I have a lot of screwdrivers. My favorite set for repairing tech gadgets is my trusty iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit, but that set has so many parts that I'm reluctant to take it out and about with me in case I drop it, forget it, or have it stolen.

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This compact Wera screwdriver kit solves all that. Here's a screwdriver kit I can pop into a pocket or bag, and not compromise on quality or power.

And this screwdriver has some cool hidden tricks. 

First, it can go from a stubby to a long screwdriver (and back again) with the press of a button. 

This is super handy for tackling a variety of jobs. I was a little skeptical of this feature initially because I worried it would make the screwdriver flimsy, but it doesn't.

It gives me all the flexibility of a small screwdriver, and the ability to turn it into a bigger screwdriver for heavier jobs. 

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The mechanism is super strong and reliable. I've leaned into this screwdriver with all my weight -- I'm a big bloke -- and it didn't budge.

The other hidden feature is the handle is home to six screwdriver bits, hidden away in a compartment that you access by pressing a button on the top.

Press and pop!

The bits in the handle are securely stored, so nothing rattles about!

I love this design. It's small enough for me to pop into my pocket for jobs where I know that I'll only need a screwdriver -- things like changing a graphics card or swapping out a lock on a door -- but it's versatile enough so I can be ready for anything.

The screwdriver is also magnetic, having a "just right" amount of magnetic pull -- enough to keep a fastener on the bit, not so much that it's being pulled all over the place inside a PC or some other delicate bit of kit.

This screwdriver excels in a place where a lot of "multi" screwdrivers fail -- it's really tough. Despite the built-in mechanisms for the shank and handle, it feels very much like a regular screwdriver in the hand.

Six bits not enough for your needs? That's what I thought!

So, not wanting to the lacking in the screwdriver bits department, I also got the 30-piece bit set I can pop in my pocket along with the screwdriver if I think I'm going to need more. This has a very good selection of slotted, Torx, hex, Phillips, and Pozidriv bits. 

These bits are hard-wearing and excellent quality. 

All in all, this is a great kit. The screwdriver is better, stronger, more versatile, and not much bigger than those multitools that people carry (in all honesty, I think this is a better alternative to expensive multitools for a fraction of the money), and even adding the extra bits doesn't add much in the way of cost or bulk to the kit. 

• Business consultants help companies overcome challenges, increase revenue and grow.
• It’s essential to work with business consultants who have experience and previous success with companies like yours.
• Business consultants may charge by the project or hour, or you may need to pay daily or monthly retainers.
• This article is for entrepreneurs and small business owners considering working with a business consultant. 

Running a small or midsize business is challenging because of the sheer number of tasks it takes to succeed. From accounting to human resources to technical support, it’s almost impossible for business owners to do it all themselves. But, thanks to the ease of hiring consultants, they don’t have to figure out everything on their own. We’ll explore what a business consultant does and how one can help your business thrive. 

What is a business consultant?

A business consultant is a professional with a wide array of skills who assists business owners with their endeavors. Consultants are knowledgeable because of their education and previous experience. 

Additionally, business consultants provide management consulting to help organizations Strengthen their performance and efficiency. These professionals analyze businesses and create solutions while helping companies meet their goals. 

Business owners should consider hiring business consultants when they need help or perspective on their chosen path, or a catalyst for change in their companies.

Why hire a business consultant?

There are several reasons business owners should consider hiring consultants. Consultants offer a wide range of services, including the following:

• Providing expertise in a specific market
• Identifying problems
• Supplementing existing staff
• Initiating change
• Providing objectivity
• Teaching and training employees
• Doing the “dirty work,” such as laying off staff
• Reviving an organization
• Creating a new business
• Influencing other people, such as lobbyists

Tip: If your company services any customers in the European Union, consider finding a GDPR consultant to help you comply with the GDPR’s requirements for transparency and consumer control of data.

What does a business consultant do?

Generally, there are three stages of a business consultant’s process: discovery, evaluation and implementation. 

1. Discovery 

The first step for any business consultant is the discovery phase, where the goal is to learn about your business. A good business consultant takes the time to learn as much as possible about a business from the owner and employees. The consultant will do the following things:

• Tour your facilities.
• Meet with the board of directors and employees.
• Analyze your company’s finances.
• Read all company materials. 

During the discovery phase, the business consultant will uncover the details of your company mission and current operations.

2. Evaluation 

Once the business consultant has developed an in-depth understanding of your company, they enter the evaluation phase, with the goal to identify where change is needed. This phase includes identifying your company’s strengths and weaknesses as well as current and foreseeable problems.

• Examining established problems and identifying new problems: The consultant should study problems that owners and management have already identified. Because of their objectivity, consultants can also pinpoint new or unforeseen issues.
• Finding solutions: A business consultant should strategize solutions to the problems they identify and outline ways to capitalize on opportunities to grow the business, increase profits, and boost efficiency. For example, say your company has a particularly strong sales department but a weak marketing department. This is an opportunity to increase your marketing resources and capitalize on your sales staff.

There are two crucial elements to focus on during this process: communication and feedback.

• Communication: During the evaluation phase, your entire team must maintain clear, open communication with the consultant. 
• Feedback: You and your team members should take the business consultant’s advice as constructive criticism. The consultant’s feedback isn’t meant to be personal. While you and your employees are personally close to the business, this lack of wider perspective can hinder positive change and growth; the consultant brings objectivity and a fresh viewpoint. Of course, you should offer your own feedback and opinions to the business consultant, but keep your mind open to new ideas.

