Consulting: A Different World
I won't say I have a vast array of knowledge as a consultant...collectively I've only been doing it about 8 years. However, there are some things that I have observed that I think will be helpful to those of you who are new to the profession. We will first dispel the myths and address the realities associated with being a Consultant, then we will address the commandments of being a good and valued consultant.
CONSULTING: MYTH AND REALITY
Myth
Consultants are outsiders.
Reality
Consultants are only outsiders if they make themselves so. You don't have to be an outsider, go out to lunch with your co-workers...talk to them, and befriend them. Just know where to draw the line.
Myth
Consultants don't have to answer to anyone and can do whatever they want.
Reality
Consultants have, not only the client to answer to, but also the company they represent.
Myth
Consultants can come and go as they please.
Reality
Consultant can come and go as they please, until the client gets sick of it and boots them out the door.
Consultants are expected to work their hours, like everyone else, granted you have more freedom...just don't abuse it.
Myth
Consultants make lots of money for doing nothing.
Reality
More is expected of consultants. Consultants are usually asked to come in and get a job done, fast and efficiently, using the clients standards even though they may not be made readily apparent to the consultant.
Consultants have a shorter learning curve. Ask questions, because the client will take time to train an employee but that same regard will not be extended to a consultant.
Myth
Consultants only do what they are assigned to do and no more.
Reality
As a consultant, you are given assignments to complete by the client.
Consultants do what they are assigned to do. If you find yourself short on assignments from you client ask for more, it will make you more valuable in the clients eyes.
Myth
Consultants should know everything there is to know about their specialty.
Reality
Who are we Stephen Hawking?
Consultants know what they know, just as anyone does. Anyone who thinks that they don't need the aid of a manual or a technical document of some type is only cheating himself or herself and setting themselves up for failure.
In short...READ A BOOK...IT WON'T KILL YOU.
THE CONSULTANT COMMANDMENTS
Managerial Styles
Each manager will have their own way of dealing with consultants. Here are a few traits that I have run into.
Managerial Type
Type: Middle of the Road/Road Kill
- Always have to balance a positive with a negative
- Usually new to management
- Don't know what to expect from consultants (usually assuming too much)
- Don't give clear instructions because of a lack of experience in doing so
Best handled by...
- Don't argue, just document everything they give you and be able to show that what they gave you is what you gave them (documentation).
- Don't take their criticism too harshly.
Notes...
Called Road Kill because that is usually what they end up being. They lose employees because they focus as much on the negative as the positive, often giving the negative more weight in the mind of the employee. This ends up costing them employees who feel under appreciated and in turn makes them look like a manager no one wants to work for.
Type: Sacrificial Lamb
- Friendly with a consultant on a one-on-one basis
- Not so friendly or different attitude when among colleagues
- Blame everything they can on the consultant and will not take responsibility for anything
- WILL take credit for work you do
Best Handled...
- DOCUMENT!
- DOCUMENT!
- DOCUMENT!
- Document Your work
- Document Any issues that are brought up regarding your work
These types of managers can be hard to handle. Warn the office (if you work through a consulting company) if you suspect you have a manager like this and document ALL issues, no matter how small. Don't confront the manager one-on-one, but be prepared to defend yourself with your documentation.
Notes...
They treat you like the lamb. You are expendable.
Type: Barney
They love you
You love them
Learn as much as you can.
Have as much impact as you can.
Be Careful...they may want to steal you away.
Best Handled...
- Dont get too comfortable even if they do love you. You are a consultant and temporary by nature. Do your best at ALL times.
Notes...
Enjoy the assignment...these can be rare.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
The company won't expect anything but your best effort. The client won't expect anything but your best effort. So put forth your best effort regardless of the situation. There is nothing wrong with running into snags now and then...it happens. Investigate, find a solution and move forward, you will be better for having made the effort. Call the company (if you are working through a consulting company) and see if there is another consultant they can refer you to who might have the answer.
I cannot stress enough how important documentation is to our profession. Being consultants we are hired to come in and solve a problem, not create new problems. Prepare easy to understand documentation and update it when necessary. It is not only professional, but will also make your job easier as well as the job of the person coming in after you. I have worked for several clients who were lost when their employees left because they did not leave appropriate doucmentation. I once had a client who had a former employee offer to come back and write up documentation of their job for $10,000!
