Managing Change and Transition

APPENDIX B

How to Choose and Work with Consultants

The management consulting business has grown to be a multibillion dollar business, and it continues to grow. As a group—and despite a number of notable and controversial failures—consultants have much to offer.The problem for executives is how to know when their services are needed, whom to hire, and how to work with them successfully. What types of projects are best suited to outside consultants? How do you choose the most compatible consultant or firm? What level of service should you expect? And what are the keys to managing the relationship? This appendix, adapted from Tom Rodenhauser’s article in Harvard Management Update, “How to Choose—and Work with—Consultants,” can help you answer these ...