Making the decision to engage consultants is a big step. Get it right and your reputation is enhanced, your goals and objectives achieved. Get it wrong and your judgement may be called into question, your promotion shelved and your future budget restricted – so no pressure.

In light of this, it’s understandable that some executives, HR and purchasing specialists put undue emphasis on academic qualifications as a prerequisite for selecting suppliers.

Be careful what you wish for – a qualification does not a good consultant make. It’s just a ticket to the game.