Information Consulting

Information Consulting presents a closer look at what makes information consultants successful and how they develop a productive relationship with their clients. While most of the books on this subject area are providing the experiences of information consulting veterans on 'how do you really do it?', the aim of this book is focused on exploring the nature of information management consulting. This includes the task of the advice-and-guidance variety, such as helping clients to analyze and solve problems or to meet opportunities with the element of 'What should I do?'. The authors have used their extensive international and professional networks to take the challenge of letting the clients speak about their experiences and expectations in hiring information consultants.

• Unique client perspective: managers and clients talk about their motivation, experiences and advice in the utilization of information consultants in recent case studies conducted by authors
• Current information and guidance based on the authors' wide-ranging practical experiences and empirical data (through interviews and questionnaires) collected from several countries
• 'top five' list of consultants qualities is presented

Autorentext

Irene Wormell is a Professor of Information Management in Denmark and Sweden. She has undertaken research and consultancy with a wide range of organizations globally and is part of an extensive international professional network. During 1982-2008 she acted also as consultant in her own company Informatiker Konsult AB in Sweden. Currently she is working in association with the Danish trend analytical bureau Firstmove A/S in Copenhagen.

Inhalt

List of figure and tables

Foreword

About the authors

Chapter 1: What is information consulting?

Abstract:

An information professional: to be or not to be1

The possible roles: the demands on which information consultants reflect

Consulting encompasses a wide range of roles and activities

Chapter 2: Advantages: why information consulting might appeal to you

Abstract:

Sense of control over one's time

Sense of reward from helping clients

Satisfaction from leveraging one's experience

Freedom from corporate politics

Freedom to 'pick and choose'

No ceilings on your earnings

Chapter 2 checklist

Chapter 3: Challenges: realities to consider

Abstract:

Uncertainty and anxiety

Uneven workloads

Need for flexibility and being available

'Difficult' clients

Proposed location

Finances: are the necessary resources in place?

Can you tolerate a slow ramp-up? Should you work part time or subcontract?

The degree is only the beginning

Are you a consulting personality?

Qualities that may trip you up

Chapter 3 checklist

Chapter 4: The starting point: make a business plan

Abstract:

General company description

Products and services, their features and benefits

Economics

Product

Clients

The outlook for the targeted business sector

Competition

Promotion

Pricing

Distribution channels

Sales forecast

Identifying costs, funding and fees

Start-up expenses

Credit policies

Chapter 4 checklist

Chapter 5: The legal environment

Abstract:

Liability

Intellectual property and copyright

Ethics and quality

Code of Professional Conduct for the Information Consultant

Chapter 5 checklist

Chapter 6: Building trust and marketing your services

Abstract:

Understanding makes reputation and detects niches

Your 'business attire': creating and maintaining image

Professional visibility

Word-of-mouth: happy clients do marketing for you

Electronic promotional brochure

Chapter 6 checklist

Chapter 7: Client relations: the key to success

Abstract:

The request for proposal (RFP): to bid or not to bid?

Yes, I can help (informal inquiry)

Preliminary discussions: what, exactly, are you selling this time?

A preliminary memorandum

Determining budget scope

The formal proposal

Contracts

Helping the client's decision

Signature in hand: now the work begins

The art of the client relationship

Delivering the deliverables: report, presentation, discussion

Handling invoice issues

Wrap up ... and setting up for the future

Chapter 8: Advice from other information consultants

Abstract:

'Just one more clarification': agreeing to deliverables vs delivering in advance

Keeping your integrity: what to do if you're told what to do

Maintaining poise and neutrality while getting people to open up

Encountering concerns outside the official project scope

The unforeseen circumstances

Who said that? Protecting the trust client staff place in you

Losing objectivity or being seen as taking sides

Do you take the money and run when what the client requests disagrees with what you believe is needed?

Working with clients in the same industry

Can work be 'recycled'?

Coping with the disappointment of burning the midnight oil ... only to see the report collecting dust

You're good, and don't you forget it

Pass it on

Chapter 9: Take a leap from being a librarian to becoming an information consultant

Abstract:

Doing things differently

Assessing the demands for the information professional

Culture makes the difference

Expert practitioner 'falls into' consultancy

Ways of repositioning the librarian profession and schools

Chapter 9 checklist

Chapter 10: The clients speak: from a client's perspective

Abstract:

The motivation to use an information consultant

How to find the right consultant

The 'top five' list of consultants' qualities

Clients' advice for future consultants

Chapter 11: Ahead

Appendix: Case studies

References

Index