ASQ’s Consultants Network has begun to take shape, but we need your input to bring it to its fullest potential. Can you please take a moment today and share your thoughts?

First, click on the “Files” tab and look at our preliminary operational definition of “consultant.” Use the “comment” option to submit your suggestions for improving this draft.

Then, go to http://asq.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_0Pzn79L6SEVjwjy to participate in our first member survey. We’ve extended the deadline, so we can get more feedback to help us shape the Network’s future plans.

Finally, check our recent “Topic of the Month,” which is available on the “Files” tab. We’ve selected a topic that relates to many consultants’ practices, and we’ve posted information and links to ASQ articles, books, and other resources associated with that topic. This current featured topic is “The Future of Quality and Leadership.”

We look forward to hearing from you!

Dear MOCK,

After 20 years in the quality field, I have amassed an immense amount of knowledge and experience. Along the way, I picked up my MBA, and now I’m ready to start sharing my wealth with clients. Of course, I am looking forward to making what I really deserve for my expertise. Planning to receive a high six-figure salary seems reasonable to me. What do you think?

Easy Money

Dear Easy,

Consulting can be a lucrative career, but it sure isn’t easy, and very few consultants earn high six-figure salaries. Careers-in-Consulting reports that successful management consultants with MBAs can expect to make between $80,000 and $170,00 per year (http://www.careers-in-business.com/consulting/mcsal.htm). This sure isn’t chicken feed, but it probably isn’t wildly higher than what you make now. It’s not until you gain more consulting experience, establish an instantly recognized name, or become a partner in a larger firm that you’re likely to attain the lifestyle of the rich and famous.

Gotta fly,

MOCK

Keith Clark’s presentation at a World Conference on Quality and Improvement points out that “Many organizations begin their Baldrige or state quality award efforts by using the Criteria for Performance Excellence to perform an internal self-assessment; however, these efforts often stall after the self-assessment process is complete… when organizations struggle with the results. Methods are suggested to improve the added value of the self-assessment process through a combination of anticipation and integration.”
(http://www.asq.org/members/news/aqc/60_2006/baldrige-self-assessment.html)

What are your thoughts and experiences related to Baldrige self-assessment and improvement?

As always, we’re glad you’ve chosen to become a member of ASQ’s Consultants Network, and we look forward to hearing from you. We currently sponsor a discussion board and encourage participation in it, as well as launching of new topics. Take a moment and check out the comments, post your questions, and share suggestions.

Dear MOCK,

The other day I told a friend that I was investigating opening my own consulting firm. He asked me what exactly I planned to do, and I admit that I was stumped for a moment. Finally, I said, “I’ll be telling other people what to do.” What do you think?

What I Do

Dear What,

I’m a bit confused here. Are you applying to be the warden of the new state prison in your area or are you planning to open a consulting firm? If your intention really is to join the consulting profession, let me recommend that you take a moment to review these words of wisdom from Bruce Henderson, founder of Boston Consulting Group, one of the top five consulting companies, “A Note to new Consultants” (http://www.careers-in-business.com/consulting/hendnote.htm). Then you’ll be able to decide how to leverage your expertise to provide aide to your customers. Remember: the word consultant comes from the Latin word consultare, which means, “to discuss,” not “to boss around.”

Gotta fly,

MOCK

Brainstorming is a fundamental and very valuable tool. The abstract for “Ten Skills for Brainstorming Breakthrough Thinking” by Mitchell Ditkoff (The Journal for Quality and Participation) states, “True innovators, take note: learn how to awaken a level of intelligence and collaboration that greatly enhances an organization's ability to survive and thrive well into the 21st century. The 10 personas of a brainstorm facilitator are covered.”
(http://www.asq.org/qic/display-item/index.html?item=17700)

What are your thoughts and experiences related to brainstorming and innovation?

ASQ’s Consultants Network has begun to take shape. We want to thank each of you who have submitted suggestions for improving our operational definition of “consultant” and/or have participated in our member survey at http://asq.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_0Pzn79L6SEVjwjy. Remember that we’ll be closing these opportunities on June 28 and July 12, respectively.

