General Management Approach
The approach to each consultancy assignment is governed largely by the nature and size of the clients’ activities, the task to be accomplished, the deadlines to be met and the extent to which the client staff can participate in the assignment.
Each assignment is ‘typical’ in so far as it usually comprises the following stages:
- (a) Initial discussion with the (potential) client
- (b) Preliminary survey
- (c) Detailed investigation
- (d) Field work
- (e) Evaluation
- (f) Follow-up
Interim reports could be prepared for the client on request during field work. A final report is however prepared on completion of the assignment
The purpose of the initial discussion is to determine:
- • The nature of the task to be accomplished.
- • The objectives to be achieved.
- • The deadlines to be met.
- • Any constraints on the work.
- • The extent which the clients’ staff can participate in the project.
- • The type of consultant necessary to carry out the assignment e.g. (type of experience required).
Provided that both consortium and the client consider that we are competent to undertake the work, and that we can make the necessary staff available at the time required, we then agree on the terms of reference for the assignment with the client and fix the starting date. It is important that these terms of reference should be:
- (a) Discussed with the reporting Partner, and
- (b) Committed in writing.
A preliminary survey is a brief, intensive, selective, fact-finding and assimilation exercise. It enables us
to obtain firsthand knowledge of the particular area in which consultancy services, advice and
assistance is required. It is usually carried out by the manager and the consultant(s) who will be
responsible for the assignment.
A preliminary survey enable our consultancy services staff involved to:
• Diagnose the client’s problem,
• Suggest a course of action, and
• Provide the client with an estimate of the time expected to be devoted to the assignment,
together with the associated cost of the consultancy/professional services.
This is all set out in a written proposal at the end of the preliminary survey and set out the scope,
duration and likely cost. When agreed upon, it becomes the terms of reference for the assignment
and the basis of the contract between us and the client.
A detailed investigation is carried out when the results of the preliminary survey reveal that further investigation is required before specific recommendations can be made.
Field work means doing what has to be done in order to accomplish the agreed task by the agreed date. The degree of our involvement in the field work will depend on the assistance from the client’s staff to occasional advice and assistance in connection with the consultancy implementation.
Irrespective of the work which is involved during the implementation stage, formal regular contact is maintained with the client usually by means of formal progress review meetings to ensure that he is fully aware of the work which is being carried out and the way in which the assignment is developing.
Implementation is usually carried out by one or more consultants under the supervision of a manager, who is in turn under the overall direction of the Reporting Consultant.
When field work has been completed the assignment is evaluated to assess:
• What has been accomplished?
• Whether the results are up to expectations - and if not, why not?
• What further action is necessary to achieve all the original objective
• Who should take this action and when it should be taken?
The results of this examination are reported to the client in writing and the extent of the follow-up visits to be made agreed.
The firm takes the view that an assignment does not necessarily terminate as soon as the work has been completed. As far as the client is concerned, the completion of a project represents the beginning not the end. It marks the introduction of new management techniques and methods which have to be used in order to be thoroughly understood. During the initial application of new techniques and methods, contact is maintained with the client by making follow-up or ‘servicing’ visits to help them become familiar with the new management tools which have been placed at their disposal.
Our Client’s information and records are handled with a very high degree of confidentiality. The entire work force is fully briefed on this important aspect in our general dealing with all Clients’ information and records.
It is a firm policy to appreciate the simple fact that we exist in a society through which the foundation oour business is based. We are committed to the protection and management of our environment as well as the humanitarian needs of our society.
As part of our contribution to the health and safety wellbeing of our people, we have continued to take part in the fight against HIV and AIDS we support both financially and in kind to various social causes such as famine relief, education of the needy and blood donation.