An interesting Interview from a Consultant.

1. Socioeconomic
development
What does a consultant do?
Useful answers from a Consultant
Katherine Vlachos
works at
LDK Consultants during the last
9 years

2.  BSc in International History from the
London School of Economics
 Master in Mediterranean Studies from
King's College London
Mrs. Katherine Vlachos has been at LDK
Consultants since 2006.
LDK Consultants is one of the few multidisciplinary
development consultancies adding value to our natural
and built environment by combining engineering and
policy making services.

3. What’s been your biggest success as a consultant?
For me, successful projects are those which have a lasting positive impact.
For example, a few years ago we were involved in the Managers’ Training
Programme (IV) which aimed to increase the number of performing managers
in Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan able to lead enterprises through
difficult economic and social conditions and improve the performance of their
companies locally.
We brought mid-level managers to Greece in a programme of targeted
internships, to enable them to gain from EU managerial competencies and
know-how. Many fruitful business links were forged through this programme,
which are still ongoing.

4. Another example of successful work is currently in Sri Lanka, where we are
aiming to improve the visibility and reputation of the EU by raising
awareness of the large-scale development programme being implemented
in the most disadvantaged areas of Sri Lanka in collaboration with major
UN agencies.
Our baseline research showed a very low awareness of the EU as a major
donor in the country, and a tendency of the media to focus on issues where
international agencies seemed to be criticising Sri Lanka’s sovereign rights.
To me as a European, this opinion of the EU was indeed astounding.
Already, however, in the first six months of our project, we have generated
a large number of press articles favorably reporting on the work being
done, and the longer-term results of our assignment look promising.

5. What is the most significant factor that makes a
difference to clients these days?
Clients are increasingly sophisticated, accessing a wide range of information
over the internet and formulating their expectations accordingly. It is up to
the consultant to judge whether these expectations are realistic and can be
met with the available resources. The ability of the consultant to bring about
a fruitful collaboration, whatever the starting point, is a very important
factor of project success.

6. What types of projects do you typically work on?
Describe two large projects where you were involved
lately.
My work has focused on technical assistance projects financed by
international financing institutions – primarily the European Commission or
other EU bodies.
I recently completed such a project in Turkey as project manager. The project
was carried out on behalf of the Turkish General Assembly (parliament) and
aimed to improve knowledge and understanding between parliamentary
circles in Turkey and the EU. Particular emphasis was placed on enabling
contacts with EU countries traditionally negative to Turkey’s closer relations
with the EU.
A communication plan was developed and implemented, targeting
parliamentarians, politicians, NGOs, the media and other opinion-leaders in
Turkey and the EU. A total of 11 high level conferences were organised in
Turkey and EU countries, as well as a series of 36 bilateral exchange visits.

7. These aimed to bring together parliamentarians and facilitate discussions
on various critical topics at a more personal level. It was interesting to
work within the Turkish Parliament to facilitate such a range of frank
discussions, which the participants clearly appreciated. A modest step
towards bringing Turkey and Europe closer together!
Another interesting project is the one I mentioned earlier, currently
ongoing in Sri Lanka. The challenge of bringing about a change in
perception among local stakeholders as well as the general public, about
the EU in Sri Lanka, is hard work but also very exciting.
Discussion with Key Opinion
Leaders in fishing community
Baseline research for Sri Lanka
project

8. Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
I am looking forward to continuing in the
same line of business, as I love being
constantly faced by new and varying
challenges in an international environment.
On a personal level, I aim to be involved in
assignments dealing with new topics, in order
to further widen my understanding and
knowledge of issues within the
socioeconomic development sector.

10. ‘’There are many satisfying
moments in this line of work!
Getting a diverse group of
stakeholders to work together
successfully and exchange know-
how from this experience is always
satisfying.’’
Katherine Vlachos