ABSTRACT
This is a very good time indeed for consultants. As corporations have been reorganizing and downsizing, merging and globalizing, the consulting business has been booming. During the 1990s, U.S. revenue from consulting increased by at least 10% each year and by as much as 20% to 30% in some of the larger firms. Unfortunately, the 2000 economic downturn reversed these trends, and most consulting firms experienced dramatic decreases in revenues and were forced to lay off many of their consulting and support staff. Nonetheless, by 2003, a resurgence occurred, and consulting again became a growth market as many corporations turned to consulting firms to meet internal needs. This resurgence continues today. The future looks bright for consultants, as projections suggest a steady growth in the demand for consultants ‘ services in the next decade.
