The Court Fool, not a Foolish Courtier

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The Court Fool, not a Foolish Courtier

• Mark Waistell
• Accent International
• mark_at_accent-international.co.uk

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The Court Fool?

• The best servants of the people, like the best
  valets, must whisper unpleasant truths in the
  masters ear. It is the court fool, not the
  foolish courtier, whom the king can least afford
  to lose.
• Walter
  Lippmann

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What is consultancy?

• the provision to management of objective
  advice and assistance relating to the strategy,
  structure, management and operations of an
  organisation in pursuit of its long-term purposes
  and objectives. Such assistance may include the
  identification of options with recommendations
  the provision of an additional resource and/or
  the implementation of solutions.
• Institute of Management
  Consultancy

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What is a Business English Teacher?

• Qualified
• Professionally-experienced
• Experienced in the world
• Well-resourced
• Culturally- integrated
• Confidant/e
• Flexible
• Up-to-date
• Undergo Continuous Development
• Quick on their feet
• Motivating
• Analytical
• Good listener
• Responsive

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Anatomy of a Business English Teacher
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Business English World

• In-company
• - Extensive
• - Intensive
• Immersion
• In country
• Abroad in school
• Abroad in univ.
• Teachers Home
• Distance Training
• Text-based
• Face-to-face

C O N S U L T A N C Y
C O N S U L T A N C Y

• Corporate Clients
• Public Bodies
• Individuals
• Universities
• Language Schools

Universities Language Schools Company
Employees Freelance Trainers
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How do companies work?

• HR Department
• Training Department
• Language Training Department
• Department Head
• Line Manager
• Individual Manager
• CEO
• All of the above, or none, or both of these!

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How do universities work?

• English Language Centre
• Individual Departments
• English Language Assistants
• Tutors or Consultants

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How do Language Schools work?

• Chains . the method
• Well-established independents the tradition
• Teachers Cooperatives. the relationship
• General English schools . the reluctants

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Types of Consultant

• Internal Consultant
• Why?
• Large fees associated with external consultants
• Confidentiality
• Familiarity with orgn. leads to efficiency and
  effectiveness
• They are scared!

• External Consultant
• Contractor
• Coach
• Facilitator
• Temporary Staff
• Expert
• Assessor
• Analyst
• Strategist

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What is a consultant?

• An independent individual or organisation which
  provides a wider or deeper expertise than is
  available within the client company.
• A consultant assesses situations, analyzes
  information and presents proposals for action.
• A consultant works on an agreed area, within an
  agreed time frame for an agreed fee structure.

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Do I need a Management Consultant?

• Our organisation / I could be more successful
  if..
• Over the past twelve months, what has it cost
  us/me to do nothing about this situation?
• Do we/I have the internal resources to face this
  situation?

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How can an organisation tell if it needs a
consultant?

• Management believes performance could be better
  but is not sure what to do to gain improvement.
• Management does not have the specific knowledge
  and skills necessary to solve problems it has
  identified.
• Management has necessary knowledge and skills but
  not the time or personnel to solve problems.
• Managements efforts have not produced the
  desired improvements.
• Management requires an independent, third-party
  opinion, either to confirm a decision or to
  provide alternatives.

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Final selection of consultant based on.

• Breadth of experience encompasses and goes beyond
  the defined situation.
• Demonstrated ability to complete assignment
  within budget and on schedule.
• Demonstrated ability to develop practical
  recommendations and have them implemented
  successfully.
• Demonstrated ability to work with people
  diplomatically and effectively and to minimise
  disruption of ongoing operations.
• Degree of trust and rapport established with
  management during initial contacts.
• When you have weighed these considerations, ask
  the consultant of choice to submit a proposal.

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The Consultancy Process
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What sort of a Consultant?
Expert
Open Hands
Collaborator
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If you only have a hammer, every problem
is a nail

• Auditing
• Interviewing
• Intercultural /Diversity
• Humanistic
• Profiling
• 360 feedback
• Teambuilding
• Change Management
• Communications
• Strategic Planning

• Assessment
• Organisational
• Design/Creative
• Report Writing
• Training
• Business Skills
• Interpersonal

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10 Golden Rules

• Clearly define the objects that you hope to
  achieve.
• Consult with others in your organisation to
  agree those objectives.
• Shortlist no more than three consultants and
  ask them to provide written
• proposals.
• Brief the consultants properly.
• See the individual consultant who will do the
  job and make sure that the
  
• chemistry is right
• Ask for references from the chosen consultant
  and follow them up.
• Review and agree a written contract before
  the assignment starts.
• Be involved and in touch during the
  assignment.
• Ensure that the consultant does not save
  surprises for the final report.

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What Consultancy do we do?
Language Schools -Organisation -Staffing -Specia
lisation -Diversification -Transition -Pre-inspect
ion -Recruitment -Complementary Services

• Universities
• Methodologies
• Life after EAP
• Facilitating

• Companies
• Divining the aim
• Analysis of current situation
• Identification of The Gap
• Who/What/How/When?
• Strategy
• Timeline
• Money
• Integration
• Monitoring
• Assessment
• Reporting
• Course Design
• Materials Writing
• Scheduling
• Training

Freelancers -Development -Marketing -Materials -
Support
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The Bottom Line

• Corporate English Language Skills
• 
  
• What is your turnover?
  50,000,000
• What of turnover do you think should be spent
  on training? 2
• What is export?
  20
• So- What is export turnover?
  10,000,000
• How many people are involved in export side?
  100
• What speak competent English?
  40
• So- How many people speak competent English?
  40
• How many more people need to speak better
  English? 50 ? 30
• What of turnover do you think should be spent
  on training? 2
• What is 2 of only your export turnover?
  200,000
• Are you spending 200,000 p.a. on Appropriate
  English Language Training?
• How do you know that you are making best possible
  use of this major investment?
• How important is this?
• Have you thought of hiring a specialist
  consultant?

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The Extra Bit
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The Warm Fuzzy
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Conclusion

• Many skills are transferable
• Not for everyone
• Not at every stage of career
• Client focus
• Status
• Can be mutually rewarding
• Continuous professional development
• Integrated solutions/Synergy

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Contact Details

• Mark Waistell
• mark_at_accent-international.co.uk

www.accentuate-consultancy.com
www.accentvirtual.com
www.accent-international.co.uk