Welcome Professionals…
…have you ever had the feeling that your contribution is not worth the agreed professional fee? That your client could have done it without your help and effort?
Sometimes, I felt like the solution to the problem was already laying on the conference table when I first entered the room. Sometimes I thought the staff had already figured out the solution to the problems of the management. Sometimes we ended up with the most simple solution after all these complicated discussions!
I remember a strategy project where the client raised fundamental questions at the beginning. Should we sell the business? Should we grow organically? Should we acquire for unorganic growth? Should we cash out over time? After considering all potential options, we told the client to stick to plans and to remain everything unchanged. The project felt to me like an imposture!
The client was happy, though. After a thoughtful external assessment of all options, the client felt extremely grateful to be supported in the original plans.
Even if we sometimes struggle to see the value added, even if we sometimes believe the client could have done everything by itself, we may overlook the real value. We might be too proud to accept that the solution was already there when we joined. We might feel the obligation to come up with something brand new and creative.
As a matter of fact, the client was obviously struggling to finish it off alone. For some reason the client was seeking for external support. Giving affirmation and creating a momentum for the final decision making holds a value in itself! We must not underestimate this.
As top management consultants, solving problems for our clients is our profession. Even when it takes only the last tiny step.
You are worth it!
Malte