Plan of the book

The guide is divided into 38 chapters, grouped in 5 parts, followed by 7 appendices.

Part I (Chapters 1–6) presents an overall view of the consulting method and profession. Emphasis is placed on the consultant–client relationship, on the role and intervention methods of management consultants in the process of change, and on the principles of professional ethics.

Part II (Chapters 7–11) is a systematic review of the consulting process, divided into five major phases: entry, diagnosis, action planning, implementation and termination.

Part III (Chapters 12–26) provides an introduction to consulting in various areas of management and in some specific sectors. The areas covered are general management and corporate strategy, information technology, finance, marketing, e-business, operations, human resources, knowledge management, productivity and performance improvement, quality management, company transformation and renewal, and the social role and responsibility of business. The sectors covered include small businesses, informal sector enterprises and the public sector.

Part IV (Chapters 27–35) deals with the management of consulting processes and firms. The main aspects examined are the nature of management in the professions and in consulting, the strategy of consulting firms, marketing of consulting services, costs and fees, assignment management, quality