Planned Disengagement: Consultant or Contractor?

December 25 2016
By: Terry L. Mathis

Does your consulting project have a planned disengagement: a timetable and criteria when your organization can do it on your own without the consultant? If not, you may actually have a contractor and not a consultant. Long-term consulting is sometimes a solution, but it should be contingent on continuously adding value, and not just maintaining the status quo. If a consultant is utilized to solve problems, advise on decisions, or continuously adjust strategy, then value is added at each step. If a consultant sold you a process and hangs around creating dependence to keep the process going, they can become contractors.

Planned Disengagement: Consultant or Contractor?

If you are ok with contractors posing as consultants, that's fine. Just make sure you know what you are getting in advance and don't get strangled with an umbilical cord that drains money from your organization without getting value for your dollars.


Terry L. Mathis

Terry Mathis, Founder and retired CEO of ProAct Safety, has served as a consultant and advisor for top organizations the world over. A respected strategist and thought leader, Terry has authored five books, numerous articles, videos and blogs, and is known for his dynamic and engaging presentations. EHS Today has named him one of the '50 People Who Most Influenced EHS' four consecutive times. Business leaders and safety professionals seek Terry's practical insight and unique ability to introduce new perspectives that lead to real change.





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