University of Minnesota - UMN Executive Leadership Insights
Choosing & Using Consultants & Advisers
Book

Choosing & Using Consultants & Advisers

A best practice guide to making the right decisions and getting good value

Harold Lewis
Kogan Page, 2006
First Edition: 2004
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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable

Recommendation

This introductory book provides a solid overview of how to work with consultants, although it does not break any new ground. It contains checklists, bullet points, surveys, case studies and forms. With this boost, even those who are not familiar with hiring consultants can gain a basic understanding of how to select and manage outside experts. The book also explains how to complete a challenging project with the help of consultants or contractors, although when it discusses the regulatory environment, it is very oriented to requirements in the United Kingdom. Though some of the sentences get convoluted, author Harold Lewis’s writing style is light enough to enable managers to skim while still absorbing his basic ideas and finding the topics they need. getAbstract recommends this book to new managers and others who are hiring a consultant for the first time.

Summary

Why You Need a Consultant...

Given the complex, ever-changing business environment, just about every company sooner or later finds itself in need of the expertise, independent viewpoint and resources of an outside expert, that is, a consultant or contractor. Hiring such experts can save your business money, free your managers to perform other duties and reinvigorate your ideas.

To decide whether you could benefit from a consultant’s advice, consider these questions:

  • What do you want to achieve?
  • How large is the project?
  • What consequences will you face if you don’t do it?
  • How much professional input will you need?
  • How much of the work can your internal staff do?
  • How fast do you need to solve any problems facing you?

When you hire a consultant, you are embarking upon a professional relationship. The more effort you put into it, the greater the likelihood that the consultant will produce work you’ll be pleased to own - and you will own it, since you pay for the consultant’s time.

Often, companies hire consultants because they want independent perspectives. Therefore, be prepared to allow consultants...

About the Author

Harold Lewis is a writer, editor and independent consultant with more than 30 years of professional experience. He also is the author of Bids, Tenders & Proposals.

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