The Basic Principles of Effective Consulting

Consultants are called upon more and more to help implement needed organizational changes, fill gaps in workforce capabilities, and solve significant business problems. As the demand for consultants increases, it is critical that practitioners differentiate themselves and understand how they can be most successful, for themselves and their clients. The Basic Principles of Effective Consulting details what effective consultants do and provides a step by step process of just how they do it. The Second Edition of The Basic Principles of Effective Consulting is fully updated with real-life cases. End-of-chapter summaries foster both mastery and engagement, as well as providing a quick reference throughout a consultant's career. In addition, each chapter includes a section "From the experts" written by successful consultants and users of consultants' services. These experts share ideas and tips about their own consulting experiences that relate to chapter material. The book is written for entry level and seasoned consultants, project managers, staff advisors, and anyone who wants to learn (or be reminded of) the basic principles of effective consulting. The book is well suited as an excellent textbook for college courses on consulting, organizational training, and a lifetime go-to consultant's resource.

Linda K. Stroh, PhD is a Loyola University Faculty Scholar and Emeritus Professor at the Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago, and is currently teaching at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Foreword Preface About the Author 1. Consultants and Consulting 2. Managing Expectations and Goals 3. Formalizing the Agreement: Contracts and Proposals 4. Developing a Project Plan 5. Data Collection 6. Interviewing 7. Preparing the Feedback/Assessment Report: Moving the Client to Action 8. Presenting the Findings: Moving from Diagnosis to Commitment to Action 9. Initiating Action 10. Ending the Project 11. Some Final Thoughts: The Basic Principles of Effective Consulting Index