Points of View

Be honest. Would you buy from you?

The traditional sales model suggests that you identify your target customer’s needs, you judge your capability to deliver against these needs and then you...Read more about Be honest. Would you buy from you?

Points of View

The dilemma of being a principal in consulting

No-one can accuse consultancies of under investing in their staff — the cost of developing a junior consultant to principal level runs into hundreds...Read more about The dilemma of being a principal in consulting

Points of View

How Manchester City won the Premiership in 2012

Before we start, I have to declare an interest, nay possible bias even. As a lifetime QPR supporter, this has probably been one of...Read more about How Manchester City won the Premiership in 2012

Points of View

What is leadership?

The leader has an orientation toward change and a bias for action – she must focus, motivate, organise and activate followers to achieve singleness...Read more about What is leadership?

Points of View

Networking and cold calling: touting for business or making a contribution?

For most professionals, the dreaded ‘networking event’ sends shivers down the spine. Why? Because it tends to be a series of contrived encounters where...Read more about Networking and cold calling: touting for business or making a contribution?
Read our full Points of View overview.

The Openside Group’s Points of View is an extensive library of thought-leadership built over more than a decade, written specifically for professionals and leaders working in consulting, law, accounting, financial services and other advisory sectors.

The articles are deliberately challenging and thought-provoking, bridging the gap between academic research and real-world practice. Every piece is grounded in Openside’s deep experience of working with professional services firms across the globe and comes with practical recommendations that readers can act on.

The library spans a broad range of topics that matter most to people building careers and leading teams in professional services. On the technical side, readers will find rich content on analytical problem-solving, structured thinking, hypothesis-driven approaches, and critical thinking – the core intellectual skills that distinguish great consultants. Communication and storytelling feature prominently too, with articles exploring how to present with impact, craft compelling narratives and avoid the common trap of turning insight into a data dump.

Business development and client relationships are another major thread, covering everything from winning proposals and navigating procurement to building trusted advisor relationships and differentiating your firm in a crowded market.

Leadership runs throughout the archive – from practical tips for new managers stepping into their first leadership role, to the complex dynamics of Partner performance, development and succession. Alongside this sits a growing body of content on wellbeing, resilience and workplace culture, including a widely read special report on the “always-on” culture that dominates professional services.

More recently, Openside has turned its attention to the future of the profession – examining how AI is reshaping consulting, what the rise of Gen Z means for firms, and how skills-based development is changing the talent landscape.

Taken together, the Points of View represent one of the most comprehensive independent perspectives on professional development and performance in professional services available today.