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Leisure Consultancy In business or public life there are times when help is required to help with a particular issue or opportunity. This is where the use of a leisure consultant can pay dividends, which need not be a financial burden on the business or organisation. The time that the consultant uses in solving problems brings economic benefits as well, as staff resources are not lost from the key areas of the business. But how do you select a consultant? Research by the Tourism Society has found that the most cost-effective method, from the clients' point of view, of commissioning leisure consultants and managing their work is as follows: Approach up to 3 consultants and certainly not more than 5. Provide information on the names and number of consultancies asked to tender. It is also helpful if you can say who the other leisure consultants are, as this will ensure that consultants who put forward proposals will really dedicate themselves to winning the contract. It is in everyone's interest to provide the consultants with an approximate budget, both for a study or retained fee, as this will help the consultant produce a proposal that best meets the requirements of the brief. If possible due not overload the study brief. The quality of the work will suffer if consultants are expected to do extra tasks within a limited budget. To obtain the best results from consultants, a minimum of three weeks should be allowed for the preparation of proposals. Ideally, a contact person should be available throughout the period to meet the consultants and answer their questions. Ideally the brief should include arrangements for consultants to visit the site, if appropriate to the project, before preparing the proposal. It is helpful to let consultants know the likely date of interviews, even if they may not be short-listed. If a multi-organisational team is appointing the consultants, one member should be given delegated power to resolve questions that may arise. Interviews should ideally take place within a 60 minute cycle: 25 minutes for presentations, 25 minutes for discussion and 10 minutes for changeover. No more than two or three people all of whom should be knowledgeable of the brief, ideally should carry out the interviews. Consultants should be asked in advance if they wish to make AV presentations and if so, what equipment will be required. At interview, clarify how much time each consultant will be utilised on the project to identify the experience and commitment of the study team. The successful leisure consultant should be appointed by letter, clearly stating the agreed terms of appointment. The consultant should then confirm acceptance in writing. It is vital to agree a practical timetable for the project with the consultant. This should be flexible to cater for contingencies that arise during the study. Consultants should be asked to send the client a draft report, for comment and amendment, if necessary, in advance of the final text. Ownership of the copyright of any new material produced in the course of the project should be agreed at the start of the project. The most important aspect of all is that consultant and client's teams should have a constructive and cohesive attitude to each other. Both are coming together as professionals to work in parallel with each other for a common purpose. |
Destination Tourism & Attraction & Feasibility Analysis Operational Advice Tourism & Leisure Cultural Strategies |
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