I We’ve all heard the old adage of the consultant who says ‘give me your watch and I’ll tell you the time’. Let’s face it consultants don’t always attract good press and it’s important that your consultant can demonstrate value to your business at all times.
The difference between a good consultant/advisor and a poor consultant/advisor can be significant, as it can impact the success of a project or business. Here are some key differences between a good and a poor consultant/advisor:
1. Listening skills: A good consultant/advisor will have strong listening skills and be able to understand the needs and goals of their clients. A poor consultant/advisor may be more focused on their own agenda or ideas and not take the time to listen and understand the client’s perspective. You can recognise this by constantly repeating facts to the consultant who is often unaware of detailed situations.
2. Communication skills: A good consultant/advisor will have strong communication skills and be able to explain complex concepts and ideas in a clear and concise manner. A poor consultant/advisor may struggle to communicate effectively and may use technical jargon or confusing language. Beware the incredibly confident communicator who in fact knows very little.
3. Collaborative approach: A good consultant/advisor will take a collaborative approach to working with clients and be willing to work as part of a team. A poor consultant/advisor may be more focused on their own individual goals or ideas and not be willing to work collaboratively with others. Beware the consultant who may have a conflict of interest or a hidden agenda.
4. Industry knowledge: A good consultant/advisor will have a strong understanding of the industry and market in which their clients operate. A poor consultant/advisor may lack the necessary knowledge or experience to provide effective advice or guidance. A poor consultant will often reference the ideology of a concept without understanding the reality and wider context.
5. Results-oriented: A good consultant/advisor will be focused on achieving results for their clients and will be willing to adjust their approach as needed to achieve these results. A poor consultant/advisor may be more focused on their own interests or may not be focused on achieving measurable results. A poor consultant will always blame others for the lack of results.
6. Ethics: A good consultant/advisor will adhere to high ethical standards and act in the best interests of their clients. A poor consultant/advisor may engage in unethical practices or prioritise their own interests over those of their clients. A poor consulting may divide and conquer and in doing so fracture team unity and potentially drive mistrust.
7. Adaptability: A good consultant/advisor will be adaptable and able to adjust their approach as needed to meet the changing needs of their clients. They will be willing to learn and adapt to new situations and challenges. A poor consultant/advisor may be inflexible and may not be able to adjust their approach effectively. The poor consultant may have limited specialist knowledge and experience and will slip stream a vacuum filled by your current team.
8. Empathy: A good consultant/advisor will have empathy and be able to understand the emotions and perspectives of their clients. They will be able to build rapport and trust with their clients, which can help to facilitate a more productive working relationship. A poor consultant/advisor may lack empathy and may not be able to develop a strong rapport with their clients. The poor consultant will fail to see understand the views or input of others. This single minded consultant tends to demonstrate narcissistic tendencies.
9. Strategic thinking: A good consultant/advisor will be able to think strategically and provide insights and recommendations that are aligned with the long-term goals of their clients. They will be able to identify potential risks and opportunities and provide guidance on how to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities. A poor consultant/advisor may be more focused on short-term goals or may lack strategic thinking skills.
10. Accountability: A good consultant/advisor will take accountability for their work and be willing to take responsibility for any mistakes or errors. They will be transparent about their work and provide regular updates to their clients. A poor consultant/advisor may be more focused on assigning blame or may not take responsibility for their work.
In summary, a good consultant/advisor will have strong listening and communication skills, take a collaborative approach, have strong industry knowledge, be results-oriented, and adhere to high ethical standards. A poor consultant/advisor may lack these qualities and may not be effective in providing guidance and advice to clients.
It’s important that your consultant knows who to report into, and that frequent reports are created to demonstrate ongoing value to the business. Also avoid multiple consultants shaping a joint narrative that not only potentially puts GM’s/Owners at risk of being in the minority view, but also supports a potentially extended and unnecessary contract.
