According to the author, you’re consulting if you don’t have direct ownership of the outcome. In other words, all the staff members of an organization are consulting for their manager, who directly owns the outcome of the results. I think this definition is a bit narrow as most of my staff members in my group owns the results of their respective projects. I may end up to be the only neck to choke if things don’t turn out well. To turn this around, I am a consultant to my manager/director. In some ways, I am but in others I am not.

Being “authentic” is critical is the essence of the “Flawless Consulting.” Being a consultant can be a pair of hands, advising on what do do without ownership (owned by direct manager). It’s important to clarify the role in writing preferably.

The five consulting phases:
1) entry/contracting: get agreement – negotiating wants, dealing with resistance, closing the meeting.
2) data collection/diagnosis: get clear picture
3) feedback/decision-making: decision to act
4) implementation: build commitment
5) evaluation/termination: end or recycle to contracting

Discovery Interview:
State purpose
Discuss how data will be used
Ask questions and collect data
A) If not stuck
Summarize the data
Ask what the client nees to do to create desire future
Give support
State next step
else If stuck
Re-phrase questions
if still stuck
Discuss how the interview is going
Proceed to (A)
If still stuck
Move to other issues or terminate the interview.

On organizing the data:
– Review the data
– Identify themes
– Choose messages
– Develop statements
– Develop recommendations

On Feedback meeting: (Percentage of time spent)
– Restate the original contract and agenda for this meeting – 5%
– Present diagnosis (and recommendation) – 15%
– Ask client for reaction to data (and recommendation) – 30%
– Halfway through: ask client if the meeting is useful – 10%
– Get a decision to proceed – 30%
– Test for client concerns about control and commitment. Ask yourself if you got what you wanted. Give support – 10%

Wealth is about “time.” Having time is having wealth. Being wealthy means you get to use the time as you please. Time should be most expensive commodity you’ve got and you should be spending the time with your loved ones. This makes sense. Our time on this earth is limited. It really strikes a chord with me. I am spending precious time at work reading emails and respond to email around the clock for work. Is this how I want to spend the rest of my career/life doing?

It’s all about “take” and “give”. Be willing to take from people; seek and you shall be given. If you don’t ask for wealth, you won’t get it. Also, be willing to give back to the “universe” or charity. Being wealthy means you’ll be able to give more.

Need to set too many goals. Just set the goal to become a “rich idiot.” Outline three things you would do at the beginning of the day to reach that goal.

Fake it until you make it. Act like a “rich idiot” would do.

Shop like a “rich idiot.” Register to be a travel agent is a novel idea. Buy used vehicle instead of brand-new. Buy wholesale instead of retail. House swapping vs. using hotels.

Acquiring assets with “good” debts. Think “how I can afford it” vs. “I can’t afford it” – similar to Rich Dad’s ideas.

Protect yourself against 4 D’s: Divorce, Death, Disability, and De Government.

More of the same buying income property ideas. The 3-property (1x home and 2x income properties) strategy to become a rich idiot does not appear to work in California and in today’s real estate market. The simple rules to determining if an income property is a good buy or not may be helpful.

Virtual Real Estate: Being an Avatar in 2nd Life,

Simple business plan.

Taking actions.