Industry News
In this section we have gathered some of the most popular information sources, such as trade journals, magazines, blogs, and association websites. Industry information is always changing. For the latest news, current issues and popular opinions, try following one or more of these sources. In addition, interacting with the websites that provide this information through commenting and asking questions may also provide you with more information.
Associations
Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for your business plan. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.
Canadian Associations
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Association of Consulting Engineering Companies (ACEC) | ACEC is a not-for-profit organization. Its members provide independent advice and expertise in a wide-range of engineering fields. Start with their ACEC Publications.
Association of Independent Consultants (AiConsult) | AiConsult provides IT consulting services. These services include: managed IT services, search engine optimization, digital marketing services, social media marketing, and custom software for 360 degree employee review feedback.
Association of Professional Canadian Consultants (APCC) | APPC is a not-for-profit professional association that supports independent contractors in Canada through advocacy, professional development, and idea exchange. They produce several different categories of resources for members. Start with Resources on Industry Insights, Tools, Submissions, and Articles.
Canadian Association of Management Consultants (CMC) | CMC fosters excellence and integrity in the management consulting profession, and administers the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation in Canada. The British Columbia chapter resides in Vancouver. Read their Code of Professional Conduct and find out how to make the most of your CMC designation.
International Associations
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Institute of Management Consultants USA | IMC USA provides skills and tools to support its members so that they are able to build and maintain better consulting businesses. IMC USA also issues the CMC (Certified Management Consultant) certification.
Management Consultancies Association (MCA) | MCA is a UK-based trade association that promotes the value of consulting to the private and public sector, the media, and general public.
International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (CMC-Global) | CMC-Global promotes the profile, recognition of the consulting professional and its practitioners worldwide.
Magazines & Trade Journals
Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for business planning. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.
Canadian Consulting Engineer | Recommended for professional engineers working as consultants. It is the only engineering magazine in Canada with coverage of structural, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering.
Consulting Magazine | Geared toward management consultants. Articles cover innovative ideas, business strategies, client performance, career options, and guidance. Published bi-monthly.
McKinsey Quarterly | Topics include business strategy, technology, finance, and management. Articles are written by current and former McKinsey consultants and draw from contemporary client research. The journal publishes four standard issues and two themed feature issues per year.
Harvard Business Review | Covers the latest thinking on management, diversity, strategy, and leadership. Subscribers receive unfettered access to website content, including a treasure trove of data and visuals.
Consultant & Other Websites
Capgemini |Global leader in consulting, technology services and digital transformation.
Deloitte | Multinational professional services network. In Canada, Deloitte provides several services including auditing and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, and tax-related advice.
Ernst & Young | Multinational professional services firm specializing in assurance, advisory, tax, and transaction services.
KPMG International | Global network of independent member firms that offer audit, tax, and advisory services to clients.
McKinsey & Company | Global consultancy firm that specializes in helping clients achieve transformational change.
The Burnie Group | Management consulting firm and one of Canada’s fastest growing companies. It specializes in helping clients develop innovative strategies for improving business operations.
MarketWatch - Industry Analyzer | The Industries section contains current data on Dow Jones Industry Sectors. Aggregate data as well as company-specific data is available.
PriceWaterhouse Coopers Canada (PwC) | Global consultancy firm that produces reports on the state of various industries.
Firsthand | A free source of industry information. Use the Industry Profiles to research growing industries and best industries by major, and Company Rankings and Profiles to find news, company information, and industry-specific sample professions. Basic monthly membership is free and offers access to blogs, discussion forums, and job listings.
- Consulting
- Management and Strategy Consulting
- Staffing and Human Resources Consulting
- Financial Consulting
- Information Technology Consulting
- Human Resource Consultants
- Information Technology Consultants
- Information Technology Security Consultants
- Management Analysts and Consultants
Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre | This free resource created by the Vancouver Public Library is an online and in-person resource that helps newcomers to Canada find information to get a job, explore different careers or start a business.
Blogs & Discussion Forums
Actionable | Management software company Actionable maintains this blog dedicated to helping solo consultants and boutique firms manage radical shifts in the professional landscape and in their work, from the rise of startups to the ubiquity- and necessity- of social media. Check out their writings on increasing participant commitment in your sessions and culture building.
Irresistible Consulting Moments | Consultant David A. Fields’ writings are geared toward the boutique firms and solo consultants that he helps in his practice. He writes on a variety of topics, including winning larger projects and client retention versus finding new clients.
Consulting Success | Consulting Success channels the entrepreneurial journey of building a consulting business from the ground up in the form of easily digestible posts on the topic. Start with articles such as How to Write Your Consulting Firm’s Mission Statement or How to Create, Sell, and Improve Your Consulting Offers.
Consultant’s Mind | John Kim’s consulting blog shares the tips and tricks he’s learned in his 20 years of strategic management, management consulting, and healthcare strategy. If you’re just starting out on your consulting journey, check out his statement for new consultants.
Podcasts
The Strategy Skills Podcast | The Strategy Skills Podcast is the channel where strategy partners teach you the tools and techniques to solve mankind’s greatest problems. Skilled consultants, management professionals and partners, and CEOs of firms come together to speak on topics such as conceptual thinking and relational intelligence.
The Art of Consulting | Two seasoned IT consultants teach tips, tricks, and strategies to improve your career, confidence and lifestyle. They reveal the secrets to their longevity and success in the industry through conversation with each other as well as other successful IT consultants.
Craft of Consulting | Consulting is a craft, or so Deb Zhan believes. Join her as she interviews guests or talks about topics related to being a successful consultant, including how to hone one’s critical consulting skills such as behavior change, change management, and effective communication.
The McKinsey Podcast | The McKinsey Podcast on Business and Management features topics ranging from leadership and change management to digital, analytics and deep-dives into specific regions and industries.
TIP: As with all sources, news articles and blogs should be carefully evaluated. For information on how to evaluate your information, watch video tutorial Module Five: Using Information Responsibly.