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.
Foreword
Preface
About the Author
1. Consultants and Consulting
2. Managing Expectations and Goals
3. Formalizing the Agreement: Contracts and Proposals
4. Developing a Project Plan
5. Data Collection
6. Interviewing
7. Preparing the Feedback/Assessment Report: Moving the Client to Action
8. Presenting the Findings: Moving from Diagnosis to Commitment to Action
9. Initiating Action
10. Ending the Project
11. Some Final Thoughts: The Basic Principles of Effective Consulting
Index
Biography
Linda K. Stroh, PhD is a Loyola University Faculty Scholar and Emeritus Professor at the Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago, and is currently teaching at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
"Linda Stroh has provided consultants at all level of experience with the blueprint for success. Grounded in principles and best practices from industry leading consultants and academic research, this book provides a step by step winning formula on how to be an effective consultant. A must read for all consultants looking to transform their business!" — Mark Babula, VP-Financial Consultant
"Dr. Stroh has done a great service to those who are starting out in the consulting industry and the experienced consultant; she has distilled the essence of what it is that consultants need to know...The reader gets not only the benefit of the insight and original perspective of academics, but also the practical experience and advice from seasoned consultants. This is a ‘how-to’ book that is destined to become the ‘go-to’ book for novice and seasoned consultants alike." — Margaret A. Neale, Stanford University, USA
"Stroh has a way of cutting through all of the hype and challenging us to be better at what we do. If you want to be a more effective consultant, be sure to read this book." — Raj Tatta, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
