Communication and Persuasion in Business Consulting

As time has gone by I have come to appreciate the importance and power of business in the world in which we now live. The business world is a broad one filled with many different responsibilities and opportunities. Almost all of which rely heavily upon rhetoric. In taking Doctor Burton's course I have come to more fully understand the importance and power of oratory or rhetoric in this field of work; especially in that of business consulting. In speaking with consultants, business majors, and referencing internet sites I have learned much concerning business consulting.

According to "Business News Daily" a business consultant (or consulting firm), "provide management consulting to help organizations improve performance and efficiency." I have always took interest in the opportunity to become better and to set goals to get there. As a result of these interests and my appreciation for the business environment I found this career to be very intriguing.

It is apparent to see that this line of work requires constant communication on many different levels. This communication begins "formally" in the work place when a company contracts the consulting firm to analyze and present a plan to "improve performance and efficiency." The organization seeking help must communicate with the firm to explain and set expectations of what they hope to accomplish by hiring the firm.  This is crucial time for the firm as they must speak in more of a legislative branch of oratory to present their case and convince the company that they are what the company needs. A solid past history of success and a good “ethos” for a firm makes a big difference in being contracted.

After an agreement has been made as to the goal of the interaction the business firm gets to work. From working on the corporate level of the company, all the way down to the manufacturing portion of the company, the firm works to obtain the information necessary from past documents, observation, and a lot of communication from many different department managers within the organization. One could say that this aspect of business consulting has much to do with the “forensic” or legislative oratory and study.

Within each firm, there are specialists of different aspects of an organization (accountant, finance, etc.). Upon gathering and organizing the information the firm communicates together to determine what can be done to improve the organization.

Finally, the sale truly begins. Money is often exchanged at the beginning stages of the process but the art comes into play in this final stage.

Persuasion or rhetoric becomes an essential aspect of business consulting when the firm stands before the organizational CEO, CFO, and other leaders. They must present the information, plans and strategies in such a way to persuade the organization to invest in the idea. In this aspect of the work the communication becomes much more deliberative as the firm works to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of the future depending upon how the company chooses to proceed.