If you are thinking of hiring a management consulting firm, you have come to the conclusion that your business or company currently has problems you and your team are not equipped to solve. This conclusion represents an uncommon level of self-awareness, but one that is necessary to ensure a successful future for your company. Hiring a management consulting firm is an excellent choice in this circumstance. You will receive a fresh perspective, a wealth of experience quickly, and solve your problems by the most efficient means possible.

Consultants come in many forms. When seeking guidance, you will come across everything from independent consultants to the “Big Four” firms in the industry. Depending on the nature of your problem, there could be merits in going in any direction. The most important thing is ensuring that the firm you choose has the resources you need to solve your problem. Typically this means you will need an experienced team with multiple areas of expertise.

Taking the leap from solving problems internally to enlisting the help of outside experts is a big decision for your business. It is vital that you identify the right business partner to address your business problem. The top management consulting firms will exhibit these seven characteristics.

1. Understanding of Your Needs and Timeline

   When your company decides to hire a consulting firm, it is important that your team provides a concise brief regarding your business objectives, timeframes, and desired outcomes. Top management consulting firms will want to address this with you point by point and learn even more prior to starting the project. They will want to know pertinent details about your business and your challenge so they can assure they are moving forward with the best project plan. This may feel a bit like an interrogation, but the inquisitiveness is a sure sign that a consulting firm is detail-oriented and serious about efficiently solving your problem.

2. Independence

   Some consulting firms specialize in a specific software product or suite and are only able to address your problem via the solution they represent. This is fine if you are wanting to expand your capabilities with that specific system within your company, but is problematic if you have a net-new business challenge you are looking to correct. Top management consulting firms specialize in providing multiple solutions and are not required to push you in a specific direction. Their only goal is to determine the best fit for your business in terms of cost, functionality, and sustainability. If you feel you are being forced into a ready-to-use solution or your consultant’s agenda is being pushed over your own, you would probably be wise to choose a different firm.

3. Speaks Your Language

   Sometimes one word, phrase, or term can have two different meanings. You and your prospective consulting firm may be speaking the same jargon, but arrive at a different translation. Top management consulting firms will make sure to understand the meaning behind the terminology you are using and ensure there is no room for ambiguity in your communications. This will alleviate confusion regarding your actual business problem and ensure your consulting firm clearly understands your objectives and is focused on the aspects of your job that are actually important to you.

4. Willing to Talk About Money

   Top management consulting firms are confident in the value they are bringing to your organization and their capability to solve your business problems. They will be upfront about their pricing and any other costs associated with your project. It is important that this transparency goes both ways. Your company must be upfront about budget requirements as well. This will enable the consulting firm to provide a concise plan that achieves your desired outcome efficiently and within your budget. There may be room for negotiation, but that may require compromise. The ability for both sides to discuss options in a non-adversarial way will enable you and your consulting firm to establish clear targets and expectations.

5. Focuses on Outcomes

   The consulting model has changed over the years. In the past, consultants would allow focus on the amount of time required for a project to distract from the desired outcome. The top management consulting firms ensure they have set the right expectations and transparently designated a clear timeline for arriving at the business outcome you are expecting. This gives consultants the freedom to work towards your solution. This is beneficial to you as a client because you don’t have to feel like the cost of your project is rising every minute you speak with your consulting firm which facilitates more productive conversations. Additionally, it eliminates a misconceived notion that consultants were in no rush to complete projects because there was a financial benefit to extending the project.

6. Collaborative

   Successful management consulting firms do not want to simply be a visitor to your organization and independently arrive at your desired outcome. An effective consulting project is a two-way street where both your business and the consulting firm are active in achieving the results. Your consultant expects to be onsite with you and an extension of your team. Great consultants have the skills to assimilate with your staff quickly and recognize that multiple perspectives from multiple levels of your organization will likely be required to arrive at the best, most sustainable solution. If a consulting firm asks questions at the beginning of your project and says they will come back with a solution soon, this is actually a red flag. It could mean they don’t have the time or resources necessary to adequately take care of you as a client. Top management consulting firms have ample resources to give your project the attention it deserves.

7. Communicative

   Consulting firms respect your desire to stay informed of progress throughout the project and will address how much communication you would prefer at the beginning of the project and devise a management plan that meets your needs. Generally, 30 minute weekly check-ins are advisable. You can fairly expect your consultant to have an agenda, provide highlights on progress, and address issues, challenges, and bottlenecks. Regular communication ensures that everyone is on the same page and your consultant is working towards the right solution. If a course correction is needed it can be addressed before it is too late. Other milestone meetings or checkpoints should be built into the project plan as well. Top management consulting firms will ensure these meetings happen and will come prepared with in-depth information that gives you confidence everything is moving in the right direction. 

If you have reached the conclusion that outside help is required to solve your business problem, Donyati is a top management consulting firm with all the skills and resources your company needs to achieve the sustainable results you desire. We love helping our clients succeed. Bring your challenge to Donyati and let us show you how our unique approach will skillfully and efficiently deliver the powerful results you desire.