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 will ever write 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:

Danielle Keister: In fact, we have held an anniversary celebration and virtual holiday party every year using this...
Danielle Keister: In my business and the organization I run, we frequently use GoToWebinar, GoToMeeting and...
Alan Weiss: The Davidoffs have a prized place in my humidor at the Grand Havana Room in New York, and the Zino is as...
Danielle: Alan: What a great blog! I’m enjoying your wonderful narrative and insights on life, business,...
Alan Weiss: Whether you “see it” or not is neither here nor there, since the news media are reporting...
Beyond Niche Marketing: I don’t see virtual meetings replacing get on the plane and endure airport security to...
Daryl Mather: Alan, have a look at this from YouTube. Beyond the Virtual meetings that are mentioned here you can...
מוצרי פרסום: I build backoffice interfaces for websites and I see the same thing, although having a complex...
Chad Barr - Alan's Blog Implementer & Moderator: Dan, Not to worry. Your secret is safe with us here on the...
Guido Quelle: Alan, enjoy it!! Guido
Dan Weedin: Your story about the women’s restroom is funny. I just returned from my annual reunion with my high...
Bob Ligget: I wondered if you would be going back to Cape May. My family and I go there each year, flying in from...
Jay Ramirez: Hi Alan, I hear what you’re saying. The social media tools you mentioned are not smart investments...
Chad Barr - Alan's Blog Implementer & Moderator: Great story Alan and I wish I was there listening to Bennett as...
Chad Barr - Alan's Blog Implementer & Moderator: We are live on iTunes! Please see my post here:...
Cam Beck: I prefer to mention the reason the 4th is special, as in “Happy Independence Day,” but even...
Alan Weiss: Glad you’re enjoying it, and that’s a very rational, thoughtful response (as many of these...
Andrea J. Stenberg: Alan, I’ve never enjoyed a conversation on a single blog post so thoroughly before. Thank...
Chris Brown, Branding & Marketing: Debbie, your comment #63 made me smile. Yes, I clearly remember the big...
Jay Ramirez: I agree with your point and believe the cutting edge of web and application design is adapting to this....
Michael Temple: Very timely post. I am sure this is all relative, but I am on track to have a record year for my...
Alan Weiss: Wonderful post, thanks. Here’s a kick: I’ve written about being “blambushed.”...
Barbara Saunders: My sense is that the “talking down to people” stance is part of Alan’s brand -...
Danielle Keister: My members and I found this game last year and I play frequently. It really is addictive. I got up...
Steve Roesler: 1. Consulting to organizations and C-level folks since 1984. 2. No C-level person has ever engaged me...
Peter Bodifée: Excellent point Alan! When I consult with my clients on IT choices in situations where very...
Florian Hollender: What dazzles me is that the person who blambushed you obviously found it more fulfilling to...
Wayne Botha: So true. Too many options fritter away valuable time without adding value to the outcome. Lets focus on...
Bob.Smiley: Alan: I found your blog through your recent article in the July 2008 newsletter of Management Consulting...
Alan Weiss: Nice work! It’s kind of addictive, isn’t it?

Poolside

I have a huge robot that cleans our 75,000-square-foot outdoor pool. It is so sophisticated that it memorizes its path, works for six hours at a time, climbs the walls to scrub up to deck level, and can shoot down low-flying birds. I love it, and it’s in my will.

However, it can’t negotiate a series of steps to get into the pool, and it’s not appropriate to launch it for spot cleaning jobs. So I was overjoyed to purchase a Water Tech™ Pool Buster® recently. This small vacuum worked beautifully twice, then conked out, and technical support was just tedious. They sent a new charger for some strange reason, then I could only get voice mail, yada yada yada.

So I called and asked for the president of Water Tech after complaining to the receptionist that I would not talk to technical support again. She said calmly, “One moment,” and the next thing I know I’m talking to Guy Erlich, the president of the company.

“I don’t normally pick up the phone,” he said. “But we don’t have unhappy customers here. How can I help you?”

I told him of my travails. He told me to ship the unit back Fedex using his account number and they’d ship me a new one. He apologized for the trouble. I told him that I thought the machine was great when it worked. He told me this was an exception, and that they would make it right.

I’m now a great advocate of Water Tech, because the president picked up the phone (and I’m sure is reviewing the responsiveness of his technical people). That’s all it takes to turn a problem into an opportunity.

Do you need a pool vacuum? Give Gary a call at 800/298-8800, and mention my name. He’s a great guy with a fine product.