Consultants Borrow Your Watch to Tell You the Time and Then Walk Off With Your Watch

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“Consultants borrow your watch to tell you the time, and then walk off with your watch”. So said Robert Townsend, a former CEO of Avis, in his no-nonsense observation on management sillyness – Up the Organization…

This is often interpreted as meaning that consultants will question you and your colleagues, capture your knowledge, and then not adequately document and share with you what they’ve learnt. Or that consultant’s do not themselves actually have useful knowledge to share. Or that if they do, they are going to be very careful about sharing their knowledge asset with you in a way that would reduce your dependence upon them.  And when it all goes wrong, who is it that gets blamed? You do, for not controlling them properly.

Many people believe that this problem is as relevant today as when Townsend made his widely accepted observation. And the catalogue of disasters and frustrations suggest this is so. But there are consultants out there who have overcome this problem, consultants who offer a high quality service and get used again and again because they have addressed this most fundamental of problems. How do these ‘good consultants’ do it?

First, if ‘good consultants’ have real knowledge to donate, then they externalise it in a way that stays with their client when they leave – the knowledge is codified. Second, if they don’t have the knowledge themselves then they facilitate the client to externalise what they really know but can’t easily verbalise – again the knowledge is codified. And if they are working on information systems, they make sure it’s very clear WHAT needs to be done, HOW and WHY - again the knowledge is codified.

And if you contact us, we can give you a list of consultants that can be relied upon to be ‘good consultants’ – they won’t borrow your watch to tell you the time, and they won’t walk off with your watch!

Key Features of Small Business Consulting Services

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The term “business” is derived from the word “busy” and resembles the company’s or individual’s state of being seriously involved in a professional work aimed towards client satisfaction and long term profits.

Every business is seriously taken up to offer best products and services to consumers. However, it’s not easy to setup a perfect business strategy easily. Many concepts and strategies are required to get best output. Further, due attention is to be given towards deep research and analysis. A systematic research and analysis is performed on a number of facts and considerations to lay the foundation of the most prosperous and smart business.

Capital investment in any business is the first thing. It is estimated keeping in mind a vast number of factors which include:

- quality of services to be provided
- time required for setting up the business
- promotion required for the business, etc.

Starting a business is not a tough task, but to let a business develop into a successful one is surely a daunting task. For reaping the best benefits of a business, services of small business consulting services are very important.

Following are the key features of small business consulting services:

a) Web Design Services and Internet Marketing

In the modern world of marketing, online marketing also known as virtual marketing has gained real significance. Companies like to get immediate and effortless services through online companies. A Small Business Consulting Services firm takes care of this point deliberately by designing and developing your company website as per contemporary standards. Moreover, such consulting firms provide facilities for instant business growth, such as Paid search Management (PPC), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Email Marketing, etc.

b) Strategy Planning and Marketing Services

For running successful company operations, perfect planning and successful marketing campaigns are highly important. The consulting services have a number of well thought out and proven marketing plans for your business. They can provide ideas on launching new products/services or for enhancing the sales of your present ones. Whatever the case may be, aim remains the same-the growth of your company.

c) Hire Social Media Tools

In the present Internet world, everything goes online. Thus, it is essential to have online social media connects as they serve as the best platform to promote your website products/service on world wide scale. A good small business consulting company realizes the importance of social media tool and puts efforts to boost your company on major social media platforms, such as Facebook, LinkedIn and so on. Having an account on any of these platforms connects you to millions of users, eventually increasing sales and growth.

There are many Small Business Consulting Services companies in the market, which are specialized in providing best consulting services to the clientele. Choose a company that offers the best services according to your budget and quality requirements.

What You Must Know About Hiring the Right Financial Aid Consultant

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Should you decide that you need to work with a personal financial aid consultant, whatever your reasons are, you will want to be sure that the one you choose has everything that you are looking for in order to do the job well. First, the FAFSA application is a free one, as strongly suggested by the first word in the name of the form. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is provided at the government website, and there are tools and PDF files available there that will help you to figure it all out on your own. What you will pay your financial aid consultant for is their time spent, and their expertise at coaching you on the information that you will need, filling out the appropriate areas, and filing it in a timely manner to the right place.

The very fact that you are applying for financial aid from the government denotes that you are, in fact, in a place of financial need, and the costs of this consultation should reflect that fact. You should not be asked to pay more than $150 at the most, and you should ask for a detailed receipt from your consultant upon payment of the fees. An honest financial aid consultant will explain that these fees are based solely on their own income schedule, never placing amounts due based on application or filing fees from the government.

