10 traits of a great consultant

© Copyright 2015 Empowerment Gateway Consulting Ltd www.empowerment-gateway.com© Copyright 2015 Empowerment Gateway Consulting Ltd www.empowerment-gateway.com

10 Traits of a Great Consultant

The Consulting Chutzpah and Audacity Series

© Copyright 2015 Empowerment Gateway Consulting Ltd www.empowerment-gateway.com

1: Self-Confident and Adaptive

A great consultant delivers both GOOD and BAD news with ease.•They are sure of themselves!

•Don’t show uncertainty!

•Walk the talk!


2: Knows his business environment

A great consultant has the required theoretical knowhow and practical knowledge to provide appropriate solutions to meet client’s needs. •Can substantiate recommendations•Has a record of past successes


3: Has Transferable Skills

A great consultant is innovative and effective.•Able to share practical ideas that are credible.•Provides workable solutions that can be implemented by others.•Does not follow a “One-Shoe-Fits-All” approach.


4: Able to Simplify and Explain

A great consultant knows that most client’s do not want a “regression analysis”.•They have the tools to “explain” their ideas in a simplified manner.•They know how to effectively use diagrams and metaphors to impart their message to the client.


5: Able to Provide Multiple Solutions

A great & successful consultant is able to “foresee” multiple solutions to a problem.•They know that “change” comes with the territory.•They can think on their feet when challenged.•They are great improvisers.


6: They are Good Listeners

A great consultant never “assumes” anything and listens attentively.•They not scared to ask multiple clarifying questions.•They don’t stop asking the right questions until they understand their client’s needs completely before proceeding.


7: Is a Team Player

A great consultant knows that the client’s goals always comes first.•They understand that personal goals although important are secondary to the client’s needs.


8: Is a Marketer and a Salesperson

A great consultant has to be good at what he does, but has also to be able to market and sell his services to all types of clients if he wants to remain in business and succeed.•Marketing and Sales are critical survival consulting functions, especially for self-employed professionals.•Being good at what a consultant does IS NOT enough. •They have to be able to market, sell and do.


9: Has to Gain a Client’s Trust

A great consultant to get to the bottom of the client’s real issues has to be able to develop strong working relationships with their client’s.•Passion for their client’s “challenges” but with a hefty dose of integrity.•Be a “critical” friend of their client.•Play “Devil’s Advocate” at times.


10: Remember who’s the “Star” in the play.

A great consultant need to have humility and always remember that the client is the “Star” in the story.•Not be tempted to think “how clever” they are to solve challenging problems.•Know their place in the equation of things.


ARE YOU A GREAT CONSULTANT?

Do you have all the requirements

Discussed in the previous 10 Points?

NO? Then read on …


Do YOU want to enhance YOUR Consulting Skills and improve your

engagement profitability?

You invited to JOIN us in the Algarve Portugal in September 2015


3-Day Consulting Skills Workshop

Then don’t miss the opportunity to join us in the Algarve in September 2015 for a 3-day interactive consulting workshop covering:•Marketing and Sales•Proposals and Contracts•Fee negotiations•And so much more …


Interested?

Request a consulting training brochure via email to:

[email protected]

Or if you want to chat about it or just want to chat about your consulting career in general, you welcome to contact me via Skype:

Skype: Laurinda.Seabra

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