Procurement

Dear Peter

A consulting firm has been helping us design our new organisation structure. I now find that one of their consultants is positioning herself for the job in the new structure that I thought was earmarked for me! She doesn’t know that I know what she is doing; I feel like I’m being cheated on. But I don’t know whether to start a scene with her or play it cool.

Peter says:

Continuing his look at what goes wrong with professional services assignments, Peter Smith answers another common problem:

Dear Peter

I am a middle level manager, and whenever I engage a professional services adviser, I quickly get the feeling they're not really interested in me. All they want to do is talk to my boss - or even her boss - and try to sell more work to my company. It is really frustrating!

Peter says:

Continuing his look at what goes wrong with professional services assignments, Peter Smith answers another common problem:

Dear Peter

We thought the consultants would be in for a few weeks but it is now almost 9 months. This assignment seems to never end! It's the same with lawyers; we have what we think is a minor issue, but it always seems to go on for months. I just don't seem to be able to end these relationships!

Peter says