Your chosen professional should be well versed in the laws and availability of each type of government education program, and should be forthcoming with all of this information without tacking on extra fees. Honesty and integrity are what you are looking for, and if you can, hire a professional based on a referral from someone who has used the service before and whom you trust. You might ask the admissions office on your campus to refer you to a trustworthy consultant.

Ask your financial aid consultant if they are willing to sign the FAFSA. Much in the same way as tax preparation specialists will sign the documents that they prepare for clients, this ensures that the professional is willing to stand behind and back the application if further issues or questions should arise. A refusal on the part of your professional to sign this application could denote some sort of wrongdoing or unethical behavior, and you should take this into consideration before hiring this company or individual.

Any time that you are asked to enter false information on an application, or are asked to approve such errors knowingly, this should raise a red flag for you. Yours is the name on the application, and yours is the grant money and reputation at stake should falsities come into play. Hiring an honest and reputable financial aid consultant can make your life a lot easier, and keep your mind focused on the important educational aspects of college. You just want to be sure that your consultant is working for you, and not against.

Commercial Paving and Asphalt Repair

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When it comes to paving and asphalt repairs,Guest Posting Riverhead, New York may just be the perfect location. Located on the Finger of New York River, this town rests at the confluence of two bodies of water: The Eastchester and Hudson Rivers. Although the town is surrounded by beautiful countryside and rich culture, it is best known for its commercial success, which has made it home to such movers and shakers as Grey’s Anatomy star Kerry Washington and Cate Blanchett, among others.

Whether you’re looking to pave a new sidewalk or make repairs to an existing one, you’ll find that Riverhead NY has a lot to offer. With so many paving and asphalt repairs are going on in and around the town, it’s easy to see why companies from across New York and across the nation frequent this location. From high-rise corporate buildings to small bookstores, Riverhead has it all, making it one of the most popular towns in upstate New York. Aside from all of the major commercial projects going on, however, this small town is also home to a wide variety of unique shops and restaurants.

One of the best parts of living in Riverhead is all of the resources that are available to residents. There are a lot of state parks in Riverhead, including two lakes that are completely open to the public, and dozens of trails for skiers and snowboarders. In addition to the public parks and trails, the town has developed a reputation for providing top-quality commercial paving and asphalt milling services. Because of their well-respected reputation for quality work, many companies are choosing to build their asphalt parking lots right on the property, rather than build a deck or a shed off the property.

When a company needs a commercial paving or asphalt repair job, they usually go to Riverhead to get the job done. For instance, if a hole has opened up in the asphalt of a driveway or sidewalk, concrete flatwork is often the best option. By opening up the ground surface, workers can then pour a layer of concrete deep into the hole. Then, top it with a decorative stone or paving material, like stone chips. Finally, seal the area and walk on it. This process saves time and money and allows the contractor to continue to work without worry about the potential for further damage.

A similar problem is the situation that arises when there is improper drainage on a driveway. While Riverhead does have some very good sidewalks and driveways, many of the residential streets have no adequate channel to move rainwater away from the home. This means that puddles can build up on the sidewalk, leading to cracked and damaged concrete. Proper paved channel for rainwater drainage will eliminate this problem, saving both parties time and money.

These are only two of the typical services that Riverhead paving and asphalt repair companies provide. In addition to their routine paving and cracks filling services, they also do sealcoating for both new and old developments. Sealcoating is the process of applying a highly resistant coating to an existing surface. This coating, which is typically an epoxy resin, is designed to protect the surface against future weathering and wear. Applying a sealcoating coat prevents concrete from cracking, expanding, or drying out, and it increases its overall life by preventing further damage.

Your Website During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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COVID-19 is dominating the eye of the world. We are hoping everybody pursue to be safe and takes care of themselves and loved ones during this scary time.

That being said,Guest Posting our business continues to travel on, and that we feel it is also important to seem at this crisis from the angle of the net to assist clients et al navigate these times from an operational perspective. We all know there are larger human narratives at play here, but we’re working to remain in our lane and supply you valuable website designing company in delhi.

We work with many clients across a variety of industries and whether you’re a running brand, a house website, or a pork producer, COVID-19 affects your audience and it’s important to update visitors on what adaptation you are making as a results of the rapidly changing world we’re living in.

