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The Consultant’s Handbook summary
Samir Parikh
A Practical Guide to Delivering High-Value and Differentiated Services in a Competitive Marketplace
22 mins
Brief summary
The Consultant's Handbook by Samir Parikh is a comprehensive guide for new and experienced consultants alike. It covers topics such as consulting methodologies, client relationships, and navigating difficult situations.
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The Consultant’s Handbook
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Key idea 1 of 8
Consultants leverage their experience, expertise and networks to get results for their clients.
Consultancy is a term that’s become grossly inflated in recent years. Today, it’s hard to get a handle on what it really means.
So let’s start with a definition.
Consultancy means using two ingredients – your expertise and experience – to help your clients realize their goals. These pillars can support a basic consulting proposition.
You can see how this works by imagining an architect who’s been commissioned to design a house. The architect uses two things to fulfill his client’s brief: his architectural knowledge and his experience building similar houses.
Whether you lean more heavily on expertise or experience varies from situation to situation. If the architect is fresh out of school, he won’t have much hands-on practice behind him and will emphasize the things he learned during his studies. On the other hand, someone with 20 years in the industry is likely to lean on a wealth of experience from past projects.
But there’s also another aspect to consultancy – harnessing the collective efforts of your organization to act in your client’s best interests.
This is especially true of bigger consultancy firms. An essential part of their brief is deploying their networks and resources as efficiently as possible to address a client’s needs.
They achieve this by cultivating a knowledge-sharing culture. Databases and networking help pool information about previous cases and make it available to those who need it.
Finally, there’s the question of how interests align. The consulting company’s interest may be to sell the client additional services, but this may not be what the client needs.
As a consultant, it always best to act in your client’s best interests. Focusing on short-term gains will end up annoying clients and undermining their trust in you. That means jeopardizing future collaborations.
Most importantly, acting in their interests preserves your consultancy firm’s credibility. That’s not as gratifying as instant profits, but it’s integral to your company’s long-term success.
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What is The Consultant’s Handbook about?
The Consultant’s Handbook (2015) is an indispensable field guide to the world of consultancy. Packed with top tips, illuminating examples and hands-on advice, it’s the perfect explainer for consultants past, present and future, as well as anyone keen to pick up some consultancy tricks to boost their performance in adjacent industries.
We’re thrilled to announce that the author has worked together with Blinkist to create this book-in-blinks for you.
The Consultant’s Handbook Review
The Consultant’s Handbook (2021) is a valuable resource for anyone looking to excel in the world of consulting. Here's why this book is a worthwhile read:
- With its practical tips and strategies, it equips readers with the necessary tools to thrive in the consulting industry.
- By combining real-world examples and expert advice, it offers a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in consulting.
- The book's engaging anecdotes and insightful case studies make it a captivating read, ensuring that readers won't find it dull or monotonous.
Best quote from The Consultant’s Handbook
What happens in delivery is the real test and is the door-opener to future collaboration.
—Samir Parikh
Who should read The Consultant’s Handbook?
- Business graduates interested in consulting
- Consultants looking to boost their careers and pick up new ideas
- Anyone involved in client and stakeholder interactions
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The Consultant’s Handbook FAQs
What is the main message of The Consultant’s Handbook?
The main message of The Consultant’s Handbook is to provide comprehensive guidance for consultants to excel in their profession.
How long does it take to read The Consultant’s Handbook?
The reading time for The Consultant’s Handbook varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in about 15 minutes.
Is The Consultant’s Handbook a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Consultant’s Handbook is a valuable read for consultants who want practical advice and insights to enhance their skills. Highly recommended!
Who is the author of The Consultant’s Handbook?
Samir Parikh is the author of The Consultant’s Handbook.
What to read after The Consultant’s Handbook?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Consultant’s Handbook, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Getting Started in Consulting by Alan Weiss
- Million Dollar Consulting by Alan Weiss
- Flawless Consulting by Peter Block
- Case Interview Secrets by Victor Cheng
- How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
- The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga
- The 3-Minute Rule by Brant Pinvidic
- Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace
- In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Maté
- Mindset by Carol Dweck