Adventures in Consulting

Slide Library

Microsoft SharePoint 2007 (MOSS 2007) has an interesting new Slide Library feature that we're testing out.  It allows you to publish a power point presentation to SharePoint.  Each slide becomes its own document allowing you to version control each  slide independently.  You can then easily resemble just the slide you want for a presentation.  We're trying this out initially for our marketing material. 

This could be a real benefit for organizations, like consulting companies, that rely a lot on power point for deliverables (not just presentations).  Power Point is still the best low cost desktop publishing  & diagramming tool.      

Consulting not Contracting

Consulting not Contracting.  This has become a mantra here at Exalt Consulting Group.   In the IT field, especial in the Government Sector, there is a plethora of contractors that provide technical services.  But it is rare to find individuals and firms that provide "professional" consulting services - people that hold themselves and their work to a higher standard.  It’s not to say that there is anything wrong with contractors or contracting.  There is a need for the contracting role - just not all the time and not for our firm. 

One of our goals is to exalt or elevate IT consulting, especially architecture, into a true profession.  The following quote really summaries my feelings on the subject. 

"The professions are a noble calling, providing the opportunity to serve and contribute to others and make a difference in the world beyond one life."

          -  Paul Dunn, Ronald J. Baker

Personally, I want to see IT consulting achieve the same professional prestige as doctors and lawyers (well maybe not all lawyers).

Consulting Books

While there is an overabundance of business books, there are very few on professional services, especially relating to IT consulting.  Here are a few of the better books I’ve read on the subject:

·         Anything by David Maister. A must have for anyone in professional services.  Books include True Professionalism, Trusted Advisor, and First Among Equals. 

·         The Profession Service Firm 50 by Tom Peters.  The book (and the whole series) usually provokes a love or hate reaction.  I’m a proponent because it really conveys, in no uncertain terms, the mindset needed for consulting.  It’s especially relevant for IT consultant even- though it’s not written for technology firms. 

·         Building Professional Services.  This book is written from the perspective of building a consulting practice within a technology product company.   Even if you’re not associated with a product company, it’s a great resource for processes, metrics, roles & responsibilities needed when delivering services. 

·         Clients for Life – Along the style of David Maister, this book talks about becoming a trusted advisor

·         The Essential Drucker – It would be impossible to have a consulting reading list without mentioning Peter Drucker – the visionary who coined the concept “knowledge worker”.

·         The McKinsey Mind / The McKinsey way.  I guess I would be remiss if I didn’t mention these books about one of the most successful consulting companies. 

Here are some resources focusing more on consulting skills than managing a consulting business:

·         The Minto Pyramid Principle – I found it to be a tough, but required, read.  Structured thinking and communications is a foundation concept in management consulting

·         Beyond Bullet Points and Presenting to Win – Presentation Skill are another crucial skill for consultants. 

·         Winning Government Business – Don’t let the title scare you off if you’re not involved in government proposals.  Proposals are such key aspect of consulting and the advice in this book can be applied to any large proposal process.