We’ve worked with many of our clients over the previous couple of weeks to strategize on the most effective thanks to get timely information to their audience. Below are many ways we commend renovating your website designing company in delhi during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Update Your Website Header, Not Just Your Homepage

Your homepage is also your highest trafficked landing page on your site, but it likely isn’t the page that almost all of your audience lands on after they first get to your site. Google ranks pages, not sites and when someone is attempting to find your organization, they’re likely to urge directed to an indoor page on your site, not your homepage.

Try logging into your Google Analytics account and visiting Behavior > Site Content > Landing Pages. You’ll see what percent of the traffic to your site starts on the homepage.

Because your homepage is that the place to begin for less than some of your site visitors, your site header could be a better place to push information about COVID-19 so one and all that goes to your site can quickly find the most recent information about the pandemic and the way it relates to you.

Two options for updating your header are:

Add a link in your main navigation

If your site is on a content management system, this can be probably something you’ll do on your own.

In Word Press, your navigation is sometimes managed under Appearance > Menus.

In Drupal, it’s typically under Structure > Menus

If you’re unsure the way to update your navigation, reach bent your development team.

A few tips when updating your navigation:

Keep the title of the most nav item short. “COVID-19” is perhaps enough.

After you add the menu item, slowly adjust your browser width from super narrow to super wide to form sure the new menu item doesn’t make your navigation overlap elements it shouldn’t.

For instance, change “Who We Are” or “About Us” to “About” or remove “Home” and just let users click on your logo to travel to the homepage.

If you can’t make space within the main navigation, add the COVID-19 page to your dropdown menu.

While adjusting your main navigation could appear sort of a substantial change, whether or not there isn’t a world pandemic, we’ve found that having a spot in your main navigation.

Having a site wide alert bar could be a good way to draw attention to an important issue. You will not have the flexibility to make alerts on your site without the assistance of your website designing company in delhi team. The nice thing about adding that functionality, however, is that alert bars aren’t only useful during global pandemics. It is something you will be able to utilize moving forward. An alert bar could be a practical tool to own for things like:

Limited hours thanks to a vacation

Promoting a special deal

Announcing an upcoming event

When you reach bent your web development team, confirm your alert bar:

Is in a very different color to draw attention thereto

Can be easily toggled on or off

Can be dismissed by users

Can be easily customized

Your alert bar should draw attention, but you’ll want to stay the content on that short and quickly drive visitors to a page that may expand on the subject.

Update Your Homepage Masthead

Even if you’ve updated your header with content about COVID-19, your homepage represents the foremost important information on your site and by pushing information about how COVID-19 impacts your audience, you’re indicating to visitors that you just understand the seriousness of the pandemic. Additionally to visitors, the homepage is additionally a awfully valuable website designing company in delhi to Google about your site being updated and what it can rank for.

Getting the Job Done with Graded Patent Translation Services

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Patents are very precious and informative at the same time. patent translation services are going to translate the original into the language of choice so that it can easily be understood by different people.

For business and scientific usage,Guest Posting patents are a big part of the whole culture because it is the blueprint of a type of information that no one might have apart from just one entity. This is the primary reason why people tend to keep their patented documents as secure as possible so that it does not leak away to any unauthorized individual or party.

If you are looking to grow your business or pass on the information to the different regions of the world, you will have to translate the patents because the language barrier might come in the way of conveying something. This is the reason why hiring high-quality patent translation servicesis the choice that you have for yourself. these are the prominent services that are going to give you the satisfaction of translating your patents into the language of your choice so that you can pass on them to the people that you want to who might speak different languages.

Patents are a big part of the whole structure because the information in the patent might help someone to do their job in a better way than no one else might have thought of. Patents will be able to give the people the information that they have always wanted to so that they can know the important things about what they are doing in their business or individually. This is the main reason why patent translation for business is an important aspect and it needs to be followed in the best way possible so that correct information transfer and sharing can happen.

The work of such services is also very affordable so you don’t have to worry about the costs at all because they are going to give you the best quality of translation at a very little amount of investment from your side. This is going to pay off well for you.

What a Custom Home Builder Can Offer You?

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A custom home builder can offer you the exact execution of ideas that you have in your mind for your project.

In today’s time,Guest Posting where every little thing is custom-made, the homeowners have also started to look into the fact that the houses they own or want to own should have a special and personal touch to them. Which sums up to building a custom home. And if you are the first timer for building a custom home, it might feel scary and an impossible task to be fulfilled. But with the right approach and the right resources, nothing can seem impossible. Custom home builders in the Texas Hill Country can fulfill that dream for you and give you the home of your dreams without you having to worry about it at all.

