My Pet Peeves With Consultants

This is one of those blogs that you sit back and ask, “Should I write it?” I’ve decided to go ahead because I think I can share some key insights with our clients and those who read our blog. So, here are my pet peeves with those in my industry. Some of these may take a fun twist, some may not. We’ll see where it goes. Enjoy.

The Jargon Guy – This is the guy who, “optimizes processes and stream lines efficiencies, bringing maximum ROI to the client.” YAP, YAP, YAP. This is right up there with companies who talk about “first rate” customer service in their mission statements.

The thing that really gets me, is that typically, these guys are all talk. They use their jargonese to convey a complicated sounding service in hopes to awe their prospects, causing them to bow in respect to the almighty consultant. These consultants (and their sites) end up sounding all alike. They not only miss an opportunity to have a genuine conversation with their client, but end up sounding like a fortune cookie.

The “Do as I say, Not as I Do” Consultant – These are the consultants that want to teach you how to run your company, but stink at running  their own. Sub par websites (riddled with stock photos and jargon), poor presentation skills, ineffective use of standard technologies (CRM’s / Project Management System’s / Business Productivity Manager’s) and mediocre branding should cause the client to step back and say, “Really….really?” If Outlook is their key software strategy, move on.

The Parrot – I know that part of being a consultant is spending time, a large amount of time, reading. That said, the consultant should be able to reach back to his / her experiences and lend pearls of wisdom. Don’t get me wrong, I liked Good to Great, E-Myth and Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. I’ve read more John C. Maxwell books than you can shake a stick at. I just finished Outliers and am currently reading What Would Google Do?, Put Your Dreams to The Test, The Funnel Principle and New Rules of PR & Marketing. I get paid to read, no doubt.

However, consultants need to filter and apply information, combining it with hands on experience. You can’t sound like the last book you read.

The Franchisee – OK. I don’t mean to offend anyone, really. And again, this is an informational blog and I would be welcome to hearing peoples thoughts. That said, does it seem odd to anyone else to hire a consultant who bought into a turn key coaching company? The franchise handles marketing, generates leads, takes care of the website message, gives contracts, gives  methodologies on how to build their business  and so on and so forth.

And why? So that this person can teach you how to grow your company! Something is out of place, no? If you can’t grow your business from the ground up, how can you sell a service that teaches companies to grow?

Why do we care? Why would I write this?

We’re not worried about being clumped together, we’ve worked hard to create a niche market. However; consultants and sales reps, as a profession, get stereo-typed.

I wanted to state that its OK to be turned off by certain types of consultants, but be cognitive of why you’ve been turned off. Don’t write off the industry as a whole, consultants can be a true value to your company.

Do you have any pet peeves?

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