A consultant in search of a consultant

The shoe is on the other foot I need a consultant - badly. I need to be effective in a field about which I know nothing in next to no time. Actually I have done this many times before, since I am a process rather than content expert. In the past have learned a great deal about the children's mental health system, quality systems for manufacturing, broadband distribution, welfare reform, early care and education, etc. However I either went to trainings or was immersed in the subject alongside clients with deep knowledge, so I didn't have to know more than I could quickly pick up.

This time I feel an obligation to teach myself. Fortunately times have changed and there is a great deal of information available on the Internet. I have read everything I can easily find in the time available, but I end up with more questions than answers, especially about implementation. I find it is easier to read blogs than books, and since the people I am reading write both, I don't think I am getting any less expertise. I like the conversational tone of blogs, as well as the length. I also like that the topics are clearly labeled and unlike books, you can jump in anyplace, as blogs tend to be freestanding and not often serial. I also feel like I know the writer better, and can hazard a guess whether or not I would like working with them. I also like webinars, especially when they are free! What I don't like are posted Power Point presentations where the person does the PPT the way they are supposed to be done, assuming the people are there to hear and see it. Very inconsiderate for us freebie lurkers!

However, the Internet does provide rich resources to the person who is adept at weeding - out with the unhelpful, favorites for the good stuff, with no cost involved for either. I think I have found someone who can help me out - indeed I feel like I know him already. It is odd to be a consultant in need of a consultant, but it does give me a sense of the process clients go through, and that is helpful. It is good to put yourself in the shoes of your customer, and probably like them I am inordinately focused on match, cost, value and timeliness. It is a good and humbling reminder to be on the other side of the customer-consultant fence.