I volunteered to do the work free of charge. I felt the former employee was totally unprofessional. This person basically wanted money to do a job they should have done in the first place. I was not only able to save the company the $10,000, I did such a good job with the documentation that the full time employee that came in after me didn't require any face-to-face training with me and complemented me on the work. That felt good.
About The Author
Yvette McDonald has been a consultant in various capacities since 1996. Her website, www.Lord-McDonald.com, specializes in resources for consultants and small business owners.
MORE RESOURCES:
 Los Angeles Times | April job losses end state's eight months of gains Los Angeles Times Some of those who are discouraged by their job prospects have gone into business for themselves. (Francine Orr, Los Angeles Times / April 11, 2012) By Ricardo Lopez, Los Angeles Times California's labor market stumbled in April as employers in a wide ... Fla. April jobless rate drops to 8.7 percent, state loses jobs but thousands ... South Bay adds 3600 jobs, strongest employment gains for April in entire state Stanislaus County still losing jobs |
 Minneapolis Star Tribune | Report: Wisconsin lost 5900 jobs in April BusinessWeek By TODD RICHMOND Wisconsin lost nearly 6000 jobs in April according to preliminary monthly data state labor officials released Thursday, putting Republican Gov. Scott Walker on the defensive as he faces a June 5 recall election. Walker, Barrett continue sparring over jobs Recall Roundup: Jobs back in focus as new report shows losses Walker and Barrett keep fighting over jobs number |
 IBNLive.com | Steve Jobs TV movie to film at the original Apple garage CNET The garage where the first Apple computers were built will be used in the upcoming TV movie about Jobs. by Josh Lowensohn May 18, 2012 4:48 PM PDT Follow @Josh For those wondering how authentic the upcoming made-for-TV movie about Steve Jobs will be, ... Steve Jobs biopic to begin filming in garage where Apple was born Steve Jobs Movie Begins Filming in the Original Apple Garage 'jOBS' biopic starring Ashton Kutcher will shoot in Apple Garage and childhood ... |
Proposed arena a job killer, say Port of Seattle leaders The Seattle Times Seattle and King County leaders say the Port of Seattle can thrive next to a new NBA and NHL arena, but the Port sees potential damage to its plan to expand and add up to 100000 new jobs to the area. By Emily Heffter The sky is falling! |
Best and worst jobs for your health Fox News A healthy job is about more than just avoiding hazards, like dangerous material and machines. Employees need respect, benefits, wellness incentives, and control over their work, says L. Casey Chosewood, MD, senior medical officer for the Total Worker ... |
 Hollywood Reporter | Sorkin says Jobs movie won't be straight biography Reuters NEW YORK (Reuters) - Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin hasn't yet figured out how to put the life of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs on the silver screen, but he is certain it's not going to be a straightforward biography. Sorkin, who won an Oscar for his ... REFILE-Sorkin says Jobs movie won't be straight biography Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak Hired to Help Aaron Sorkin on Steve Jobs Biopic Aaron Sorkin Says Steve Jobs Film Won't Be a Standard Biopic; Apple Co-Founder ... |
 IGNN | Utah's job growth slows, unemployment rate up Salt Lake Tribune Data show that a sluggish labor market still has some vigor as nearly all sectors of Utah's economy added jobs in April. By paul beebe Job growth in Utah slowed in April for the fourth consecutive month and the unemployment rate rose, suggesting the ... Illinois jobless rate drops but job growth slows Illinois Adds 140700 Private Sector Jobs Since Recovery |
 Bloomberg | Who is the real jobs killer -- Obama or Romney? Fox News When it comes to the audacity of trope, it is hard to top President Obama -- a big time jobs killer. One of the president's re-election campaign websites features a new attack ad in which a steelworker brands Mitt Romney as a person “like a vampire” ... Mitt Romney's claim that 100000 auto jobs have been lost under Obama Fact-Checking Romney's Jobs Stats The Austerity Trap and the Jobs Deficit |
Santa Cruz County adds 3500 jobs in April San Jose Mercury News By JONDI GUMZ - Santa Cruz Sentinel SANTA CRUZ - Santa Cruz County saw a spurt of growth in April, adding 3500 jobs compared to March, and unemployment fell to 12 percent from, 13.7 percent in March even as the labor force grew. |
Summer jobs introduce kids to Uncle Sam, taxes Kansas City Star By STEVE ROSEN Expect to hear those words from exasperated teenagers or college students over the next few weeks as they set aside their calculators and toss their textbooks to start summer jobs. For many young workers, this will be their first time ... |
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