An examination of consultative problem-solving, this seminar offers participants an explicit, disciplined approach to consulting—from pre-proposal engagement definition, proposal generation, issues/hypotheses identification, data gathering, synthesis and delivery. Applying new tools in a simulated engagement, participants move from identifying and analyzing problems to building focused client narratives and persuasive solutions. There is emphasis throughout on effective client handling and relationship building. At the end of a consulting skills seminar, participants are able to:
- define and scope a new consulting opportunity
- create a successful, well written proposal
- structure the engagement and its deliverables by generating a
realistic, workable set of issues and hypotheses - manage data through targeted and efficient data gathering
- employ iterative storyboards to control logic and argument
- deliver client communications and handle Q&As with confidence
- identify opportunities for follow on work
Consulting courses integrate communication strategies and techniques within every stage of consulting activity. The courses are highly interactive and facilitate much peer interaction and review. Consulting courses range from four hour overviews to four day project simulations, for fifty participants or ten. The typical seminar is two days for 15-18 people. Additional modules — in interviewing, oral presentation, facilitation, or other skills clients wish to emphasize — are often added to the core training.