Communication for Consultants, Paperback

From the moment of their first client engagement, consultants in all fields face communication opportunities and challenges. No matter what their focus may be-professional services, accounting, technology, operations, human resources, manufacturing, or marketing-consultants drive change. That change, from its initial definition through its development and deployment, must be precisely communicated to a variety of audiences and through a variety of mediums. Most business communication books do a good job leading professional writers and presenters through the basics of audience, organization, formatting, and mechanics. But, only few focus on a specific business role, such as that of a consultant, and give guidance for communicating during all stages of a project. From the pre-engagement process, to the actual engagement, to the post-engagement follow-up, consultants are challenged by the variety of audiences whose roles continually shift throughout a project. This book guides a current or would-be consultant through the various phases of a typical engagement and gives practical advice and direction on written and oral communication throughout a project. Current and future consultants in all fields will gain specific knowledge about writing and presenting to a variety of audiences including clients, team members, managers, and executives.

Rita R. Owens is a full-time senior lecturer in the Boston College Carroll School of Management. She currently teaches courses in business writing and communication skills for managers. For over twenty-five years, she has taught writing and communication courses to undergraduate and graduate students. Owens' writing instruction is deeply rooted in her career experience as a technology consultant and executive, and she specializes in the use of technology in teaching and learning. She was the principal investigator for two grants that developed MediaKron, funded by the Davis Educational Foundation. Her work on redesigning university services using technology has been nationally recognized.