Post on 12-Nov-2014
description
What does it mean to be a
consultant?
Greythorn North America
What is the difference between a contractor
and a consultant?
Contractor
Hired for a specific task/job
Experienced, but not always
an SME
Project-focused
Short term engagements
Does not need to assimilate
into the company culture
Consultant
Hired to solve a
problem/create a solution
Serve as an advisor/SME to
the host company
Demonstrates ownership of
the role
Subject matter expert
Career-focused
Logistical differences
How each professional bills the work they do
Cost of the work they perform
Amount of travel that is required
If you look at the words ‘contractor’ and ‘consultant’ as just words and realize
that the primary difference is a mindset, then perhaps you have the key to your
future success. Whichever term you best identify with, your reputation and
positioning are the keys to landing the next engagement.
How to communicate like a consultant
Be concise – it’s harder to get what you want or help the client understand what they actually
want if you give lengthy explanations.
Start off with a positive statement – if you begin the conversation in a positive way, there will
be less room for negative perceptions. Focus your communication on the positive and how you
will work together to complete the project. When you make others feel that they are being heard
and their opinions are being considered, you will achieve faster and better results.
Make statements that start with I – psychologist Haim Ginott noticed that statements that start
with you instead of I are usually more likely to be perceived as critical and to make others
defensive. Instead of saying “you are not doing the job well” you can say “I see some areas that
we can improve upon”. The I and we pronouns allow for an open, non-abrasive dialog.
Talk clearly about what you want – humans are not mind readers. So whether it’s during an
interview, a meeting with a potential client, or nearing the end of project lifecycle, never assume
your audience is already aware of what you are looking for.
Long-term benefits of being a consultant
Changing lifestyle
Versatility
Travel
Industry variety
Project variety
Valuable contributions to real
business issues
Experience across multiple
professional settings
Working on cross-functional
projects
Experience a variety of company
culture
Exposure and collaboration with all
levels of management and staff
Potential local projects – stay close
to home
Becoming a subject matter expert
in your chosen market
GREYTHORN.COM/SBA
For more information on our Senior Business Analyst roles in the
consulting industry, please visit us at:
What does it mean to be a
consultant?
Greythorn North America