consulting

Unfortunately I experienced some bad consultants. Here are 10 things bad consultants do: 

1. Wastes the client’s money—doesn’t treat it like it is their money.
2. Unresponsive to client requests 
3. Provides boilerplate proposals and solutions
4. Exudes an outsized sense of self importance
5. Takes the client executive, or her staff, for granted 
6. Uses jargon
7. Inappropriate email communications
8. Never says “thank you” or “I’m sorry”
9. Never gives credit where credit is due
10. Misses deadlines and goes over budget.

The bottom line? Do not hesitate to fire a bad consultant. 

In an undergraduate class at a business school, one student asked, “Just what exactly do consultants do?” My answer was simple: “We solve problems.” 

And over the years, I learned 10 things great consultants do: 

1. Exceeds client expectations: goes the extra mile and more
2. Builds long-term business relationships—becomes the trusted advisor
3. Passionate desire to learn about the client’s business and objectives
4. Identifies patterns and recommends tailored solutions
5. Personal integrity, initiative, empathy, and competence 
6. Patience and respect: a humble practitioner
7. Willingness to tactfully take a stand
8. Thrives under pressure and delivers on time and on budget
9. Asks for help and apologizes when necessary
10. Asks good questions and actively listens

The bottom line? Seek to understand and solve your client’s problems.