3. Implementation

Once your company and the consultant agree on a plan, the consultant should enter the third phase: the restructuring stage, or implementation of the plan. In this phase, the consultant builds on your assets and eliminates liabilities. They also monitor the plan’s progress and adjust it as needed.

Did you know?: A business consultant can help you conduct a competitive analysis to learn pertinent information about market saturation, new opportunities and industry best practices.

Types of business consultants

There are various types of business consultants specializing in different business aspects.

Strategy and management consultants

Strategy and management business consultants can bring industry expertise to your business to help you scale, acquire new opportunities, and drive revenue. 

Consultants with a focus on strategy and management can help your business do the following:

• Expand into new markets or increase awareness in your current market.
• Reorganize your business model to create a cost-effective strategy.
• Increase your business’s capabilities.
• Acquire a new business venture.
• Merge with another business or change your business’s structure.
• Stand in as middle management during a transition period.

Operations consultants

Business consultants who specialize in operations can help you Strengthen day-to-day processes. These business consultants take inventory of your current business model and figure out the best way to produce the same high-quality results at a fraction of the cost and time. These consultants also help through quality control and understanding how to tweak and optimize your production for better results.

Financial consultants 

A financial consultant can show you the broader scope of the your business’s financial health. They mainly assist in investment decisions and help you find the best way to handle your business’s assets and debts. Financial consultants may have even further specializations, including financial planning and advising your business on taxes, daily expenses, and the best retirement plans. 

Human resources consultants

The best HR outsourcing companies and independent HR contractors can assist you with your HR functions. These consultants can take over your day-to-day HR tasks, such as recruiting and retaining employees, processing payroll, performing administrative tasks, and managing employees’ performance. 

Marketing consultants

Marketing consultants help businesses identify their strengths as a brand and expand upon them to create brand awareness and exposure. Whether your business needs a new logo or a social media strategy, a marketing consultant can be an asset in expanding your business’s reach.

What about consultant firms?

While you can hire an independent professional, you can also engage the services of a specialized firm for your consulting needs. Big firms like McKinsey & Co. and BCG wouldn’t necessarily fit a small business’s needs and budget, but a local firm might work well.

To start, run a Google search on your pain point and location – such as “Seattle brand strategy firm” – and examine your results. The search will likely bring up firms you’ve never heard of before, but a closer look at their projects and client reviews can help determine if they’d be a good match. Additionally, hiring a local firm means you have a better chance of finding someone you know or previously crossed paths with on their client list. 

These are some pros of a consulting firm: 

• Extensive resources 
• Multiple professionals’ expertise
• An established brand with hundreds of references 

These are some pros of individual consultants: 

• Affordability
• Flexibility in scheduling and location
• Ability to dedicate their full attention to your case

Whether you should select a consulting firm or individual depends on your business needs and preferred work style. 

How to choose a business consultant

Choosing a business consultant who fits your business needs can be a daunting experience. Whether you’re looking for someone to help with your high-level strategy needs or a niche, solution-oriented specialist to Strengthen your SEO or product-sourcing processes, it’s essential to know where to begin and take it one step at a time. 

1. Find the right business consultant.

Finding the right business consultant may be the most challenging part for the owner or management. The consultant should have a passion for their work, a drive for excellence, and an eye for organization and detail. It’s essential to find a consultant who has expertise in your industry or experience with the kinds of problems your business faces. 

• Leverage your existing network. Start your search for a business consultant by leveraging your existing network. A recommendation from a colleague, partner or other business owner who was in a similar position is often more reliable than generic reviews or accolades. Ask your contacts if they know of any experts in the field who can assist with your specific problem.  
• Explore dedicated marketplaces. Explore dedicated marketplaces that can help you find consultants by topic, budget and location. Popular sites include Catalant, Graphite and Business Talent Group. Don’t hesitate to utilize social platforms like LinkedIn as well. Numerous recommendations are usually a good indicator of a potential consultant’s expertise. Search for keywords relevant to your issue, and take a close look at the top results. [Learn more about using LinkedIn for your business.]
• Visit freelance sites. If you’re looking for a niche specialist, consider exploring popular freelance sites like Upwork, Dribble, Fiverr and Freelancer. Note potential consultants’ popularity, engagement levels and reviews from previous clients. 

2. Vet your potential business consultant.

• Ask questions. If you rely on a personal recommendation, ask detailed questions about your colleague’s experience, the consultant’s process and, most important, the results of their consulting work. Your colleagues can provide you a unique insight into the long-term impact of following the consultant’s recommendations rather than just their short-term gains. 
• Learn about the consultant’s background and qualifications. Look at the consultant’s resume, educational background and certifications relevant to your industry. It’s a good sign if they seem willing to explore new learning opportunities and keep their skills updated. 
• Ask the consultant about their hands-on experience. Hands-on experience is significant in the business world. If someone came directly out of college labeling themselves as a consultant, do they know anything more than you? Consider looking for consultants who have successfully owned or run small businesses, enterprise organizations or specific departments.
• Ensure their experience applies to your business. A former bank CEO may seem impressive, but do they have the knowledge and experience to turn your cupcakery into a profitable small business? They might, but if you’re also considering a former restaurant owner who now makes a living successfully helping small eateries grow, this consultant may be a better match for your business. Look for consultants who have worked in your industry and with businesses that match yours in style, size, needs and goals.
• Check out their website. You should also vet the consultant through their website and materials. Look for professional images and well-documented information about their services, and thoroughly review contracts and consultancy fees.
• Examine their consulting track record. You don’t just want a consultant with the right experience; you want a consultant who has demonstrated success with companies like yours. Ask for a portfolio or list of brands the consultant has worked for, and request references. Look for a consultant who has helped businesses overcome the types of challenges you’re facing or who has grown businesses very similar to yours, and reach out to those companies to find out if they were satisfied with the services.

