“Red Flags”

When it comes to working with inside and outside resources, keep your antennae sharp. Here are some sure signs of trouble. Don’t ignore any of them—something might be wrong.

A specific product or program is being pushed. Find out why an inside or an outside resource is pushing for a product or service. Pushing one product suggests that the company might be ignoring your needs (in my opinion, this is not professional). A consultant can make a recommendation, but he or she should back down if you don’t accept it. Ultimately, you are the client and it is what you want that counts.

No needs assessment is done. The consultant should try to assess and uncover your needs before they make recommendations. A client called me to say that his ...

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