Se enfrenta a problemas complejos de los clientes. ¿Cómo superas los obstáculos y contratiempos como consultor?

Two things I found crucial for a consulting session to be productive: The first is asking the client to begin with an elevator pitch about the subject at hand and lay the questions and concerns out for me. This approach ensures that I focus on the right things. The second is asking as many questions as needed to help extract the required information. Once applied, these two practices ensure the session to be efficient and productive.

One of the most effective ways to gather insight on issues and put them into a cogent set is to write about them. Don't just make notes. Write an article. Write a blog. Write a letter to the client. You never have to publish any of them. But by writing it out as a single, well-considered article, you have a much better chance of understanding your own thinking on the issues at hand.

“If I had an hour to solve a problem, I'd spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and five minutes thinking about solutions.” I think there are 2 kinds of consulting clients: 1. Those who don't understand the problem and need our help to frame it...once we've done that, they often know the solution themselves 2. Those who do understand the problem and need SME input to help design the solution... Once you've worked out which kind of client you're dealing with, the next steps are so much easier

At first; ask the client where the dissatisfaction is coming from. Do they have obvious facts or is it just gut feeling. In both cases, you have to check if it is in line with contractually agreed KPIs / deliverables or not. I had customers in the past who complained, despite our KPIs were green. But they expected more. Even though we were within contractually agreed terms, we needed more. In this case; I sat together with the client and discussed, how we can meet there expectations and what is needed to achieve it. Afterwards, I had weekly, later monthly check ins, to ensure their satisfaction. It helps to listen and talk to them.

The first question and/or point of investigation is the simple question, Why is this happening? From this point, you can address the complexity angle. In many cases, complexity stems from intertwined issues or functions. Often, there’s a root cause for this related to things such as process and a required change in perspective. Be careful when you as the question, Why is this happening?, as it can create resentment and emotional reactions. This is not about blame or a search for organizational issues, although it can be. Try to find the missing links that will help you identify the intertwined issues or the “what’s missing”. Remember, everything is connected.

Clarity and objectivity are crucial. We can use the SMART methodology to define goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound) and create a risk map to identify potential obstacles and develop contingency plans. With a well-structured plan, we can align expectations with the client and ensure that everyone is aware of the objectives and possible steps to achieve them.

When issues arise, it’s crucial to strategically manage the project timeline. Prioritizing issues and ensuring the availability of key stakeholders for timely decision-making are essential to secure acceptance of the proposed solution. Without the right stakeholders, even the best solutions can be stalled, leading to budget overruns and delays. To mitigate this, develop a strategic timeline with clearly defined steps, and communicate it effectively with the appropriate stakeholders. This approach will streamline response times and expedite approvals, ensuring the project stays on track.

O planejamento deve vir após o mapeamento, e antes da ação. Em conjunto com a empresa, devemos "planejar" quais itens mapeados serão priorizados. Isso reduz, mas não impede que novos desafios e oportunidades possam surgir. Para isso, checkpoint regulares é fundamental. Quanto melhor for o mapeamento, melhor será o planejamento.

Strategic planning is crucial once the problem is understood. I develop a plan that outlines the necessary steps to overcome obstacles, considering risks and resource constraints. Tasks are prioritized based on impact and urgency, with clear, measurable goals set for each stage. A well-crafted plan not only guides actions but also instills confidence in the client, showing that every move is deliberate and aligned with their objectives. Strategic foresight turns challenges into opportunities for success.

Collaboration is a game-changer in solving complex problems. I involve key stakeholders and create an open dialogue where all voices are heard. This inclusive approach not only sparks innovative solutions but also ensures alignment and buy-in from everyone involved. By leveraging diverse perspectives, we can craft a plan that’s not just effective but embraced by all. Collaboration turns individual efforts into collective success, making the implementation smoother and more impactful. How do you foster collaboration in your projects?

All problems are complex and I am here to make it easy . Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” I embrace a collaborative approach. I believe in the power of teamwork and collective intelligence. On projects, I quite often face client issue or problems . By bringing the right people into the conversation and encouraging an open exchange of ideas, I and my client together not only solve the problem but also strengthened our internal collaboration. This experience reaffirmed that the success of my clients hinges on our ability to work together, leverage collective expertise, and drive consensus.

I have found helpful to enlarge the decision rights of senior experts and let them be the content leaders with overall accountability. It raises the success bar a lot.