3. Decide if they’re the right consultant for the job. 

If your potential consultant’s references are excellent and they’ve proven to be reputable and effective, meet with them to ensure they’re the right person for the job. Clearly outline your pain points and expectations, and see if you’re comfortable with their style and personality. If the consultant checks all your boxes, it may be time to move forward.

Designing a business consultant agreement or contract

Once you’ve found an excellent consultant, done your due diligence and vetting, received satisfying and verifiable references, clearly outlined your pain points and expectations, and made sure you are comfortable with their style and personality, it’s time to confirm the arrangement.

Consultant agreements or contracts are typically drawn for three to six months with the option to renew. Agreements usually include details like the names of the responsible parties, consulting parameters, fee structures, payment schedules, outlined deliverables and established deadlines. 

A defined and confirmed deadline ensures that your consultant has sufficient time to deliver the promised results while prompting timely progress. 

Tip: Design your contract in phases, ensuring logical stops in the workflow. This way, if the partnership ends up being a bad match, you can always part ways with your consultant on amicable terms.

How do you measure a business consultant’s success?

Unlike an employee performance review, there’s no widely accepted, objective methodology for measuring consulting performance, but it is reasonable to set goals and measure deliverables. This process is similar to Peter Drucker’s management by objectives and SMART principles for managing employees. 

1. Set clear, measurable objectives. At the beginning of your work, ensure that you and your consultant establish clear objectives that are as specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-oriented (SMART) as possible.
2. Establish the tangible results you want. Establish your desired financial and other measurable outcomes, such as increased revenue, annual savings, or reduced employee turnover.
3. Determine the intangible results you want. Ensure your consultant knows the intangible results you want to see, including improved morale, strong implementation of business values and increased customer satisfaction.
4. Measure progress at each phase. Measure your objectives’ progress at every phase of your collaboration.
5. Evaluate KPIs. Evaluate the set key performance indicators (KPIs) at the end of your consultant’s work.
6. Use a consultant questionnaire. A consultant can provide a comprehensive questionnaire that covers the entire business ecosystem and desired areas for improvement at the onset of the project, and then they can offer the same set of questions at the end. This way, you’ll be able to easily compare the results, especially when it comes to intangibles. 

To evaluate the consultant’s performance, it can be helpful to answer the following questions: 

• Were the KPIs met and delivered on time?
• Was the collaboration process smooth, and was the consultant responsive and helpful throughout?
• Did they provide you with the necessary skills and resources to Strengthen your business?
• What are the short-term, midterm and long-term impacts of their work? 
• What was your ROI on the consulting services?

Business consultant FAQS

How much do business consultants charge?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for a management consultant was $87,660, or $42.14 per hour, in 2020. But consulting charges are typically higher to cover business expenses. 

Consultants don’t always charge by the hour. According to a consultant fee study by Consulting Success, these are some popular fee arrangements and the percentages of consultants who favor them:

• Per project – 31%
• Hourly – 24%
• Monthly retainer – 15%
• Daily rate – 13%
• Value- and ROI-based – 17%

According to the study, 40.5% of consultants earn up to $5,000 per project, though some make more than $100,000 per project. The project’s size, scope and length will determine the cost.

Business consultants are a considerable expense, but their feedback and planning can help you increase business and boost profits while eliminating problems and identifying opportunities to ensure future success.

How do you measure the ROI of a business consultant?

You measure ROI by examining specific key metrics to determine the consultant’s work. Most companies look at their net profits in the quarter before hiring the business consultant and then evaluate their net profits in the next quarter or two after implementing the consultant’s recommendations. You should deduct the cost of the consultancy before calculating the ROI.

Considering ROI is a crucial part of hiring a business consultant. If you’re paying a business consultant more than $5,000, you want to see an established ROI after the project. Established business consultants should be able to show their former ROI data to prospective clients. 

According to The Predictive Index, 27% of surveyed businesses chose not to hire a consultant because the consultant could not demonstrate ROI. This is the most frequent reason for companies not using consultancy services, and it falls on the consultant to use big data to demonstrate past ROI. [Learn more about big data solutions for small businesses.]

How do you determine a budget for a business consultant?

Hiring a consultant can be a significant expense. Considering that fees vary, it’s essential to establish a realistic and reasonable budget. Consider setting the consultant’s cost as a fixed percentage of your total sales. For example, if your monthly sales are $10,000, paying a monthly consultant fee of $5,000, which amounts to 50% of your earnings, might not be advisable. A 5% fee on $100,000 of revenue seems more reasonable. 

If you establish clear phases for your consulting project, you can reduce costs and risks by assessing the progress at each stage. For example, if you employ the consultant’s marketing expertise to bring a range of products to market, evaluate their efforts after the first launch and potentially apply the same strategy to the rest of your product line without needing continued services.

Many consultants will be able to assist you with determining your project’s scope and budget as part of a free consultation. This interaction can also help you test the waters and determine whether the consultant is a good match for your business needs. 

Should you employ a virtual consultant? 

When defining your consulting project needs and KPIs, determine whether the work must be done on-site or it can be carried out remotely. Opting for a virtual consultant can broaden the potential talent pool, as you wouldn’t be tied to your local market. Additionally, it can reduce the consultant’s cost and ensure flexibility. 

