Introduction
Businesses, government and other institutions have been using management consultants for a considerable period of time. The Hospitality Industry is no exception. The reason put forward for the use of management consultants in the Hospitality Industry include the following:
- Obtaining independent and objective advice;
- Limiting start-up cost of new projects until revenue and, profit targets are met;
- Reducing risk; and
- Obtaining specialist expertise for short periods when it is not cost effective and/or appropriate to employ a person on a short term or permanent contract.
Choosing a Management Consultant
There is need to ensure that your expenditure will produce favourable and measurable results. It may be useful to first look inside the organization to see whether a suitable internal candidate is suitable for the task, particularly where the task will take a short period of time. But this approach may have disadvantages, including a lack of objectivity and the impact of internal politics. In any event other key staff are likely to be involved and these need to be identified and released from their normal duties so that they may have the necessary input. It is imperative that the case for the use of management consultants has senior management commitment.
Draw up a short list of potential candidates. It is preferable to include candidates who have already established a
successful track record with your organisation or with other organisations in the industry with whom you have had close working relations.
A number of management consultancy firms have BVI ISO 9001 certification and this may be regarded as an indicator of a quality standard.
In the UK, many consultants are members of professional organisations, such as the HCIMA, the Food Service Consultants Society
International (FCSI), the Institute of Management Consultancy or other professional bodies whose members operate under a Code of Practice.
The selected consultant should be available throughout the duration of the project as well as during the implementation process in order to obtain the maximum benefit. Advice without follow up will be insufficient for most projects.
Draw up a short list of potential candidates. It is preferable to include candidates who have already established a
successful track record with your organisation or with other organisations in the industry with whom you have had close working relations.
A number of management consultancy firms have BVI ISO 9001 certification and this may be regarded as an indicator of a quality standard.
In the UK, many consultants are members of professional organisations, such as the HCIMA, the Food Service Consultants Society
International (FCSI), the Institute of Management Consultancy or other professional bodies whose members operate under a Code of Practice.
- Give the potential candidates a "details brief", clearly indicating the purpose, outcomes sought, time schedule, and in-house support they can expect to receive and the fee arrangements.
- Be specific, include clear performance measures and monitor these as stages through the project as they are reached.
- Make the basis of cost calculations simple and clear.
- It is vital that the specifications are not changed once the project is under way otherwise substantial cost and time may be wasted
- Over-runs can be expected.
- Invite the short-listed candidate to make short presentations of their proposals before an appropriate panel.
- Select the consultant whose background, qualifications and experience and cultural fit are present.
- Speak with references before entering into a contract.
- Beware of standard form contracts unless they are from the professional associations.
- Get a firm price for the task/project to be undertaken.
The selected consultant should be available throughout the duration of the project as well as during the implementation process in order to obtain the maximum benefit. Advice without follow up will be insufficient for most projects.
Review
Once implemented, the process needs to be monitored and reviewed critically. Benefits received should be capable of quantification.
PLEASE NOTE:
"We are quite confident, that your Sales and Revenues can have only positive influences and surely should improve".
Consultancy Services may also be available for short terms, even as short as one (1) month only.
Some very lucrative charges for such could be negotiated!
PLEASE NOTE:
"We are quite confident, that your Sales and Revenues can have only positive influences and surely should improve".
Consultancy Services may also be available for short terms, even as short as one (1) month only.
Some very lucrative charges for such could be negotiated!