IT Consulting Fundamentals - III

Visualise success: The consultant has to help the client draw a realistic mental picture of the desired results. Doing this would help the consultant and also the client chalk out a plan and get started on the engagement. Failing to do this may result in lack of coordination between the consultant and the client as the expectations keep changing due to undecided goals and outcomes. On the other hand, setting goals and deciding on the course of action will be a strong motivational force for both the consultant and the client.

The consultant must help the client visualise the end result right at the beginning of the assignment. This would build the assurance level between the consultant and the client. It also acts an encouraging force in tackling the engagement. This would stop the client and the consultant from deterring away from the necessary course of action, as the expectations would have been set. A vision of success is very necessary for effective communication between the client and the consultant. Many engagements require the participation of many people from the client organisation and many consultants. Visualising the end result would culminate everyone’s efforts into achieving that common goal, thus creating mutual agreement between everyone involved.

You advise; they decide: Consultants must stay away from getting emotionally involved with any certain idea while offering advise to the client. This emotional attachment towards a particular idea may lead to the consultant developing an indifferent attitude towards the client if he decides to follow another idea. A consultant must always bear in mind that the client is the best person to judge an idea, as he is the person who deals directly with the organisation and understand its complexities.