When it comes to niche specialists, especially in the digital space, remote arrangements, if clearly defined, can be mutually beneficial. At the same time, some consultancy work involves working hands-on with your team and is better suited for in-person collaboration.

Tip: A small business consultancy is an online business idea you can implement quickly and easily. 

What are the common mistakes to avoid when working with a business consultant?

Several common mistakes can prevent you from achieving success in your work with a business consultant.

• Automatically hiring the most established or accoladed consultant: While a proven track record, glowing reviews, and certifications are all essential when choosing a consultant, it’s even more crucial to ensure their experience is relevant to your industry and business case. Ensure your selected consultant is familiar with – or, better yet, ahead of – relevant trends, technology and methods.  
• Hiring a jack-of-all-trades: A consultant or consultant firm that claims to “know it all” may lack niche experience or skills that you require. Find a consultant with focused expertise who has vast experience and can assist you with your specific needs. 
• Treating a consultant as an employee: It’s essential to treat your consultants as equals, respecting their working style, existing workload and schedule. They might not be available on short notice or jump on a task outside the defined scope. They won’t know everything about your company’s operations, and they may not choose to put in overtime. They’re there to advise you and Strengthen your business operations, not become another team member. In fact, their external perspective is what makes consultants so valuable.
• Ignoring the outlined action plan: It’s the consultant’s job to draft a map and set you up for success, but you and your team are responsible for creating change and implementing the recommendations. If you’re unwilling to “walk the walk” once the consulting project is over, you won’t see the value of engaging a business consultant.
• Treating the consultant’s suggestions as absolute truth: While you’re paying for and relying on your consultant’s expertise, it’s essential to reflect on your own experience, apply common sense and treat their recommendations as helpful directions rather than a hard set of rules. Don’t be afraid to question their suggestions. You know the ins and outs of your business best and will be the one dealing with the long-term implications of the consultant’s recommendations.   

How do you know when to hire a business consultant?

Hiring a business consultant isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. You’ll need to evaluate your company in these key areas:

• Human resources
• Business strategy
• Operations
• Compliance and regulations
• Financial planning

If your business is struggling in any of these areas, it’s a good idea to seek out a business consultant who’s a Verified expert. If you note any declines in profits that you can’t explain, this could be another sign that it’s time to hire a business consultant who can pinpoint potential reasons for the decrease and suggest ways to remedy them.

Sean Peek contributed to the writing and research in this article.

“Joining with Genesys to bundle additional innovative technologies into our solutions brings an added layer of outstanding CX solutions to our clients. Conduent’s customer experience solutions are exceptional at integrating customer care agents, training and processes to help clients drive business outcomes through excellent customer experiences.” said Jeff Weiner, VP, GM for Customer Experience Management at Conduent.

The Ring Video Doorbell is one of the best smart doorbells of 2023. Not only is it affordable, but it can capture HD video, store footage for later review, and is remarkably easy to install regardless of your existing setup. However, if you’re looking to make the most of your fancy smart doorbell, you’ll want to dive into its accompanying smartphone app and make a few tweaks to your settings. Here are five tips and tricks for the Ring Video Doorbell to Strengthen its performance.

Set up your motion zones

The first thing you’ll want to do after installing your Ring Video Doorbell is set up motion zones. These are customizable areas that will trigger an alert if motion is detected — and properly setting them up will save you the headache of getting unwanted updates. To customize your motion zones, load up your Ring app and tap the three lines at the top of your screen. From there, select Devices, then navigate through Motion Settings to Motion Zones. You’ll now be able to add zones and adjust the size of existing zones.

Turn off motion notifications

Motion zones do a great job of reducing unwanted motion alerts — such as when people are walking on the sidewalk outside your home or far off in the peripheries. However, sometimes you want to turn off motion notification entirely (a useful feature if someone in your family will be going in and out of the front door repeatedly over the course of a few minutes). To turn off your motion detection or motion alerts, simply open the Ring app, click on the three lines at the top of the screen, then head to the Devices menu. Select the device you want to adjust, then toggle the Motion Detection or Motion Alerts button on or off.

Activate Mode Settings

Want your Ring Video Doorbell to monitor your home while you’re away, but turn off entirely when you’re home? Consider setting up Mode Settings. These allow you to automatically activate certain features with a single button press instead of wading through a sea of menus. To enable this functionality, head back to the Devices screen and click on the product you want to modify. Next, click Mode Settings. You’ll then be walked through the activation process. Once enabled, you’ll have the option to choose three different Modes – each one offering different functionality and activated with just one touch on the Device menu.

Extend your battery life

Unfortunately, there’s no foolproof way to provide your Ring Video Doorbell a significant boost in battery life. You can eke out a bit more juice by disabling motion detection or moving your Wi-Fi router closer to your front door, but those will only get you so far. You might also consider picking up a new battery pack if yours is a few years old, as they lose their longevity as they age. And keep in mind that during the winter months, you’ll probably see a drop in performance – cold weather tends to drain the battery faster than warm weather.

Sync with your smart home

The Ring Video Doorbell can be paired with several different smart home ecosystems, including Google Home and Alexa. Once paired (see our guides for Google Home and Alexa), you’ll have access to several different features depending on what else is in your home. One of the coolest features is being able to check your front door on your smart display, which offers a much larger view of your front door than your smartphone.

Editors' Recommendations

Over the past several decades, our yeshiva  and Jewish day school community have expended tremendous resources by engaging “consultants” to help guide, assist, facilitate and encourage school change and improvement. The assumption here is that schools by-and-large do not always possess the human capital or expertise required in order to invest in these important activities; but, they do have the financial resources to outsource these challenges to certified in the field.

