Mohit kakar_BLP014

Consulting is the journey from confusion to clarity. This I have realized while attending the course on Consulting Skills. After the session I understood clearly the role of consulting and importance of a consultant. Consultants are not the implementers they are the suggestion providers with the expertise they have and it is on the company to decide whether to accept consultant’s advice or not.

The initial meeting plays a vital role in understanding the need of a company and in providing solutions as per their needs. A good consultant

·         Patiently listens and understands client’s problem

·         Structures content in an impressive manner

·         Communicates effectively

·         Has done research about the Client before attending the meeting

The set of 5 questions a good consultant will ask to the client are:

1.       What are we trying to do?

2.       How will we know that we are successful?

3.       What would go wrong?

4.       What counter measure do we take responsibility for?

5.       Who, how often, when, where is the review process?

These questions will help the Consultant and the Client to share the same wavelength and work in coordination. It also helps in relationship building with the Client.

Consultant can perform any one of the below roles:-

·         He can work as an expert

·         He can work as a pairoff hands

·         He can work as a partner i.e. in collaboration

An integral part of Consulting is to ask client for feedback so as to analyse the strengths and the areas of improvement.