Author: Ms. Smita Narain Kanth, Management Process Consultant & Trainer and Founder of MUVS Consulting
Member: L&D Global, Delhi Chapter

The consulting process has undergone many changes over the past 20 to 25 years adding different dimensions and layers to it. It has become more complex and diversified. Management consultants are experts who are trained to solve complex problems, making strategies and improve the financial and operational health of the organization. The changes reflect not only technological development but also trends of social and political changes. In the current scenario, our workforce has become more aware of their rights, better informed and more interested in issues outside their job requirements. In the era of “e-consultancies”, the role of a business management consultant is crucial, especially in the learning and development space.

At the top of the list of consulting services are those that address the very purpose and future of business. These services are in the area of corporate strategy, strategic planning and decision making, business alliances, merger and acquisition, e-business strategies and similar.  

During the consulting process especially human resource and human capital management and development including training activities we often come to know that sectorial specialization is the pragmatic choice of the business owners. While most firms provide consulting in corporate strategy, company organization business restructuring we particularly focus on the area of making functional strategies operational methods to implant the tactics.  

There is a very special relationship between management consultants on the one hand learning and development on the other. It could be argued as the same profession.

However, there have been some of the real factors and progress in bridging the gap between consulting and L&D.

• We often view formal and informal training as our key intervention tool and we don’t hesitate to use it extensively.
• Some of the consulting firms have established management development and training center to cater the industry
• Some of the consultants work as freelance trainers and teaches in B- schools
• Drawing from their consulting experience to make L&D more relevant, practical and encouraging.
• There are some consulting firms providing combined consulting/training services and stressing the benefits that the client can obtain from their approach.
• Management consultants apply research, analyze internal data, interview people, and prepare reports to align the workforce with the goal of the company especially while making corporate and business strategies.
• They formulate root causes and develop recommendations through actionable planning recognizing problems and previous unsuccessful solutions.
• Management consultants play a crucial role in dealing with chronic problems in the corporates based on their executive guidance and suggestive technical solutions.
• They make the organization performance oriented by providing skills training to the staff.
• The impact of staff L&D on the organizational performance can be measured in increased productivity and more engaged employee.
• Consultants encourage staff for learning and self-development and using the results of the training in their work.
• They made them realized what obstacles need to be removed and how to be more productive for the organization.
• Consultants help employers to plan their employees’ career development and succession planning.
• A consultant can render invaluable services to their clients by helping them to conduct the audit process in HR and people management.
• Management consultants can provide training to fill the existing competency gaps related to business activities.

I am seeking for the bridge which leans from the visible to the invisible through reality – Max Beckmann

Author: Ms. Smita Narain Kanth, Management Process Consultant & Trainer and Founder of MUVS Consulting
Member: L&D Global, Delhi Chapter