How do you define the word "consultant"?
And do you think the word carries any negative connotations?
Answers (15)
I've been "consulting" for over 13 years and quit using the word consultant years ago. The value for you is that it lets you bundle a variety of skills into one title that tells people you work for yourself, at least that's what it usually means for writers. I chose to do that too because of my business background and ability to do a variety of small business consulting, in addition to writing. The consultant title lost value for me in recent years.
Customers seem to see dollar signs attached to a consultant. Years ago there was some prestige attached to the term. It carried the connotation of success and expertise. Now, companies think in terms of bottom dollar. You may not be the highest priced writer in town. However, if the customer makes that assumption before talking to you, you'll never get in the door.
In addition, many customers are only familiar with that term in certain fields, such as IT or marketing. A generic title makes it harder to for customers to find you and for you to attract customers who are shopping for your specific skills. You want your title to say what you do when someone sees it next to your signature and doesn't see a business card or meet you personally.
Likewise, I've been trying the wording of independent writer as opposed to freelance writer. Freelance seems to have taken on a stigma too. It seems to be associated with being flakey or being a person who writes only for weird publications that focus on sensationalism or cheap copy. The new media may expand our options, but it causes a constantly evolving change in public perceptions.
Just as we update resumes because styles change, I revise and update my advertising--including the colors, websites, and title regularly. You can choose to focus in on the area where you want to spend the most time, or you can develop separate business cards and brochures, maybe even separate websites, for your major services. It's much easier to target specific types of customers that way, especially on websites.
Jane P.
Brand and Communication Design
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Hi Joanne,
I like what Penny had to say. To add to it, I think the word consultant is useful in some circumstances where it's already understood what you do and what industry you're in, because I think the word still implies thought and strategy and someone who functions as a partner, as opposed to offering only a technical skill (the latter being fine as long as that's your plan).
That said, from a marketing standpoint, I would always use a title that makes it clear what you do.
I concur about the word freelancer. Some independent consultants dabble and some are as serious as a firm but with only one employee (however you define that...keeping regular business hours, having an office, working directly with end clients). For example, some may do on-site work for a few months. It's hard to be available to talk or meet with other clients. To me, this is one thing that distinguishes freelancers from a single-person business. Not that there's anything wrong with it. Just that that's now how I view my own business and is one thing that the word freelancer implies to me.
Paul C.
Senior Business Systems Analyst at Quest Diagnostics
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In many corporate settings, 'consultant' carries a stigma: ''On the team' but not 'in the company'. Occasionally consultants are viewed as charlatans, people who somehow convinced some gullible member of senior management to shell out gobs of cash to hire some outsider to fix an imagined problem.
Other times a consultant may be brought in as a temporary worker, either because of a specific skill-set or to fill the role of a specific team member, and is looked down upon by the other team members/company employees.
I've been consulting for the last 5 years, and have about 10 years under my belt all told. It's been virtually the same story in every place, on every team. It's almost as though there's no respect for the consultant by his/her peers in the workplace because of the perception that the consultant is only there for the money, and will be gone as soon as they can (as opposed to the employees, who don't get paychecks and work for the company out of a sense of civic duty).
Claude R.
Career counselling at Self employed
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Every time I've been a consultant, I considered my job to
1- Give several options to solve the client's need(s) after having clearly identified it(them).
2- Lead him and his team to the result discussed, approved and expected by the client.
However, with
* the outrageous amounts charged by certain,
* the meetings with 7-10 consultants to justify such amounts (I've seen it)
and one or two talking...
* many kids called "juniors" left to themselves (I've seen it too) to prepare
the work of the "seniors" who'll send them back tons of times to do things properly instead of doing it themselves the very first time.
* the thick reports which would have seriously benefitted of some shortenings and clarity.
those practices do not give a good opinion of this profession.
However, the advantage of consulting a consultant/ a consulting group which doesn't have a size issue (and overheads) is to normally have someone specialized and up to date in his field. The contrary means his death considering the competition.
