Things to consider when choosing a management consulting firm.

When it comes to finding a management consulting firm that meets your needs, there are certainly many options to choose from. 
‍

So what makes a management consulting firm the right fit for you and your needs? It depends on what you’re looking for so we recommend starting  by defining what you need and what is most important to you and your business for this project.  As each project is different, choosing the right organization is key to gaining the insight and direction you are looking for. 
‍
Here are a few things you may consider on your journey. 

The Right Experience 
This one seems obvious. However, it rests on you to clearly communicate what you need and determine if the firm has the right experience in your industry. Ask specific questions, understand their process and ask for examples of their past work.
‍
Keep one thing in mind. No two clients or sets of challenges are the same, especially in marketing and technology. Their process and how they approach a situation will help you determine if they can provide the answers you are looking for.
‍
If you need them to listen, collaborate, and co-create, find a management consulting firm with that approach. If you’re looking for someone to come in, take charge and execute quickly, make sure you’re asking the right questions and understand their approach so you find the right fit.

A Strong Network
No one has all of the answers. But what makes a strong consulting team is one that has access to a wide range of experts (either internally or externally) who can jump in and help set strategy or resolve business issues. These may be team members themselves or additional consultants they can bring on board to help support your project. 
‍
In today’s world of business, many consultants have experience in a wide range of skills, not just marketing or technology. For instance, someone with a background in human behavior or psychology may bring a unique perspective to understanding and creating a better customer experience for your organization.

Personality and Values
At the end of the day, no matter how experienced or specialized a consulting firm may be, you need to be able to connect and be comfortable with their personality and values. 
‍
Are you all business or do you enjoy building rapport? What kind of communication style do you prefer? Do you want to work with a large firm with a corporate culture or a small firm that treats you like family?
‍
Meeting the team members who you’ll be interacting with can be an important part of the decision making process.

Results 
When looking for a firm that will help you with your project, dive into what they’ve done for other clients and how they approached the project. Choose a consulting firm with a proven track record and one that understands the unique challenges you face as a business.  
Management and strategy consulting firms want their clients to be satisfied with the results--a client’s success is their success. But that also requires that expectations and alignment and established up front. 
‍
We’d love to hear what’s most valuable to you when considering a management consulting firm. Leave a comment below to let us know.