Global

Global Finance, Jan 2002 by Steele, Lockhart

WORLD'S BEST CONSUL FINANCE SURVEY _

WORLD'S BEST CONSULTANTS

Generalist: Accenture

Despite the difficulties associated with splitting from Arthur Andersen, Accenture managed to hold on to its leadership position in the generalist category. It recorded $13.3 billion in revenues for fiscal 2001, up 17% from the previous year The bulk of the company's business is in the Americas (59%), but it has more than 75,000 employees in 47 countries.Ahead for this year: increased outsourcing efforts and cost-savings initiatives for clients, both of which have won high praise from analysts who see even better results ahead for Accenture.

www.accenture.com

Strategy: McKinsey

McKinsey is the only strategy firm that cracks the top 10 in total revenues ($3 billion-plus in 2001). It epitomizes global consulting: Partners in Tokyo can assist a client as easily as partners in Los Angeles or Copenhagen. McKinsey held its ground during a tough year. Continuing to broaden its global footprint, the firm expanded in China and, despite an incident of bad publicity there, the firm's business in China grew at a brisk 20%plus rate last year.

www.mckinsey.com

IT: IBM Global Services

While other hardware manufacturers begin to focus on the services space, IBM Global Services, the company's consulting division, is forging ahead with ambitious outsourcing plans that may allow it to grow its lead in IT consulting.With $33.2 billion in 2000 revenues (40% in outsourcing, 30% from pure consulting), Global Services may soon surpass hardware as the top revenue driver. IBM's Business Continuity and Recovery Services division is poised to capitalize on increased demand for disaster preparation and recovery services.

www.ibm.com/services/

HR: William M. Mercer

The largest global human resources consultant,William M. Mercer, serves 40 countries in all global regions.The strength of its broad-based practice is evidenced by its contribution to parent company Mercer Consulting Group's earnings: Roughly three-quarters of its firmwide revenues come from William M. Mercer.The past year saw the firm busy across all regions but especially in Europe, where it opened offices in Prague and Istanbul and acquired a Vienna-based consulting firm.

www.wmmercer.com

Tax: Andersen

Tax-consulting field leader Andersen reported 14.5% growth in its 2001 fiscal year, with revenues just shy of $3 billion from its tax and legat-consulting practice. Previously known as Arthur Andersen, the firm won the right to the valuable Andersen name in court, forcing Accenture to rebrand. At issue now is whether Andersen can leverage its brand into other consulting services.Analysts believe the firm would like to blend audit-, tax-, and strategy-consulting into a single gestalt.

www.andersen.com

Marketing/Branding: Interbrand

Interbrand wants to change corporations' traditional view of a brand from an expense item to an asset.The firm continues to stand out as the global leader in its space. It teamed with Business Week last year to produce a quantified ranking of the world's most valuable brands. Expanding its global presence, Interbrand entered France with a Paris office in 2001; the firm says additional acquisitions are in the works.They should round out its offerings and increase an already global presence.

www.brandchannel.com