Most often asked about consulting with Antonio Lagarto and his answers!
Q. We never heard about consulting with you. Why should we consult with Antonio Lagarto?
A. Maybe you should not. It is only a question of finances you spend versus the results you want to achieve.
A. Maybe you should not. It is only a question of finances you spend versus the results you want to achieve.
Q. Don't consultants try to stay on forever?
A. Most consultants have as a major objective the enlargement of an engagement. What I do is to, solve the client's problem and get out as soon as possible.
Q. What is the major part of the consulting work?
A. It is usually people that have serious Business problems. Or, people that want to improve their business performance to achieve their business objectives. Or, people that wish to expand their business operations into international markets.
Q. Tell me more!
A. People with business problems requiring assistance in troubleshooting their immediate business and management crisis. Advising on issues such as cash flow, strategic direction, human resources, sales or market share.
Or, people that are seriously concerned with their business performance and requiring assistance to achieve their business objectives.
Or, people that wish to expand their business internationally and requiring assistance to develop and implement meaningful strategies.
Q. How does it work?
A. If it is people with business problems requiring urgent troubleshooting assistance, I start out by having the client give me background information on his business problem. I listen for strengths for which the client does not really have full appreciation. I then develop the best possible solutions and advise the client with the immediate actions to be taken.
If it is people requiring assistance to achieving their business objectives, I start out by having an understanding of the client organizational profile. Then I conduct a business management analysis of the business, which includes individual interviews, financial analysis, operational analysis and customer survey. The findings of the analysis are then presented to the client with the recommendations for implementation and for continuous improvement of the business.
If it is people that wish to expand their business internationally. I start out by obtaining from the client a clear vision of what he wants to achieve. I then develop that vision into a strategic and action plan. The plan is discussed and presented to the client with the recommendations for implementation. I negotiate also with international partners on the client's behalf.
Q. Most consultants produce only a nice report and I have to try to implement their reports. Do you get involved directly with the implementation and execution of changes?
A. Yes. I work with the client hands-on during any implementation to make it happen.
Q. I gathered that you work for people that have a business crisis; people wanted to improve their business performance and for people wanted to expand their business. Do you work with all of them in the same way?
A. No. My consulting approach, effort and time involved with clients are dependable as follows;
For clients with specific business problems my consulting effort and billing is conducted on a daily basis. Depending on the magnitude and impact of the problem, I assist the client solving the problem and get out as soon as possible.
For clients wanting to improve their performance and achieve their business objectives, my work and billing is conducted on a monthly retainer continuous basis. I visit the client 4 times a month, weekly, for 2 hours a day, until the client no more requires my services.
For clients wanting to expand their business internationally, my consulting time and effort is on a project basis previously discussed and agreed with the client.
Q. What other kinds of consulting you do?
A. I also offer to clients, consulting services that add value to their business. These include;
Business plans development, capital raising, negotiation and implementation.
Training in management, financial strategy, or marketing and sales.
Development of employee's incentives schemes, job evaluations and compensation programs.
Business expansion, on investigation of potential market opportunities, strategic alliances, negotiation, contracts and implementation.
Q. I have a major concern and reservation that by hiring you, you may also work for clients, which are my direct competitors.
A. Because of professional ethics and conflict of interests, I never accept consulting work from any prospect client, which is a direct competitor to any of my clients.
Q. How long does it take?
A. The time of the consulting services offered by the consultant is dependable on each client situation, circumstances and requirements.
Q. If a client hires consulting services, is not that an expression of his own failures and limitations?
A. No. For clients wanting seriously to improve their performance and achieve their business objectives, the services offered by the consultant are focused on solutions for continuous improvement performance of the client business. This never can be achieved if I stay with the client just for a pre-determined period of time. It will require on going frequency of synergy between the consultant and the client. This of course, up to a point when the client is fully satisfied and no more requires my services.
Q. How much it cost?
A. For each and every requirement the consultant produces a full detailed quotation which is agreed upon by the client. Cost is dependable of the time involved, the effort required by the consultant and the nature, size and magnitude of the assignment or project.
Q. What other consulting charges are there?
A. In the case of clients with specific business problems there are no other additional charges. In the case of clients wanting to improve their performance and achieve their business objectives there are no other charges, except any adding value services identified and required by the client. In the case of clients wanting to expand their business internationally, there are additional charges which include disbursements such as traveling, accommodation and others, whenever applicable.
A. In the case of clients with specific business problems there are no other additional charges. In the case of clients wanting to improve their performance and achieve their business objectives there are no other charges, except any adding value services identified and required by the client. In the case of clients wanting to expand their business internationally, there are additional charges which include disbursements such as traveling, accommodation and others, whenever applicable.
Q. What promises do you make?
A. I make no specific quantifiable promises of success. However, I always make sure that the client implements effectively my recommendations, therefore achieving successfully his main purpose of engaging my services.
Q. Sometimes a consultant impresses the client, but the client ends up with a junior consultant.
A. I do the entire consulting services and any consultation or advising myself.
Q. When you meet with a client is there a common theme or comment?
A. Yes. I hear again and again;
"I should not have waited." "I should have consulted with you a year go." "I wish I had met with you years ago."
Or some quotes
"It's a pity that we took so long to get you in, we have a happy company and great business future prospects.“ "We are still learning after some years of your involvement.“ "At first I was skeptical but it was the best decision that we made.“ "I now have control of my business and a whole new vision of the future."
Q. What do I do if I want to inquire about consulting with the consultant?
A. Pick up the phone and call Antonio Lagarto at (65) 9-1728-905 or email [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected]
