Not your typical consultant

"It's a compliment, I think?" I remember telling myself the first time I ever heard it. I was sitting across the desk from my first consulting client when I heard, "You know, you are not the typical consultant!". At the time, I passed over the statement because I didn't understand it. I was just being me, so why isn't that the typical consultant.

I have worked the majority of my career in the Healthcare IT field. I love what I do and I especially love integration. It's what I live for in my career. In 2010, I had the opportunity to finally go out on my own and start D288 IT Solutions. It has been an awesome journey! However, I quickly noticed something from every client that I've had. Each engagement, at some point, I hear, "You're not the typical consultant." Finally, I started asking what do you mean by that, and the response I got back was shocking! "You genuinely care about the client and the projects."

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It made me stop and really think about what I am doing. What makes us different from other consulting firms? I now call it the D288 Difference. Here is some of the list:

• Treat the customer how you want to be treated - I sat on the other side of the desk for over 20 years and utilized consultants. I try to be the consultant I always wanted.
• Put the customer first, and the rest will take care of itself - You have to remember that without your customer, you don't exist.
• You don't know everything! - I try to be honest to a fault. I will tell you what I know and what I don't know. If I don't know, I will go learn it!
• Listen first and then form an opinion - Don't ever assume you have it all figured it. Each organization is different.
• Be flexible and open - This one can go in so many different directions. Your way may not be the best fit for the organization, so you have to think outside the box.
• The customer's success is your success - If they aren't successful, then you are not successful either. I purpose to look for ways to make sure they are successful in the project.
• Placing the customer before billable hours - When I was a VP/CIO at a health system, I had consultants stay on the clock maxing out the 40 hours with nothing just so it can be billed. This is where I learned the philosophy, "If I don't work, I don't bill."
• When I am wrong, I own it and I will let you know - Everyone makes mistakes, but I own mine. It is important to remember to learn from them so they don't happen again.
  

I am eight years into this adventure called consulting, and I still love every second of it. I now look forward to hearing every client tell me, "You're not the typical consultant!" If I don't hear it, then I know I am not doing my job right, and I need to go back to my list above until I do.