The hiring and engagement of consultants by our Jewish day schools dates back over decades. To be sure, many consultants have contributed to the impact, structure, effectiveness and viability of our schools. They also provide a relatively unbiased perspective for the school and bring a series of fresh and important  suggestions, recommendations, thought-leadership and strategic perspectives to the table.

This blog will not focus on any one particular area of consulting, but rather on the wide array of consultations which our yeshivot and day schools now avail themselves. As a disclaimer, it is equally important for me to posit that in no way does this blog  attempt to market or promote this writer’s role as a strategic planning consultant  or executive leadership coach. To do so, would diminish or minimize my motivation and professional credibility.

The sole purpose of this blog is to describe and articulate the strengths and weaknesses of consulting, its value and utility as well as areas which require due diligence, vigilance and a careful review of best practices in the field. It is my hope that by understanding and embracing these characteristics that our yeshivot and Jewish day schools will make the right choices when identifying and selecting consultants. This is especially critical in light of scarce communal resources within our yeshiva and Jewish day school community.

Finally, over the past several years (post-COVID), many Jewish day school leaders – both lay and professional – have asked me to assist them in identifying consultants for a wide variety of assignments who posses  the “right fit” for their schools. This was also in part the motivation and catalyst for writing this blog.

First, several definitions…..

As we know, our yeshivot and day schools engage consultants for a wide variety of critically important reasons  – ranging from assisting schools in the recruitment and hiring of  new heads of school or senior professional leadership to the development and identification of  age-appropriate curricula; from strategic approaches to financial resource development (fundraising) and governance models  to school restructuring and systemic organizational change. Each of these challenges (and many others) require consultants who posses laser sharp expertise, experience and proven success in the field. Anything less then these characteristics will almost certainly result  in a waste of resources, time, energy and expectations….let alone disappointing outcomes.

A school that endeavors to engage in a strategic planning or review process may want to engage a consultant with different skill sets compared to the consultant who specializes in executive search and recruitment processes. By the same token, a curriculum consultant will in all probability be able to guide a school in a comprehensive teacher training/development plan, but would probably be ill-equipped  to restructure or reconfigure a school’s physical plant.

Reality dictates that there will always be consultants who have a wide array of battle-tested expertise and experience in multiple areas  – especially those who are seasoned and experienced in leading highly effective schools. In these select cases, the school must carefully vet their backgrounds, expertise as well as past accomplishments.

The point being made here is that the school leadership – both professional and lay – must be very specific about the rational for seeking and engaging a consultant and must ensure that the consultant is the best fit for the school and for the assignment.

Characteristics of a High Quality Yeshiva/Day School Consultant:

The following is a brief listing of characteristics which consultants must possess, irrespective of assignment::

1. Experience: The consultant must have proven experience and expertise in the area(s) which the consultant is called upon to lead or facilitate. To this end, it is critical that  the school vet the consultant by reviewing his/her past consulting assignments, references, prior results and outcomes;
2. Honesty and Trustworthiness:  The consultant must be the type of professional who can be entrusted with confidential data and information as well as the ability and commitment to maintain high levels of confidentiality;
3. Flexibility: Rigidity leads to failure. To this end, it is critical that the consultant exhibit utmost flexibility with regard to scheduling, calendaring of assignments, accessibility and availability. Schools want to feel assured that the consultant is flexible and willing to stretch his/her time in order to accommodate school leadership and school constituents throughout the consultation process;
4. Persistence: The consultant must stay on task and track, and follow a course of action or plan as originally envisioned and agreed upon in the consultant’s contract (to be addressed in a later section).
5. Creativity: Where appropriate, the consultant should provide the school with creative, innovative and cutting-edge trends in order to minimize same-old or antiquated  thinking and to advance forward thinking  and state-of-the-art approaches and perspectives;
6. Confidence: The consultant must exhibit confidence and respect; and command a level of professional gravitas which is respected by the school’s constituents and by those impacted by the consultant’s work.
7. Data-Driven Thought-Leadership: All consultant activity, whether they be suggestions, recommendations or proposals for moving a school forward, must be anchored in empirical data, metrics and information.

In addition to the aforementioned  characteristics, the consultant must also be an  effective communicator, a very careful listener and must posses the following skill-sets:

• Ability to translate data into concrete action items;
• Ability to identify and solve internal blind spots;
• Capacity to pay close attention to every detail as presented;
• Ability to demonstrate depth of experience;
• Posses  a “client-first” mindset;
• Reduces dependency on the consultant;
• Possess strong organizational and follow-up skills.

Other Critically Important Considerations When Engaging a Consultant:

When engaging a consultant, it is critically important  that  the contract with the consultant include the exact scope of the consultation  to be conducted, expectations, timetable, benchmarks and methodology to be employed as well as roles and responsibilities – no surprises, no shortcuts;

The contract should also include a clear description  of the  methodologies which the consultant will be employing  including, questionnaires, surveys, SWOT analyses, interviews and the collection and collation of qualitative, quantitative and ethnographic  data.

As an example, if the consultant is conducting a Strategic Planning process, most processes will first  require  a SWOT analysis. This standard  analysis includes, a comprehensive assessment of the school’s  strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Once this analysis is complete, it is essential that these results be analyzed with precision. This is where many consultants fall short of expectations.

A SWOT analysis must serve as the foundation upon which to build the Strategic Planning process. Anything less falls short of a meaningful  Strategic Planning consultation.

