How to be a Successful Business Consultant
The right attitude, skills and knowledge have been identified as keys to being a successful business consultant. This was made known by the Managing Partner, BRS Consulting Limited, Lagos, Dr. Mike Aigbiremolen, during a presentation titled “Career Prospects of Business Consulting in Nigeria”, at a Town and Gown Interaction organized by the Department of Business Management on Friday, March 27, 2015.
He stated further that consulting requires expertise, coupled with the fact that every organization wants to recruit graduates who would add value to them. He said, “Consulting firms are learning organizations, while employees of business consulting are lifelong learners who are passionate about taking up new challenges, projects, tasks or roles”. Dr. Aigbiremolen noted that consultancy is hinged on meritocracy. He also highlighted the tools of consulting, which include being meticulous and versatile.
According to him, anyone who specializes in any field can offer consulting services .He added that it is one of the most fulfilling and popular career options for young minds seeking rewarding and great life, because it provides good renumeration, training and development, intellectual challenge, career mobility, and networking, among others.
He said that besides good academic performance, firms want problem solvers, creative thinkers and good communicators who have a keen understanding, strong interpersonal skills as well as possess industry experience, among others.
The guest speaker highlighted attitudes that must be cultivated towards maintaining and improving effective talents. These are belief, passion, preparation, focus, practice, initiative, perseverance, courage, relationship, responsibility and teamwork.
Dr. Agbiremolen also highlighted what he called “commandments of success in consulting business”: these are being an ardent follower, reflecting humility and always being a student.
While advising the students, he emphasized the importance of improving one’s character in fulfilling destiny. He said “Watch your thoughts because they become your actions, your actions become your attitude and your attitude becomes your destiny. Attitudes are mirrors of the mind, please make it positive at all time”.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Dean, School of Business, Dr. Francis Iyoha, stated that the purpose of the programme was to expose the students to better employment opportunities. He urged the students to be attentive.
Present at the programme were faculty, staff and students of the Department of Business Management.
