Using a Consultant

6. Managing the Work

Accept, from the outset, that misunderstandings and unforeseen problems might arise.

6.1 Maintain regular contact with the consultant and foster the idea that you are working on the same side.

• Make the calls and meetings quick and constructive. Identify any hold-ups or problems and help to solve them.
• Be flexible. Keep the focus on objectives, rather than how they are achieved.

6.2 Take any opportunity to see evidence of the work being done.

For example, faxes of rough designs or copy, project budgets or reports.

• Some consultants keep hourly log sheets.

6.3 Consider getting a key employee to shadow the consultant.

• You may learn more than you would just by reading the consultant's report.

6.4 Schedule a review of the project as each milestone is completed.

• You may need to amend the brief and adjust the fees at any of these points.
• At the worst, these are the opportunities to abandon the project.

6.5 Do not sign off any work until you are completely satisfied with it.

• If mistakes emerge later, the consultant's first defence will be that you approved it.

6.6 Monitor costs, so there are no hidden surprises at the end.

• Query any differences. For example, the sudden involvement of another person.

6.7 Ask the consultant to provide regular feedback on the project to the rest of your team, as part of the ongoing liaison.