Consulting Testimonial
Carlton Joiner
The Americas (Atlanta, Ga., U.S.A.)
Introduction: After spending 11 years in management consulting at Ernst & Young and Capgemini, Carlton joined Gartner as a Senior Director. Three years later, he’s a Vice President based in our Atlanta office.
What do you do in your current position?
I lead a major engagement for one of our largest commercial accounts. I also serve as the deputy global managing partner, where I’m responsible for all of our consulting engagements on a global basis.
What do you like most about your job?
It’s the variety in terms of the subject matter, the roles I can play, the types of businesses I work with—and the variety of opportunities available in this field over the long haul.
Can you talk about the team you work with?
On the main engagement I work on, we have a six-person team of people who work out of Atlanta, Chicago, Nova Scotia and Philadelphia, as well as an extended team based primarily in the U.K. One of the biggest joys in the work I do is being able to work with a truly global team and get to know colleagues from other parts of the world.
Which personality traits are most important in Gartner Consulting?
I think an entrepreneurial spirit, as well as a willingness to assume responsibility. The Consulting practice has been very successful, and it’s a very fast-paced environment. For those individuals who are flexible and have a willingness to take on more responsibility, there are a number of opportunities to accelerate your career and get into expanded leadership roles, often earlier than you would in a different or larger organization.
What’s the single most important service you offer your clients?
I’d say it’s giving them the right independent guidance. We don’t do implementations; that’s not our business. But we have the right combination of strategy and execution experience, so we can proactively point our clients in the right direction. Our independence and objectivity allow us to provide some of the tough messages that might be difficult for other consultants to deliver.
What do you appreciate most about your colleagues at Gartner?
We have a very experienced team of self-motivated people with a lot of expertise and passion for what they do. In my role, I don’t have to manage anybody per se. I just provide guidance and create the right environment for people to excel. There’s more of a focus on coaching and career development rather than micro-management.
Good applicants have a lot of choices in where to work. Why Gartner?
I think one reason is thought leadership and another is the substantial growth in career opportunities. But perhaps most important is the very nature of the work we do. If you want to be at the intersection of business and technology, and if you want to be at the intersection of strategy and implementation, Gartner is the premier place to be.
Do you have advice for Gartner applicants?
I would say, think long term. Don’t pick a job; pick a career. I think that’s where consulting in general is a good choice that presents opportunities for growth in knowledge and in types of experiences.
