We interviewed International MBA participant Martin Keller, who was recently elected President of the EADA Consulting Club 2018-19. Martin is from Zurich, Switzerland, and speaks English, German, French and Spanish. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialisation in Risk and Insurance from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
Why did you want to be elected to represent the Consulting Club at EADA?
The position as President appealed to me because it meant that I could use the synergies of all of EADA’s international programmes at the same time. The different mind-sets and backgrounds that come together here enrich the club enormously. I am very keen to take on responsibility and would like to create something that adds sustainable value for my fellow students.
I decided on an MBA because I want to reorient myself professionally. From the beginning of my studies, consulting fascinated me and that’s why I wanted to immerse myself more deeply in the industry.
How does the Consulting Club relate to your career goals?
There is a direct correlation between the Consulting Club and my career goals. I am looking for a new professional challenge where I can combine various passions: working with people with an international mind-set from all over the world, travelling, experiencing different cultures, using my languages skills and travelling.
What I also like about a career in consulting is the team environment and the chance for me to prove my general knowledge and analytical skills. At the same time, being a consultant would require me to be flexible and agile.
In consulting, there is a need to develop close, harmonious relationships in which people and teams understand each other's strengths and weaknesses and ideas, and can communicate these clearly in order to work together successfully.
What was the most interesting take away from the Alumni Panel?
The panel discussion was one of my favourite EADA events so far. It was interesting to see what different career paths the alumni had chosen and what personal experiences had contributed to their success in consulting. I also appreciated the willingness of the alumni to take time for the current students despite their tight schedules. They made themselves available for personal exchanges afterwards, allowing students to expand their professional network. The organisation of another panel discussion is definitely one of my goals for the Consulting Club in 2019.
What do you think are the most important qualities in a successful consultant?
Dedication to hard work, the ability to enjoy the work of consulting, and the flexibility to move to different locations. These qualities, combined with the ability to listen to clients and openly discuss strategic solutions to overcome organisational challenges, are key to success. Understanding the vision, mission, values and culture of the client‘s company is also important to achieving sustainable solutions for the customer.
What do you think is the most challenging part of a career in consulting? How does the Club prepare you for this role?
Certainly, entering the industry is difficult, as competition is fierce and the application windows must be planned carefully. After that, the first two years are critical – it is important to gain a foothold quickly and to mark your place. There is also a need to develop close, harmonious relationships in which people and teams understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses and ideas, and can communicate these clearly in order to work together successfully.
The Consulting Club provides resources like case cracking sessions and panel discussions, creating a community in which we can network with classmates and faculty with experience in the industry.