Keys to a Successful Consulting Career
True Stories from the Field
by Peter Homenuck

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Specialized skills may be at the core of consulting, but it’s ultimately a people business. Meeting people, talking to them, and maintaining those relationships are all key parts of the job. One client may expect a suit and tie while another will only accept proposals on green paper. Whatever the requirement, no two clients are alike. Author Peter Homenuck knows how individualized the industry can get—and how often consultants fail because of this lack of understanding. Keys to a Successful Consulting Career: True Stories from the Field is an essential guide for new and prospective consultants. Based on the author’s many decades as a professor and registered consultant, these anecdotes feature the dos and don’ts when it comes to client relations. Divided into seven sections, each chapter features crucial lessons learned, from corporate culture and client quirks to the specific approaches necessary for consulting with Indigenous Peoples. This handbook also explores additional avenues, such as being an expert witness, managing referrals, and the benefits of walking away from certain jobs. Whether it’s growing a business or professional development, Keys to a Successful Consulting Career teaches the skills necessary to succeed that you won’t find in any classroom. These stories show that the more a consultant understands their client, the more professionally and financially successful they’ll be.

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Peter Homenuck was the CEO of the Professional Skills Development Institute and has over forty years of consulting experience across North America. He is a professor emeritus in Environmental Studies at York University. Most recently, for four years, Peter served on the board of governors of the First Nations University of Canada. Peter has written hundreds of reports including for the US Environmental Protection Agency; the US Post Office; Health Canada, the government of the Northwest Territory; many First Nations in Canada; private sector companies including Harley Davidson Canada and DeBeers Diamonds and many community groups. Peter is also a recognized as a major expert witness for environmental and planning projects. His expert witness skills and knowledge led to him training many government and private sector officials.

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Peter Homenuck