Contrarian Consulting

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This is a compendium for beginner or veteran covering what to consider, possess, or create for a successful practice, with specific examples and templates to incorporate.

"Breaking Through Writer's Block: Every Business Letter and Template You'll Ever Need for A Thriving Professional Services Practice."

Alan's most definitive work on a subject he's become passionate about: blending life, work, and relationships into a holistic, fulfilling existence.

Alan's only book written expressly for internal change agents, human resource professionals, trainers, and others who want to become more effective in internal change initiatives.

This sixth book in "The Ultimate Consultant Series" provides the wisdom Alan has gleaned from his own practice--and from other veteran consultants--to help overcome both persistent problems and the challenges of reaching the next level of success.

This is the first and most likely the only book that Alan Weiss has ever written on the methodology and techniques of consulting. This fifth book in "The Ultimate Consultant Series" is crammed with the detailed approaches Alan uses in all major aspects of consulting.

The fourth book in "The Ultimate Consultant Series" from Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer focuses on the acquisition of new business, of more concern for consultants today than ever before.

This is the third book in the seven-book "The Ultimate Consultant Series." It contains everything Alan knows about value-based fees, a concept he pioneered over a decade ago.

Recent Comments:

Alan Weiss: I don’t respond to comments as a rule, but I’m making an exception. Kudos to Danielle and...
Danielle Keister: I totally get it, Alan. I have been trying to help my colleagues in my industry understand this...
Danielle Keister: Another “Amen” here! I’ve said many of the very same things to the folks in my...
Cheri: Amen to that! Thank you for your thoughtful contributions to this blog - I always walk away with something...
ed.kless: Alan, As always, terrific post. I teach a project management class where during the section on planning, I...
Michael Temple: I have to respectfully disagree with your outlook on this. I don’t think the definition of...
Kevin Berchelmann: I never quite “get” the furor surrounding the costs of “comfort” versus...
Justin Beller: While I agree that a person’s words and actions proceeds them, I wouldn’t be so quick to...
matt berrier: Its amazing to see the consultants who refrain from value based fees. The tortoise and the hare have...
Stephanie: I bet you may not agree with this definition of workaholism: http://susancartierliebel.t...
Shama Hyder: Hi Alan, Just don’t break a mirror in my presence and we will get along just fine. ; )
Erika Lyremark Ellis: Reading this had me thinking about the word “reason” and the word...
Tony: You couldn’t make this stuff up. Great story!
Philippe Back: Definitely right on ! Who cares if the client takes over the results, that’s why they hire us in...
Ricardo Pirino: Many thanks for Dr. Alan Weiss! Amazing interview e very helpfull to me for develop my consulting...
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On the Bay

The lovely Maria and I are having breakfast this morning in the Concierge Club of the Grand Hyatt Union Square in San Francisco. I’ve just completed another session of The Odd Couple with Patricia Fripp, and we’re about to leave for the airport.

I’ve had breakfast here each morning, but this is the first time for my wife. She remarks that there is an old fashioned, conveyer belt toaster, which does a great job toasting but is very slow. There is a sign, “Do not place pastry or large items on the belt, only bagels and bread.”

I said, “I’ll be right back,” and went around the counter to get coffee. As I stirred it, there was a distinct burning smell, and I wondered what was wrong with the Starbucks. As I walked back, the concierge nearly knocked me down, heading for the breakfast counter with towels and implements draped over his arms.

Maria had set the toaster on fire.

I knew this, because she was looking out the window at the spectacular view of the bay, as if chaos had NOT broken out around her. I sat down as the concierge, armed with long tongs, extracted a burning, black hulk which appeared to have begun life as a bagel, out of the innards of the smoldering machine. He was constantly trying to keep his cuffs out of the flames.

“So, what did you do?” I asked.

“I simply put a bagel in, and the stupid toaster caught fire.”

“There was a sign,” I pointed out, but the sign was now incinerated.

“Yes, but bagels were allowed,” she said.

“Apparently not bagels that weighed about three pounds,” I suggested.

“No harm done,” she said, as the concierge, exhausted, finally doused the embers. Both of us watched the smoke drift across the ceiling toward the smoke detectors.

“Uh, oh,” I said.

“What?” she asked.

I pointed straight up. We were sitting under a sprinkler.