Article: “You have to know how to ask the right questions” Written by Caroline Roberts Thursday 16 April 2026 Share Share to LinkedIn Share to Facebook Share via email Alistair Apedaile MCMI ChMC, our Chartered Management Consultant of the Month, shares how his science background and inquisitive mind helped him succeed as a consultant When he moved from developing polymers in the science lab to business consultancy, Alistair Apedaile MCMI ChMC faced a steep learning curve. “In science, you go from the experiment through to the conclusion,” he says. “In the business world, your focus is on the conclusion and the story that underpins it. You're almost having to reverse your thought process.” But it was his polymer work that first introduced him to business methodologies, including Lean Six Sigma. The shift to consultancy gave him the chance to learn more about business analysis and reporting, as well as to test how transferable his skills really were. The value of variety Now, 12 years later, he is a senior consultant at Juran Benchmarking, where he promotes industry best practice and enables companies to compare performance with their peers in the global energy sector. His focus: natural gas pipelines, underground gas storage and production and processing assets. He enjoys the variety of the role. “The businesses I work with have their own unique challenges, even though they’re all in the same field,” he says. “For me, it's about being able to share their successes with other parts of the industry and contextualise that learning to companies in other parts of the world. It’s a fascinating place to be, because it’s an interconnected global industry – as we’ve seen from recent world events.” Are you a Chartered Management Consultant with a story to tell? We’re always on the lookout for inspiring stories from our community. You could feature in an article on our website and in our member newsletter. Contact us In those 12 years, Alistair has learnt a lot about the qualities that make a good consultant, whether it’s the resilience to deal with clients who don’t like the message they’re being given, or the ability to listen as clients air their concerns, in order to tailor that message more effectively. His other major lesson: the value of being inquisitive. “You have to know how to ask the right questions,” he says. “That often comes down to your own learned past experience and a desire to really understand their pain points.” Keep reading – more from Alistair Login or register below for Free Instant Access Login If you are already registered as a CMI Friend, Subscriber or Member, just login to view this article. Confirm your registration Login below to confirm your details and access this article. Log in Register for Free Access Not yet a Member, Subscriber or Friend? Register as a CMI Friend for free, and get access to this and many other exclusive resources, as well as weekly updates straight to your inbox. Article Our extensive range of articles are designed to keep you in the loop with all the latest management and leadership best practice, research and news. Members See More CMI Members have access to thousands of online learning and CPD resources. Learn more about our membership benefits Join The Community CMI offers a variety of flexible membership solutions, tailored to your needs. Find out more and get involved in the CMI community today.
