Many consulting projects are not as unique as you might expect. Consultants may have a lot of transferrable skills and knowledge even if they haven’t worked with an organization that mirrors your mission.
In a world where many people use “consultant” as a euphemism for being unemployed or underemployed, how do you select a highly qualified consultant for your nonprofit? Matt Hugg, who helps train and coach consultants, offers advice about how to choose the right consultant for your organization.
*****Timestamped Highlights*****
(9:40) How you know whether to hire someone to do a task or advise on a task
(10:45) Whether you should pay a consultant on an hourly basis or project base
(14:00) Why organizations should consider some of the intangible benefits that consultants might provide
(18:00) The importance of being compatible with the consultant you select
(18:27) Thinking about the consultant’s network as your network
(22:27) The importance of a consultant understanding the nonprofit paradigm
(30:10) Understanding your agreement and expectations
If you bring in someone who may be working on your computers or doing accounting, you might have a problem with them integrating into your organization if they don’t understand the nonprofit
(34:00) Getting backdoor references on prospective consultants and referrals
(37:13) The advice Matt has given most often to his clients
Links:
Matt Hugg’s copywriting firm
ThinkNP
Edyth Bush Institute
How to Choose & Work with a Consultant by Peter C. Brinkerhoff