The manager's pocket guide to using consultants - Newman, David (HRD Press, 2007)
Title from title screen
Cover -- TOC36;Table of Contents -- Introduction -- CH36;Chapter 158; A Field Guide to Consultants -- Consultants58; Who They Are -- What Consultants Do -- The Roles Consultants Play -- Alternatives to Using Consultants -- When to Bring in a Consultant 40;and When Not To41; -- Reasons to Use a Consultant -- Key Questions to Ask a Prospective Consultant -- CH36;Chapter 258; Establishing the Relationship -- Preparing for the Consulting Project -- Establishing Roles and Responsibilities -- Preparing the Consulting Services Agreement -- Guidelines for Developing a Consulting Agreement -- Guidelines for Budgeting -- Leveraging Resources for Consulting Projects -- Preparing the Statement of Work -- Preparing Request for Proposal 40;RFP41; -- Assessing Proposals -- Comparing Apples to Apples58; Selecting the Right Consultant -- The Pros and Cons of Consulting on the Clock -- Contract Dos and Donts -- Language in the Contract -- The Contents of the Consulting Contract --
- The Ground Rules -- CH36;Chapter 358; Working Side by Side with Your Consultant -- Managing the Day45;to45;Day Relationship -- Communication -- The Importance of Guidance -- Establishing a Collaborative Work Style -- Building Trust into the Consulting Relationship -- CH36;Chapter 458; Evaluating Outcomes and Making Adjustments -- The Rules of Engagement8221; -- The 9545;5 Rule -- Keep it Simple -- The Progress Report -- The Fine Art of Clienting8221; -- Change Management 101 -- What to Do if Conflict Arises -- Are We There Yet63; Wrapping up the Work -- CH36;Chapter 558; Consultant as Change Agent44; Advocate44; and Mentor -- What Every Consultant Should Provide -- Maximizing Consulting Value -- Make Sure Youre Learning to Fish -- The Consulting Project Clinic -- Knowledge Transfer and Tracking -- What a Consultant Can Do That You Cant -- Maximizing the Value of an Outside45;Insider -- CH36;Chapter 658; Consulting Dangers44; Pitfalls44; and Traps --
- Dont Accept Cookie Cutter8221; Work -- Beware of Arrogance 40;on Both Sides of the Table41; -- Put Expertise above Experience -- Accountability for Results Starts with You -- Advice45;Based Consulting vs46; Product45;Based Consulting -- CH36;Chapter 758; Evaluating Your Consultants Toolkit -- Ten Great Questions Your Consultant Should Ask You -- Debunking the Myths -- Consultants are Paid to Rock the Boat -- Stay Away from So45;called Best Practices -- CH36;Chapter 858; Manager as Consultant -- How to Be an Excellent Internal Consultant -- Great Ideas Needed Greatly -- The Art and Science of Consulting Creatively -- The Power of Encouragement -- The Secret Sauce58; Intellect Plus Intuition -- Consultants and Managers Blazing the Trail Together -- The Next Chapter is Up to You -- About the Author -- Last Page
How to bring in the right consultant to do the right work the right way. What if the next consultant you hired came with an instruction manual filled with strategies to maximize your end of the relationship? That's exactly what this pocket guide is - a practical how-to guide to taking full advantage of what the right consultant can provide. 'Manager's Pocket Guide to Using Consultants' packs into one concise book information it would take you years of trial-and-error to learn on your own. In eight chapters, it will help you think through and execute all the important decisions when using consultants, like how to: Select the right consultant; Establish the relationship; Work side by side with your consultant; Evaluate outcomes and make adjustments; Maximize the consultant's contributions as change agent, advocate and mentor; Avoid consulting dangers, pitfalls and traps; Debunk myths and evaluate best practices; Your role as manager in making it all work. Anyone using or thinking about using consultants will appreciate this advice - including CEOs, vice presidents, managing directors and others responsible for delivering results. The author has worked inside organizations as a client, externally as a consultant and has helped many other consultants raise their game. If you want a unique 360-degree view that's right on-target, this book's for you