This edition features a handful of business Asia's Most Trusted Business Consultants to Follow that are at the forefront of leading us into a digital future

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THE
January 2024 | theeducationview.com
Vol.
01
Issue-01
Center for Excellence
Transforming Hospitality with
Innovative Business Consulting
Most Trusted
Consultants
to Follow
Asia's
Business
How to Become a
Business Consultant
Guide
Step-by-Step
Founder,
Revstar Pte. Ltd.
Ruethemann
Katja

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JANUARY
2024
Editor-in-Chief
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Maria Christopher
Contributing Writer
Anish David
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The Education View

5. Letter
from the
Editor
The function of
education is to teach one
to think intensively and
to think critically.
- Martin
Luther King Jr.
L
Leaders
Steering Success in Asia
Business
B
usiness consultants are highly skilled professionals who provide organizations with
expert advice and guidance. They bring years of experience and knowledge, helping
clients identify and solve complex business issues, improve operational efficiency,
and achieve their strategic objectives.
To achieve these objectives, business consultants conduct a thorough analysis of the
client's current business processes, identifying areas for improvement. They then provide
strategic advice, offering clients practical solutions to their challenges and helping them
implement them.
In our latest edition, "Asia's Most Trusted Business Consultants to Follow," The
Education View sheds light on professionals who consistently demonstrate exceptional
insight and integrity in steering businesses toward success. This curated list showcases
individuals renowned for their innovative strategies, insightful perspectives, and unwavering
commitment to client satisfaction. From advising startups to guiding established enterprises,
these consultants have left an indelible mark on the Asian business ecosystem.
The invaluable contributions of these remarkable personalities spanning various
industries have proven to be a treasure trove of knowledge for business owners and
executives. This esteemed compilation acknowledges and honors the consultants'
instrumental role in fostering sustainable business practices and driving regional
economic growth. Their wealth of expertise and experience is a testament to their
unwavering commitment to excellence and their profound impact on the business
landscape.
We hope that the narratives presented in this edition will guide you in exploring
the invaluable expertise of highly skilled and accomplished consultants who
have mastered the art of market entry, strategic planning, and organizational
transformation.
Their journeys and experiences are an unparalleled source of
inspiration for entrepreneurs and business owners striving to achieve
unprecedented success. Discover their best practices, learn from
their insights, and unlock the potential to elevate your
business endeavors to the next level.
Have an engaging read!
- Anish David
T H E

6. Story
Cover
08
Contents
Tableof
Katja
Transforming Hospitality
with Innovative
Business Consulting
Ruethemann

7. What Does an Effective
Business Consultant Do?
Responsibilities
and Characteristics
How to Become a
Business Consultant
Step-by-Step Guide
Driving Growth through
People-centric Solutions
Prithvi
16
Shergill
Special
Profiles
Navigating the World
of Business Operations
Salma
20
Al Zeairy
Articles
26
36
Empowering Organizations for Success
Hanane 30
Benkhallouk
Dr
Profile

8. Katja
Transforming Hospitality with
Innovative Business Consulting
Ruethemann
By incorpora ng
technology at every stage, we
streamline opera ons, improve
efficiency, and deliver enhanced
solu ons to our clients in the
ever-evolving hospitality
industry.
uethema

10. uethema s the business
Alandscape becomes
more intricate and
unpredictable, the relevance
of business consultancy
irms continues to rise.
These irms offer
specialized expertise,
objective insights, and
proven methodologies that
enable organizations to
overcome challenges,
capitalize on opportunities,
and achieve sustainable
growth. By leveraging the
knowledge and experience
of consultancy irms,
businesses can stay ahead
in today's competitive
market and secure their
position in the future.
Revstar, a leading
business consultancy irm
in the hospitality industry,
started in 2017 with the aim
of revolutionizing how
hotels optimize their
commercial strategies.
Founded by Katja
Ruethemann, who has
extensive experience in
multinational hotel chains
and boutique hotels across
Europe and Asia, Revstar
quickly made a name for
itself.
Katja Ruethemann's
journey began in
Switzerland and spanned
20+ years in the Asia-Paci ic
region. She worked her way
up from roles like
receptionist and front of ice
manager to becoming an
area director responsible
for revenue management,
commercial strategy, online
distribution, and central
reservations for six hotels
under Minor International.
Recognizing the challenges
faced by smaller hotel
Founder,
Revstar Pte. Ltd.
Katja
Rutehamann

