Business Consulting

Business Consultant

As defined by Peter Block (1999), a consultant is “…a person in a position to have some influence over an individual, a group, or an organization, but who has no direct power to make changes or implement programs” (p. 12). In essence, a business consultant possesses a level of experience which allows them to examine and then advise a client on the best possible solution to their dilemma. In order to be effective, the consultant must also have to ability to establish a good working relationship with their clients. This includes all levels of leadership within an organization. Additionally, they must be capable of determining the root cause of a problem and then apply critical thinking and effective research techniques to present the best solution.

A business consultant has a responsibility to ensure that their clients’ needs are met. They must do so in a way that not only increases the value of the organization but also in a fiscally sound manner. Consultants must take on the role of leader when they engage in a project. They must get the client to believe that an ideal is bigger than any one individual. Leadership skills should be employed to get the client and consultant to rally around a common vision. Along with the leadership role, the consultant must demonstrate to the client their specialized skills and knowledge. When the client is able to see the consultant as a professional who is consistently working for their benefit, the less likely they will be to seek consultation somewhere else (Davenport & Early, 2010). Good business consultants gain proficiency from working with many different businesses and organizations. The knowledge and expertise they acquired through working in different types of businesses and industries is what makes the consultant such a valuable asset. The consultant should not only have a good educational background, they should also have considerable real world experience.

Block (1999) explains, to...