It used to surprise me, now it doesn’t. Deserves some context, I know.
So in the past, I would either reach out to organizations to source out work or organizations would reach out to me. The funny thing is that there were times when the organization who sought me out would end the engagement with “we’re not sure what we need, so we’re going to leave it here for now”.
Really. So what changed your mind? I gave you enough ammunition to make you rethink the scope of the work? You didn’t think it was as complicated, expensive or would take up as much or less time than proposed?
Many government departments are currently sitting in a moratorium with respect to hiring consultants. I get that. I can appreciate the ideals of saving money. The unfortunate side of that equation is that some things are just not getting done. Prime examples are Fire Safety Plans, Emergency Response Plans and the really big one that gets me is training and education is not getting done.
Private corporations are still within reasonable engagement of hiring consultants but they too are limiting what they will get done. Right down to the bare minimum. The unfortunate part is the training and education is not as robust or as detailed or in some extreme circumstances even exists.
Businesses/Governments, their employees and their customers are losing out. Over what? I know, it’s money. I get, I make it, I spend it just like many others do. But there needs to be a balance between what we’re willing to spend operational and capital budgets on and what we should be spending operational and capital budgets on.
In my opinion, the true value of any budget, annual revenue or bonus gained does not exceed the need to be prepared, to have your staff prepared and to have your customers know the comfort or your preparedness.
Maybe we go without some frills once in awhile.
Don’t forget the other side. Your consultants, well at least I know I do, will work with you to massage the project wants to get you what you really need. Preparedness is key and working within today’s budgetary confinements is a necessary forum.
Remember; Plan the Work, Work the Plan.