So why do we hate consultants?

Why do we hate consultants? I need to be careful here because I sometimes get referred to as a consultant, which makes all my hair stand on end. So, if I’m in the industry, why do I have a negative reaction?

It’s pretty simple really. Out there in the world are a whole heap of people in the game with breathtakingly diverse skills which go all the way from absolutely no discernible skills at all apart from a taste for boundless self confidence and a taste for self promotion, right through to people who have excellent knowledge and skills in a few things to a lot of things.

The problem is how to sort the wheat from the chaff. It’s not easy because there are so many factors to consider. Do they drive a flash car? Well that could mean very successful or charge so outrageously that you’ll end up funding the next one.

Do they have a five point this or a seven point that? Does it mean they have nailed a winning formula that works for everyone, or does it mean they have only a few sensible thoughts that they roll out every time despite whether they are relevant for you or not?

In my business practice, I call myself The Anti-Consultant and I’ll tell you why. The joy I get out of my business is the people first aspect. I reckon that unless I can understand how a client thinks and feels, there is very little I can add that isn’t pre-packaged and available everywhere. Generic answers don’t do it for me.

If I answer my own question about why we hate consultants, it would be this. We hate them because we are deeply suspicious that they are actually looking for what’s in it for them, not what’s in it for you.

As they say, we can love a consultant but couldn’t eat a whole one. Now what I’d like to know is what your personal experience has been with consultants and business advisors? I don’t want names because that’s unfair, but I’d love to hear what outcomes you’ve had and what you’ve learned along the way that could make the next engagement better and more tailored to your needs.

Thoughts and comments welcome and if you’d like to check out some of my musings on the art and science of SME business, have a browse here.