Punita Gajree – Partner, Accenture

COMPANY BACKGROUND

Accenture is the world’s leading management and technology services organisation.  We have 75,000 people working in 47 countries, so this is a big business.  Our work invariably involves the application of information technology to business challenges, although this can take many different forms.  For example, we built the online shop that Sony used to sell Playstation 2 in Europe, and we built the system that helps De Beers track the movement of the diamonds throughout the world.

 MY TIME AT ACCENTURE

 I joined Accenture after university as an Analyst and, almost 10 years to the day later, I was promoted to partner.  My progression has been very rapid – I believe there are very few organizations that offer the same opportunities.

 I have now been at Accenture for 12 years and my experience has been incredibly varied.  I have worked across many industries.  For example, in the Retail sector I worked with the board of supermarket chain (funnily enough back in my university town), to help them develop an executive information system to better manage their business; in the Utilities sector I worked with a water company to revolutionise the way in which they schedule and manage work to keep the North West of England supplied with clean water; in Financial Services I have worked with investment banking firms in Paris, Milan, Frankfurt, Zurich London and New York.

 Now I am a Partner responsible for one of our major investment banking clients in Europe.  I also sponsor the Financial Services Great Place to Work for Women initiative, plus act as the UK People Advocate for the Ethnic Minority Population within Accenture.

 All in all, I’ve got plenty to keep me busy!

 HIGHS AND LOWS 

I have enjoyed being part of teams that have provided solutions to very complex business issues.  It’s an amazing when you deliver something which, just weeks previously, you wouldn’t have thought was possible.  The opportunity to travel has been great - I was able to live in New York for a year.  And, of course, being promoted to partner wasn’t bad either.

 The people I work with are fantastic – everyone is really enthusiastic about what they do, passionate about making a difference to the clients we work with and fun too.  I still learn new things every day – even after 12 years.

 The low points probably stem from needing to work long house on occasion but, even in the worst instances, your team gets you through it.

ANY ADVICE? 

If you are thinking of applying to consultancy, you should do lots of investigation.  All professional services firms are different – you will need to look into each one to see how they grow and train their people.

 Final Word

 I believe that Accenture offers great opportunities, partly because of the work we do, and partly because learning and personal development are so high on our agenda.  Perhaps this is why final – year students have ranked us as the UK’s leading graduate employer for a record five years running.