Do You Really Need Consultant Training to be a Consultant?

A lot of people consider careers in consulting, but they eventually decide that the process of joining the consulting field is too daunting. Unfortunately, their decisions are often based on misinformation or incorrect assumptions about consulting as a career. For example, many people think that they have to engage in countless hours of intense consultant training or receive special certifications just to get a foot in the door. They look at the corporate world, where certifications and prerequisites are becoming increasingly mandatory, and they assume that the same concepts and requirements apply to a career as a consultant.

The fact of the matter is that you don't need any special certifications or educational prerequisites to become a consultant. As I've said many times, the only prerequisite you need to work in consulting is an ability to drive results. If you're reluctant to enter into the world of consulting because you're intimidated by the prospect of obtaining certifications or proving that you have attained the proper prerequisites, it's time for you to take on a different perspective. As long as you have experience and the ability to drive results, you are well on your way to a successful career in consulting.

My Journey to Consulting

Let me tell you a little secret – I never attended a consulting course to become a consultant. I got into consulting because I loved the people side of business, and I had been successful at driving results. While I was still working in a corporate environment, I implemented an employee empowerment program that grew my company's profits by 150%. This program, which was based on collaboration and communication, became wildly successful and it made me realize that I could have a positive impact by going out on my own and becoming an independent consultant. That's how Solutions 21 was born, and I've been consulting for nearly two decades now. That just goes to show you that special certifications or consulting courses are simply not necessary. What's more, it's even easier to become a consultant today than it was when I started thanks to modern technology and a number of other factors.

Find Better Ways to Make Yourself Better

Although consultant training is not necessary to become a consultant, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't seek out certain types of educational opportunities. We all have special skills in our toolboxes, but we can't all be skilled at everything. That's why it's important to take some time to develop latent skills, improve existing ones and learn how you can attain certain skills that might be lacking in your specific, personal makeup. Therefore, you might want to consider courses or other educational opportunities that can help you:

• Facilitate groups in strategic discussions
   

• Enhance your interpersonal communication skills
   

• Hone your Emotional Intelligence, or EQ
   

• Understand the solutions being sought by today's business clients
   

• Improve your ability to make sales

The Right Kind of Training Backed by a Powerful Community

Knowing that you don't need special training or certifications to become a consultant should empower you to make a decision that will benefit you as you move forward in a rapidly changing business world. As long as you feel confident in your ability to drive results, and you have a history that demonstrates your experience in the real world, you have what it takes to start a successful consulting career. If you are like many people who are looking for new opportunities these days, you're probably eager to get started right away. However, it takes some time and effort to become successful as a consultant, and you have a hard row to hoe if you plan on doing it all by yourself. That's why you should consider type of consultant training that can be experienced through Ex3 Matters.

Instead of seeking out courses that offer you a path to putting more plaques and certificates on the wall behind your desk, you should seek out training that consists of practical, sensible courses designed to help you hone your sales and communication skills. You should also seek out ways in which you can connect with your peers as well as those who have direct experience in the field of independent consulting. When you combine this type of practical education with the opportunity to learn from your peers, you put yourself on the fast track to becoming successful as an independent consultant.

Adjust Your Thinking to the Realities of Becoming a Consultant

If you're worried that you'll be stuck in the corporate rat race for the rest of your career because you lack the time and money to receive certain certifications or prerequisites, it's time to adjust your thinking. A consulting career allows you to leverage your experience and your specific skills into a life that simply cannot be experienced in the corporate realm – all without the need for the certifications that you perceive to be standing in the way of happiness and success. At Ex3 Matters, we prefer to focus on the things that really matter – practical consultant training to hone essential skills and a community of peers to help you become a consultant with the support you need. With this in mind, it might be time to change your perspective and give serious thought to a new career as a consultant.

Are you concerned that you don't have what it takes to become a consultant? Have you been told that you need specialized consultant training in order to receive certifications? You can learn more about the realities of consulting by downloading your FREE copy of my eBook, “Experience Matters.” I also encourage you to take a look at the other free resources provided right here on ex3matters.com.