Management Consultant - 5 Myths
by Jack Hoffmann
One myth is that only large companies and organizations use management consultants. A second myth is that companies only use consultants when they are having problems. A third myth is that once contracted, a consultant will often move quietly through the organization stirring up concern with employees. A fourth myth is that small- and medium-sized companies cannot afford consultants. A fifth myth is that consultants just skim the surface and give advice, but doesn’t do anything.
The realities:
Myth No. 1—Only large companies and organizations use management consultants.
There is and has been a growing trend for small- and medium-companies to use consultants. Savvy business owners are utilizing consultants as temporary and unbiased resources in a variety of ways:
* To conduct market research.
* To guide in the recruiting and development of a professional and effective sales organization.
* To identify and resolve human resource issues.
* To assist in designing an ongoing training process.
* To guide the strategic planning exercise.
* To facilitate team building and team performance activities.
* To assist in all aspects of financial performance.
* To help navigate through organizational restructuring.
* To assist in developing an effective succession planning process.
An experienced consultant can be a valuable temporary or continuing resource for a small- and medium-sized company to handle issues that the company has been unable to identify and/or correct.
Myth No. 2—Companies only use consultants when they are having problems.
“Don’t wait until you are thirsty to dig your well.” Successful business owners “know what they don’t know,” and they anticipate issues that will come up in the future. Be pro-active, let an experienced professional give you an external perspective on where you are now and help you determine where you want to be.
Myth No. 3—Once contracted, a consultant will move quietly through the organization, stirring up concern with employees.
A professional consultant will need to fully understand the depth and breadth of the problems facing your organization and sometimes that can seem like stirring up concern. Just as a doctor cannot expect to treat an illness without first diagnosing the disease, neither can a consultant heal your issues without first knowing the problems. Once your consultant fully understands the issues at hand, he or she will prove to be a positive and guiding influence to help navigate your organization to a healthier state of performance.
Myth No. 4—Consultant fees are only affordable by large companies.
Professional, experienced consultants can be contracted based on your needs. It could be for one week, one month, six months or a year depending on what you need to accomplish. In most cases the investment in a consultant is far less than what you would pay to hire an inexperienced, unknown employee. With a seasoned consultant you are receiving many years of successful management experience and implementation skills.
Myth No. 5—Consultants just skim the surface and give advice, but doesn’t really do anything.
When looking for the right consultant for your organization, look for professionals who have real-world experience walking in the shoes of business people like you and have wrestled with similar challenges. The best consultants are those with many years of operational experience who are skilled in clearly identifying the problem and solution areas that are important to you. This breed of consultant not only provides expert advice, but can also roll up his/her sleeves and help you confidently implement the solutions.
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