What separates Accenture?
With all this competition, what makes Accenture so special? First of all, its reputation is pristine. Although I’m sure IBM and EDS (NYSE: EDS) would beg to differ, I’ve always considered Accenture the Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) of the consultancies. What does that mean? It means that if all the companies were charging the same price for the same service, Accenture would be the one you’d pick. I’m biased, of course. I saw firsthand how well Accenture’s operation runs. Although it is now a public company rather than the partnership it started as, that partnership mentality has lingered. Smart young consultants work long hours for many years in the hopes of one day making partner. Its corporate culture is imbued with a demand for uncompromising excellence. The effect of that is hard to quantify, but it’s an x-factor that makes me comfortable that Accenture will effectively evolve, however the competitive and business environments may change. Another advantage Accenture has on all but its l
