In this article, Olivia BRÜN (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (BGBA), and ESIC Business School, Bachelor of Business Administration and Management (BBAM), 2022–2026) shares her professional experience as a Strategy Intern at ANXO Management Consulting.
About the company
ANXO is a moderately sized consultancy company based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The firm specializes in strategy development, organizational restructuring, transformation processes, and digitalization, offering its services to public and private sector organizations. ANXO guides organizations through complex change processes while also supporting the creation of sustainable strategic projects.
Logo of ANXO Management Consulting.
Source: the company.
I was with one team during my internship and provided support to partners on specific projects from time to time. I supported consultants in organizing internal and external workshops, assisted in the coordination of meetings, and was involved in communications and marketing functions.
My internship
From late May to mid-August 2024, I completed a three-month full-time internship at ANXO Management Consulting GmbH. As a Strategy Intern, I was involved in various internal and external projects, worked on client-related projects, attended association events, and supported projects across the whole organization.
One of the key aspects of my internship was working with Ralf Strehlau, President of the Federal Association of German Management Consultants (BDU) and Managing Director of ANXO. This experience gave me important insights into the operations of consultancy companies with regards to business and industry representation.
My missions
My tasks included:
- Conducting analysis of industry trends and competitive forces for project leadership and consultants.
- Organizing and documenting workshops and strategic planning sessions in the organization.
- Enabling autonomous collaboration between internal divisions, clients, and professional bodies.
- Planning a client-focused business trip to Düsseldorf and coordinating a VR pipeline demonstration at a trade show.
- Helping in the formulation and organization of ANXO’s web relaunch initiative.
- Organizing internal corporate functions involving management staff and consultants.
Required skills and knowledge
The internship required a high degree of self-management, professional communication skills, and the ability to work independently under strict time constraints. The ability to quickly absorb and analyze information and then convert it into practical outcomes was particularly critical.
Analytical research skills were necessary, especially for competitive analysis and preparing reports used in association meetings. Attention to detail and maintaining high standards in communication and operations were key to delivering value in a consultancy environment.
What I learned
My time at ANXO gave me a practical and contextualized understanding of the consultancy sector, especially within a medium-sized organization. I developed transferable skills in research, communication, and stakeholder engagement.
Taking part in a public trade fair presentation and collaborating with clients highlighted the importance of clear, confident communication in business settings. This experience helped me gain a deeper appreciation for the structured, analytical, and people-oriented nature of consulting work.
Financial concepts related my internship
I present below three financial concepts related to my internship: project cost awareness, resource utilization, and consulting business models.
Project Cost Awareness
While coordinating meetings and planning travel, I became more aware of how resource planning and time budgeting affect the implementation of consulting projects. For mid-sized firms juggling multiple projects, managing these elements efficiently is essential to financial sustainability.
Resource Utilization
I observed how consultants allocated time across various projects and tasks. This gave me initial exposure to utilization rates — a vital performance metric in consulting that affects staffing and overall profitability.
Consulting Business Models
Through internal coordination and client engagement support, I gained familiarity with the business economics of consulting firms, including time-based billing, project pricing strategies, and the economics of client retention.
Why should I be interested in this post?
This internship gave me practical insight into the consultancy industry and the dynamics of a medium-sized firm. For ESSEC students curious about project delivery, strategy, or professional services, this experience offers a realistic preview of consulting work, with its mix of analytical, operational, and interpersonal challenges.
Related posts on the SimTrade blog
▶ All posts about Professional experiences
▶ Alexandre VERLET Classic brain teasers from real-life interviews
Useful resources
Financial Times German consulting firms grow amid increased demand
An article discussing the growth of consulting firms in Germany, highlighting trends relevant to mid-sized strategy firms like ANXO.
Dartmouth CPD – Consulting 101 Resource
An overview of consulting industry fundamentals, useful for students exploring roles and skills relevant to consulting internships.
About the author
The article was written in May 2025 by Olivia BRÜN (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor in Business Administration (BGBA), and ESIC Business School, Bachelor of Business Administration and Management (BBAM), 2022–2026), 2022–2026).