Partners - Rules for Consulting Collaboration

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Business consulting is an extremely complicated job. And even when I'm extremely comfortable with the industry and the job, I always like to call on some colleagues for their perspective. And, I have a Mutual-NDA signed with my favorites to placate client concerns and expedite the process of sharing this perspective.

In my experience, the sum of he parts is definitely greater then the individual parts combined. Trading ideas only enhances the results with each iteration. If you're not collaborating, consider it and this set of rules for collaboration:

 1. Select a few consultants in areas that you have overlap. Overlap assures that each consultant will more fully comprehend the perspective of the other and allow each to contribute along lines each will understand.

 2. Each consultant should contribute knowledge areas outside the other's domain experience. This broadens and enhances value. No single consultant can be an expert in all areas. Turn to your collaborators for help when needed.

 3. Return the favor and share the revenue if the contribution is significant.

 4. Clearly state to your client that you are brining in extra help at any level. As a consultant you're expected to deliver the best results possible, not know it all or pretend to. Include a copy of the Mutual-NDA in your original bid or send after adding a collaborator.

 5. Arrange to use your collaborators clients as references and likewise for the collaborator. It's a great way to build a clint list and get experience.

 6. Collaborating is a perfect networking opportunity. Don't waste it. But be sure not to scavenge clients from your buddy. I always ask my collaborator's contacts to contact my collaborator friend if they are interested in working with me. You need to protect that collaboration.

 In the end, you may even identify collaborators that you can't do without and form a formal partnership.