Gupta used a four-pronged attack to continuing the firm's emphasis on knowledge development. Gupta suggested that the firm do not have to make choices but could choose all these options at the same time. First, Gupta capitalized the long term investment in practice development through creating new channels. Second, Gupta used Practice Olympics, which was an idea of teaming up people, doing presentations and developing ideas, with clients and senior partners as judges. Third, Gupta used multi-year internal assignments, tapped with both internal and external expertises to develop solutions to key issues. Last, Gupta proposed to focus on the study on changes in the global economy on business. I agree with the general prompt of Gupta's four pronged approach, which is to focus on the future of the firm. The speed of knowledge development should be matched with the usage of technology, so that Gupta can bring more research-oriented people into the field and improve employee understandings.

My advice for Gupta is as follows. First, instead of trying to improve employees' general knowledge as a whole, I suggest Gupta can make assessments and group employees according to departments or work characteristics. For example, there will be market research group, market consulting group, business intelligence group, etc. It will be more effective if Gupta assess employee's knowledge based on varied group's needs. Second, I suggest Gupta improve the company's efficiency through cutting unnecessary training costs (after careful evaluations) since operational cost can be high if Gupta chooses to focus on many areas. Third, I suggest Gupta to increase the internal credibility and external visibility. In this case, consultants can provide better services and analysis to clients. In addition, the overall process can also be viewed by clients so that there will be less misunderstandings.

What you do you think or suggest?