At IndusGuru, we recently onboarded an HR consultant as a member of our network, who shared his past experience with us about a challenging engagement with a large organization.

This consultant was brought on board to revamp the company’s HR processes, with the potential to make a significant impact. However, what should have been a productive and impactful engagement eventually turned into an unproductive and frustrating experience, as the hiring company was ill-prepared to utilize his expertise effectively.

This experience serves as a reminder for consultants and hiring companies to seek clarity and structure in their contracts.

Unfortunately, this is not a one-off incident, and while interacting with organizations and independent consultants, we have realised it to be a common issue.

In this article, we will share some of the key best practices for companies looking to onboard consultants, ensuring that they can fully leverage the expertise they bring. Additionally, we will offer advice to consultants on how to navigate these challenges and secure contracts that set them up for success.

Platforms like IndusGuru can play a crucial role in bridging the gap between companies and consultants, facilitating more effective engagements.

One of the most fundamental steps in onboarding a consultant is establishing a clear scope of work. Companies must outline specific goals, deliverables, and timelines from the outset. This helps both the sides to get the desired results.

Best Practices for Companies:

1. Define Clear Objectives: Before the consultant starts, ensure there is a well-documented scope of work that outlines what the consultant is expected to achieve. This should include deliverables, timelines, and any key performance indicators (KPIs).
   
   
2. Assign a Point of Contact: Assign someone within the organization, ideally a senior leader, who the consultant can report to and collaborate with. This will help in facilitating the consultant’s work, including approvals, resource allocation, and providing necessary support.
   
   
3. Establish Governance: Set pre-determined regular check-ins between the consultant and the assigned point of contact to prevent misunderstandings and ensure that the project stays on track.
   
   
4. Empower the Consultant: Provide the consultant with access to the necessary resources and information, including approvals for budget-related items, access to team members, and any infrastructure they need to complete their work effectively.
   
   
5. Sensitise the collaborating teams: Just giving access to teams is not sufficient. It’s essential that the relevant team members also understand the importance of their involvement and are given the necessary time and authority to collaborate. Without this, the consultant’s efforts can be severely impacted.
   
   

Advice for Consultants:

1. Insist on a Clear Contract: Ensure that your contract includes a detailed scope of work, clearly defined deliverables, and agreed-upon timelines.
   
   
2. Clarify Direct Reporting Lines: Before starting the project, clarify who your point of contact will be and understand their role in the project. This person would be responsible for getting the required approvals, resource allocations and navigating internal processes.
   
   
3. Clarify Reporting Lines for Escalation: What if your direct point of contact is unable to give you the time and attention which is required for the successful completion of work? To mitigate this risk, it’s crucial to clarify the escalation process.
   
   
4. Regular Updates: Provide regular updates to the company, even if progress is stalled due to internal issues. This will allow for timely intervention and prevent misunderstandings about the project status.
   
   
5. Seek Clarity Early: If there are ambiguities or challenges in the project’s scope or progress, address them early. Don’t wait for issues to escalate—proactively seek guidance or escalate issues if necessary.
   
   

How IndusGuru Can Help:

IndusGuru bridges the gap between companies and independent consultants.

• Matching Expertise with Needs: IndusGuru connects companies with consultants whose expertise aligns with the specific needs of the project, ensuring a better fit and more effective outcomes.

• Providing Frameworks: IndusGuru offers frameworks that help define clear scopes of work, set expectations, and establish reporting structures, which can prevent many of the issues commonly encountered during consultancy engagements.

• Providing Governance Support: IndusGuru can provide ongoing support and facilitate feedback to ensure that both the company and the consultant are aligned and that the project stays on track.