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Selecting a Consultant
Here are a few tried-and-true tips to help you select a management consultant:
- Ask people you respect for the name of a consultant they trust.
- Find out what they experienced in working with their consultant and
how they were helped.
- If you like what you hear, contact the firm they used.
- If you haven’t been able to get a personal referral before contacting
a consultant, then ask the consultant directly for the name of a client
who would be willing to discuss their experience with you.
Whether your source is someone you know, a phone directory or the Internet,
the following points apply. When you meet with the consulting firm’s representative,
notice whether he or she:
- Is a clear and direct communicator,
- Seems genuinely interested in you and your situation,
- Listens to you and understands what you are saying,
- Talks more about you and your needs than himself or herself,
- Is optimistic and pragmatic.
A consultant with these attributes is more likely to deeply understand
the realities of your particular situation and be able to convey the concepts
you will need to grasp to deal with those realities effectively. By aligning
his or her energy and intention with yours, the consultant will be able
to help you accomplish your objectives. Above all, look for someone with
whom you think you will be comfortable discussing difficult subjects.
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