost insights garnered from the book. The first chapter starts with the promise: "if you can't solve problems in a structured, hypotheses - driven manner, you're unlikely to make it through the door of the firm." (Raisel et al, 2001; Pp 1). In order to start on a clear footing that the book is a phenomenon in itself, the authors start with, "the ability to frame business problems to make them susceptible to rigorous fact - based analysis is one of the core skills of a McKinsey consultant." (Raisel et al, 2001; Pp 1) This is another insight that shows what a McKinsey Consultant is all about. The operational realties are one of the basic undertones that are dealt with in this book on a constant basis so that a manager seeking help from here may not deviate from the real problem at hand and the unique scenario that he or she may be in. The key insight that the authors are trying to play up in this book is the fact that no problem is 'unsolvable'. With the unique "McKinsey problem solving methodology", the authors regard problems as mere stepping stones towards success rather than impediments to growth. This insight helps in understanding most of the models proposed within the book. With each chapter, the authors have created the scope for problem solving and growth through their proposed model. While the first chapter deals with identification of the problem through the correct framing of a statement or sentence so as to include the crux of the problem and its participants, the second chapter deals with the design of an analysis. This is reflected in the sentence, "although McKinsey and Company often uses the term fact based to describe it, the McKinsey problem solving process begins not with facts but with structure." (Raisel et al, 2001; Pp 2) The structure for framing a problem is another important insight that the book offers. In the second chapter the authors have stressed on the importance of organized research which starts with a definite plan of action that can be designed in terms of analysis. This has further been broken into two vital findings that the authors have propagated when they say: " - without structure, your ideas wont stand up; use structure to strengthen your thinking." (Raisel et al, 2001; Pp 4) The third chapter moves on to gathering data, which is also further complemented by data gathering resources that have been listed in Appendix A. This chapter helps the manager understand the source of the issue by collecting data from various sources, people and related cases. This chapter provides the rare insight of being able to identify sources for information within the organization. The fourth chapter comes in close sequence with interpretation of the results while the fifth chapter deals with the presentation of ideas on the subject in the best possible manner. The interpretations that the authors talk about demonstrate rare insights into reading the mind of any kind of person within the organization. Since this process is not enough, the authors round off with chapters on managing teams, clients as well as yourself in the following chapters so as to depict the importance of understanding the root of any problem and ensuring that at every level, there is a close and fruitful integration of the organization's goals with those of the individual. The basic model that has been followed in all these chapters is the triangle of analyzing, managing and then presenting so as to ensure that there is full conviction behind an idea in order to sell it effectively to others and achieve the goals through perfect management. This model is supported by elements like intuition and data and provides an insight into how the process of management can be applied as a clear cut process. In this regard, the productive learning process helps the add value to the organization through the "double loop insight" which keeps the client as well as the employee in the loop of things. In conclusion, it would be imperative to say that this volume is ahead of its times as it makes use of all the resources within the organization in order to achieve goals. It has been written with the aim of problem solving and goal achieving rolled into one so as to avoid any conflict. Avoiding conflict is akin to crossing the first and major bridge towards goal achievement in today's management scenario. This is an important insight provided by the book as far as conflict management is concerned. This book captures that spirit in the simplest way with clearly defined steps and processes. On a scale of one to ten, this book would score an eight. Reference: Raisel, Ethan M; Friga, Paul M (PhD), (September, 2001). The McKinsey Mind: Understanding and Implementing the Problem Solving Tools and Management Techniques of the World's Top Strategic Consulting Firm. McGraw Hill. Read More