The challenges here are not necessarily the completion of a SWOT which in and of itself is extensive, but how the results of the SWOT are interpreted and used. This is where schools must be extremely careful about how to view and  interpret results as well as their implications.

The eight phases of a credible Strategic Planning process should include:

• Initial Contact
• Discussion  and Approval of Methodology
• Survey/Assessment
• Review and Analysis of Findings
• Implications of Findings
• Action Recommendations
• Implementation
• Evaluation

It is the responsibility of the consultant to help the strategic planning committee (the body responsible for  strategic planning oversight) to review, digest and analyze each of these eight phases

In cases where an Executive Search consultant is engaged to identify Head of School candidates, the school must provide the consultant with a comprehensive job description and an extensive  description and analysis of the school’s  mission and vision as well as the culture and hashkafa of the school. The more information the consultant has prior to embarking on the search, the more it increases the likelihood that strong potential candidates will be identified.

Once the consultant has this  candidate information, it is imperative that the consultant search for the right candidate. Interviews are conducted, references are checked and candidates may be asked to submit a description regarding the candidate’s philosophy of education. . There are no shortcuts and definitely no compromises.

If the search committee sees that the wrong candidates are being suggested by the consultant on a repeated basis, it is imperative that the school send the consultant back to the drawing board. Remember, the consultant works for the school, not the other way around. The process is not about just filling a job vacancy – its about securing the next senior leader of the institution.

A third example of consultation  may relate to engaging  a curriculum consultant. In this case, its important for the consultant to not only identify and  align the curricula with the school’s curricular goals,and expectations  but to also insure effective curricular implementation.

More often then not, this later part of the consultation may fall short and schools are therefore left with a series of attractive, well developed scoped and sequenced curricula with very little idea as to how to implement, use or teach the new curriculum. It is therefore imperative for the consultant’s contract to include comprehensive teacher training, assessment and means testing. Way too many innovative pieces of curricula are sitting on bookshelves collecting dust due in part to the inability of the school to utilize or teach the curriculum effectively.

These three aforementioned examples of consultation  are presented in order to provide the reader with a  diverse perspectives. Although each may require a special area of consultation requiring specific areas of expertise, the one commonality between the three is that they all require significant, serious and rigorous engagement and planning..

Unfortunately, I have had the distinct  misfortune of being called into schools in order to correct, rightsize or clean up the mess left by a prior consultant’s visit or assignment. These were the result of sloppy, careless attempts to engage in shortcuts and frankly smoke and mirrors in order to fulfill their consultation assignments.

In an outstanding  paper entitled ” Consulting Is More Than Giving Advice”‘ (Harvard Business Review, September-October, 1982), Dr. Arthur N. Turner presents the following eight fundamental consulting objectives arranged  hierarchically,

1. providing information to the client;
2. solving the client’s problems;
3. making a diagnosis which may necessitate redefinition of the problem;
4. making recommendations based on the diagnosis;
5. assisting with implementation of recommended solutions;
6. building consensus and commitment;
7. facilitating  client learning; and
8. improving organizational effectiveness.

Highly effective management consultants will aspire to reach levels seven and eight while minimalists will be satisfied with reaching levels one, two and three.,.

In an effort to push for higher level consulting outcomes, it is recommended that schools (the clients) aspire to reach the highest levels of engagement possible,.

Engaging serious consultants, irrespective of area of focus can be viewed as an art and a science.

On the one hand, schools aspire to engage the most inspiring, dynamic and forward thinking professionals as consultants (soft skills);in addition, we seek consultants with outstanding skill-sets, expertise,  knowledge and know-how.

The challenge for schools is to select a consultant who represents a balance between the art and the science of consulting….with the hope and expectation that the consultant provides the school with the right mix and proper balance.

Finally, at the end of the day, your school’s consultant will only be as effective as his or her reputation, past experience and reputation suggests.

Jewish Values and the Moral Imperative of Consulting

When one serves as a consultant to a yeshiva or Jewish day school, one takes on and accepts a series of moral, ethical and halachic responsibilities and obligations.

These responsibilities and obligations should not be influenced by political expediency or personal relationships, but rather through respectful dialogue, review and unbiased analysis.

This achrayut  (responsibility)  if taken seriously, is a daunting task at best. It impacts peoples lives, jobs and the trajectory of the school in very profound and serious ways.

It is with this level or derech eretz  that a school must view the consultant’s assignment, and visa versa.

Finally, in the ideal world, the yeshiva/day school consultant should not in any way be associated with the school community to which he/she is consulting. On the other hand, knowledge and understanding about the cultural nuances of yeshivot and Jewish day schools are indespensible.

Postscript:

In conclusion, I am hopeful that the information contained in this blog will help inform the practice of consulting in our yeshivot and Jewish day schools. It should also help provide our schools with a better understanding regarding a school’s  serious role and responsibility when calling upon a consultant to help guide the school in a meaningful, thoughtful and respectful manner.

Your smartphone is always with you, a constant companion that can connect to the web to look up any tiny nugget of trivia, and generally keep you in constant contact with the outside world. It's one of the key items you grab before leaving the house, and the last time you (probably) turned it off was at the movie theater.

This also makes your phone your take-everywhere, shoot-anything digital camera. Just a few short years ago, making images and video with smartphones was a compromise, with poorer image quality but a heck of a lot more convenience than a good point-and-shoot camera.

(Photo: Molly Flores)

But times have changed and phone cameras have gotten better and better. The latest models offer imaging and video that's often superior to budget point-and-shoot cameras, and offer nifty software tricks to blur backgrounds, just like an interchangeable lens camera with an f/2 lens.

