The podcast discusses the challenges and lessons learned from hiring consultants, including the importance of hosting providers, Cypress testing, and qualities of a good consultant. They also share their experiences with hiring post-gress and technical consultants, as well as dealing with disappointing consultants. Personal anecdotes related to consulting work are also shared.
Consultants should go beyond coding and provide education and multiple options for solutions.
Clear communication, availability, and meeting deadlines are crucial for successful consulting engagements.
Deep dives
Client burnout and hiring consultants
Client burnout and the challenges of hiring and working with consultants are discussed in this episode. The hosts share their experiences as both consultants and clients, highlighting the importance of empathy, communication, and setting clear expectations. They emphasize the need for consultants to go beyond simply coding and provide education, teach clients about their work, and offer multiple options for solutions. The role of discovery and the importance of references in selecting consultants are also addressed. The hosts stress the need for consultants to understand the client's perspective, manage client expectations, and be proactive in their communication.
Lessons from a bad consulting experience
The hosts discuss a negative consulting experience in which the consultant failed to deliver as promised. They highlight the importance of clear communication, availability, and meeting deadlines. The hosts emphasize the need for consultants to properly assess and communicate their availability, avoid overcommitment, and to be transparent when issues arise. The episode underscores the importance of reviewing references, thoroughly discussing project requirements, and setting realistic expectations to avoid such negative experiences in consulting engagements.
Qualities of a good consultant
The hosts share their insights on what makes a good consultant and offer tips for identifying and hiring qualified professionals. They stress the importance of referrals, checking a consultant's body of work, and assessing their fit for your specific environment and problem. The hosts emphasize the need for consultants to have good communication skills, be willing to educate the client, and provide clear guidance and explanations. Other qualities discussed include the ability to deliver on time, provide options, and overall professionalism and likability.
The challenges and rewards of consulting
The hosts discuss the challenges and rewards of being a consultant, highlighting the importance of managing client expectations, being empathetic, and delivering value. They touch on the sales process and the need for consultants to have negotiation skills and clearly articulate the value of their services. The hosts stress the importance of communication, the ability to educate clients, and the potential for long-term partnerships. They also mention the need for consultants to balance their workload and prioritize projects.
This week we talk about how we’ve hired consultants in the past, where we’ve failed, and the perspective of consultants that might help tech leaders understand who they’re hiring.
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