The eighth Top Tip from our veteran consultant panel on Best Practices to Grow Your Consulting Business, “If I Only Knew Then What I Know Now” is to Choose Your ‘People’ Well.
We have many people we work with: clients, employees, subcontractors, partners, allies, and still others. As in all good working relationships, there is give-and-take. Find the quality people that can complement your business and skill sets. This will involve some trial and error. When working with people, actively look to understand what their core competencies are and how else you might be able to use their services. When things are not working out, try and figure out is it process or a misfit? And if it is not a good fit, why not? Is the person better suited to something else? Learn from each experience.
WIC’s consultant directory and community email list are both phenomenal resources for you to augment your delivery through talented other consultants. They are both great places to start. Of course there still needs to be some vetting to make sure the fit is right for your needs.
Your People
Also, when you consider ‘your people’, consider the other businesses that are in your same supply chain to clients. Other businesses or service providers servicing those same clients. Don’t under estimate the power of related service providers. These related businesses can be strong referral partners for you. Find the ones that have similar philosophies and develop the relationships.
Also look for people who can do what you do so they can do it while you focus on building your business. See Top Tip #11 – Focus on what builds the business. And, remember, you don’t have to do everything yourself. Find people who can support you and your deliverables. See Top Tip #1 – Don’t do everything yourself.
How have you found some of your best people? Please share some examples of the breath of your network of ‘people’.
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