Managing Internal Consulting Units: Challenges and Practices‪.‬

What are the pros and cons of establishing and operating internal consulting units (ICUs) within a large organization? And how do ICU differ essentially from independent consulting firms? After identifying four key challenges for ICUs--formulating a strategy, building credibility, controlling performance, and attracting and motivating employees--the authors examined them in the context of four multinational organizations based in Sweden. The results yielded three major precepts for ICU managers to follow: build credibility with a limited stock of external assignments and a central organizational position; maintain operational autonomy; and attract and motivate professionals with a different, alternative employee offer. Introduction