Do you REALLY need a consultant?
The answer may surprise you.
NO! However…
Have you ever wondered why companies hire management consultants? 🤔
It’s not because they can’t handle their challenges or seize opportunities. Consultants are called to conduct a new examination in complex and unfamiliar situations. They build cases that provide valuable data and hypotheses.
However, the word ‘consultants’ is sometimes thought of as people who can perform miracles. But, management consulting is not a perfect trade. It is more than just having someone else tell you what to do and being right.
Why am I in this industry if we have already established that you don’t need one?
Teams and individuals usually have a lot on their plate and may find that taking on such tasks isn’t always the best use of their time. So, they outsource to gain insights, understand trade-offs and test their hypotheses.
Sometimes, companies get help from people inside their organization to improve things. This is called “internal consulting”. Other times, they hire people from outside the company to help. Both approaches can provide workable and lasting collaboration.
The result of this collaboration? Most often, it is speedier action and more effective decision-making.
That said, let’s address the elephant in the room - Do you really need a consultant? The simple answer is, no, you don’t need one.
Do we really need specialized doctors? No, we don’t… Until you and I need one.
So, I, too, wish it was that straightforward, with simple yes or no answers. It would make things so much easier. Nonetheless, it usually requires a deeper understanding of the situation.
By utilizing a consultant’s specialized knowledge and experience, businesses can uncover critical data that may have gone unnoticed. Yet, it is essential to consider whether or not it is the right time and team of consultants to bring on board. Hiring the incorrect consultants can confuse your team and lead to avoidable financial losses.
Ultimately, it’s about integrating and aligning this support, measuring its impact, and translating it into value.
Talking about value...when and how is a management consultant valuable? Who defines the value?
Stay tuned for my upcoming articles, where I’ll delve into these questions.