Thus, in the process of building your dream home, here’s what the custom home builders in the Texas Hill Country can do for you.

Better ideas in terms of technicalities

Since it is your dream home project, you, of course, have tons of ideas that you want to work with. But when it comes to all the technical knowledge, only an experienced custom home builder can tell you how it is going to take place. For instance, if you are planning to install two ovens in your kitchen, the custom builder would know how it can be made possible or not. If you are planning to have a pool in your backyard, then the custom home builder will need to examine the entire area and look at whether it is feasible or not to have a pool back there. Thus, your ideas get technical support from the custom home builder which is the crucial factor here.

Clear and easy communication

One of the best things to expect from the custom home builders in Texas Hill Country is that you will always have transparent and easy communication about everything. All you can do is communicate all your ideas to the custom home builder and he will pass it on to the contractors who will be put on the job for your home project. You do not have to convey your ideas and needs to ten other people. Just tell it to your custom home builder and know that it will be done exactly the way you want it to be.

Quality that is class apart

The reputed custom home builders in Texas Hill Country have a team of experts under them who are designated to do different parts of the project. And this kind of setting works the best for the timely completion of the project. The team of designs and architects works with the construction team to keep a check that the plans go well executed. Such kind of process makes the entire unit channelized and the chances of getting anything messed up are almost nil.

Building a home is a huge responsibility and you would want to put that responsibility upon reputed and experienced shoulders. That is why hiring one of the best custom home builders in the Texas Hill Country would be the perfect choice for your dream project.

What Is Garage Epoxy Floor Paint?

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a brief guide to epoxy floor paints and their use in DIY home improvements

Garage epoxy floor paint is among the most durable and toughest paint products currently available. It is an excellent option for adding more shine and visual appeal to a garage floor. Epoxy paints can also perform as a type of sealant for cement floors. It is a popular product usually applied on a basement or garage floors.

What Is Garage Epoxy Floor Paint?

Originally,Guest Posting this product was made for industrial applications. Epoxy paints are latex acrylic products that contain epoxy in small amounts that are used for a range of flooring applications. An epoxy paint often provides a durable and tough protective coating that is easy to clean and maintain. Due to their unique characteristics, epoxy paints are resistant to corrosion and chemicals, easy to maintain, and clean, which makes them the perfect product for warehouses, factories, garages, etc.

One of the main differences between normal paint and epoxy paint has to do with the epoxy in the paint that adheres to concrete surfaces a lot better than normal paint, making this product more durable.

Positives And Negatives Of Epoxy Floor Paint

Positives:

- Resistant

Epoxy is one of the hardy choices for floors that can resist the impact of water, chemicals, and heat. It is also ideal for garage floors where vehicles emit chemicals that are often corrosive.

- Long-Lasting

Epoxy paint is extremely durable, hard-wearing, and can withstand heavy traffic. These products also last longer when compared to traditional paint products.

- Maintenance

Epoxy is a dust-resistant product, which helps stop dust from circulating and setting. It results in a flat and smooth surface that is very easy to keep clean.

Negatives:

- Temporary

Even though epoxy paint is resistant and hard-wearing, it will need to be replaced eventually. Normal wear-and-tear will result in cracks and chips over time.

- Application

The application process can be tedious and time-consuming. It often takes up to a week for the paint to properly dry. It is also necessary to wait for the initial coat to dry completely before applying the next one.

- Removal

It is often labor-intensive and expensive to change either the design or the color of the floor. It is also not easy to remove epoxy paint.

Epoxy Coating Vs. Epoxy Paint

Epoxy paint is a type of paint. It is also an easy product to work with for DIY projects. Epoxy coatings, on the other hand, are made up of a hardener and resin (2 parts), which require professional assistance to guarantee long-lasting results.

When choosing between epoxy paint or an epoxy coating the main difference is durability. If your main concern involves improving the floor’s appearance, then an epoxy paint product is the ideal choice. If you need to improve areas that are exposed to chemical spillage risks and heavy traffic, epoxy coatings are a far better option to consider. Epoxy floor paints might be more durable when compared to traditional latex paints, but they won’t handle abrasions, chemicals, and stains like an epoxy coating will.

Snips and Snails or Sugar and Spice? Just What Are Consultants Made Of?

