Episode F.007 The Unconsultants Hippocratic Oath

When we created our last large corporate consulting firm this oath was added as a  set of operating principles for new consultants. The only modification I made when moving to small business was adding the "Unconsultant" title. My opinion changed on the role of consultants working with small businesses because of the damage we could do. Big companies could survive our mistakes, not true with the smaller operations.

1. Do No Harm. During the project planning phase it is critical to make the major risks known to the client and its leading indicators. The project plan must mitigate major risks to the degree possible and have a backup plan if the risks become too dangerous.
2. We Are Hired to Be Fired. The truth and the client company's success is the only aim. Be clear, pull no punches while doing it in a way the doesn't attack their self esteem or generate fear.
3. We Can't Care More Than the Client. If we find ourselves engaged with a client that is not committed to improve their business, stop the project and save them from expending another dollar. 
4. Treat Client Money Like Your Own. Since clients are incurring additional costs (travel & per diem, employee time away from their normal assignments), manage those additional dollars like it is coming out of your pocket. Travel on schedule to get the lost rates possible, never use their time without pre-work and structured face time.
5. Model the Process. Remember, you are modeling for the business owner a repeatable process to use after the project. Because of our engagement they must become self-reliant and self-managing.
6. They Must Know What We Know. It starts with a technology transfer. Depending on the level of engagement, make our library of knowledge and tools available to everyone in the client organization. We enable clients to take the business to the next level, not do it for them.
7. The Relationship is Never Over. Regardless of the engagement level, we are always there when they need us. This is not about money, it is about growth of their business.