Managers are sometimes suspicious of consulting projects offered for free. This stems from the fact that nothing is free in the business world, as people spend energy and resources for everything that is done to a certain point. The key goal of any business is to increase the existing profits to a greater extent.
In case a free consulting project is offered, people might suspect some form of a scam or a disadvantage. The modern world has made spying, copying of information and general abuse of knowledge, much easier. The use of technology can be rather detrimental to a company. If the results of the research or consulting gathering of information is revealing, it can be published and made accessible in a matter of minutes, compromising the “know how” and other unique features (Weil, 2005).
The three different types of project from those listed in this chapter and the details of a selling strategy offered on a no-fee basis, are as follows:
First one is the study of stores and adjustment of their inner workings. After each store was analyzed and employees, as well as managers were spoken to, it was possible to identify the problem and find solutions. When offering a selling strategy for free, HR could focus on the moral satisfaction of employees and customers. As a result, the environment will be bettered and people will be more inclined to participate in sales and company’s advancement.
The second relates to Selfridges and its HR team’s strength. The unity of the company is determined by people who work and move the company in different ways. Because it has been focusing on proper management and adequate working conditions as far as 1920s, it is clear that the benefit of selling strategies is evident (Donkin, 2003). The third one is the project by Bath University’s school of management. It was a worthy and valuable idea to perform academic research for the companies and their HR departments.
From the research that does exist and by consulting employers about the matter, it was possible to establish that there are numerous benefits of having a strong organizational fabric and ethical HR (Bruce, 2002). Not only there are social and organizational benefits, but there are personal as well, which later help to carry over skills into the workplace. A free strategy would make interpretation of results beneficial to both sales and academics.
All the organizations will function according to SWOT or strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The strengths will be measured by internal structure and politics, as well as uniqueness of the business. Weaknesses are managements’ miscommunication and lack of public demand. Opportunities are presented by the market, while threats are the internal security breaches or external sabotage and reputational concerns.
If a selling strategy was being offered on a full-fee basis, it would majorly change.
A structure with detailed directions and availabilities would be provided to increase profits. Employees and managers could be contacted to arrange meetings and learning sessions, in order to learn about the internal matters of the company but also, of the demand and the relationship between the business and the society. There would also have to be some level of confidence and guarantees that the information which is crucial to success or functioning of society will not be revealed.
This mostly pertains to competition and organization’s security. It is also crucial to establish a direct and personal link to the company, as the culture and values that are present in the business will shape the outcome. Paid services offer full package of care and recommendations that would be otherwise held off. Overall, paid services have more reliability and have much more advantages over free services (Langran, 2007).
References
Bruce, M. (2002). Design in Business: Strategic Innovation Through Design. Essex, England: Pearson Education.
Donkin, R. (2003). Types of management consulting project: Positive prognosis from HR health check. Case Study 03 – HR.
Langran, R. (2007). Government, business, and the American economy, Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham, MD.
Weil, R. (2005). Handbook of Cost Management. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.