Probably the single most important reason for hiring consultants is to bring in people with a particular set of skills. The more specialised a consultant is in his or

The most effective consultancy projects are those in which client and consultant work as members of a team each bringing their own knowledge, expertise and resources to bear in realising an opportunity or resolving a problem. Team members who trust one another will share information and knowledge and, as a result, work together effectively and efficiently. Getting the commercial relationship between client and consultant right is essential in establishing this kind of trust.

The most effective consultancy projects are those in which client and consultant work as members of a team each bringing their own knowledge, expertise and resources to bear in realising an opportunity or resolving a problem. Team members who trust one another will share information and

There are many factors which contribute to an effective working relationship between consultants and clients. It is crucial that a purchaser of consultancy understands what they aim to achieve from the outset. This section contains some information that may help firms to get the most from their management consultants.

The ultimate success of a consulting project is determined long before you've talked to an actual consultant, and depends on the extent to which you have been able to identify and agree the precise reasons why you're hiring consultants. In most organisations, managers think about these reasons in terms of what they expect the consultants to do, not in relation to the underlying role they're expecting the consultants to play. Nor do they consider how their expectations match the prevailing market conditions. What kind of client are you? Do you really want to bear the risk of developing a unique approach to an idea? Is the issue you face a new one, or are you trying to catch up with your competitors?

Probably the single most important reason for hiring consultants is to bring in people with a particular set of skills. The more specialised a consultant is in his or her field, the more valuable they are to clients. Specialist know-how falls into two categories. First, there's 'industry-specific skills'...

Probably the single most important reason for hiring consultants is to bring in people with a particular set of skills. The more specialised a consultant is in his or her field, the more valuable they are to clients. Specialist know-how falls into two categories. First, there's 'industry-specific skills'...