No fim do dia, a solução dos problemas virá das pessoas que irão participar do projeto. Por essa razão, a metodologia deve conter uma forma eficiente de capturar as colaborações de todos, tais como workshops e sessões de brainstorming para incentivar a criatividade e a troca de conhecimentos entre os membros da equipe. Essas atividades podem revelar insights valiosos e promover a inovação nas soluções propostas. Outro aspecto crucial é garantir que todos os envolvidos compreendam claramente os objetivos do projeto e suas respectivas responsabilidades, alinhando expectativas desde o início.

The only bad question is the one never asked. The same goes with any idea - in complex situations, it's the combination of many minds and points of view put together that can work through a problem effectively and quickly.

Once a consultant has a thorough understanding of a client's problems, it's essential to demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in their words, actions, and behaviour, both within their team and with the client team. Here are some strategies: 1. Listen carefully: 2. Think outside the box: 3. Be ready to change plans: 4. Stay positive: 5. Work together: For example, if a client is worried about deadlines, I might suggest breaking down the project into smaller steps or bringing in extra resources. Use this as an opportunity to demonstrate problem solving skills. By doing this, one can build strong relationships with clients and deliver successful projects.

Para lidar com contratempos em projetos de consultoria, é fundamental retornar ao mapeamento e planejamento detalhados. Cada projeto deve ter um objetivo definido, que será alcançado por meio de um processo cuidadosamente implementado e, quando necessário, revisado. Embora contratempos possam ocorrer, exigindo pequenos ajustes no percurso, é crucial que qualquer alteração nos objetivos do projeto desencadeie uma revisão abrangente do plano original. Isso assegura que o mapeamento inicial continue a servir como um guia eficaz para atingir o objetivo acordado.

Adaptability is essential in consulting, as unexpected changes can occur at any time. Adopting an agile approach, where work is broken down into small deliverables and reviewed periodically, allows for quick and effective adjustments. Additionally, maintaining an open channel of communication with the client for frequent updates ensures that changes are managed smoothly, minimizing negative impacts.

This is about having right mindset in the team. The more detailed the strategy is the more difficulties it impacts if something changes. This is the reason why flexibility is always under enormous attack

Keep your options open. Don’t limit yourself to just one method. Flexibility allows you to adapt to changing circumstances and discover what works best.

These days, I can’t imagine anything without technology to support it. Tools for data analysis or project management are great for streamlining complex processes and providing real-time insights. In addition, automating repetitive tasks like reporting frees up time to focus on activities with greater strategic value. Embracing new technologies also demonstrates to the client a commitment to innovation and efficiency.

Em relação a tecnologia, é importante destacar a necessidade de escolher as ferramentas tecnológicas que melhor se alinham com as necessidades específicas do projeto e do cliente. A disciplina dos consultores e clientes para utilização da ferramenta é sempre um grande desafio! Por isso, deve ser apresentada no início do projeto, e vista como uma oportunidade para otimizar processos, aumentar a produtividade e facilitar a colaboração entre as partes interessadas.

Resilience and a proactive approach are essential when facing complex client problems. It's about staying focused on the end goal while navigating the inevitable challenges. #consulting #problemsolving #clientmanagement #resilience #collaboration

Leveraging technology is vital for addressing complex client problems. Using the latest tools to analyze data, streamline processes, and enhance communication increases efficiency and provides valuable insights, whether through project management or analytics platforms.

To effectively tackle obstacles, continuous learning is essential. Staying updated on new business developments, emerging technologies, and tested solutions from other areas enhances our ability to address challenges. Increasing knowledge in business transactional flows also plays a crucial role. However, to truly keep learning, one must be ready to invest time in addressing gaps in knowledge. Often, significant learning occurs within the project itself as we encounter and overcome obstacles. By maintaining an open mind and dedicating time to learning, we ensure that growth is an ongoing process, enabling us to adapt and excel with each new challenge.

I think this applies to all areas of life. My grandfather used to say that in the end, what matters is knowledge. All challenges, whether they are successfully solved or not, are lessons that make us stronger. Keeping up to date with the latest trends in your field, whether through courses, articles, conferences or networking, is very valuable. Meetings (preferably in person) provide the opportunity to exchange experiences with others and discover new approaches to old problems or other topics. Continuous learning not only increases your ability to solve problems, but also strengthens your credibility as an innovative and up-to-date professional.

Continuous Learning: I leverage every experience, both successes and setbacks, as a learning opportunity to refine my skills and approaches for future engagements.

The improvement of both product and service quality requires a long-term commitment to continuous improvement in every aspect of the product / service realisation process. Todays competitive market place is largely characterised by never ending change and ever increasing amounts of new information. The ever changing needs and expectations of clients has fuelled much of the pace of change. It is my experience that many organisations have adopted an company wide management approach to continual improvement.