Kathryn Booth

Consulting Out? Compass In.

Whatever happened to consultants?

Maybe the same thing that happened to most of them when they were mid-level managers…the world moved on.

I’ve created tons of valuable material, done outstanding work for several companies, all of whom want to keep me on board…but getting new clients in the last 2 years has been like getting gum out of a two year old’s hair! It needs to happen, but the help is not wanted.

A lot of this is due to a sliding economy where it doesn’t matter a whole lot what you are doing in most manager’s minds – just cut costs, cut jobs and pray the company gets and keeps enough business to survive without capital injections.

I could tell you about a whole list of effective, efficient and not overpriced consultants who are cleaning houses, doing the barista thing or getting back to basics like they did in the 1930’s. Frugality rules!

Another big part of this scenario is the fact that you can do a couple internet searches, subscribe to three or four newsletter lists and have more information about what to do and how to do it than you ever have time to absorb as a business owner or manager.

So what role  can consultants (like myself) play?

1. Are you on course?

You may be busy – but that doesn’t mean you are growing your client base or profits – getting an external assist on looking for ways to be more profitable and productive pays for itself very quickly.

2. Do you have a course?

Without a strategic plan (action based project plan that measures pace and results) you may be going and going and end up definitely not where you intended. Setting up time and attention to create very clear performance and growth targets and action plans for you and your team to make it so is powerful and also, doesn’t have to take a long time and be super expensive.

I hired a consultant a decade ago (before I got my very own shiny MBA from Oklahoma State University) and paid him nicely for 18 months. My company reached the desired results, but what I learned how to do from him and how to create new action plans and priorities when the first ones are almost completed…well, three weeks would have covered it and should have covered it.

Personally, I have a very deep and broad attention span and I’d rather work with 15 companies and teach the key team members how to stay on track and plan ahead themselves, get the results and get new clients from referrals.  I have 6 kids and don’t need to be anyone else’s mother – and sure don’t want to be taken for granted and paid like a mother. Oh my no.

What I do is set up a brief consultation and ask a lot of questions, listen and then briefly discuss a few immediate action steps that will make a big difference or get you an alliance with other experts I know.

That part is fun and free. Then I take some time, go over things like your online prescence, reputation, industry trends, etc. and get back to you with 1) a proposal for how we could work together (if I think that is a good idea) 2) how much that would cost and how long it should take and 3) a list of more ideas of what you can do right now or in the immediate future (usually free resources) to move forward.

Then we talk money – I get a modest retainer and then get paid as we accomplish goals and get results.

kb@justbrilliantservices.com

360-543-7900

WAIT! I did forget something else! Before I set up the free consultation, you have to go to my website http://justbrilliantservices.com and fill out the pre-strategic planning questionnaire. That worksheet in itself will help you a lot and I absolutely need to know these things to help you get where you want to go.

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