We have spent a lot of time contemplating the word consultancy in our line of work, considering if we should shy away from the term or embrace it.
What is consultancy
Consultancy UK defines consulting as the practice of providing a third party with expertise on a matter in exchange for a fee. Any individual who provides professional or expert advice in a particular field of science or business to either an organisation or individual can call themselves a consultant, however, over the past decades the term has become synonymous with business advisory.
So, no matter what term we decide to use, we are, in truth, consultants. We offer the combined expertise of our years as engineers, scientists & technical CEOs, MDs & Directors with commercial experience in the STEM sector to help our clients grow to their absolute best.
Negative connotations associated with consultancy

There are many negative connotations people associate with consultants. One of the more popularised adages is consultants steal your watch to tell you the time.
While there are some questionable consultants, like all professions, that is a grossly inaccurate generalisation. Management Consulting has gained a bad reputation because of the cynical mode of operating of some firms, but good consultants work with an organisation, using their experience, to guide them to the most beneficial solutions.
Consultants that give the profession a bad name often make the same mistakes of promising more than they can achieve & having no real accountability to be measured against. To ensure you do not fall in the same traps, it is important as a consultant that you are always honest with your customers. Evaluate their needs & be sure you are the best solution to whatever problem they are facing. Be sure to report back to them regularly so you are accountable & they can see the progress you are offering. Most importantly, deliver results as you promise.
Benefits of working with consultants

There are many reasons organisations turn to consultants, including expertise, credibility, best practice, objectivity, capacity & cost-effectiveness. A consultant can offer your organisation expertise & skills that you may be lacking. They will deliver knowledge of industry best-practice, keep you focused & provide objective advice. Successful consultants have some key qualities in common, such as accountability, reliability, expertise & resourcefulness.
Challenges consultants face
While consulting is an expanding & increasingly popular industry, there is a growing number of challenges consultants are facing. ‘Insight to Action – The Future of the Professional Services Industry’, a study by Deltek, identified the 5 key challenges as:
- Changing Client Behaviour
- Profitability
- New Competition
- Project complexity
- Cybersecurity
So, while it may be a promising & enticing career, it is worth considering all the challenges that come along with it.
Selecting the right consultant for your organisation
Consultants are not a one size fits all solution. Different consultants have different experience & can bring something different to the table. Therefore, picking the right consultant to work with is vital.
To ensure the perfect match, it is important you ask the right questions. You can start with:
- Does the consultant’s area of expertise fit your needs?
- How much experience do they have?
- How will they work with your business?
- How will they measure their success?
Whatever your need may be, there is most likely a consultant out there that is immediately available to help you. Decide between an individual or an agency & leverage your networks, consulting marketplaces, freelancers & even social media to find the right match.

Don’t let the negative reputations of some consultants scare you off. There are many benefits to working with consultants.
Qinesis offers many consultancy services by having different consultants for each specialism. If something isn’t in our repertoire, we are always happy to refer you to our trusted partners & associates. With Qinesis you have a global brand on your doorstep.
What are some positive terms you associate with consultancy?
Let’s start changing our reputation!