While organizations, should seek the best possible leadership, and the utmost involvement, from their leaders, and stakeholders, there are often times, when a particular project, activity, etc, necessitates, or indicates, using a qualified consultant! However, it’s important to remember, all consultants are not created equal, nor possess the same skills, assets, attitude, abilities, or understanding/ empathy. Selecting the wrong individual, for your circumstances, often achieves little, constructive purpose, and is often, merely costly, and/ or mis – directed! We often, fail to evaluate and consider, whether someone, believes in themselves, and the value, they provide! Therefore, this article will briefly examine, and discuss, 4 keys, in terms of, considering, and evaluating, whether the consultant, believes in himself, and his personal value.
1. Why do you charge, a particular fee? Regardless of one’s field of specialty, there are several factors, which determines, the fee, one asks for, etc! How would you determine your fee, and why? If you don’t believe you provide, a high quality, meaningful value, why should anyone, be willing to hire you? How do you excel, and provide, some sort of unique service, and/ or level of advice?
2. Perfect, and believe in, your elevator speech: If someone asks you, or if the moment presents itself, how might you effectively, entice others, to listen to you, your advice, and the directions, you suggest? Consider your elevator speech, which is, how you might explain, what you do, and how it serves others, in the time, it takes to ride an elevator! Remember, unless you, truly, believe in what you say, why should anyone, even, consider, using you, as a consultant! Qualified consulting, means focusing on the needs, concerns, and requirements, of those you serve!
3. Set the example!: Avoid proceeding, with the mindset, of, Do what I say, not what I do! Consultants must be meaningful leaders, who inspire, care and direct others, to be, the best, they can possibly be! If you consult, it’s important, to set the proper example, and show others, the best, possible path of action!
4. What unique assets, do you bring, to the table?: Consultants must ask themselves, how are they different, and what unique assets, skills, and abilities, do they possess, and bring, to the table! For example, an event planning consultant, must be the definitive authority, and clearly demonstrate, a combination of skills, which, under – promise, and over – deliver!
You aren’t a true, professional consultant, until/ unless, you, first believe in the value, you provide, and then deliver a quality, consistent product, to your clients! Will you dedicate yourself, to becoming, the best, you can possibly be?
