Data collection/Fieldwork

Question

Hello, I am currently interning in a consulting firm. They are making us call competitors and relevant people to get primary data (known apparently as fieldwork).

I feel like that should be outsourced as It is not the job of consultants (besides conducting interviews with experts)

Is it standard practice for consultants to do phone calls to collect data? (I know LEK apparently do this a lot)

Also many engagements tend to be market research. Is it common practice for strat. consulting firms to only conduct market research with little strategic advice ?

Thanks a lot,

Answer 1

Hi,

This is an interesting question.

Ultimately in consulting the mindset is to deliver the best outcome for the client.

If we need data as part of that answer, then the data needs to be obtained / created
Is it the most value add part of your life to do something mundane like this? The answer is no
Is it possible to outsource this to research assistants? theoretically yes
Does your case have enough budget/policy that allows you to do this? If the answer is no, then you have to do it, because it needs to get done

Hope this helps to clarify

Answer 2

Hi Anonymous,

it depends on the scale! If you need representative survey data from a large sample of calls, then by all means this should be outsourced to either support areas within the firm (e.g., at McKinsey there is an entire department spread between India and Costa Rica who specialize on surveying) or external partners. If, however, all you need is some anecdotal evidence of a certain matter, then of course it might make sense to just let a team member spend an afternoon doing such calls. Rule of thumb: if it takes more than one or two work days to accomplish, it should be better outsourced.

Cheers, Sidi

Answer 3

Hi,

It really depends on the check for the project. When I was working for Accenture, analysts were doing a lot of primary research while at McKinsey it was the job to be done by the temporary assistants.

But you should not think that consultants are only giving the strategic advice. You will be surprised how much bureaucratic and monotonous work you have to do for the client even at MBB projects.

Best