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The first coming of Gemini Gemini Consulting was pieced together from five different consulting firms in 1991 by its parent Cap Gemini, a huge France-based technology and IT consulting firm. At first, Gemini's proffered holistic "transformation" was the hottest thing going - growing by 88 percent between 1991 and 1993. Prospective clients were attracted to Gemini's promise of reengineering. Clients also liked the firm's painstakingly thorough approach, which examined everyone at a company from the CEO to part-time salesmen. Gemini's philosophy cast organizations as living organisms that require total nurturing and care. Hard times In 1994, however, the firm fell on hard times. The re-engineering market had effectively collapsed a year earlier, and by 1994 the firm's revenues were flat. Gemini retrenched painfully, upsetting its own holistic resolve by laying off 300 of its then-1,700 consultants in 1995. It actually lost money at a time when virtually all other consultancies were showing gains. The firm closed its San Francisco office in early 1997. Currently, Gemini says it is "earning" the right to return to larger engagements in the U.S. by first taking on small and medium-sized jobs, often in operations and IT consulting (a strength due to the connection with Cap Gemini). The firm is doing less strategy work in North America than before the retrenchment. On the upswing The new Gemini approach seems to be working. The firm is gaining confidence. In January 1998, Gemini Consulting officially merged with Bossard Consulting, a European-based consultancy also owned by Cap Gemini. The merger boosted the number of Gemini consultants to 2,200 in more than 30 offices on five continents. The growth is expected to continue, particularly in Europe, where the firm is already the largest consultancy in France. Bigger and better? Gemini could be growing a lot more - in December 1999, parent Cap Gemini announced that it was considering buying Ernst & Young's consulting business. While the deal has yet to go through, it could be just the boost Gemini is looking for. Buying Ernst & Young would give Gemini instant brand recognition in the U.S. and 8,000 consultants on board, not to mention a blue-chip client roster that includes Intel and KLM Airlines. The turn to IT In 1999, Gemini and Cap Gemini decided to work more closely together in order to challenge IT specialists Andersen Consulting, EDS, Computer Sciences Corporation, and IBM. The turn to IT coincides with Tony Robinson's 1999 promotion to chief executive officer. Previously, Robinson had served in Cap Gemini's U.K. technology group. That year, parent Cap Gemini also formed partnerships with Sun-Netscape Alliance Initiative, an IT company, and Kenan Systems Corporation, a software subsidiary of Lucent Technologies. Cap Gemini Partners with Cisco Systems The two companies announced that they are creating a joint venture to work with telecommunications carriers and corporate clients to design and assemble high speed networks. The agreement, anticipated since January, was warmly received from analysts, and Cap Gemini states that the new unit will generate more than 900 million euros by the end of the summer. News of the partnership drove up Cap Gemini's shares on the domestic and international stock market. Cap Gemini's main network offerings for carriers, online-service providers, and other businesses will now be based on Cisco products.
The Gemini web site, located at www.gemcon.com, describes the firm's entry-level positions and application process. The consulting hierarchy at Gemini is as follows (from bottom to top): consultant, senior consultant, managing consultant, principal and vice president. The consultant position is the entry-level role for undergraduate candidates. When they first join the firm, all new consultants will work in Gemini's Strategic Research Group center in Cambridge, Massachusetts before being allowed to embark on engagements. Consultants who join Gemini directly from undergrad typically work at the firm for two to three years before returning to business school. A handful stay with the firm and work their way up the ranks. Candidates completing an MBA or another advanced degree with some professional experience are typically considered for senior consultant positions. The senior consultant's responsibilities include analyzing data, problem solving, and assisting client teams. Additionally, the senior consultant must perform customer and client interviews and develop, present, and implement client recommendations. In North America, Gemini recruits from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. At Gemini, first-round interviews are conducted by consultants only one to two years ahead of the interviewee. Most MBA hires have four to five years' work experience. Candidates coming from industry should have at least 10 years' experience in either management consulting or a relevant industry sector. Applicants are particularly welcome in Gemini's "target" industries: Life Sciences, Telecom & Media, Financial Services (including Insurance), Manufacturing, and Change Management. Internship opportunities exist at both the consultant and senior consultant level. Undergraduates in their junior year have an opportunity to spend three months in the firm's Cambridge, MA location. Candidates who are between the first and second years of their MBA program can work with Gemini for three months on a client site. Gemini's MBA Summer Internship Program is "global" and the firm claims to offer ample networking opportunities, training, and performance evaluations. The consulting firm holds events on campuses that focus on "showing how Gemini works." Prospective employees should send resumes and cover letters in hard copy only to:
Gemini Consulting, A Division of CAP Gemini America The undergraduate contact is Ann Cromer. The MBA/graduate student contact is Karleen Mussman. The industry professional contact is Dianne Provini.
A firm with potential The retrenchments of several years ago haven't helped the Gemini atmosphere much. Insiders say that "there are lingering repercussions about the layoffs. Things still haven't gone back to normal, and people still look over their shoulders." Despite these concerns, however, Gemini still has many intrinsic strengths. The "social," "team-based" approach gives recent hires "constant" exposure to their "down-to-earth," more senior colleagues. Gemini allows its consultants to live where they choose but requires them to be at the client site Monday through Friday. Explains one insider: "Gemini practices something called the virtual office, which means you fly to your client site Monday through Thursday and then you telecommute on Friday." Kind and respectful coworkers In its American offices, dress at Gemini is business casual, although it is still formal in the firm's European offices, insiders report. Gemini also provides "excellent" support staff, and consultants praise their "intelligent, proactive, interesting" coworkers. One consultant says "I have never seen anything other than mutual respect and trust for everyone in the organization." While the consulting industry is "full of individuals who are typically arrogant, the great thing about Gemini is that, while the arrogance does exist, it is held in check and does not impede working and social interactions." Lots of travel, but free weekends There isn't much formal training at the firm, but new employees learn "most of the ropes" from "project experience." Once Gemini consultants are familiar with their trade, "the amount of work can vary significantly from high to outrageous." Travel is intense and many consultants report wallowing in it: "If it were not for the significant travel, I could not imagine wanting to join another firm." Reveals another insider: "There is way too much travel and not enough vacation time." Fortunately, Gemini consultants "don't have to brown nose on the road or on weekends. They are expected to achieve a balanced life so that the workweek is something they look forward to." Apparently, this balance pertains to the body as well as to the mind. "I am able to work out daily," divulges another insider, "and have a weekend. I am one happy camper during the week." Turning the corner While "many people have left for other firms," other employees say "we've turned the corner in America." The merger with Bossard Consultants is "a great fit" and should "energize" Gemini, consultants say. One insider confidently summarizes the Gemini experience: "We care about the people we work with, including clients and co-workers, and it shows. I came to Gemini because of the interesting work. I'm staying not only for the work, but also for the culture."
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