The Basic Principles Of Effective Consulting

This is a very good time for consultants. As corporations have been reorganizing and downsizing, merging and globalizing, the consulting business has been booming. The Basic Principles of Effective Consulting is about what effective consultants do and how they do it. It provides a step-by-step process that can provide successful outcomes for consultants and their clients. The chapters have plenty of examples and cases of the process used by effective consultants, as cases and examples are one of the best ways to learn the consulting business. Also provided as part of each chapter are short pieces of expert advice by established consultants and users of consulting services. Teachers in business schools will find this book can serve as an excellent supplemental textbook on consulting practices.

Consultants are called upon more and more to help implement needed organizational changes, fill gaps in workforce capabilities, and solve significant business problems. As the demand for consultants increases, it is critical that practitioners differentiate themselves and understand how they can be most successful, for themselves and their clients. The Basic Principles of Effective Consulting details what effective consultants do and provides a step by step process of just how they do it. The Second Edition of The Basic Principles of Effective Consulting is fully updated with real-life cases. End-of-chapter summaries foster both mastery and engagement, as well as providing a quick reference throughout a consultant’s career. In addition, each chapter includes a section "From the experts" written by successful consultants and users of consultants’ services. These experts share ideas and tips about their own consulting experiences that relate to chapter material. The book is written for entry level and seasoned consultants, project managers, staff advisors, and anyone who wants to learn (or be reminded of) the basic principles of effective consulting. The book is well suited as an excellent textbook for college courses on consulting, organizational training, and a lifetime go-to consultant’s resource.

Many consultants are forced to learn the basic principles and techniques of consulting on the job. Even though this lack of preparation can lead to several problems that could be avoided, there are few practical resources available to guide the new consulting professional to an understanding of what is required for a successful consulting practice. In A Guide to Successful Consulting, author Steven C. Stryker presents an essential introduction to the fundamental concepts and tools of the successful consultant. This book describes, through a comprehensive approach that unites theory and practice, consulting principles for all those wishing to expand their abilities to initiate and implement organizational change. It lays the groundwork for the perceptive handling of each assignment through the integration of knowledge, experience, and instinct. It thoroughly examines the major aspects of a consulting assignment, along with the required practical skills and techniques. Explanatory graphics and case studies based on real-world examples abound to ensure that ideas can become roadmaps to developing important consulting tools. Take-away checklists and tables of useful information provide a practical way for consultants to review and apply the necessary knowledge for successful practice. This book enables aspiring consulting professionals to have a better grasp of the environment and challenges of the practice of professional consulting today.

Although consultants influence the outcome of major endeavors in the fields of management, finance, government, and engineering, few attempts have been made to establish the tenets and techniques of consulting. In Principles and Practices of Professional Consulting, author Steven C. Stryker outlines the basic tools required of this critical skill. In doing so, he looks into the history of consulting, the consulting process itself, and the key practical skills and techniques that are needed for successful consulting. Case examples based on real-life situations aptly demonstrate the applicability of the material to current consulting activities. After introducing the topic and presenting some background information, this book goes through the process of consulting from meeting and securing clients, to planning and implementing a proper strategy, to terminating and evaluating assignments. It provides techniques and principles at each stage of the process which are sure to improve one's consulting practice. This book presents much crucial information that can be immediately used by professionals and students in various disciplines. It is both comprehensive, covering all the essential aspects of professional consulting by uniting theory and practice into a single resource, and accessible, presenting this information in a clear-cut manner that allows it to be easily used by anyone wishing to learn more about the important art of professional consulting.

If you are a consultant in any field, working for any size organisation from 'one man and his dog' to massive or thinking of moving into this field, then this is the book for you! Coverage includes: ·What makes a successful consultant ·Setting a clear vision ·Assessing resources ·How to write reports and give presentations ·Building up your customer facing skills ·Dealing with difficult clients ·Balancing your work with the rest of your life. Containing lots of practical advice, this book also features interviews with successful consultants who have a wealth of experience to share. Written in an accessible style, it will give you the confidence to shine in consultancy. NOT GOT MUCH TIME? One and five-minute introductions to key principles to get you started. AUTHOR INSIGHTS Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience. TEST YOURSELF Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress. EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGE Extra online articles at www.teachyourself.com to give you a richer understanding of consulting. FIVE THINGS TO REMEMBER Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts. TRY THIS Innovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.

New topics covered in this edition include: e-business consulting; consulting in knowledge management; total quality management; corporate governance; social role and responsibility of business; company transformation and renewal; and public administration.

To many managers, the world of consultancy appears unnecessarily complex. What does a consultant actually do? More to the point, what can a consultant do for my organisation? A useful reading for both external and internal consultants, this book addresses these and other key questions.