ABSTRACT
The old adage that endings are as important as beginnings applies to consulting projects as much as to other human endeavors. It is particularly true if you hope to create a long-term relationship with the client organization. Unfortunately, many consulting projects end too abruptly. The client and the consultant mutually decide that next Tuesday or Wednesday will be the final day of the project, or at least the last day that the consultant will be involved. The consultant then finishes up whatever can be completed by the agreed-on date, says goodbye to the client, and sends a final invoice. Ending a project in this way is not conducive to developing a lasting relationship. In this chapter we address an alternative approach in which the emphasis is on ensuring the growth of your relationships with clients in a way that is beneficial to both parties.
