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Planning & Consulting Articles
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Do-it-Yourselfer's Guide to Consultants
When do you need one, how do you choose, and what should you expect?
We've all been there. You get the green light on "the big project," then someone on staff or the board pipes up and says, "My nephew's cousin's brother-in-law can do that for us - cheap!" Or the hearing in the legislature for your big bill is slated tomorrow, so who gets to stay up all night preparing testimony AND writing both versions of the press release? Perhaps your board members are struggling with their "give-or-get" responsibilities. Who will instill the confidence and skills they need to visit donors and secure major gifts? Maybe your once successful fundraising efforts are failing to produce the revenue you need to sustain programs. Who will provide the inspiration to put the sparkle back in your appeals?
If you're like most nonprofit executives and board members, I'll bet you just "volunteered" to tackle every one of those challenges. Of course, there's one little problem. You lack the time, experience or skills needed to do every highly specialized job. You need a consultant. A consultant is someone with the time, experience and skills to help you solve your problem.
Every organization reaches critical junctures where new opportunities are presented, disruption occurs or when there needs to be a refocus on the organization's goals and future. While you may have a talented and committed staff, they may not have the skill set or the time necessary to devote to managing the issues at hand.
Consultants offer a broad spectrum of experience that can help to advance your mission more quickly and effectively.
For more information on using consultants:
All About Using Consultants
How to Hire and Work with Consultants
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