ABSTRACT

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.

chapter Chapter 1|13 pages

Consultants and consulting

chapter Chapter 2|19 pages

Managing expectations and goals

chapter Chapter 3|26 pages

Formalizing the agreement

Contracts and proposals

chapter Chapter 4|7 pages

Developing a project plan

chapter Chapter 5|22 pages

Data collection

chapter Chapter 6|16 pages

Interviewing

chapter Chapter 7|21 pages

Preparing the feedback/assessment report

Moving the client to action

chapter Chapter 8|14 pages

Presenting the findings

Moving from diagnosis to commitment to action

chapter Chapter 9|14 pages

Initiating action

chapter Chapter 10|11 pages

Ending the project

chapter Chapter 11|7 pages

Some final thoughts

The basic principles of effective consulting