This blog series addresses some common misconceptions about consulting and executive coaching. Visit the CommsLede blog or my LinkedIn page for more…
Consulting Misconception 5: Consultants have the luxury of focusing on a single project or effort.
While large global initiatives can offer consultants the opportunity to focus on a single project with a single stakeholder or project owner over the course of several months (or even years!), this work is often scooped up by big global firms that have multi-disciplinary expertise, pitching teams, back-office support and lots of heads across multiple time zones.
Conversely, most of the independent, subject matter expert consultants I know tend to manage multiple clients with multiple projects/stakeholders on tight deadlines, making priority, project and stakeholder management a critical component of their day-to-day work.
For each of these projects, we must consistently demonstrate significant value, exceptional client service and data-driven ROI, while seamlessly shifting focus if we expect to compete against larger, more established agencies and firms that have more marketing dollars and deeper benches.
So, in reality, while independent consultants may be working on a “single project” for one client, they are likely managing multiple projects spanning multiple clients and stakeholders behind the scenes. Plus, they’re running a small business.
This ultimately debunks the “singular focus” myth.
With more than two decades of communications experience spanning agencies, Fortune-100 organizations, non-profits and academia, Kristi Hinck Mills brings her passion for communications to CommsLede Consulting, where she delivers strategic solutions and executive coaching for her clients. Visit the CommsLede blog for more tips.
