Handle conflict and build buy-in

- Consulting project success…is as much about building client buy-in…as it is about the quality of your recommendation.…Clients won't always agree with the path you're on.…Client team members may resist the project…even though their senior management…is fully committed to it.…This happens a lot,…especially when cost cutting is involved.…When I worked for a major consulting firm,…we were doing a cost takeout project.…We were going to reduce the workforce by about a third.…

How excited do you think the client personnel were…to be assigned to our team…that was going to lay off their colleagues?…There was a lot of conflict that we had to manage.…You'll need to actively build buy-in…and manage conflict throughout the project…if you want your recommendations approved and implemented.…Here are a few thoughts on how to handle a conflict…and build buy-in.…Get senior management to communicate…the rationale for the project and their support of it.…

Identify the sources of conflict.…It may be fear of job loss, loss of influence,…