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Have you ever heard the phrase: “It takes all kinds to make the world go ’round?” Well, it does. Especially in Information Technology. But, I’m of the opinion that IT people come roughly in two flavors.

  1. Technicians (or Engineers)
  2. Consultants (or Analysts)

What’s the difference you say? Well, here’s my definitions:

Technician
Technicians are technical. They understand the *how* of a technology, how to make it run, how to service it, install it, create it. They’re great with machines, coding, and complex troubleshooting. Often they’re the kind of people who just can’t stand to *not* know why something broke and want to fix it no matter how long it takes.

Consultant
Consultants look at business process and are more interested in why and where and who and what rather than the how of a particular technology. They may also be very technically capable, but they generally marry superior customer service, business analysis, and communication skills with that technical capability.

Here are some common questions I’ve heard about technicians and consultants:

Q. Can you train technicians?

A. You can give people knowledge about a technology, but it’s much harder (if not impossible) to train the intuitive grasp of *how* technology works. Contrary to what most people think, the creation, operation and support of technology is as much an art as it is a science. It changes so rapidly and the complexity is so overwhelming that if all you have is book knowledge and you don’t just “get it” you’re not going very far. This is one of the real advantages young people have in growing up with technology that their parents did not… they just get it since they’ve been dealing with it their whole lives.

Q. Can you train consultants?

A. You can train consulting skills for sure. You can teach people to look at business process and to consider the business implications of using one technology or another. You can train people to be good with customer service and you can educate them in the use of written and verbal language skills. But, once again, there’s a certain something that separates good consultants from technicians. You have to not only “get it” the same way a technician does but you need an intuitive grasp of how people think and how they interact with technology.

Q.Can a technician become a consultant?

A. Certainly! I did! I think we all begin as technicians. You only develop an ability to see the larger picture and the business savvy required for consulting over time and with experience. It requires development especially of your communication skills, both verbal and written. If you didn’t learn to spell and your grammar depends on Microsoft Word’s spell checking you’re in for a hard ride as a consultant.

Q. What’s wrong with being a technician?

A. Absolutely nothing. We need both technicians and consultants. Technicians do things with the actual technology that consultants just can’t. Someone has to make this stuff! Someone has to code the applications and build the servers. But would you put a technician in front of a client and ask them to deliver a presentation to C-Level management? Definitely not. It’s not a good use of their skills and they probably wouldn’t enjoy it.

So, which is better? Technician or Consultant? It depends on your business needs. And since I’m a consultant, would you like a presentation on the topic?

Business Consulting Interviews – 10 Important Steps to Prepare

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Here, I’ll focus on ten critical steps to prepare for management consulting interview rounds. As general advice, by far the best way to become a distinctive interviewer is to get live experience – thus the reason why you should spread a wide net in your search for different consulting firms.

Getting ready for case studies

1. Read Case In Point – a thorough, 100% case study-focused resource

2. Peruse Victor Cheng’s website – as a former McKinsey consultant, Victor has a strong grasp of successful case study techniques and strategies

3. Practice online case studies – most firm websites have plenty of cases (some like Bain even have video case studies). The key is to answer the question yourself before reading the suggested answer. There are good consulting websites with case study materials as well, including Rice’s Consulting Club

4. Practice a lot with friends – if no friends have interest, search consulting forums and other recruiting hubs like Vault for partners

5. Practice guesstimation/sizing questions in spare waking moments (eg, if you see a Ford while driving, think about how many Ford cars are manufactured in Mexico). It seems silly, but this is exactly how to become an expert at case studies

The key here: practicing as many cases as you can with actual consultants. Don’t underestimate their capacity to help you

Experiential/behavioral interview prep

1. Create example fit interview questions and prepare example replies – avoid simple memorization, but outline your key talking points.

2. Practice answering in front of a mirror – this helps familiarize you with body language, pacing, volume, and more

3. Practice with friends and colleagues – ideally have them ask you unexpected questions. Becoming good at improvising is crucial to acing consulting interviews

General interview prep tips

1. Wear something that looks clean, sharp, and makes you feel confident – first appearances are deceptively powerful. Dress like a management consultant, and people will think you deserve an offer.

2. Talk to current and former consultants – the better you understand the job and lifestyle, the more comfortable you are with consulting lingo like “on the beach” and “5,000 mile view”, the better you’ll do. It’s also great for recruiting and networking.

That wraps up our tour of how to prepare for business consulting interviews. Good luck!