The economic slowdown during the early 2000s tapered the once-vibrant growth of the consultancy industry. Not helping matters, in many cases, was increasing skepticism about the true value that consultants genuinely add to the bottom line. As firms have cut back and begun to review the way they use consultants, consulting firms themselves are looking at how they need to change. People are now talking about business consulting rather than management consulting. Using real examples from a range of private sector firms, public sector organizations, and from the consultants themselves, this book explores the new business consulting world. The authors examine all elements of the consulting process to help firms make better use of consultants and to show consultants how they need to adapt. With the right relationship in place, consultants and companies can work together to arrive at mutually beneficial solutions. With 90 percent of Fortune 500 firms using consultants on a regular basis (with varying results), this book provides relevant, timely information on an important area of global business.
