What criteria should you use to assess a consulting firm's team experience and expertise?

Examine the consulting firm's portfolio of past projects. Look for examples of work that closely align with your project's scope and objectives and review the outcomes. Review client references. Reach out and inquire about their experiences working with the consulting firm. Ask about the quality of the work, the level of expertise demonstrated, and the overall satisfaction with the services provided. Are the consultants on the project are subject matter experts in your industry? Look for evidence of deep-rooted connections and a strong understanding of the field of work. Are they specialists in your specific area of work or industry, with a well-established network, and relevant certifications if applicable?

relevant experience is important but one should keep an open eye for those parties that can bring a fresh view to the table and these parties may not always have the best experience in your industry but may have the best solution for your challenges as they look at the business with different eyes.

Focus on ethics and transparency. Clarity in communication , absolute adherence to statutory compliance. Instill confidence in clients

Marrying a partner is always easier than divorcing one (so make sure you have a project prenup). Seriously, it is all about the people they bring to the project, their experience, their skills, and MOST importantly, communication and chemistry. The consultant's job is to help and improve your business, they cannot do that if they cannot communicate or do not become, at least for a while, members of your team.

> crеdеntials > flеxibility > global еxposurе > portfolio of cliеnts dеalt > cliеntеlе rеputation > thought lеadеrship > industry еxpеrtisе > еxpеriеncе > rеcommеndations & tеstimonials rеcеivеd > pеrsonal rеlationship IMO, thе right mix of spеcializеd skills, cultural fit, and rеcord of accomplishmеnt convеys whеthеr a tеam can fulfil еxpеctations.

I have found that it is imperative to ensure the Team Composition aligns with the project and task at hand. There is no one size fits all approach that will be successful. It is key for a custom solution including composition of team be created for success.

In my experience, the consulting firm should include a bio for each consultant on your project to highlight their relevant experience solving your business issue and industry knowledge. Ask for the resource allocation plan, to understand how many hours a week each consultant will be on your project, and how many clients each person is working on is also valuable to ensure that the people with the most experience solving your issue will have the time to allocate to you and not be spread too thin across their clients.

You might ask for samples of similar-sized projects and tasks they've worked on, as well as how they approached the project, solved the problems that they encountered, documented their lessons learned, and maintained their current relationships with their past clients. You may also need to check their evaluations, references, and testimonials from prior clients to confirm their effectiveness and experience.

En este punto es importante conocer la historia de vida profesional de los integrantes. Luego de tener una composición del equipo y suponer como pueden funcionar, es importante utilizar el método del caso, y proponer la resolución de un Proyecto, de similares características que esconda esta condición, y de corto proceso, para observar sus comportamientos, y la forma de sumar capacidades y contención de grupo.

I am always of the opinion that too much micro planning is detrimental to actionable plans. Excellent teams always find a path along the way to their destination. As long as there are agreed roles to play, a responsible team will deliver its deliverables with little or no outside interference.

One way is to evaluate on patented frameworks in the areas where you need help. This ensures the quality they bring into table and gives you a insight into the approach they will take

With a proven methodology a Consultanting firm can solve similar or related problems. This can quickly validate its competency. Skills are embedded in methodology and with clear and ready methodology, little time is wasted in solving similar problems.

In my experience, ensuring the methodology has a timeline with milestones and weekly communication will help you keep your project on budget and on time. The weekly update should include a discussion on anything that is slowing them down so the client can help remove obstacles.

En referencia a los métodos de trabajo, y las herramientas que disponen, es importante conocer todo lo que hace a su funcionamiento. Lo importante vuelve a estar en la capacidad de adaptar sus métodos, con mente abierta a la posibilidad de cambiar las formas por otras, y la calidad de liberarse de paradigmas generados por la experiencia de otros proyectos. Estamos en un mundo de constante transformación, debemos valorar la capacidad de reciclar lo que ya se tiene para nuevas herramientas con foco en los objetivos.

In the Eastern part of Nigeria, the Igbos say; "it is not only one road that leads to Lagos". In otherwords, there are many different routes to Lagos. In addition, there are different modes of transportation and a variety of vehicles to get to Lagos. Therefore, clients should not concern themselves too much with the details of the methodology and tools used in achieving a goal as long as they are not criminal, illegal nor illegitimate.

I feel consulting as an SME that my industry knowledge is the backbone of what I do, and the easier part of the role. The trick is being able to deliver that knowledge to the project so it is both professionally and culturally accepted and imbedded by the client.

