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The Basic Principles of Effective Consulting

• By Linda K. Stroh, Homer H. Johnson

• Price: $24.50
• Binding: Paperback (also available in Hardback)
• Pages: 200
• Published by: Psychology Press (formerly published by Lawrence Erlbaum Associates)
• Publication Date: 14th December 2005
• ISBN: 978-0-8058-5420-6

About the Book

This is a very good time for consultants. As corporations have been reorganizing and downsizing, merging and globalizing, the consulting business has been booming.

The Basic Principles of Effective Consulting is about what effective consultants do and how they do it. It provides a step-by-step process that can provide successful outcomes for consultants and their clients. The chapters have plenty of examples and cases of the process used by effective consultants, as cases and examples are one of the best ways to learn the consulting business. Also provided as part of each chapter are short pieces of expert advice by established consultants and users of consulting services. Teachers in business schools will find this book can serve as an excellent supplemental textbook on consulting practices.

Reviews

"This is the book! I believe The Basic Principles of Effective Consulting is a book you will be drawn to repeatedly over your career in consulting. Just as Stroh and Johnson note throughout the book, when most consultants fail, it's because they have never learned (or have forgotten) the basics of doing consulting...The basic principles can be applied regardless of your specialty area. Whether it's IT, or Marketing, Six Sigma, Engineering or Golf Course design, the consulting model outlined in this book is outstanding; and it works!"
—Robert L. Lorber
CEO, Lorber Kamai Consulting Group, From the Foreword

"Stroh and Johnson have done a great service to those who are starting out in the consulting industry: they have distilled the essence of what it is that consultants need to know. They have also provided a handy reference for those who are already in the consulting industry and occasionally need to be reminded of the importance of the basic principles of consultancy that are necessary for successful organizational change. The reader gets not only the benefit of the insight and original perspective of these academics, but also the practical experience and advice from seasoned consultants. This is a "how-to" book that is destined to become the "go-to" book for novice and seasoned consultants alike."
—Margaret A. Neale
Graduate School of Business, Stanford University

"Stroh and Johnson have written a book that consultants will want in their briefcase, both to view for self when challenged with a client dilemma, and to use with clients to support the consulting process. The "From the Experts" sections will excite, inform, and assure clients that the work being done in their company is on the money!"
—Marilyn Blair
Managing Editor, Organization Development Network Publications

"You'll want to keep this book handy--as you'll be referring to it often. Whether you are a consultant yourself or a user of consultants, this book provides powerful insights into building trusting and lasting professional relationships. Stroh and Johnson have a way of cutting through all the hype, and challenging us to be better at what we do. If you want to be a more effective consultant, be sure to read this book."
—Raj Tatta
Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Table of Contents

Contents: Foreword. Preface. Consultants and Consulting. Establishing Expectations and Goals. Formalizing the Agreement: Proposals and Contracts. Developing a Project Strategy: Diagnosis and Data Collection. Interviewing. Preparing the Feedback/Assessment Report: Moving the Client to Action. Presenting the Findings: Moving From Diagnosis to Commitment to Action. Initiating Action. Ending the Project. Some Final Thoughts: The Basic Principles of Effective Consulting.