Don't Necessarily Buy Experts' Advice

By Marty Nemko

Many expensive management consulting firms send out "management consultants" who are barely out of college. These are people who have never managed anyone. Too often, the result is bad or impractical advice, or the client is simply told what it already knows, to wit, the saying, "Consultants are in the business of borrowing your watch to tell you what time it is." Even true experts aren't always right: "Who the hell wants to hear actors talk,' M.M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927. "There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." Ken Olsen, president Digital Equipment Corp, 1977. Take expert advice with grains of salt.

What can you do today?
When you desire outside input, be sure the person has considerable practical, relevant experience.