Despite the myths and negativity around consulting at the moment, it’s a very rewarding profession, and a very useful service if you use it well.

A merger seems simple on paper and will make sense for multiple reasons. In practice, however, it can be unsettling, hostile, or difficult for those involved.

Most agencies have a culture program of some sort underway - but if I were a public sector exec, I’d be tripling down on this one to make sure that attitudes, systems and processes fully support a continuously learning, future-focused culture.