I’m presently working with a former auditee, now a friend, on a consultancy project, the aim of which is to establish a management system for a service provider. My friend, formerly an experienced production technician in his field, felt called by the quality world, and I felt I could and should give him a hand. Although I insisted he would never get rich with his new venture, he’s more stubborn than I.

A few lessons worth taking into consideration, if not actually learning, follow.

Consultancy jobs are tough by definition and very hard work. Although successful consultants are usually soloists who can successfully sell themselves, I believe teamwork is possible, though its effectiveness depends primarily on “sympathy”—sympathy for the devil that’s in both the team and the customer.

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