Customer Reviews

Flawless Consulting Set , Flawless Consulting (Second Edition) and The Flawless Consulting Fieldbook

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Flawless Consulting presents a clean slice of what it is to be a consultant. Just as a heaving boulder might fall into water, a consulting engagement has mass and impact on a client. A flawless consultation produces results without a splash. This book addresses what is necessary to do just that. It does a good job of covering the business aspect of consulting which include contracting, meeting management, identifying core issues and of course providing results. It also covers interesting subjects such as handling politics, strategies, ethics, body language and staying focused.

There are sections of the book that include useful, reference quality checklists, rules and guidelines that will not waste space the bookshelf. The book is not slanted toward any particular consulting discipline. Example situations are typically in the area of management consulting. There is little difference in the treatment of an internalized knowledge-worker or external consultant, so the book could apply to nearly everyone.

This is an excellent A-Z guide to consulting. It is open, honest, tested, and makes Peter the 'Godfather of Consult'. What makes this combination so valuable is the insights included that'd probably be missed as a reader unless you'd been consulting for at least a dozen years. Should be part of every business library. This will jump your consultancy career forward at hyperspeed.

Great information for all entry level and junior consultants wanting to succeed in the Consulting world. Very clear and defined revealing chapters on all the "Must read" topics. I have over 23 years of experience, and everything a Consultant needs to know is there, spelled out in details, the only missing thing is the suit, shirt and tie.
Additionally, please consider reading the Filedbook & Companion", that is a great complement to the information provided.
Dimitri Gauquier
[...]

Peter Block does a great job highlighting essential and proven strategies for delivering substantive consulting that builds relations based on mutual responsibility, accountability, and reward. These resources provide valuable perspectives, processes and points-of-understanding for all consultants.

As a minority consultant I will say that there is an underlying assumption that fails to incorporate the kind of inherent and often invisible prejudices that prohibit the kind of mutual trust and respect necessary from manifesting. It means there are other tactics and steps that must be taken to establish the conditions called for. It also means that many of the objections encountered as a minority consultant cannot be overcome as prescribed, because the root cause(s) of the objections are different.

That said, these books contain awesome information, tools, and resources that add value to any consultant endeavors.

I just listened to the audiobook. Based on other reviews, I may have missed out on some of the features in the actual book. It sounds like it's geared more for people consulting for large companies. The process is extremely complicated and full of roadblocks. My clients are small to mid-sized companies that know they need help. I don't have to beg and plead for their business. I also act as an extension of management so I'm not an outsider. I'll work in the client's office and interact with the employees. There weren't many actionable steps or ideas in the audiobook. Just tons of theory. It seems today, the best way to win people is to relate to them on an emotional level while this book teaches a very rigid, unemotional, structural approach.

Great basic text from one of the foundation authors on the subject of Consulting. Much of it is straightforward and predictable thinking, but the book is well framed to ensure such basic matters can be revisited easily.

I may not always agree with his suggestions, but Peter Block does a great job giving you real world examples and expectations in regards to consultation. I really liked this book, and found it very helpful.

Block takes a candid look at business consulting and management. He covers the rules that must be followed to consult effectively and remain politically correct.
He helps you recognize how to avoid taking responsibility for decisions that are the customers. In so doing we help our customers become better managers. His approach is both practical and correct for external and in house consultants. His advice is timeless, useful and correct. An excellent book for consultants and managers.

Anyone wanting to ge a great consultant should read Peter Block. I really like the fieldbook as it provides great stories that get to the heart of being a flawless consultant.

I listened to the book on CD first and then purchased it. I havent experimented with the Field book yet.