iX Teacher Spotlight — Jaco Spies — Management Consulting 2018.

"Technological change, and its impact on business, is top of mind for CEOs. Successful consultants will need to guide businesses in this area more than ever before."

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Jaco Spies, Head Teacher for the iXperience Management Consulting course is full of surprises — his fluent Japanese and musical proclivity just two of the fascinating facts you might uncover as one of his students this summer. He expands on what to expect in, and outside of, the classroom.

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Jaco's Background

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After studying Engineering in Cape Town, Jaco completed an MBA from INSEAD, graduating with distinction. His background in Management Consulting began with McKinsey & Company, where he worked both across Africa and the in the United States.

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Jaco specializes in corporate strategy roles, with a particular focus on consumer goods. Currently, he works as an independent strategy consultant, training senior executives on strategy and other valuable management consulting skills.

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What are you working on now? Tell us about an exciting project that you’ve recently completed or are currently involved with.

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I'm working on a market entry strategy for a liquor brands business. They hope to enter the rapidly growing and competitive luxury liquor brands space, so it's a fantastic challenge.

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What do you enjoy most about the Management Consulting industry?

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I love working on key projects that deliver real impact to businesses, building relationships with clients and doing something new and interesting all the time.

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Why did you decide to get involved with teaching and how do you continue to keep things fresh?

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I’ve always enjoyed teaching and used to explain junior school work (like concepts in science) to any of my classmates who’d stand still for long enough. The key to keeping things fresh is to prepare for each class with the specific people I’m teaching in mind. I try to imagine how they would experience my classes and plan accordingly.

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What are you most looking forward to about iXperience this summer?

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I'm really looking forward to the teaching itself, connecting with students and finding fun, innovative ways to transfer knowledge and develop the individuals I’ll be guiding in this journey.

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How do you see the Management Consulting industry changing in the next year to five years? What skills will consultants need to have?

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Technological change (like Artificial Intelligence or Smart Device proliferation) and its impact on business, is top of mind for CEOs. Successful consultants will need to be equipped to guide businesses in this area, more than ever before.

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What skills will iX students have after graduating from your class?

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My students will leave armed with a full kit of junior Management Consultant skills to apply in their case interviews, while working in Management Consulting, or in any other position they seek.

What would students be surprised to learn about you?

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I speak Japanese and love cooking Japanese food. I play the cello and also know all the lyrics to Jamiroquai's Cosmic Girl.