20 Mistakes Internal Consultants Make

• Wait to meet with key managers until they have a specific need
• Decide what the line management needs, put activities in place and THEN talk to the line managers
• Blame the client for problems
• Over commit and fail to meet deadlines
• Fail to understand the business
• Fail to keep the client informed of progress, problems, issues
• Not periodically checking to be sure you and the client are in alignment
• Not build strong relationships based on you providing value added services
• Fail to understand the client?s perspective
• Trying to sell a solution rather than provide a service
• Not involving the right people early
• Not having a committed champion for the project
• Expecting the client to call you when he or she wants a status report
• Tell the client your personal problems
• Doing what you think the client needs not what they tell you they want
• Violating confidentiality
• Not supporting and helping all people involved (only supporting the senior people)
• Taking on a task when the stated goal is not the real goal)
• Not being realistic about the scope of the project and assuming you can add tasks on later
• Trying to do everything yourself instead of bringing in the right resources