How to Be an Effective Consultant While Working Remotely

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How to Be an Effective Consultant While Working Remotely

As independent consultants, we’ve all probably worked remotely to some extent but as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it appears that working virtually will be part of the “new normal.” Companies are figuring out their “work from anywhere” and/or hybrid models as the pandemic drags on and the “great resignation” threatens to lure employees away.

To complicate things further for consultants, clients may misperceive “checking in” as a waste of time and/or something they don’t want to pay for. Or worse, they may still have the mindset that if they can’t see the consultant doing the work, they might think they’re overpaying…

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How to Be an Effective Consultant on Virtual Projects

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How to Be an Effective Consultant on Virtual Projects

As independent consultants, we’ve all worked remotely to some extent but now we are working virtually 100%. And likely, this isn’t temporary. Many companies are already saying they won’t require every employee to return to the workplace this calendar year. Some are considering shifting permanently to “work from anywhere”.

To complicate things further, many of our clients are learning how to work virtually for the first time and they may misperceive “checking in” as a waste of time and/or something they don’t want to pay for. Or worse, they may still have the mindset that if they can’t see the consultant doing the work, they might think they’re overpaying.

Given that consulting is relationship based, it’s imperative that we build credibility and trust quickly…

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20 Qualities of a Consulting Rock Star

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20 Qualities of a Consulting Rock Star

This month the PICA community has been focusing on sharpening our consulting skills so we’re reprising one of our founder’s most popular LinkedIn articles. First published January 2015, it’s just as relevant today as it was then. We’ve also expanded the original list of qualities from 19 to an even 20, and updated a few other things based the LinkedIn comments. Here’s to a your success!

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Let’s face it, not all consultants are created equal. Some can seemingly do anything with grace, style, and ease while others struggle to make anything happen. Over the last 20 years I’ve interacted with probably a thousand management consultants, from local independent practitioners to global “big four” advisors. Some are rock stars and some never will be, regardless of their education or what consulting firm they work for.

In a nutshell, a consulting rock star is someone who loves helping clients succeed, does whatever it takes to do so, keeps their word, effectively manages expectations, and produces A-quality work. They make the right things happen. They are smart, professional yet personable, excellent listeners with self-confidence, and…

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See Something, Say Something: 3 Three-Word Tips

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See Something, Say Something: 3 Three-Word Tips

As consultants, it’s our job to help our clients solve problems and operate at their best. Sometimes this is easy, particularly when the needed correction is related to a process or operational improvement. For example, “You can decrease your product return rate by moving the quality checks upstream in the process.” Frequently, however, the advice is harder to deliver because it’s more personal, like when a business leader needs to change a behavior or a team member is acting inappropriately. In these situations, we may think about saying something, but it’s too awkward so we don’t. We wimp out and, in doing so, we do a disservice to the company that hired us. We’re not being our best.

Over the years I’ve discovered three, three-word tricks to make delivering difficult observations and advice easier — and more effective.

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Consulting and Coaching: Be Wary of Mixing the Two

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Consulting and Coaching: Be Wary of Mixing the Two

If you describe yourself as both a consultant and coach, this article is for you. There’s a lot of grey area and overlap between the two. Many self-employed professionals go to market as both. For example:

  • Mary Smith: Executive Coach & Consultant
  • John Doe: Organization Effectiveness Consultant and Leadership Coach

Usually there’s nothing wrong with this. Nearly all consultants I know consider themselves coaches to some extent because they often have to get a client to do something, to say something a certain way, or to see something they may not want to acknowledge. Sometimes the consultant has to “hold up a mirror” to a senior leader and point out a disruptive behavior that’s hampering the project’s success.

But consultants are not executive coaches. There is a fundamental difference in how each approaches their work. Being conscious of which approach is required is critical to a successful engagement. 

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