One
of the more interesting aspects of the consulting industry
is its use of the term "solutions" in an attempt to
"productize" the tools developed to satisfy a particular
engagement. The reality is that, in the vast majority
of cases, a client has a very specialized need to satisfy a
particularly deep issue. Otherwise they would
typically not be looking to the outside world to help solve
an inside problem.Another of the
unfortunate aspects of the consulting business is that, if
you are to be successful, you have to constantly be looking
for new projects. In many cases firms have no choice
but to find ways to make their clients dependent on them,
through ongoing services or new services. While we do
respect the nature of this industry that has been so good to
us, we also respect the needs of our clients, among them to
grow their own businesses, independent of outside support.
This philosophy permeates everything we do
with our clients, who we typically view as partners more
than we do clients. Each of the "service offerings"
listed to the left is more typical of a process or a
philosophy than it is a "billable service". And each
is part of the process that we use when we launch a new
venture, either for ourselves or our client partners.
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