My first book Beyond Slides is out!

"Beyond Slides: Stand out, become irreplaceable and win big in consulting" is available in digital and paperback formats.

Jun 15, 2025

UPDATE 1st July: Edited to reflect the most recent links

It seemed like a mission impossible… but I wrote a book!

And not just any book, but one about consulting, with actual opinions, and jokes, and zero pyramid charts, and enough war stories to trigger flashbacks in some of you.

Two years ago, I lost my dad to cancer.

A few weeks before he passed, he finally published his first book: a collection of poems and short stories he had been noodling on for 30 years. His official bio called it a debut, but I know that, for decades, those pages floated around the house, handwritten, typed, edited, re-edited, abandoned, resurrected.

He always thought he’d finish it one day, but life got in the way.

Or maybe fear did.

When he finally made it, time had nearly run out: that hit me harder than I expected.

As an avid reader, I had always told myself I would write a book one day. When my dad’s book came out, so close to the end, I decided my “one day” had to become now.

So, over the last 24 months, I wrote the damn thing.

Beyond Slides is not poetry and will not make you cry (unless you are a junior consultant getting feedback from procurement): it is an unflinchingly honest blueprint, a shortcut, a career field guide for anyone wanting to build a long, fulfilling career in consulting.
Part philosophical essay, part memoir, and part survival manual, it includes 39 practical exercises for those trying to make sense of this strange and slippery profession.

If you are a consultant (or love one, manage one, work with one, are married to one) this might be worth your time.

Huge thanks to Tom Goodwin for writing the foreword! I am grateful to have someone with such a sharp, curious, and provocative mind introduce the book to you all. It is an honor.

If this newsletter has ever sparked a thought, made you smile, or delivered even a sliver of value for you, then I hope you will consider getting your copy of Beyond Slides today.

It would mean a lot.

A few words from early readers

The best testimonials are always from others, so let me share some of the comments I received from early readers:

Think of Beyond Slides as Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential but about the opaque industry that is management consulting. Maurizio makes the industry and its characters come alive, packing a punch both in the stories and practical exercises for consultants wanna-bes. You will come away utterly convinced you have the skills and confidence to be a consultant!

Maurizio has captured timeless insights from his years of on-the-ground experience in Beyond Slides. This book is an excellent reference for young consultants, who often lack direction and guidance in the fast-paced, high-performance world of consulting. It also serves as a reminder and a reflection for senior executives. What I enjoyed most was the consistent embedding of philosophy, alongside the unmistakable Ancient Roman and Italian flavour you would expect from the author. Highly recommended.

Beyond Slides by Maurizio Cuna is a standout: a witty, deeply practical guide that reveals the real secrets to thriving in consulting. Cuna, drawing from rich global experience, convincingly argues that true irreplaceability comes from mastering the human element and soft skills, not just polished decks. With actionable exercises and compelling storytelling, this is an indispensable resource for everyone from new joiners to seasoned pros seeking to elevate their game and build a lasting career. A must read.

What sets this book apart is its brutal honesty and clarity. Unlike the usual consulting career guides that are filled with fluff and buzzwords, this one gets straight to the point. It’s written in a style that’s refreshingly direct, almost like getting advice from a sharp, experienced colleague over coffee. Having spent years in IT consulting and sales myself, I found it not only accurate but also incredibly insightful. It captures the actual dynamics of our profession: the pressure, the politics, the growth, and the grind. A must-read for anyone who wants a realistic look at what it takes to build a sustainable and rewarding career in consulting.

So… yes.

It seemed like a mission impossible, but I wrote the book, and Ethan Hunt already got his copy.

(Disclaimer: No actual Tom Cruises were harmed in the making of this post.)