Consultants & advisers - Harold Lewis

This unique book is a practical guide to help businesses, organizations and individuals make the best use of consultants and advisers. It will help them get the best value from the experts they hire, and offers a wealth of inside information that clients cannot usually obtain. Written in a crisp, accessible style, the book distils the author's in-depth experience of both sides of the business relationship. It covers the whole process of working with consultants, including: identifying the need for external advice, understanding how consultants operate and calculate their fees, specifying the job to be done, selecting the right experts, going out to tender, drawing up contracts, managing contract risks, keeping track of the work, resolving problems, developing successful professional and partnering relationships. As well as examples and checklists, the book includes case studies of good and bad practice, and personal viewpoints from various professionals that offer pointers for less experienced clients. It will help any client avoid mistakes and pitfalls, save time, money and effort, and make the process of working with consultants really worthwhile.