Research

Our Research Recent events in the global economy and the ever changing consultancy market-place is causing businesses to re-assess how they use consultants and where to find both independence and delivery capability. Our beliefs about what organisations want from consultants have been confirmed by an independent market survey*. The results indicate that our proposition meets the requirements that clients now seek from their consultants. Our proposition is based on five fundamental principles about how we operate and what we do: 1. Flexibility of the consultant's role where roles emerge in a trusting environment. Providing only the services and skills that you want, when and where you want them. 2. Mixed co-operative teams sometimes client-led, sometimes consultant-led. Taking responsibility without removing your authority or control, leading only where appropriate. 3. Commitment to delivery - programmes with results delivered as promised. Delivering practical support to your management, enabling benefit-driven business decisions to guide the outcome of the programme. 4. Transfer of skills and knowledge from consultant to client with shared intellectual property. Helping to realise the potential of your team, improving knowledge and skills, confidence and self-sufficiency. 5. High Impact - bringing real experience and innovation. If a consultant cannot make a real impact on your organisation, why engage them in the first place? Our reputation is only as good as the last assignment we complete. • "Consultants have typically gained knowledge at the expense of clients.!” • “While clients have been given fish to eat, Consultants have learned how to fish." • "My fears are that consultants learn about my business at my cost and sell the experience to the next client." • "Skills transfer is often non-existent." • "Consultants learn at the expense of clients, and sell that knowledge back." "This asymmetry is universally disliked, and as the value of knowledge is better understood and appears on balance sheets, is increasingly unacceptable. Clients want projects that leave them with the knowledge and skills necessary to move forward without re-engagements" Extract from "What do organisations want from Consultants?", - Professor Bob O'Keefe.