Smart Consulting Sourcing

Over the past episodes of our new podcast series, "How to buy consulting like a Pro," we have explained why crafting a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the following consulting project is crucial for your business. If you put in the time and effort to create a thoughtful RFP, you'll be more likely to attract the right-fit consultants who can deliver precisely what you need. Plus, a well-written RFP can help ensure that the project stays on track, meets your goals, and stays within budget.
if you're in charge of creating an RFP for your business, this podcast will give you some practical tips and advice for making it the best it can be. And if you're a consultant who wants to respond to RFPs, reading this article will help you understand what clients are looking for and how to make your proposal stand out.
Think of it like this: if you're going to a business meeting, you want to make sure you're dressed to impress, right?  Crafting a great RFP is like dressing up your project in its best suit and tie. And tuning into this podcast episode is like getting expert advice on ensuring that suit fits perfectly and looks amazing.

When crafting that perfect RFP, you can think of it like building a house- you need a solid foundation before you can start putting up the walls and roof, right? That is why this episode covers some fundamental elements of a successful RFP, leaving the nitty-gritty technical stuff.
The RFP process starts with assembling the perfect team and delegating tasks and responsibilities. Almost like a game of soccer- you need everyone to play their position to win the game.
And finally, the perfect RFP is like baking a cake- you need the right ingredients in the right amount. Similarly, your RFP needs to be clear, realistic, simple and formalized without unnecessary details.
So, there you have it. Building a successful RFP is like building a house, playing soccer, and baking a cake all rolled into one. It's all about having the right team, delegating tasks effectively, and keeping it simple yet effective.
So, that was just a sneak peek of today's episode. But if you want the entire enchilada, listen to Helene elaborate on all these points. Her insights will surely give you a head start in nailing your RFP process, and that's what you want, right? A rock-solid RFP that will help you grab hold of the best consultants for your project. So, don't miss out!
 

One of our friends recently made a hilarious comparison between a blind consultant hunting and going to a restaurant and asking the chef to whip up a dish without telling them what you want. It might turn out delicious, but it's not exactly what you had in mind. The same goes for consulting.
An RFP is crafted to spare you the misery of embarking on a pointless crusade. Hence, if an RFP is an indispensable component of a consulting project, why even ask, "Do I always need consulting?" Well, while an RFP is an essential tool for consulting projects, it may not always be the first step.
The key is to identify the project scope, budget, and expertise required, and evaluate the approaches of potential consulting firms before deciding when to initiate the sourcing process with an RFP.
This podcast is your go-to guide for streamlining your search for the perfect consultant. Trust us, don't miss out!  

Never underestimate the power of a well-crafted RFP for consulting simply because a foolproof RFP could be your ticket to success for any consulting project.  If you're looking to bring in external expertise to help your organization tackle a new project or problem, taking the time to craft a comprehensive RFP can make all the difference.
Creating a clear and comprehensive RFP may be a daunting task, but it always pays off in spades by attracting the right consultants, clarifying your needs, and ultimately optimizing ROI from your consulting spend.
In this episode of our new podcast series, "How to buy consulting services like a pro," your favorite host Helene walks you through the benefits of writing an RFP for consulting, shares tips for crafting an effective one, and provides examples of successful RFPs. This guide will give you the tools you need to make the most of your consulting projects. So, get ready, grab a pen and paper, and tune in.

Have you ever wondered what strictly consultants bring to the table and how they can help your business achieve more success? If so, then this podcast is for you!
In the end, consulting is all about creating value. But measuring the value created from consulting is like examining the worth of a good joke. Is it the number of laughs it generates, the money it makes, or the satisfaction it brings to the audience?
It's hard to say, but you know it when you see it. And with the right consultant, you'll know it when you see the value they create for your business.
In this second episode of the series "How to buy consulting services like a pro," Helene delves deeper into what consultants bring to the table. From technical expertise to insights into organizational culture and politics, consultants can provide valuable data, benchmarks, methodologies, tools, and processes.

In this episode, Helene, your favorite host, takes a stab at this question – when to use consulting services from the perspective of end users: strategy leaders, operations leaders, and marketing leaders. She also looks at what procurement should know about it and how it can help address this need.
After all, consulting services are not commodities. If you’re buying consulting services, look for impact in return. Leaders need to focus on implementing successful consulting projects to ensure the best results. So, if you're ready to unlock the full potential of consulting services for your business, tune in and pick up some valuable insights for your next project.

Believe it or not, some people don't think reducing their consulting spend is worthwhile. They already added the cost to their OPEX and say it's just a drop in the ocean - but what about the maximum impact that could be achieved?
We at Consulting Quest want businesses to truly understand the value of optimizing ROI from their projects - and through our 15-episode "6-Levers Series", we show you how. From why optimize, how to optimize, where you may go wrong and what are the benefits of optimization - we cover it all!
So this is our final episode of the series - a recap to everything you need to know about maximizing your consulting ROI. Get ready for some real gems of knowledge! And remember: Don't wait around - get optimizing now! We may be passionate about consulting ROI and helping anyone who needs it. So if, while on your journey, you feel a little lost, don't worry! Just give us a shout out, and we'll be happy to have a chat. Happy optimizing!!

Consulting procurement is a complicated and challenging process, especially if you're looking to optimize the return on your investment. Thankfully, there are tools and methodologies available that can help you effectively manage your consulting spend and maximize your ROI.
The Consulting Sourcing Toolbox is one such resource that offers a comprehensive collection of tools and strategies designed specifically for consulting procurement. The Toolbox includes various tools to help you optimize your consulting spend.
Combining the right tools and methodologies, the Consulting Sourcing Toolbox can help you make the most of your consulting budget and maximize your ROI. In this episode of our 6-Levers Series, Helene discusses all four categories of consulting sourcing tools. Tune in.

You have to improve your Consulting Procurement capability to maximize the ROI of your spend. One way of doing that is using an easy-to-follow framework that we call, at Consulting Quest, "The Consulting Performance Scanner." This scanner will let you explore the three main dimensions of your procurement and dig up enough data to help you understand the patterns of your Consulting Spend, capture quick gains, and even gain support from your team members to jumpstart a self-funded journey, helping you to build the case for change. Join Helene in this episode of our 6-Levers Series to know about the principles of "Consulting Performance Scanner" and how to make the most of it.

Working to maximize the ROI of consulting spend requires a company-wide transformation. By combining strategies such as investing in the right projects, having a structured RFP process, and collaborating between business lines and procurement teams, organizations can achieve an average increase of 25-50% in ROI with potential savings or earnings in the hundreds of millions depending on the size. Transformation is essential for success - this episode offers tips on how to use the six levers to get started!