Quintessential Guide to Using Consultants [Paperback]

David Zahn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2004

Bringing in the right consultant and getting what you want from the relationship is important—yet there has been a lack of specific guidance in this area until now.

The Quintessential Guide to Using Consultants presents practical and clear guidelines for maximizing the results of the consulting relationship through each step of the process.

You’ll get answers to such questions as: What does a consultant do? Should you use former colleagues with inside knowledge of your business—or outside experts? How can you avoid failed projects and fingerpointing, finding fault and assigning blame? What is—and isn’t—a consultant responsible for?

Thorough, straightforward and packed with real-world wisdom

Inside you’ll find priceless information on:

Why use a consultant
How to select a consultant
Ways to contract with a consultant
How to manage a consultant during the life of a project
How to work with—not against—a consultant
Evaluating a consultant’s work
Exiting the consulting relationship

While the book is written from the client’s perspective, consultants who want to strengthen their own approaches will also find The Quintessential Guide to Using Consultants valuable. Delve into how successful consultants think, act and behave and identify ways to gain an advantage over your competition.

Features include key learning points or skills to be mastered at the beginning of each chapter, personal examples from widely publicized cases, worksheets, checklists, and more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Zahn is a much requested speaker/author with a wide depth and breadth of experience in the fields of consulting, training, and entrepreneurship. Equally comfortable with academic, executive, or non-executive audiences, David shares a wealth of "real world" insights, tips, and techniques" that are guaranteed to captivate and educate any participant group. As Managing Partner of Clow Zahn Associates, LLC, he has consulted with some of the largest and most sophisticated companies (Kraft, Cadbury Schweppes, and Hallmark, among others). As Founder of StartUPBuilder.com, he shares the secrets of successfully starting your own business with anyone with a passion to succeed.

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: HRD Press, Inc (January 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874257948
• ISBN-13: 978-0874257946
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,003,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Zahn is a book author/newspaper column writer/consultant/speaker and Adjunct Faculty member at the University of New Haven who is forever on the road talking, researching, observing, and just plain sharing with executives, students, and others. His week is usually defined by how recently in the past or how far into the future is his next opportunity to eat Buffalo Chicken Wings.

He is much in demand as a speaker on topics ranging from retailing and consumer packaged goods trends, to entrepreneurial strategies, and includes training insights, sales skills pointers, and many other topics. He has appeared on five continents - occasionally within two weeks and has been asked back by over 90% of the associations, groups, or clients he has spoken to in his career.

Of all his accomplishments, goals attained, and awards; the best achievements he has are the two men he has raised who provide him with endless pride and who have allowed others to share their Dad with them.

To contact David Zahn for project work, a speaking engagement, or just to say hello - contact him at [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally - a guidebook for the ages...., October 1, 2004

By 

Jeff R. Clow (Corinth, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Quintessential Guide to Using Consultants (Paperback)

It seems like there are literally thousands of books available on how to BE a consultant, but this is the first one I've come across that actually tells someone how to effectively USE a consultant to improve your business - and its about time someone wrote such an essential text.

I have used consultants several times over a twenty year corporate career and have found that their styles, abilities and contributions have varied greatly. But the one thing I was always missing was a guidebook to tell me how to get the most out of the time and money I was investing in these outside service providers. So, when I received this latest book I found myself saying again and again how much I wish I could have had it as a key reference manual during those past engagements with the consulting profession.

David Zahn - who seems to fast becoming the "consultant's consultant" with two books out this year alone - has written an engaging tome that talks about how to direct consultants more effectively, and how to be sure you are getting their best efforts on your behalf. It actually is a very quick and "easy" read, and I found myself smiling as Mr. Zahn recounted anecdotes of his many years as a consultant - and of his many stories of tales from the consultant's perspective.

I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who uses consultants - or who is contemplating using an outsider to help assist their firm. Mr. Zahn has definitely lifted the curtain about what goes on on the other side of the equation, and his advice and recommendations are worth many times the cost of the book itself.

One of the best business books I've EVER read...and I've read dozens and dozens of them over the years.....

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Perspective, February 6, 2007

By 

Victor615 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quintessential Guide to Using Consultants (Paperback)

Mr. Zahn evidently knows what he is talking about. I've used his techniques while in business and have found them very effective. I highly recommend this book.