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A Guide to Giving and Getting Advice Successfully

Are you eager to join the club of consultants?

Well, before you embark on this lucrative journey, you might want to take a quick glance at your options.

We summarize the essential elements of Gerald’s enlightening masterpiece and more.

Who Should Read “The Secrets Of Consulting”? And Why?

It’s unnatural to categorize this book due to its wide use in all spheres of influence.

Even if you have no intentions of diving into consultancy, you can utilize these techniques to increase your influence in the business community.

“The Secrets of Consulting” is best suited for consultants in the making, and those who struggle to maintain long-term business relations and contacts.

Stay tuned for more.

About Gerald Weinberg

Gerald Weinberg was born on October 27th, 1933. He grew up in Chicago and obtained his college degree from the University of Michigan.

He is a renowned computer scientist, psychology expert, consultant and the creator of many outstanding case-studies and books.

The Psychology of Computer Programming and Introduction to General Systems Thinking are considered to be one of his best works.

“The Secrets Of Consulting PDF Summary”

If you are longing to become a consultant, you might want to learn a thing or two about the processes, which can elevate your status.

Success is always a tricky thing for one to attain, concerning all the influences one should be aware of.

Published in 1986, this book didn’t lose its grip over the years. Its relevance is still out of the question, and you shouldn’t take the publishing date as a negative sign.

Effectiveness in the consultancy business, sometimes means that you ought to change the whole strategy.

Gerald reveals some amazing techniques and insights that can actually make a difference and affect your decision-making.

First things first: Your client doesn’t always tell the whole truth, and there’s always a situation worth exploring.

There’s not a single business in the world, which doesn’t experience trouble.

Many business owners attempt to hide these drawbacks and setbacks only to find out that such strategy isn’t getting the company up the ladder.

Don’t forget to be realistic and resist the temptation to promise more than 10% of improvement.

Stay on course, and if your promises exceed the expectations, pretend that you know nothing about it.

Never take for granted whatever the client is advising for you to do. Sometimes even they have little clue of what’s slowing the company down.

On top of that, inexperienced consultants are too worried about who should get the credit, and they refuse cooperation on all levels.

Don’t be a baby, stand up straight with a single goal in your head – to focus on the problem-solving matter.

Don’t give any free advice, insists that both parties must finish the paperwork before business can be discussed. Don’t bite on solving someone else’s problem, without having any authority to do so.

The Law of Raspberry Jam – The wider you spread it, the thinner it gets.

As simple as it comes, this law is indicating an out-of-box reality. Reconsider your strategy, adjust it with your needs and vision, sometimes you’ll find logic in the dark corners of your mind.

Have you noticed that most of the people have a tendency to put a lot of effort into something without seeing any light at the end of the tunnel? How to avoid this from happening?

Take one problem at the time, don’t cast your net too wide, because you won’t be able to catch the big fish.

Once, all the processes are executed leading to better operational performance; you can move over to the next situation.

The Hard Law: If you can’t accept failure, you cannot succeed as a consultant

How often do we hear this? – Success is intertwined with failure, but not many of us dare to follow this approach.

Don’t make excuses, because nothing can hamper your way up if you are equipped with the right set of tools.

The Harder Law: Helping myself is always a bit harder than helping others

Being hard on yourself is not bringing long-term results.

Assess the situation impartially, and don’t draw conclusions without exploiting all sources.

What is your primary task? You must influence others and help them to follow your lead. Consultants work as a team in an attempt to solve a problem. But that’s easier said than done.

Once you get really got at what you do, you’ll allow more freedom – something that can boost the creativity among your associates.

The Law of the Jiggle actually indicates that the less you intervene, the better you’d feel – regarding your assignments.

Key Lessons from “The Secrets Of Consulting”

1.      Use your charm to maintain control
2.      Forget rationality, be practical
3.      Start with the worst problem, and then handle the smaller ones

Use your charm to maintain control

Visual appearance and confidence can sometimes represent the bridge between success and collapse.

Use your charisma to make a great first impression. Good manners and elegance can help you ascend from mediocrity.

Don’t be arrogant, stay confident in your expertise to handle the situation.

Forget rationality, be practical

Do you have a clear-cut objective? Specific goals are vital to convincing the client that you are adequately equipped for the challenges ahead.

Don’t be afraid to implement your ideas, even if that can lead to a permanent loss of that client.

Stay true to what you believe in.

Start with the worst problem, and then handle the smaller ones

If the client presents a sequence of obstacles that are hampering the growth of the company, you might want to take it slow.

Pick the worst of them all and design a blueprint. Chasing shadows without proper planning is a one-way ticket to collapse.

Like this summary? We’d Like to invite you to download our free 12 min app, for more amazing summaries and audiobooks.

“The Secrets Of Consulting Quotes”

Our Critical Review

Gerald Weinberg’s expertise never disappoints.

Once again, he made it clear to us that doing business relies on so many factors.

These elements can cause either damage or enhance your business. It’s your call.

Emir Zecovic

Emir is the Head of Marketing at 12min. In his spare time, he loves to meditate and play soccer.