BrazilHow Metyis stands out as a consulting employer of choice
Earlier this year, Metyis was named one of the top management consulting firms for graduates in Spain. To find out more about how the firm earned its reputation as an excellent working environment, Consultancy.eu spoke with Managing Partner José Antonio Bueno and Manager Sabrina Bernal.
Every year, thousands of students graduate from Spain’s top universities, and strategy and management consulting consistently rank among the five most popular sectors to start a career in.
According to a recent assessment of graduate views, eight of the world’s largest strategic consulting firms are among the country’s top ten consultancies to kickstart a career – but among the elite group is also Metyis, a forward-thinking consulting firm punching well above its weight.
To explain the company’s popularity, Managing Partner of Metyis in Spain José Antonio Bueno noted: “We are a new offer, we are flexible, and we let our teams dip their fingertips in our projects. We combine the strength of a solid group with the freshness and flexibility of a young company. We always say to our consultants that, with us, they can achieve 50 times their ambition.”
With offices in Madrid and Barcelona, Metyis’ Spanish practice operates across a wide range of industries, with multidisciplinary teams working to create strategies and innovative solutions tailored to clients’ needs. Internationally, the consultancy also has offices in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, India, and the UAE.
When asked what helps differentiate Metyis from established consulting brands, José António Bueno pointed out: “We are not the typical report writing consultancy. In our projects, we work closely with our clients to boost their top-line growth and enhance their operations.”
The examples of this are plentiful. Metyis for example recently helped an FMCG manufacturer improve its margins thanks to a dynamic pricing strategy, supported a well-known fashion manufacturer and retailer by multiplying and accelerating its e-commerce footprint (its internet sales multiplied tenfold), and guided a Spanish bank through a post-merger integration process.
Meanwhile, Metyis places long-term client relationships at the core of its approach. The firm goes beyond the traditional consultancy (working ‘on a fee basis’) by partnering up with clients, sharing risks and rewards – in many cases even on a venturing level – in an approach which builds more ownership and commitment from teams toward clients.
Metyis also supports clients not only with consulting services but also with digital & data solutions as well as e-commerce solutions.
Thanks to its differentiators, Metyis has built a “credible and attractive company” across two continents. However, it doesn't mean the firm will be resting on its laurels, though – and José António Bueno insists that “now is the time” to aim for the second wave of growth.
The next generation consultants
“Our Metyis Campus in Porto is a sample of the new things we can do. Metyis want to continue shaping a new way of doing consultancy. Developing a new generation of consultants is key to those plans.”
For the talented individuals that manage to get through the recruitment process and successfully integrate the Metyis team, José António Bueno points out that Metyis has “an elaborate onboarding and training program to help new recruits settle in and grow throughout their career.” This includes appointing a formal mentor and buddy who ensure new joiners have a smooth ride.
“We have inhouse and external training programs and now our L&D centre in Porto will play a fundamental role in our training model. All new entrants and all promoted people will receive a boot training program at the campus, enabling us to embed our common company values.”
The firm’s training offers flexible routes into different specialisms – something that is a major bonus for graduates looking to continue their education in the world of work. It is a factor which is broadly behind the popularity of consulting as a graduate profession already – but José Antonio Bueno is particularly proud of Metyis’ offering on this front.
“We offer an ocean of opportunities for our team,” he said. “They can pursue a career in consultancy but can also opt for a permanent engagement with one of our clients. They can opt for an international career, or a more local approach, making use of our flexible schemes. We also help people become specialists in one particular subject.”
Putting weight to his words, José Antonio Bueno was recently named one of Spain’s top directors of companies that attract the most young talent. The list, released by the ‘Instituto Coordenadas de Gobernanza y Economía Aplicada’, was based on a company’s human resources policy, professional development, international presence and sustainability programme – and also lauded the likes of Dimas Gimeno from WOW concept store and Mariangela Marseglia from Amazon.
Meanwhile, José Antonio Bueno added, “we also want our people to always have fun along their professional growth path, because life is too short to enjoy when working.”
Supporting women in consulting
Sabrina Bernal is a Manager in Metyis’ Barcelona office. According to her, Metyis is the perfect blend between a start-up and a big consulting firm. In this mid-tier space, the firm is capable of offering the know-how and best practices of traditional players, while allowing for the flexibility, ambition and people-oriented approach of a boutique.
Recalling her own arrival at the firm, Bernal stated, “It is very important to be part of a company that cares about its employees and recognises we all have different goals and motivations in life. From the first day, I felt supported by my leaders and peers. They challenged me to move forward in my career and as a female role model in the office, supporting my initiatives within the team.”
Bernal was promoted to manager after just six months, thanks to the trust and sponsorship of her leadership, “a fantastic director in the Madrid office” who believed she was ready for new responsibilities. Now, as someone passionate about gender equality, she is keen to encourage other women to follow her at Metyis and become part of the firm’s growth story.
“I have been working in consulting and financial services all my life, two male-dominated industries, and I’m aware of the disparity between women and men in leadership positions. At Metyis, gender equality is a key pillar of our diversity, equity and inclusion strategy.”
This sees the firm invest in bringing in talented women within its ranks. “We participate in recruitment forums and fairs from many universities, including ESADE. We also organise calls and coffee chats with female candidates.”
The flexibility of Metyis also allows Bernal to go beyond her current role. “I’m an active member of the diversity committee at Metyis. This affinity group allows me to play an active role in forming an inclusive and welcoming work environment while championing gender equality. I’m proud to work at a company that prioritises diversity and inclusion, and encourages employees to be active components of change.”
Bernal has also learnt from the women she is already mentoring at Metyis. The Women@Metyis Mentoring Programme connects people from different offices, backgrounds, nationalities, and ages to share conversations and gain refreshing perspectives beyond their immediate professional network, granting an objective point of view and a platform for exciting stories and experiences.
As a mentor, Bernal has listened to her mentees and has learnt about their career ambitions, their concerns, and how they have dealt with the Covid-19 pandemic. But after those experiences, what is her most important advice for women considering careers in consulting?
“Stop hesitating and go for it,” Bernal asserted. “From personal experience and observing other highly talented women, we overthink and constantly underestimate our talent and capabilities. So, my advice would be to go for the new challenge, ask the question you have, share your opinions, and keep growing.”
