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Choosing and Using Consultants & Advisers Harold Lewis

Choosing and Using Consultants & Advisers By Harold Lewis

Choosing and Using Consultants & Advisers by Harold Lewis


$17.19
Condition - Very Good
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Summary

Whatever your business, if you need to use contractors, consultants or other professional advisers, then this book is for you.

Choosing and Using Consultants & Advisers Summary

Choosing and Using Consultants & Advisers: A Best Practice Guide to Making the Right Decision & Getting Good Value by Harold Lewis

"A refreshingly crisp style - well worth reading" - The Reading Chronicle This book is perfect for anyone who needs to use contractors, consultants or other professional advisers, whatever their business. Acknowledged expert Harold Lewis uses his experience on both sides of the business relationship and explains the whole process. The first book to deal with this subject so comprehensively, Using and Choosing Consultants & Advisers.... gives best practice advie that can immediately be put into effect; doesn't take sides on client-consultancy issues but offers a balanced view; helps clients get into the mind of consultants, showing them how consultancy works from the inside; is addressed to businesses/non-commercial groups as well as individuals. The valuable advice it contains will be useful not just for new businesses, but also for established firms seeking to strengthen and extend their contracting skills. Written in a crisp, accessible and businesslike style, the book contains numerous examples and checklists as well as case studies of good and bad practice. This book will help you avoid mistakes and pitfalls, save time, money and effort, and make the process of working with consultants really worthwhile.

Choosing and Using Consultants & Advisers Reviews

"Owner managers and business advisers should read this." - Business Adviser "User-friendly... would recommend it to anyone involved with commissioning consultants." - Supply Management "Worry no more, help is at hand... a wealth of information and advice not generally available." - Liverpool Daily Post"

About Harold Lewis

Harold Lewis is a writer, editor and independent consultant with more than 30 years' professional experience working with client authorities and consultancy organizations. A leading authority on the process of developing and responding to tenders, he is also the author of Bids, Tenders & Proposals, also Kogan Page.

Table of Contents

1 Why would I want to use consultants? 1 This is what clients say 1; Consultants and employees 5; What are the alternatives to an external consultant? 7; Starting the relationship 10; When not to use consultants 11; Bringing people onside 12; Making a business case 13 2 How do consultants operate? 15 Profile of the consultancy sector 15; Professional credentials: what's in a name? 20; Quality accreditation: what's it worth? 21; Professional indemnity insurance 23; Consultants and relationship management: what you need to know 24 3 What do consultants charge? 27 Basis of charges: a range of options 27; Fee levels 31; How fees are calculated 33; How time is charged 36; How expenses are dealt with 37; Will I have to pay money up front? 38; The hidden costs of consultancy 39; Counting the benefits 40 4 How should I specify the job to be done? 43 Preparing a work specification 44; Defining your objectives 46; Drawing up the scope and content 46; Gauging the practical demands of the work 49; Setting a timetable 50; Identifying the right form of engagement 51; Confirming your budget 51; Determining your inputs 53; Deciding what is really important 54; Assessing and controlling risks 55; Putting the work specification on paper 60; Moving ahead to selection 66 5 How do I select the right people? 69 Taking up references 72; Follow-up meeting 74; Seeking more information 77; Going out to tender 82; Inviting proposals 84; Reaching a decision 102 6 What should I know about engaging consultants? 125 Agreements and contracts 125; Types of contract 130; Drawing up a contract 138; Guidelines to steer you clear of problems 144 7 How do I keep track of the work? 161 Before the work starts 161; Once the work is under way 162; Monitoring performance and progress 165; Why do things go wrong? 171; What can you do to put matters right? 174; Handling contract variations 178; When the assignment is completed 183 8 How does the public sector go about procurement? 187 Procurement rules and regulations 188; The procurement process 190; Best value and partnering 201 9 How can I get the best value from consultants? 203 Securing added value 204; Creating a collaborative business relationship 206

Additional information

GOR002058169
9780749446390
0749446390
Choosing and Using Consultants & Advisers: A Best Practice Guide to Making the Right Decision & Getting Good Value by Harold Lewis
Used - Very Good
Paperback
Kogan Page Ltd
2006-03-03
240
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - Choosing and Using Consultants & Advisers