“The secret for success in attracting, winning, retaining and growing client business – whether working as an independent or for a firm.” Mike Lander, CEO, Consulting Strategies Ltd “Richard knows what clients value and provides clear, practical and experienced guidance on how to become and more importantly, be recognised and selected as the best.” Mike Lander, CEO, Consulting Strategies Ltd WHAT DOES IT REALLY TAKE TO BE A SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT? The secret of being a successful management consultant is to focus on the genuine needs of the client. As a consultant, you must develop the skills that enable you to understand these needs, deliver real value to your clients and help them get the results they want. The Management Consultant is your ultimate guide to success as an expert professional consultant. It reveals the skills and attributes that make great consultants and shows you how to develop these to provide genuine client centric consulting. Whether you’re already working as a consultant, starting out on your own, or just considering the profession - this book is essential reading. It will also help those who train, employ or work with consultants regularly. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW, DO AND DELIVER TO BE A GREAT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT Learn the answers to the critical questions you need ask to be a top management consultant such DISCOVER THE CLIENT-CENTRIC APPROACH TO SUCCESSFUL CONSULTING
Richard Newton is the best selling author of a range of non-fiction books who has recently made the scary jump into fiction writing.
His published works are mostly niche non-fiction books. His first book for everyone, Dream It, Do It, Live It was published 2013. More recently, he published the novella A Touch of Absolution. He's been writing fiction for decades, but this is the first time it has been available to the public.
His books have been translated into 17 languages and won awards, including the Management Book of the Year 2013.
He reads all the time, and for the last few years he has written a review of every book he has read. The reviews reflect his eclectic tastes in reading - good literature, a lot of philosophy, for professional reasons business books, history, travel and mountaineering books - and books about central Asia which is a bit of a personal obsession. But depending on his mood, whim, or the direction of the wind he reads a wide variety that does not fall into any of these categories.
Richard is interested in philosophy, mountaineering, trail running, working and travelling in interesting places, as well as a wide range of music. He works internationally, with home being split between the Cotswolds, UK and the Tatra's, Poland. If you have questions or comments or just feel like chatting get in touch with Richard
I've read most books on the consulting industry now (there aren't that many, surprisingly), and this is the best out there.
First things first, this book covers all the vital elements of getting starting in consulting, finding work, delivering projects, and most importantly, the art of actually being consultative. This last part is often missed! Also, it is not just limited to management consulting. All consultants should be encouraged to read this book.
Secondly, as compared to Alan Weiss' books on consulting (Getting Started, Million Dollar, etc), this is a British perspective on consulting, and again, it actually covers the process of being a consultant who is consultative.
Thirdly, this books will teach you key phrases and concepts such as engagements, services lines, the difference between expert and process consulting, and the like.
Fourthly, and this was the main feature for me, Richard provides frameworks for consulting that you can use. There is a client acquisition model, a project delivery model, and a project wrap-up / closure model. All of these are very helpful.
Finally, for those who might be thinking of Peter Block's Flawless Consulting, I would recommend this book over that, as it offers much the same advice, albeit in a far more succinct form.
As I have said at the start, I believe this to be the best book on consulting available.
Excellent book, really should be 5 stars but really great books have something extra every time you read. This great when starting out - not so great once you been in the field for a while and want to revisit the book (No new gems found, which is harsh yard stick to judge a book by).