Outside consultation brings benefits to arts organizations
An e-mail from Arts Consulting Group caught my attention recently as I sloshed through my in-box. It was titled “Engaging a Consultant: Advantages and Challenges to Finding the Right Match”, written by Bruce D. Thibodeau, president of the company.
From my experience, as well as other sources about hiring a consultant (listed below), I compiled this checklist of things and organization should have in mind when hiring a consultant. With each of these elements in place, the consultant and organization will have synergy and work effectively to reach their goals.
It is always important to analyze the cost/benefit ratio before hiring a consultant to help your organization.
CBA = project budget/Return on Investment (higher efficiency, grants won, greater volume of patrons, higher employee satisfaction – higher customer satisfaction). While not all of these things are measurable, consider what the organization will invest and what it expects to receive. This is the cost benefit.
Simple Rule of Thumb:
Return on Investment = Positive Bottom Line = More Art
Erin’s Top 10 Checklist for hiring a consultant:
1. Define the need for consultation
2. Clarify Expectations and Deliverables
3. What skills are required in a consultant?
4. Submit a proposal/search for a consultant
5. Interview consultants and hire best match according to rubric of organization’s need
6. Work with consultant to provide organizational information and resources when needed
7. Meet with consultant for regular progress updates
8. Begin any immediate suggestions submitted by the consultant
9. Have a final meeting and recommendations presentation
10. Follow through with the steps outlined by the consultant
Taking care to complete each of these steps, the consultant and organization will have synergy and work effectively to reach their goals.
For more information and considerations about hiring a consultant, see the below references:
Find more like this: Managing the Arts
Add your comment »
You must be logged in to post a comment.