Of the many jokes told against management consultants, the following is perhaps the best. A partner at a leading strategy firm was holidaying in a small fishing village in the Caribbean. He was strolling round the harbour one afternoon when he saw a fisherman sitting in his boat, gently strumming a guitar.

The consultant set about gathering some relevant data. It transpired that the fisherman was making a decent living, working most mornings, providing for his family yet finding time to relax in his boat and play a few tunes.