How can joining a consulting association help you?

Established consulting organizations may have very strong reputations. That reputation can add instant credibility to your resume. What's more important though? Demonstrating value. Reach out to professionals within the organization's network and show them the great things you can do.

Obtaining accreditation undeniably enhances your credibility, yet it's important to consider that: a) Prospective clients might not fully grasp the significance or the standards associated with the accreditation. b) In certain instances, obtaining these certifications might be more about investing money in a training course, which could potentially cover content you've been familiar with for over two decades, rather than an authentic evaluation of your practical skills and proficiency.

If you are starting now, here are 3 reasons to join an association: 1. You can borrow their credibility. 2. You can learn from others. 3. You are not alone. When you join forces with other like-minded consultants, expect exponential growth. Seems a pretty good deal to me.

Having an accreditation certainly helps with your credibility, however chances are that a) your prospective clients don't really understand what standards it represents b) in some cases these certifications are more about paying money to go on a course to hear things you've known for 25 years rather than testing whether your practical capabilities are up to the mark

I first joined a small consulting firm to help with a project. I did not know who the project was for or any details other than it was HR related. It turns out it was one of the largest and most important federal agencies in the U.S. government. I met senior federal officials and worked along side them to develop HR policies. This project led into 6 more projects with other federal agencies. My credibility quickly grew and soon I was viewed as an expert in the field, consistently getting asked to provide feedback to senior officials.

Consulting organizations often have communities of practice or interest groups. These are great outlets for learning about up-and-coming trends and talking about the implications for your field.

My skills increased drastically when I was introduced to the consulting field. I was able to work along side senior level federal officials and gain insight in their ideologies and pair them with my expertise in the field. I learned how each business function operated and how each function had separate challenges of their own. I quickly became a versatile leader and was able to gain skills that are adaptable to many situations.

The publications and reports do help. But what helps the most is associating with people in your field. Association of other professional will help you get insights and help you stay motivated.

Not sure if these exist in all parts of the world. The best credentials for you are your work and your values. Be uncompromising in both and you will carve a niche for yourself.

Joining a consulting association can enhance skills by providing access to a network of experienced professionals, facilitating knowledge exchange, and offering training opportunities. It enables exposure to diverse projects, industry trends, and best practices. Additionally, association events, workshops, and collaboration with peers can foster skill development through real-world insights and practical experiences.

I took a part time role on a project I knew very little about. This project turned out to be with a high level federal agencies. I worked hard to show my worth and this expanded into 6 other federal agencies. My opportunities spread as my network grew with these senior professionals.

This is probably the main advantage as having the right level of accreditation within an industry organisation can get you on lists where there is access to eg subsidies for your clients or simply being recognised as having competence in specific markets or verticals

More often than not "it is more important who you know than what you know". People tend to trust other people they are familiar with. So, establish relationships with decision makers and with those that influence the decision makers.

Collaboration is key to a successful career in consulting. While you are a specialist in a particular field, whose inputs are trusted and valued by clients, often your clients will reach out to you for advice in a closely related field in which you may not have expertise. Collaborating with complementary consultants will help you solve your clients issues, it will also give you exposure to a closely related field and increase your learning.

Joining a consulting association will help you: 1. Meet a wide range of other consultants and expand your network 2. Gain insights on the latest technology and tools 3. Get first hand information on live cases 4. Present your work and get constructive feedback 5. Collaborate for joint assignments

You can get too used to status quo, while the world around you has changed drastically. Staying updated is your only way to stay relevant.

It is all about networking. When passionate professionals gather around any business consulting association, not only they would be able to catch-up with the consulting trends and best practices across industries but also they could have access to seminars and trainings keeping themselves exposed to real life success stories and latest optimized frameworks within the consulting space. I advise every business consultant to take part of a consulting association.

Like anywhere else, these kinds of organisations are not perfect. They have their internal politics and ways of doing things that may not match your style of doing business so look to see what suits your business best before deciding to join

Joining a consulting association can be a pivotal step in advancing your career & enhancing professional development. Networking opportunities within these organizations open doors to valuable connections with experienced professionals, potential clients & industry leaders. It also offers access to a wealth of resources, including conferences, workshops & webinars, where members can gain insights into the latest methodologies, technologies & business strategies. Membership includes access to exclusive job boards, mentorship programs & professional certification opportunities, providing tangible benefits for career growth. Staying connected can provide the support & resources needed to thrive in this competitive & ever evolving industry.

Contribute as much as possible to the association, help them with organizing events, talking up their programs and being an active member. The business will follow.