Comments on: Ethical Consulting http://www.singlefounder.com/2006/10/26/ethical-consulting/ Musings on software and startups from a single founder Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:54:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mike Taber http://www.singlefounder.com/2006/10/26/ethical-consulting/comment-page-1/#comment-110 Mike Taber Sat, 28 Oct 2006 06:23:11 +0000 http://miketaber.net/archive/2006/10/26/207.aspx#comment-110 You're very welcome. I think we're in agreement. I was just pointing out that maximizing revenue should be a secondary goal, not the primary one for what I would call a 'good consultant'. You’re very welcome. I think we’re in agreement. I was just pointing out that maximizing revenue should be a secondary goal, not the primary one for what I would call a ‘good consultant’.

]]> By: Basil Vandegriend http://www.singlefounder.com/2006/10/26/ethical-consulting/comment-page-1/#comment-109 Basil Vandegriend Sat, 28 Oct 2006 03:51:36 +0000 http://miketaber.net/archive/2006/10/26/207.aspx#comment-109 Thanks for the link to my article. I personally feel that the long-term relationship is the smarter and more ethical route to go (if it wasn't obvious from my article :). <br /><br />The problem is that consultants have multiple goals, one of which is to keep the customer happy, and another is to maximize revenue / profit. Trying to balance these sometimes conflicting goals is the real challenge. Thanks for the link to my article. I personally feel that the long-term relationship is the smarter and more ethical route to go (if it wasn’t obvious from my article :) .

The problem is that consultants have multiple goals, one of which is to keep the customer happy, and another is to maximize revenue / profit. Trying to balance these sometimes conflicting goals is the real challenge.

]]> By: Erik Lane http://www.singlefounder.com/2006/10/26/ethical-consulting/comment-page-1/#comment-108 Erik Lane Fri, 27 Oct 2006 20:27:51 +0000 http://miketaber.net/archive/2006/10/26/207.aspx#comment-108 I totally agree,. As a consultant you want to become one of you client's trusted resources. That means that they trust that you'll do the best work you can and provide them with honest and trust worthy opinions/ideas/etc.<br /><br />Becoming a trusted resource is not quick nor is it easy. It is earned by them watching and learning from your actions. If they don't feel you to be one of those resources then they'll keep you around until your current project is over or worse, before it is over.<br /><br />Most clients are looking for trusted resources. If they felt that they had everything they needed in-house they wouldn't be looking for an outside consultant. I totally agree,. As a consultant you want to become one of you client’s trusted resources. That means that they trust that you’ll do the best work you can and provide them with honest and trust worthy opinions/ideas/etc.

Becoming a trusted resource is not quick nor is it easy. It is earned by them watching and learning from your actions. If they don’t feel you to be one of those resources then they’ll keep you around until your current project is over or worse, before it is over.

Most clients are looking for trusted resources. If they felt that they had everything they needed in-house they wouldn’t be looking for an outside consultant.

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