Check out these tips to get the best images you can get from your phone. But remember, even with the latest tech, phones aren't as versatile imaging tools as modern interchangeable lens cameras. An iPhone 14 is better than a basic point-and-shoot, but not as versatile as a full-frame camera.

Start With a Good Camera Phone

The iPhone 14 has a fantastic camera system (Credit: Eric Zeman)

Smartphone camera quality has enjoyed a big leap forward over the past couple of years. If you're using an older handset, chances are the camera isn't up to snuff. If camera quality is a priority when shopping for a new one, make sure you peruse our list of the top camera phones we've tested. But remember that you really can't go wrong with the latest Apple iPhone, Google Pixel, OnePlus, or Samsung Galaxy devices.

Look for the Light

Window light adds some depth to this scene shot by the iPhone 11 Pro (Credit: Jim Fisher)

Smartphones have very bright lenses and include special modes for making images in very dim light—the Night modes in the latest iPhone and Pixels do a much better job than point-and-shoot cameras.

Even so, it's a good idea to find some light to illuminate a snapshot. Whether it be some sunlight from a window for an indoor portrait, or a neon sign for a nighttime photo in a city, it's always smart to find some environmental illumination—smartphone flashes leave a lot to be desired in comparison.

Adjust Exposure

This scene captured by an iPhone 11 Pro required a little negative exposure adjustment for the dramatic lighting effect (Credit: Jim Fisher)

Smartphones are the modern point-and-shoot, but the apps that run their cameras typically offer some level of manual control. The most basic adjustment you can make is exposure—brightening or darkening a scene—and using it effectively can turn a bland image into a head-turner. Use it to brighten the shot of your fancy dinner to make it perfect for Instagram, or to darken shadows in a portrait for a more dramatic look.

Use the sunburst icon to brighten or darken photos (Credit: Apple)

The feature isn't always labeled the same. On an iPhone you'll want to drag the sun icon, to the right of the focus confirmation box, up to brighten an image or down to darken it. Android phones typically have the more traditional +/- icon for exposure adjustment.

Turn On Your Grid

Photo of phone screen with grid overlay (Credit: Jim Fisher)

Pro SLRs usually have framing grids in the viewfinder window to help you better square up shots and conform to compositional guidelines like the rule of thirds. (For more on composition and other photo basics, read our tips for basic photography, which apply as much to smartphones as they do to pro cameras.)

You can turn on the same thing in your phone's camera app. Adding a grid line gives you help in keeping the horizon straight and is a big plus for portraits in front of famous landmarks. With the notable exception of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, it's generally a good idea to keep upright structures perfectly vertical in your photos.

Learn Your Camera's Features

The imaging capabilities of modern smartphone cameras are staggering. We've seen advances in computational photography that allow you to make SLR-level photos with your phone.

Using portrait mode adds background blur to your photos, like in this photo shot with the iPhone 11 Pro (Photo: Jim Fisher)

Learn what your phone does, and when to use the different features. You'll want to turn on HDR for most phones for day-to-day photography. Use Night mode for images shot in dim interiors or outdoors after the sun has set. Portrait mode is an option on many phones; it blurs the background behind your subject and is sometimes called the Bokeh Effect. Those are the basics—some phones may have more specialized modes available.

If you want to move beyond basic photography, you can turn on manual controls in your phone's camera app. Android phones offer a Pro mode inside the main camera app that lets you adjust shutter speed, ISO, swap between different lenses, and turn on Raw capture (if supported). The iPhone camera is more limited, but you can always grab a third-party app to open up more options. Popular options include ProCamera+(Opens in a new window) and Halide Mark II(Opens in a new window).

Stand Still, Hold Steady

Smartphones are incredibly lightweight devices and, folding phones aside, are thin for a better fit your pocket than most dedicated cameras. That's good news for portability, but it's hard to hold a featherweight phone steady, and it takes some care to keep its lens plum and parallel to your subject. You'll also want to be careful to keep your finger out of the shot, especially when using your phone's wide-angle lens.

For better snapshots, take some time to set yourself before a shot. Stand steady, hold your phone like a camera (with both hands) and take advantage of any physical controls for exposure—if you can use a volume button to take a photo you can more easily hold your phone with two hands when making an image.

Try an Add-On Lens

Moment add-on lenses (Photo: Zlata Ivleva)

Smartphone camera stacks are pretty complex. Basic phones may still have one rear lens, but midrange and higher-end handsets often include a wide-angle or telephoto lens as a complement.

You may still want to add a quality add-on lens. We've tested a number of these over the years, and have found the lenses from Moment to be the best of the bunch. You'll pay more than with with a bargain-basement alternative, but you'll see the difference in results.

Picking the type of add-on lens is important too. I think a macro adds the most versatility to your phone's camera, but you may prefer an ultra-wide, a fish-eye, or a telephoto conversion lens. Video fans should check out Moment's line of anamorphic(Opens in a new window) conversion lenses, which provide video an extra-wide cinematic aspect ratio and can create J.J. Abrams-style lens flares.

Get a Gimbal

Phone gimbals steady handheld video (Photo: Steven Winkelman)

It's not all about images. Basic compact cameras are stuck at 1080p, but if you've got a recent flagship smartphone you have a 4K-capable video camera in your pocket. Flagship models include optical image stabilization, but that can only go so far. If you want truly smooth, great-looking video, think about a powered gimbal to keep your phone steady. Our favorite is the DJI Osmo Mobile 6, a $160 device that steadies video, can track moving subjects, and also supports time-lapse and panoramic stitching.

