Sara Wedeman

I'm a psychologist turned technologist, with 16+ years' experience in management consulting.

In the beginning, I was drawn to the business of consulting because it was simultaneously investigative, creative, enterprising, and practical. In the intervening 16 years, I have learned a lot - not just about the work but also about the industry. One thing I've learned is that all too often, consultants' own business concerns overtake investigation and creativity. Instead, they over-focus on selling and on delivering services at low cost to themselves.

Thus the image of the elusive partner: ubiquitous until the sale is made, then disappearing to his or her bunker while green recruits do all the work (much of which is basically on-the-job training). Moreover, too many engagements end just as the hard work of implementation begins. Whether this is due to an ivory tower mentality on the part of the consultants or to unwillingness to spend any more money on the part of the client, I do not know. However, I do know that it is very often a mistake.

Obviously, any consultant wants to build a thriving, profitable practice and I am no different. However, I believe that a thriving, profitable practice is an outcome; the reward accrues to those who put the client's needs first. People don't hire us because they want us to make money for ourselves: they hire us to help them solve their problems (most of which have important financial implications for them).

I call this vlog "The Contrarian Consultant" because, like contrarian investors, I prefer to do my homework, to view each client as unique, to draw on many sources for ideas, and - above all - to think for myself. So far, the vlog has taken the form of videotaped conversations about what I do and what I think. I'm hoping to broaden it to include more people, more perspectives, and more topics. I invite you to join me!

Sara