CONSULTANTS WHO LOVE CONSULTING – KEITH HAMILTON, CMC
Q1 In brief, describe how you entered the profession of management consulting, or when did you decide that management consulting was a profession that you wanted to enter?
I was working as a computer salesman and decided there was an opportunity to sell services instead of hardware. I began giving business advice as well as installing accounting software, and a consulting practice grew. I later was able to move to a small northern community and my business consulting by default became consulting to First Nations clients.
Q2 What do you love most about consulting?
I enjoy the challenge of problem-solving, applying my experience and expertise to business issues – finding a new way – and helping my clients overcome problems. Every challenge is different, and I have been able to acquire a varied experience over many years. But even now, every problem is unique.
Q3 What do you like the least?
When you are a sole practitioner, you always need to keep marketing so you have a client assignment to move to once you have completed the current one. I am not very comfortable with networking and don't do it well, so marketing is a challenge for me.
Q4 What has been your most satisfying engagement and why?
I have had many satisfying assignments. The ones I like best include an element of knowledge transfer and capacity building, and the best of these have resulted in significant personal growth for my employees or clients.
Q5 What personality trait has helped you the most in your career?
I have patience with others, and have been told that I am a good teacher as a result. I am able to spot potential and work to bring out this potential in clients, employees and others. I am a mentor.
Q6 Finally, if you were stranded on a desert island - What is one book and one luxury item you would take with you?
I would take my Kindle e-reader and its library of hundreds of books, including access to the many thousands of titles I might want to
access in my spare time. And my luxury item would be a solar powered battery charger for the Kindle.
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