What do you call a guy who gives a half-hearted effort in medical school? …DOCTOR.
That scares the hell out of me. What if I go to the ER with a stomach ache and I get the guy who slept through Gastroenterology?
I didn’t bring that up to bash doctors. That thought has been on my mind since I read yesterday’s post at Guerrilla Consulting. B-to-B consulting is survival of the fittest. It is natural selection in the business jungle. Consultants are only as good as their last recommendation. If a consultant does mediocre research and does not improve the value of his client’s organization – he faces extinction.
Getting fired by the client is probably the least of the mediocre consultant’s concerns. In most relationships, consultants don’t just deal with one person. They usually deal with a team of people. Mediocre work will create a legion of people who will never recommend their services. Some of these people will get promoted to senior positions in your client’s company or take jobs in other companies. They will always remember “the guy who made that horrible recommendation that got us all in trouble”.
The best advice I can give anyone working with clients (in any field) is to give 110% to each and every single client. Treating each client as if they were your only client is the only way to deliver the kind of service your clients deserve. It’s also the only way to ensure the survival of your species.
Dave,
I couldn't agree with you more. In consulting it seems like great marketing and flawless execution are joined at the hip.
I'm glad I found your blog--it's the newest addition to my news feed. You've get some great posts.
Posted by: Mike McLaughlin | June 22, 2005 at 08:52 PM
Dave,
Good stuff!
Tracy
Posted by: Tracy Parrillo | June 23, 2005 at 09:05 AM