Wednesday, September 18, 2013

On Consulting

Consulting is a core skill of an IT architect. Your behavior and the behavior of your teammates have a direct relationship to the client's faith in your ability to deliver results.


Here are a few guidelines on how to provide value right away on engagements:
  • Fill the gaps - Be proactive. Find the most urgent task that's not being addressed and get it done.
  • Don’t sit around - Don't wait to be told what to do. When your assigned tasks are done, fill the gaps.
  • Be an emissary - You're always on stage representing your organization; being watched closely. So be kind and respectful. Listen. Guard your language. Dress like the client. No personal business.
  • Insist your teammates do the same – Coach your teammates to follow these simple guidelines. Change horses quickly if they cannot.

Lesson Learned: Provide value to engagements right away and do so respectfully.