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Dear Workforce How Do I Choose the Right Consultant

By Staff Report

Dec. 3, 2000

Q

Dear Workforce:


I need to choose an organizational consultant for a managers’ developmentprogram in my company (50 employee start-up). This might be a long-termrelationship, and I need tips for making the right choice — what can I ask theconsultants whom I meet, who is considered a “good” consultant, andwhat are the hazards which I must avoid.


— Human resources manager, Israel


A Dear Start-up:


Here are some steps to take:

  1. Make your selection competitive and get proposals from a variety ofconsultants — and select the one who best understands your culture, needsand is flexible in customizing (customizing means more than changing thename on an off-the-shelf product).
  2. Ensure that he or she is getting senior resources from the consultingorganization. It helps when a consultant working with managers has been amanager before.
  3. Look at other manager development curriculums they’ve done before to seethat they are in line with what their expectations would be. Find out aboutthe consultants history — if you want a long-term relationship it isimportant that the person have a track record and is likely to be around fora while. Ask to see sample materials. Ask to observe a course.
  4. Ask about class size — good management development programs almost neverhave more than 12-14 individuals in them.
  5. Check references.
  6. Conduct a preliminary working session with the consultants prior to thedecision. This will allow you to see their working style.

SOURCE: Lance Brilliantine and David Rudini ofDeloitte and Touche.


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