Top 10 Tips on Getting the best from Consultants
1) Contrary to popular belief, consultants are also humans. They need encouragement, try to find something good to say after every third sceptical or probing question you have.
2) Make every effort to read any training materials provided, as this eases the amount of explanation needed to cover a topic. More time is then free for implementation.
3) Don't assume you know what you are being told, ask questions or make statements that can indicate any holes in your knowledge that need filling, e.g. 'am I correct in assuming that ....'.
4) Recognise that consultants aren't sub-contractors to do the work for you. They should be treated as trainers with experience, that help you implement your requirements.
5) Make a list of all the questions you would like covered at some point in the consultancy period and send it to your consultant as many days as possible before they arrive on-site.
6) Try to encourage your colleagues to be positive and explore solutions, rather than dwelling on non-essential negatives.
7) In a group session, if you have a burning question that you feel you need answering straight away, ask if you can add your question to a white board (or hand them a note) so you know it will get addressed at some point in the proceedings.
8) Try to avoid competing with your consultant, they are there to serve you and your company. Spending time telling them 'how much you know' just wastes your money and time.
9) Summarise what you have covered at the end of each session and either convey it back to the consultant verbally or by email, so they can make adjustments or corrections the next time you meet up.
10) Be enthusiastic. You can get more from your consultant, when they see you are benefiting from and acting upon their advice. They will go the extra mile for you.