8 essential rules to make you indispensable to your customers (part 1/2)

Technical expertise alone is not enough to succeed as a digital consultant. On assignment, the ability to integrate quickly, understand customer needs and communicate effectively makes all the difference.

At Venthone, our consultants work in a variety of teams, with very different methods, expectations and environments. Over the course of our assignments, we have identified eight key lessons for maximizing your impact and thriving in consulting. Here are the first four!

1. Always listen first

As a consultant, you often arrive in a team already operating with its own dynamics, processes and challenges. It's tempting to want to quickly demonstrate your value by proposing solutions... but without understanding the context, you run the risk of missing the real problems.

One of our consultants, a data specialist, joined a company where the team was complaining about the poor quality of the dashboards. His first instinct might have been to redesign the dashboards. But by taking the time to talk to users, he discovered that the problem lay not with the visualizations, but with the source data itself, which had been poorly consolidated upstream. By adjusting the approach, he was able to propose a relevant solution that met the real need.

👉 Listen first, act later.

2. Simplify tech jargon for non-tech teams

A consultant is often at the interface between different professions: technical experts, but also managers and non-tech operational staff. Being able to clearly explain a problem or a solution is a key skill.

One of our cybersecurity consultants experienced just this: during an audit, he had to explain to business teams the risks associated with a lack of data encryption. Rather than going into an overly technical discourse, he opted for an analogy: "It's like sending a postcard instead of a letter in an envelope." Instantly, his message became much clearer, and the teams better understood the urgency to act.

👉 A good consultant not only understands, but also helps others to understand.

3. Stay on the lookout for the latest innovations

The digital world is changing fast. A consultant who relies solely on what he already knows risks seeing his skills quickly become obsolete.

One of our consultants recently joined an assignment where the company was using an orchestration tool that had become cumbersome and inefficient. Thanks to his regular monitoring, he knew of recent, more efficient alternatives. Without imposing his point of view, he proposed a demonstration of the benefits, which convinced the team to explore this new approach. The result: a tangible improvement in performance and an increase in skills for the entire department.

👉 A consultant's value lies not only in his experience, but also in his ability to anticipate and adapt.

4. Never underestimate internal politics

A consultant never arrives in a neutral environment. Every company has its own internal dynamics, habits and sometimes even tensions between teams.

One of our IT consultants experienced a situation where a project seemed technically perfect, but was struggling to make progress. Digging a little deeper, he realized that two departments had opposing interests: one saw the project as an opportunity, the other as a threat to its perimeter. So he adapted his approach, took the time to discuss with both parties, and proposed a solution that would benefit them all. By understanding the interplay of these players, he helped the project to break the deadlock.

👉 In a mission, diplomacy is sometimes as important as expertise.

💡 Consulting is an adventure of adaptation and learning. Each assignment brings its own challenges and lessons.

Venthone - a 100% human and digital solution

The Venthone approach: building relationships that count

At Venthone, we are not simply administrative facilitators for our consultants and customers. We position ourselves as a strategic partner, guaranteeing collaborations where everyone benefits: companies, consultants, and the ecosystem in which they operate.

Because in B2B, real success isn't measured by the size of the first deal, but by the longevity of the relationships that follow.

Are you a consultant?
Estimate your salary in just a few clicks...

Are you starting a new assignment or considering a change? Get a personalized simulation of your remuneration based on your TJM, the duration of the assignment and your status. It's quick, no obligation and totally transparent.

Fill in our form to receive your detailed estimate. We'll give you a precise estimate of your salary package.
Gain clarity and make the right decisions.