Also, we’ve decided to start a new service: “Topic of the Month.” We’ll select a topic that relates to many consultants’ practices, and we’ll post information and links to ASQ articles, books, and other resources associated with that topic. This month’s featured topic is “The Future of Quality and Leadership.” Just click on the “Files” tab to access the readily available resources that can help you learn more about this “hot topic.”

Thanks,

Your Consultants Network Leadership Team

Dear MOCK,

I’m meeting with my attorney in an hour, and I just realized that I need a name for my new consulting firm. I’ve been brainstorming, and the top of my list is “High Seas Consulting.” What do you think?

Anchors Away

Dear Anchors,

I’m sure there’s a great story behind this proposed name for your business, but it escapes me. In fact, this name sounds more like a maritime law firm than a company that provides guidance and/or training in the quality field. I suggest you take a lesson from “Consulting Business Names: How to Decide What Works Best” (http://www.consulting-business.com/consulting-business-names.html). I’m sure you’ll find a name that will help point potential customers directly toward your business.

Gotta fly,

MOCK

The abstract from Karen Becker’s presentation at a Quality Audit Conference states, “Quality auditing is rapidly becoming a mandate for organizations around the world. Much of the training and education surrounding auditing focused on the mechanics of auditing. However, most auditors agree that the key to an effective audit comes from the information gained during one-on-one interactions, the interactions between the auditor and the auditee. Because of the intense interpersonal nature of an audit, quality auditors must have excellent communication skills. By applying Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) to the interactions taking place during an audit, interpersonal communications are greatly improved.”
(http://www.asq.org/qic/display-item/index.html?item=11024)

What are your thoughts and experiences related to interpersonal skills for auditors?

We’re really glad you’ve decided to become part of our community, and we hope you’ll help to make it a place where consultants can exchange information and ideas to improve their work and the services they provide clients. We’d like to learn a bit more about our members, so we’d appreciate it if you would take just a few moments to complete the four-question survey at http://asq.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_0Pzn79L6SEVjwjy. This survey will close on July 12, 2010, and we’ll be posting its results shortly thereafter.

Thanks,

Your Consultants Network Leadership Team

Dear MOCK,

To be blunt, I love my work but hate my job. I’ve been thinking of starting my own consulting business? What do you think?

Take This Job and Shove It

Dear Take,

I feel your pain, but remember that the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence. This doesn’t mean that you should stay in a job you hate, but it does mean that you should do some research before you hang out your shingle. Take a look at the article “Consulting: Facts and Trends” (http://www.careers-in-business.com/consulting/mcfacts.htm). You’ll see that consulting still offers a viable career, but note that you may find it better to join an existing consulting firm, rather than going it alone. “Although it can be rewarding to work in a small firm, it's tough to make it in solo consulting because of the difficulty of maintaining credibility and marketing yourself. Only one in 10 solo consultants lasts for 10 years.”

Gotta fly,
MOCK

Welcome to our network’s new blog for sharing training and consulting tips and tricks related to specific quality concepts, tools, and approaches. We’ll initiate each installment by pointing toward an article from ASQ’s Knowledge Center that we think you’ll find useful. Then you’ll take over, adding your thoughts and ideas to the discussion.

We’ll start off by taking a look at value stream mapping, a critical technique for consultants involved with Lean training and consulting projects. As Tony Manos points out in his Quality Progress article “Lean Lessons: Value Stream Mapping—An Introduction,” “Value stream mapping (VSM) can be an extremely powerful tool, combining material processing steps with information flow as well as other important related data. VSM is arguably one of the most powerful lean tools for an organization wanting to plan, implement and improve on its lean journey. This tool allows users to create a solid implementation plan that will make the most of their available resources.”
(http://www.asq.org/quality-progress/2006/06/lean/value-stream-mapping--an-introduction.html)

What are your thoughts and experiences related to value stream mapping?