Look for a consulting firm with a track record of working in your specific industry or a closely related field. Industry-specific knowledge is often invaluable for understanding the unique challenges and opportunities your organization faces.

Industry knowledge of the consulting partner is important. I wouldn't look only for the number of assignments they/ their consultants have done in my industry. I will give more weightage to: a) Do they have my industry-specific CoEs? b) Are they part of my industry-related forums? How many of these forums are they leading? What is their contribution to these forums (shouldn't be sleeping partners)? c) Have they created any assets related to my industry? e.g. books, articles, research papers, patents, copyrights etc. d) Are they sharing their knowledge and experience with their peers? e) Have they won any awards specific to my industry? f) Finally, I will ask for references for sure, from my industry.

Solo deben calificar aquellos equipos que actualizan su conocimiento y vínculos con el mercado, como parte esencial de sus tareas cotidianas. Relaciones, información, y procedimientos caen en obsolescencia constantemente.

Industry knowledge and network are very key in the selection of a consultant but like I always say, a high achiever will always be a high achiever regardless of the newness of the task. A good consulting firm with a good structure can always recruit specific skills to augment and support specific tasks.

In my opinion, diversity and inclusion is also very important while assessing consultancy firm’s team. A diverse team can bring varied perspectives and approaches, which can be valuable in solving complex problems.

When a consulting firm shares your organization's culture and values, there is a natural alignment of objectives and goals. This makes it easier to work together towards common objectives, creating a sense of unity and cohesion in project management. A common set of values can guide decision-making. When consultants and your organization share values, it's easier to make ethical and principled decisions that align with the overall mission and objectives.

1. Consulting niche fit with the task at hand 2. Expertise of team 3. Pedigree of lead consultant 4. Success case studies in similar areas 5. Published work from the team members

"Culture" is a complex feature reflecting the beliefs and practices of all the stakeholders of the organization. You need to ensure cultural compatibility of the Consulting Team with that of your organization. You need to compare various aspects that include the mission, vision, strategies and practices of the stakeholders of your organization.

Este es un tema que no se desprende desde las preguntas, o el diálogo. Tampoco podemos medir la ética ni los valores, son atributos que se desprenden de las acciones, y que además siempre están condicionados por las circunstancias.. Entiendo que es importante la opinión de terceros, Profesionales y empresas, clientes y amigos, que con su opinión nos permitan visualizar un primer perfil.

Evaluate the firm's expertise in the specific services you require. A consulting firm that values learning and development will be able to bring relevant and recent insights. Determine if team members hold relevant certifications or qualifications. For example, if it's a Compliance project, you might expect consultants to have certifications like Certified Compliance Officer.

Consulting partners may not be able to demonstrate that they are a learning organisation (I have learnt enough/ nothing more for me now etc.). Here are a few pointers for them or for you to elicit this information from them: a) What are their L&D budgets over years per employee? You may be able to match it with your own internal figures. b) What is the strength of the L&D team? What are their plans? c) What certifications do they hold? And how have these numbers been fairing over the years? d) How are they demonstrating thought leadership? e.g. patents, copyrights, publications, CoEs, Forums, speaking outside. e) How do they measure the effectiveness of their L&D Program?

If the consulting firm you select works on solving more than one business issue, I'd also ask how often their clients hire them again.

Sometimes, diversity in perspectives and experiences can be valuable in bringing innovative solutions to the table. Therefore, it's important to weigh the level of cultural alignment against the specific needs and goals of your consulting project.

You look forward to it, and the consulting partners provide 'case studies'. These are generally 3-4 pages case studies developed by the marketing department as marketing collateral. Do not buy in to these 4 pagers. Rather than multiple case studies, please ask them to showcase only one but in detail. You be prepared to ask questions during this presentation - whichever way it is done - may be during due diligence. Be prepared to spend time in going through and understanding their case study. Good, if the consulting partner is able to demonstrate a case from your industry itself. I will keep high weight to this portion in my evaluation of the partnership.

When assessing a consulting firm's team experience and expertise, consider the following criteria: Project Diversity: Check if the team has experience with a variety of project types and sizes. A diverse project portfolio showcases adaptability and versatility. Thought Leadership: Assess the firm's thought leadership, such as published articles, research, or participation in industry conferences. This indicates a commitment to staying at the forefront of industry trends. Client Diversity: A consulting team that has worked with clients of various sizes, from startups to multinational corporations, demonstrates adaptability and a broad skillset.

Results in real time. Not reports to be read some time. A strategic relationship/partnership that should grow and develop over time with organizational growth and development.