Workshop 12: Successful Consulting: Signs, Symptoms, and Remedies 2004

Presenter: Vicki V. Vandaveer, The Vandaveer Group, Inc.

Coordinator: Erika DEgidio, Jeanneret & Associates

Considering that at least half of SIOP members are in applied settingswhere they serve as either internal or external consultantsand that at least half of our academic members are also doing consulting, this workshop focuses on both the fundamental principles of effective consulting for psychologists and some key learnings from experience and from other areas of psychology. The format is highly interactive, designed to maximize learning for all, including the workshop leader. Lets share experiences, learnings, and insightsone of which is NEVER to declare success until you are done. The workshop leader is not doneonly stopping mid-way to share learnings and receive more from the participants. The practice of consulting psychology is a journey of continual learninga magnificent blend of applied science and artand richly rewarding for both client and consultant when done well.

This workshop will include the following topics:

What IS consulting? (Definition, quick review of four primary models of consultation)
What is success? How would one define and measure it for oneself?
Essential consultant competencies, and how to develop and hone them
Identifying your brand value proposition for your clients and building your business strategy crisply around that
Developing and maintaining strong client relationships: Guiding principles
Ethical dilemmas: Example cases, and guidelines for preventing and/or resolving
System perspective and understanding Self as instrument in the consulting relationship

Highly recommended prereading: (a) Edgar Scheins Process Consultation Revisited; (b) Rodney Lowmans Handbook of Consulting Psychology.

Vicki V. Vandaveer, founder and CEO of The Vandaveer Group, Inc. based in Houston, Texas, received her PhD in I-O psychology from the University of Houston. Her 27+ years of experience in both internal and external consulting have included 8 years with Shell, 5 years with Southwestern Bell (beginning at AT&T divestiture), 2 years with Jeanneret, 1 year with Hay Group, and 11 years in private practice consulting as owner of The Vandaveer Group. The focus of her practice is primarily executive coaching, executive team coaching, and consulting to top management on merging and/or shaping corporate culture(s). Her firms clients are primarily (a) U.S. global companies in the oil and gas, consumer products, telecommunications, computer, and healthcare industries; and (b) large professional service firmslaw and accounting. Her consulting practice is international, and she has considerable experience working with and enhancing the effectiveness of multinational, multicultural leadership teams, and facilitating effective cross-cultural organization change. Experience includes Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), Africa (Central and Southern Africa, East Africa), Australia, New Zealand, Europe (U.K., France, Germany, Greece, Italy), Canada, and Latin America (Brazil, Mexico).

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