Add a Microphone

Adding a quality mic, like the Shure MV88 shown here, will Strengthen sound quality in your smartphone videos (Credit: Shure)

When shooting video, good audio is more important than sharp footage. Your phone's internal mic is meant for making phone calls—not recording high-quality audio. Headphone jacks may be disappearing from phones, but you can get a microphone that plugs directly into your USB or Lightning port, or one that works with your phone's audio dongle. Just make sure to read some reviews to make sure the mic is compatible with your particular phone and its operating system.

Edit Your Shots

Your phone is a powerful handheld computer, just as capable of making basic image adjustments as a high-end laptop running Photoshop. You can edit shots on your phone without as much know-how, though. You can either obtain an editing app—we've rounded up our favorites—or use one that's built into your phone.

The iPhone camera app gives you loads of options for editing. It's worthwhile for iPhone owners to turn on the High Efficiency (HEIF) format in Settings > Camera > Formats, it saves images with more color depth than JPG for better looking edits. If you're an advanced shutterbug, Raw capture is an option with many phones, including iPhone Pro models.

Your Best Tips?

We hope you've learned something new and will continue to use your smartphone to capture the world around you. For more advanced suggestions, check out our 10 beyond-basic digital photography tips.

Do you have a favorite tip, photo app, or accessory for use with your smartphone's camera? Please share it in the comments below.

Innovative CX platform intelligently and seamlessly integrates people, processes and technology to deliver 24/7 omnichannel experiences consumers expect

Solution spans customer lifecycle from sales to care, tech support, payments and loyalty

SAN FRANCISCO and FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Feb. 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Organizations have a new option for meeting consumer expectations for excellent customer service with an enhanced Conduent Customer Experience (CX) solution through a collaboration between Conduent Incorporated (Nasdaq: CNDT), a global technology-led business process solutions company, and Genesys®, a global cloud leader in customer experience orchestration.

“Joining with Genesys to bundle additional innovative technologies into our solutions brings an added layer of outstanding CX solutions to our clients,” said Jeff Weiner, Vice President, General Manager for Customer Experience Management at Conduent. “Conduent’s customer experience solutions are exceptional at integrating customer care agents, training and processes to help clients drive business outcomes through excellent customer experiences.”

Conduent CX expertise and the Genesys Cloud CX platform offer clients best practices to design and implement technology to ensure the day-to-day CX experience meets customer expectations. With a cloud-based offering, companies are no longer limited by technology capacity or legacy systems. For example, the Conduent CX solution brings client touchpoints across channels including chat, text chat, voice, web and email into a single view.

“Genesys Cloud CX™ enables organizations to offer frictionless and connected experiences with a modern API-first experience orchestration platform,” said ML Maco, Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Field Operations at Genesys. “Collaboration with partners like Conduent helps more organizations provide unmatched customer and employee experiences.”

Analytics key to CX success and driving meaningful business outcomes
Conduent’s expertise in using proprietary analytics to understand and use customer data to uncover actionable insights helps clients identify performance improvement opportunities, humanize customer experiences and optimize agent performance. Conduent’s CX Analytics solutions provide key insights into customer interactions and experiences including anticipating and proactively resolving customer service issues. Conduent was recognized in the 2022 ISG Provider Lens™ Contact Center — Customer Experience Services report as a “leader” in all four quadrants: Digital Operations, AI & Analytics, Work from Home Services and Social Media CX Service.

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“Using a scalable, single solution, cloud-based CX ecosystem provides end-to-end analytics that can drive decisions and Strengthen business outcomes,” said Weiner. “Companies are at a disadvantage when they don’t have good data and don’t have the full picture of their customers’ experiences. The impact can be significant, such as losing customers and market share. Outstanding CX is a proven business differentiator and strong CX analytics enables strategic business decisions.”

For more information on Conduent Customer Experience Management solutions, visit www.conduent.com/customer-experience-management.

About Conduent
Conduent delivers mission-critical services and solutions on behalf of businesses and governments – creating exceptional outcomes for its clients and the millions of people who count on them. Through our dedicated people, processes, and technologies, Conduent solutions and services enhance customer experience, increase efficiencies, reduce costs, and Strengthen performance for most Fortune 100 companies and more than 500 government entities. Whether it’s touching three out of every four health insured lives and delivering 45% of SNAP payments in the U.S., or enabling 1.3 billion customer service interactions and empowering 10 million employees through HR services worldwide, Conduent services and solutions interact with millions of people every day and move our clients’ operations forward. Learn more at https://www.conduent.com.

About Genesys
Every year, Genesys orchestrates billions of remarkable customer experiences for organizations in more than 100 countries. Through the power of our cloud, digital and AI technologies, organizations can realize Experience as a Service®, our vision for empathetic customer experiences at scale. With Genesys, organizations have the power to deliver proactive, predictive, and hyper personalized experiences to deepen their customer connection across every marketing, sales, and service moment on any channel, while also improving employee productivity and engagement. By transforming back-office technology to a modern revenue velocity engine Genesys enables true intimacy at scale to foster customer trust and loyalty. Visit www.genesys.com.

Media Contact:

Lisa Patterson, Conduent, +1-816-305-4421, lisa.patterson@conduent.com
Lauren Thompson, Genesys, +1 505.633.5917, lauren.thompson@genesys.com

Investor Relations Contacts:

Giles Goodburn, Conduent, +1-203-216-3546, ir@conduent.com

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Trademarks

Conduent is a trademark of Conduent Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.