CainSpace: Consulting

Among consultants there is always much debate (and poor humour) about a really good definition of what Consultants really do, the value they bring.

Most of these ended up being too complex and grandiose. I think of it in the same way as the definition of a "professional" - adjective : following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain. In the business consulting sense Consultants charge a fee for their business expertise, problem solving, analysis, negotiation and communications skills.

I've also always favoured the consulting model where the consultants have a hand in bringing to fruition the advice that they're preaching, rather than just dispensing wisdom and moving on. On the one hand this lends reality and accountability to the advice provided, on the other an organisation that needs consulting advice will invariably need assistance in acting efficiently on that advice. My favourite definition was therefore always "We make the difficult business (things) happen". Thus, no matter what sort of consulting company you look at the life-blood of the business is its people.

Some of the consulting assignments I've been on include:

Consulting	I've been a technology and management consultant for years now and have had consulting roles in the United States, Europe and all over Australia. It's a great career, exhilarating at times. To those of you out there who are budding consultants this then, is my consulting expose, where I get to (as the song goes) "dust of the ugly bits and recycle my advice for more than its worth".
MY CONSULTING CAREER ACCENTURE / WORLDGROUP <CURRENT> 10 COMMANDMENTS PROS AND CONS	Among consultants there is always much debate (and poor humour) about a really good definition of what Consultants really do, the value they bring. Most of these ended up being too complex and grandiose. I think of it in the same way as the definition of a "professional" - adjective : following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain. In the business consulting sense Consultants charge a fee for their business expertise, problem solving, analysis, negotiation and communications skills. I've also always favoured the consulting model where the consultants have a hand in bringing to fruition the advice that they're preaching, rather than just dispensing wisdom and moving on. On the one hand this lends reality and accountability to the advice provided, on the other an organisation that needs consulting advice will invariably need assistance in acting efficiently on that advice. My favourite definition was therefore always "We make the difficult business (things) happen". Thus, no matter what sort of consulting company you look at the life-blood of the business is its people. Some of the consulting assignments I've been on include: Implementing the ABN number for the Australian Government. Launching a new e-Buisness for a financial services company. Converting the Japan systems for American Express for Y2K compliance. Teaching a course for new Consultants in the Netherlands. Auditing the processes for a project in Florida.

	To find out more about Consulting and what I think of it, follow the links above:
		[Return to Top]