Comments on: In Defense of Consultants: A Punch-Out Based Rant http://www.philsimonsystems.com/blog/consulting/defending-consultants/ Musings on technology, management, books, writing, and whatever else piques my interest. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:18:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: philsimon http://www.philsimonsystems.com/blog/consulting/defending-consultants/comment-page-1/#comment-121 philsimon Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:44:36 +0000 http://philsimonsystems.com/?p=1443#comment-121 All really good points... I echo both Jim's and Chris' sentiments here. Thanks for chiming in. I'm surprised, though, that no one has made a King Hippo reference. All really good points… I echo both Jim’s and Chris’ sentiments here. Thanks for chiming in. I’m surprised, though, that no one has made a King Hippo reference.

]]> By: Chris Cammers http://www.philsimonsystems.com/blog/consulting/defending-consultants/comment-page-1/#comment-120 Chris Cammers Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:27:44 +0000 http://philsimonsystems.com/?p=1443#comment-120 Another self evident truth, "you get what you pay for." If every project goes to the lowest bidder then how can you expect high quality. I've been on several assignments where the client told me "Yeah, we went with blah blah because they were cheaper and then we ended up spending what you had originally quoted and spent twice as much time" I always look at my role as a consultant as striving to become my client's trusted adviser, not in the Iago sort of way but really a trusted colleague whose expertise becomes an important part of the organization. The difference is you only need me in short bursts. Thanks Chris Another self evident truth, “you get what you pay for.” If every project goes to the lowest bidder then how can you expect high quality. I’ve been on several assignments where the client told me “Yeah, we went with blah blah because they were cheaper and then we ended up spending what you had originally quoted and spent twice as much time”

I always look at my role as a consultant as striving to become my client’s trusted adviser, not in the Iago sort of way but really a trusted colleague whose expertise becomes an important part of the organization. The difference is you only need me in short bursts.

Thanks
Chris

]]> By: Jim Harris http://www.philsimonsystems.com/blog/consulting/defending-consultants/comment-page-1/#comment-119 Jim Harris Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:08:10 +0000 http://philsimonsystems.com/?p=1443#comment-119 Nice rant Phil! I agree with your four self-evident truths. I have been a consultant for most of my career and in various capacities, namely for the services group of software companies, for consulting firms, and also as an independent. From my perspective, consultants provide extensive experience and best practices from successful implementations. Their goal is to help clients avoid common mistakes and customize a solution to their specific business needs. Their primary responsibility is to make themselves obsolete as quickly as possible by providing mentoring, documentation, training and knowledge transfer. A consultant that chooses the path of least resistance by always agreeing with you is not worth the money you are paying them. To quote one of my favorite (but short-lived) television shows: “If you are stupid, then surround yourself with smart people. If you are smart, then surround yourself with smart people who will disagree with you.” Best Regards, Jim Nice rant Phil!

I agree with your four self-evident truths. I have been a consultant for most of my career and in various capacities, namely for the services group of software companies, for consulting firms, and also as an independent.

From my perspective, consultants provide extensive experience and best practices from successful implementations. Their goal is to help clients avoid common mistakes and customize a solution to their specific business needs. Their primary responsibility is to make themselves obsolete as quickly as possible by providing mentoring, documentation, training and knowledge transfer.

A consultant that chooses the path of least resistance by always agreeing with you is not worth the money you are paying them. To quote one of my favorite (but short-lived) television shows:

“If you are stupid, then surround yourself with smart people. If you are smart, then surround yourself with smart people who will disagree with you.”

Best Regards,

Jim

]]> By: Bill Shander http://www.philsimonsystems.com/blog/consulting/defending-consultants/comment-page-1/#comment-118 Bill Shander Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:16:20 +0000 http://philsimonsystems.com/?p=1443#comment-118 As I always tell my clients, they pay me to tell them no once. (I usually squeeze in an extra one or two.) But at some point, the client wins every debate, for better or worse. But these four guidelines are right on. As I always tell my clients, they pay me to tell them no once. (I usually squeeze in an extra one or two.) But at some point, the client wins every debate, for better or worse. But these four guidelines are right on.

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