Since the dawn of time, mankind has used myths to make sense of the uncertainty that surrounds us. More recently, in the world of business and projects, risk management has performed the same role. Unfortunately, myths have also grown up …
December 19, 2018 |
Knowledge |
Denise Gifford
recognizing your client’s need for control is key to a healthy relationship
The client-consultant relationship can be complex, with hiccups and challenges experienced by both parties along the way. One of the most common challenges faced by consultants is balancing their client’s need for control with the need for some kind of …
Tips for communicating the value you provide to the client relationship
To build effective consulting relationships, consultants must understand their own value and how it supports their client’s goals. What are the experiences, insights, and skills you have that will help your client succeed? If you’re working with an established client, …
It’s all about establishing value
One of the top challenges for freelancers, consultants and entrepreneurs is finding and keeping good customers. Growing a strong customer base can help you improve profitability and achieve your business goals. To build successful client relationships that will last, you’ll …
the key to repeated success is an openness to learn from mistakes
Serial entrepreneurs repeatedly begin new companies and are willing to take on the risk of new ventures. They are often thought of as successful, but just because they have a history of startups, does that really improve their chance of …
Problem-solving is about embracing complexity and understanding the problem
In business, as in life in general, problems crop up everywhere. Those who know how to think about problems proactively have an advantage, and problem-solving is arguably one of the most important skills a businessperson can learn. That’s true no …
Paying attention to cash flow helps you avoid disaster
Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a freelancer, being responsible for your own business is empowering and exciting. The possibilities are endless, but so are the risks, particularly financial risk. In fact, one of the main reasons that new businesses fail …
Identifying real risks is critical for effective risk management
The purpose of risk management is obviously to manage risks. But one of the most common failings in the risk management process is for the risk identification step to identify things that are not risks. If this early stage of …
Successful consultants are client-focused
The word “consultant” encompasses more professions than many people realize. If you work toward changing or improving a business situation—without having direct decision power over that situation—you’re consulting. “Consultant” might be in your job description, or it might not. Business …
When done right, risk management is a critical factor in business success
Plato is quoted as saying that “The problem with the future is that more things might happen than will happen.” Or as Pliny said, “The only certainty is that there is nothing certain.” Nowhere is this more evident than in …
June 6, 2017 |
Interviews
According to Fisher, sales has changed, and we need to keep up
The internet has fundamentally changed the role of today’s salesperson, and this is a reality that can’t be ignored. In a world where consumers can purchase anything from diapers to high-end jewelry with a simple click of the mouse, the contemporary salesperson must …
Begin by thinking creatively about the problem
When you’re faced with a problem in day-to-day business life, what is your strategy for getting it resolved? All too often, business professionals make problems more difficult by jumping to conclusions and implementing “solutions” before the problem is fully understood. …