“WE ARE ALL CONSULTANTS one way or another—most people just haven’t realized that yet. Anyone providing knowledgeable advice or services to others, independently of their profession, is a consultant. There are certain characteristics that we must all nurture to become better at establishing a relationship with our clients to serve them successfully.” From knowing yourself and developing common sense, to negotiating skills, client care, a professional presence, and leadership, this book covers it all. Regardless of your industry or years of experience, this book will help your career. It focuses on the consultant in you, and is aimed at generating ways to grow based on your specific circumstances, location, and culture. With hundreds of tips, checklists, and self-evaluation tools to drive the self-learning home, this book will help readers find motivation and inspiration within themselves, while maintaining a business-centric perspective. This approach will entice the reader to explore new ideas and guidelines that will improve their professional performance as consultants, while adhering to the culture of their clients and developing a solution focused perspective.

"This is the practical approach I wish I had come across much earlier in my career." Cynthia Pexton-Shaw Whether you are just starting out, considering or already working as a consultant this book is essential reading, enabling you to understand the needs of your client and to get the result they want.

Productive learning occurs when educators work together to create new visions, analyze important issues, and evaluate outcomes. This book explores how educators can effectively engage in peer problem solving, focusing on three aspects of the process: (1) models for consulting with colleagues in problem solving; (2) communication skills necessary for consulting; and (3) how to collaborate with colleagues with differing interpersonal styles. Within these three main areas, the essential skills that educators need for working together, such as trust building, listening, facilitating, collaborating, questioning, communication, and peer problem solving are illustrated through interactive strategies designed to empower educators to become proactive, rather than reactive with conflict. Chapter 1 begins with an overview of consulting. Chapter 2 describes a comprehensive problem-solving process. Chapter 3 explores strengths and limitations of three interactive approaches for consulting: facilitative, collaborative, and authoritative. Chapters 4 and 5 review communication skills. Chapters 6 and 7 describe the wide range of interpersonal styles. Chapter 8 explains how we can work effectively with people who have different interpersonal styles. Chapter 9 and 10 examine issues that make consulting with peers successful and those that make it challenging. Four appendices contain self-evaluations. Contains 41 references and an extensive list of resources. (JBJ)

The Secrets of Consulting--techniques, strategies, and first-hand experiences--all that you'll need to set up, run, and be successful at your own consulting business.

“WE ARE ALL CONSULTANTS one way or another—most people just haven’t realized that yet. Anyone providing knowledgeable advice or services to others, independently of their profession, is a consultant. There are certain characteristics that we must all nurture to become better at establishing a relationship with our clients to serve them successfully.” From knowing yourself and developing common sense, to negotiating skills, client care, a professional presence, and leadership, this book covers it all. Regardless of your industry or years of experience, this book will help your career. It focuses on the consultant in you, and is aimed at generating ways to grow based on your specific circumstances, location, and culture. With hundreds of tips, checklists, and self-evaluation tools to drive the self-learning home, this book will help readers find motivation and inspiration within themselves, while maintaining a business-centric perspective. This approach will entice the reader to explore new ideas and guidelines that will improve their professional performance as consultants, while adhering to the culture of their clients and developing a solution focused perspective.

Explains that the selling of ideas is a matter of encouraging others to share one's beliefs in a guide for salespeople that invites readers to self-assess their persuasion personality and build on natural strengths.