Rip-off!: The Scandalous Inside Story of the Management Consulting Money Machine

He never reveals the names of his employers, or his clients, but with a little detective work it’s usually easy to figure out. Believing his ex-colleagues would all be reading his book, I found myself being annoyed by his need to periodically state “and if you’re thinking of suing me, I have the recordings/memos/files to prove it”. Like another reviewer, I also found his habit of inserting a single dash into a swear word to ‘clean it up’ offputting. I think the audience for this book is grown up enough to handle some bad language.

There are some shocking stories here, but then anyone could write some stuff about the company they work for – just read Scott Adams’ Dilbert Newsletter. It’s only because Craig has worked for some dodgy employers in a ‘smoke and mirrors’ industry, with a wide variety of clients, that he’s got enough material to fill a book.

It’s an interesting read purely for curiosity value, not for uncovering the inner workings of the more respected consultancies (and he was never in very senior roles). And don’t expect anything useful on the tools and techniques used by good consultants to improve performance.

Now a book from a Partner…..that would make for a good read.


Sadly all too true   November 25, 2005
7 out of 9 found this review helpful

Wonderful. I ran away from what was then Andersen Consulting 10 years ago and it all has the the ring of truth to it. As a freelancer I still decline to work for the likes of IBM or Accenture due to the antics described in the book.

Having read the other reviews I was expecting to have a bit of difficulty reading the book. I personally did not have as many problems as was suggested but it must be said that those searching for an example from the more poetic end of the spectrum of literature should look elsewhere.