The perpetual challenge

The consulting business relationship can often be characterized as the search for a balance between how you feel a project should be executed and your client’s version of the path to success.

I try to break it down into three steps:

The first step is to break down all of the relevant pieces of the project like a puzzle. Deconstruct each piece of information that is available to you about your client’s business, industry, target demographic, employees, budget and goals.

Next I combine all of these pieces with what my experience and understanding of best practices have shown to get positive results. As I reconstruct the puzzle, I remain mindful of which pieces are vital and which are flexible.

The last step in this process is to present the client with the picture you have developed. Be open to your client’s opinions and be flexible with changing the cosmetics of the project to suit your client’s wants. Not every project is the same and the client is your best resource Remember it is your responsibility to build a successful project and your client has brought you in to provide something that he or she needs. So be open with your client and effectively articulate your reasoning to keep those items you feel are vital to achieve success.
Sincerely Brooks