In 2023, businesses are under increasing pressure to innovate and adapt quickly, making it essential to partner with the right consultants. While the decision to bring in a consultancy is relatively straightforward, selecting the right partner for your company can be a complex and daunting task.
Many business leaders I’ve spoken to have become more hesitant about working with the large, well-known consultancies, despite their impressive track records. There is a growing belief that these firms rely too heavily on a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn’t provide the value companies need, especially during times of economic uncertainty. Additionally, the size of these firms can create a disconnect between the sales team and the consultants actually working on the project, making it difficult to maintain a sense of continuity—a critical factor in building trust and delivering results.
As a result, companies are increasingly looking for consultancies that focus on people-driven solutions, not just process or technology. They want tailored, agile services that provide expertise from professionals they can trust. Whether it’s through specialized knowledge or honesty about limitations, businesses seek consultants who can offer unbiased perspectives, drive change effectively, and deliver cost savings.
However, the process of choosing the right consultancy partner is fraught with potential pitfalls. Below are five important factors to consider when selecting the right consultancy for your business’s success.
Consulting Approach
Consultancies offer a variety of approaches, such as knowledge transfer or hands-on project delivery. Consider which style aligns with your company’s needs. Do you prefer consultants who will roll up their sleeves and drive the outcomes themselves, or would you rather have a knowledge-transfer model, where your team takes responsibility for implementation while being guided by consultants?
Level of Involvement
One common challenge when engaging a consultancy is ensuring the team that sells you the service is the same one that delivers it. This consistency is vital in maintaining trust and avoiding unnecessary delays caused by handoffs between different consultants. It’s important to establish early on whether the consultants who pitched the project will be part of the team that will see it through to completion.
Trust and Transparency
Trust is a foundational element in any consultancy relationship. You’re relying on them to not only achieve your objectives but also to handle sensitive organizational matters. Therefore, it’s essential to choose a consultancy that values transparency and honesty. A firm should be willing to admit its limitations rather than overpromise and underdeliver. A consultant who is upfront about what they can and cannot do will save you time and money in the long run.
Peer-to-Peer Relationships
Selecting a consultancy that can engage effectively with your leadership team is crucial. Your consultants should have the expertise and experience to understand your challenges and collaborate closely with your internal teams. Building strong peer-to-peer relationships helps ensure alignment between consultants and leadership, leading to more successful project outcomes.
Team Stability
The consistency of the consulting team throughout the project is another important factor to consider. A project’s success is often tied to the team’s ability to work together effectively. For instance, one top law firm recently established a dedicated advisory team for mergers and acquisitions to ensure that the same team saw the deal through from start to finish, which resulted in quicker and more efficient outcomes.
At Oliver Wight, we understand the importance of a hands-on approach and the value of working closely with our clients. We make sure that the partners you engage with during the sales process will also be involved in delivering your project, ensuring continuity and trust. In 2023, we believe this commitment is key to fostering successful, long-term relationships with our clients.
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