Jayne C.
Project management, communications, community engagement, motorcycle traveler
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Someone who has been hired by an organization to contribute to a particular project or activity because of a particular expertise, but who is not a full-time staff member and receives no staff benefits such as health care, vacation pay, etc. A consultant can be paid or pro bono.
Does the word carry negative connotations? Sure. A lot of consultants are seen as people who are consulting because they can't land a full-time job. A lot of consultants are seen by staff and volunteers as outsiders who never really understand the realities of an organization and its circumstances. Ineffective consultants have left a bad view of all consultants for many people.
Links:
Brian C.
Independent Writing and Editing Professional
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A consultant is a guy with a briefcase who files in, borrows your watch, tells you the time of day, pockets your watch, flies out, and sends you a really big bill. :-)
Another take. The eunuch in the harem. Understands the principle, has never actually performed, and can give detailed instructions.
Bhalchandra P.
Brand Advisor, Branding Consultant, Marketeer right till the bone. Now!!! Tempting Brand Owners by SCENT....
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"Those who can't do, teach."...............
Judy B. M.
Business WRITER | Editor | Blogger | Strategic MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS | B2B | Web Content Creator | BusDev
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I certainly hope it doesn't carry any negative connotations because I frequently refer to myself as an independent communications consultant (not by choice at this juncture, mind you) since I'm in job-search mode and am taking on freelance writing assignments in the interim. In the course of job interviews, I have encountered a degree of skepticism on the part of recruiters regarding my genuine interest in a position since they seem to think I am currently a consultant by choice, as opposed to necessity.
Jacques T.
Independent Life Sciences Consultant, Hospital & Healthcare professional [Pharm.D., Ph.D.]
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Joanne,
A consultant is someone who has a special knowledge and provides it to a client who has the money. Once the mission completed, the consultant leaves with the money after being assured that the client has the knowledge. A quite simple and perfect exchange, neither more nor less.
There is never any negative connotation when this simple equation is clearly understood by both parties and that all terms are fully respected.
Regards,
Jacques
David M.
Owner, dmark consulting LLC (nutrition science)
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Although I have been consulting for five years, my definition of "consultant" is not as good as my definition of "conslutant" - someone who gives away for free what they should be charging for.
Geoff F.
Database developer and trainer, specialist in Microsoft FoxPro and Access
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I qualified as an engineer and I've enough experience to call myself a consultant but, when a janitor is a "Maintenance Engineer" and a manicurist is a "Nail Consultant", I feel that both terms have lost all value. I just call myself a programmer these days.
Lena B.
Analyst at Texas Instruments + Women's Tennis Enthusiast
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No negative connotations, only peoples negative perceptions.
Consultant: One who helps, advises and teaches, especially solving problems usually in a particular area of expertise.
An empathetic Mentor who gives value for your time,money & resources.No stigma attached at any point of time.Remember it is a state of mind as one of our friend has written "Those who cant do, Teach" is actually Those who can't do, Need a Consultant".Example- as a child whatever you didn't knew, your parents have empowered you in the right direction and gave you the best possible options based on their individual experiences.Similarly A Consultant empowers his/her client by giving VALUE FOR HIS TIME=MONEY=PEOPLE.
Links:
Several professions have some a certain negative and positive connotations. Besides consulting, sales, police, politics tec also have quite a stories about them but they are their. I have been consulting for past 11 years and recently start using the nomenclature of 'Marketing strategist' in place of Marketing consultant because thats what i do as i do not stop at advising alone.
A patient consults a doctor, a student consults a teacher and an Entrepreneur consults a professional to seek valuable insight at a competitive price.
Clarification added January 21, 2010:
wish linkedin could offer an Edit option to correct the spellings!
Doug H.
Charter School Finance Expert
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someone who has a vested interest in perpetuating the problems or exacerbating them.
Just kidding. I think that a good consultant offers expertise in areas when it doesn't make sense for a company to hire that expertise because the need is short term or episodic.
