You might want to consider using a consultant
to do some of the planning, action, review and evaluation of your
work-life strategy
Tips on choosing and using a reputable work-life consultant
Do you need a consultant?
- Consider why you want to use a consultant. Consultants can be
useful when:
- You don’t have the time
- You don’t have the right skills
- You want someone to look at the issues objectively
- You want someone with experience of working with similar organisations
- Is there a member of staff with the right skills who could be
released to do the job instead?
Work out the aims of the consultancy
Find the right consultant
- Consider whether you want to engage an individual or a group
- Draw up a project brief
- Decide on your selection process, e.g. written proposal, phone
interview, and selection criteria, e.g. cost
- Ask the following questions:
- How they would approach the project and to feed back on your
brief
- What relevant skills and experience they have
- How long it would take and what the estimated cost would be
- Make sure you meet the main consultant you’ll
be working with
- Take up references if necessary
Draw up an effective brief
- Work out what you want the consultant to achieve, the outcome
you want, what you want them to produce and when by
- Provide clear and detailed information about your organisation
- Tell them with who they will be working with internally, and
what assistance you will provide to get the job done
- Go through the brief with the consultant and ask them to give
feedback and help you refine it
Getting the best out of the consultancy
- Identify who will be the main point of contact with the consultant,
and who else they will be working with. Do you need a steering
group?
- Decide what you plan to do with any products (e.g. reports) you
have asked the consultant to create
- Discuss how you will discuss and review the consultancy during
the project
- Discuss how and on what basis payments will be made, e.g. day
rate or fixed fee
- Don’t forget that you’ll get more
out of the project if you work with the consultant
Getting funding
The Work-Life Balance Challenge Fund,
run by the DTI, is now closed.
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