11. We priori ze ac on
and innova on,
delivering
excep onal services
and transforma ve
solu ons to our
clients.
groups in accessing senior
expertise, Katja founded
Revstar as a specialized
consultancy irm focused on
commercial optimization in
the areas of reservations,
revenue, ecommerce, and
system connection.
Revstar has a team of
specialist consultants who
offer tailored solutions to
hotels, emphasizing
comprehensive analysis,
actionable plans, and
holistic optimization. Their
expertise lies in enhancing
commercial strategies,
leveraging data analytics,
optimizing hotel technology,
and implementing digital
marketing initiatives.
Identifying Untapped
Potential
Having worked for
prominent hotel brands and
witnessing the gap in
expertise and resources
within smaller hotel groups,
Katja Ruethemann was
inspired to make a
difference. Her passion for
helping others and her keen
eye for identifying untapped
potential led her to
establish Revstar.
To provide up-to-date
services to clients, Revstar
is committed to staying at
the forefront of industry
research and trends. The
consultancy irm invests in
continuous learning and
professional development
for its team of consultants.
Katja Ruethemann herself
just completed a Business
Analyst course at Harvard
University, ensuring her
knowledge remains current
and relevant.
Looking ahead, Revstar is
expanding globally, serving
clients in Europe, Asia, Asia
Paci ic, Australia, the Middle
East. Its focus is not on
being the largest
consultancy but on being
the industry's trusted
leader. It prioritizes action
and innovation, delivering
exceptional services and
transformative solutions to
clients.
Meeting the Unique Needs
In today's unpredictable
market situation, Revstar
employs several strategies
to engage clients and keep
them motivated. Firstly, the
consultancy irm adopts a
personalized approach,
understanding each client's
unique needs, challenges,
and goals. This tailored
approach builds trust and
fosters strong client
relationships.
Revstar prioritizes
effective communication,
keeping clients informed,
involved, and giving them
the inal say. Regular
progress updates, data-
driven insights, and
transparent reporting
contribute to client
engagement and motivation.
Additionally, Revstar
provides actionable plans
with measurable
milestones, enabling clients
to track progress and
witness tangible results.
This approach instils
con idence and motivates
clients to embrace change
and pursue their
commercial objectives.
To sustain in the face of
increased competition,
Revstar focuses on
delivering exceptional
results and maintaining a
stellar reputation in the
industry. The consultancy
irm prioritizes client
satisfaction and consistently
exceeds expectations
through its expertise and
personalized approach.
Revstar also invests in
building strong
partnerships with clients,
becoming their trusted
advisors and long-term
collaborators. By
consistently delivering
value and demonstrating
a deep understanding
of the evolving market
dynamics, Revstar
differentiates itself
from competitors and
secures its position as a
reliable business
consultancy partner.
Overcoming Business
Obstacles
Like any consultancy irm,
Revstar has faced various
challenges along its journey.
One notable challenge was
the initial scepticism of
some hoteliers regarding
the value of business
consultancy services. To
overcome this, Revstar
adopted an educational
approach, organizing
workshops, webinars, and
knowledge-sharing sessions
to demonstrate the tangible
bene its of their consulting
expertise.
Another challenge it faced
was the rapid advancement
of technology in the
hospitality industry. To
overcome this, Revstar
proactively explored
superior technology
solutions and gained a
comprehensive
understanding of the digital
landscape. Revstar sourced
3-5 suppliers for each client,
carefully selecting the best
options based on their
speci ic needs. This
approach empowered it to
guide clients through digital
transformation and leverage
technology's full potential to
boost revenue growth.
Revstar fully embraces
technology to enhance
service for its clients. It
breaks down geographical
barriers using cloud
systems, allowing it to
collaborate seamlessly with
clients across various
countries from the UK to
New Zealand. When
selecting systems, Revstar
prioritizes those with open
Cover
Story
The Education View January 2024

12. uethema API addresses, reducing
integration costs and
facilitating connectivity
between different
platforms. It also chooses
systems with robust
support to minimize the
need for additional IT
personnel.
In its analysis and
reporting processes,
Revstar utilizes advanced
analytics software, revenue
management systems, and
Business Intelligence (BI)
tools. This enables it to
delve into individual
bookings and perform in-
depth data analysis,
providing clients with
actionable insights to
optimize their commercial
strategies effectively. By
incorporating technology at
every stage, it streamlines
operations, improves
ef iciency, and delivers
enhanced solutions to its
clients in the ever-evolving
hospitality industry.
Customized Business
Approach
The most important
qualities of a successful
business consultant are
expertise and experience,
adaptability and lexibility,
communication and
interpersonal skills,
analytical and problem-
solving abilities, and a
results-oriented mindset.
Revstar understands that
every client is unique, with
speci ic goals, challenges,
and operating
environments. To meet the
diverse needs of its clients,
it employs a customized
approach to instruction. Its
consultants invest time in
comprehensively
understanding each client's

13. business, industry
dynamics, and market
positioning.
Based on this in-depth
understanding, Revstar
tailors its training programs
to address speci ic areas for
improvement. Whether it's
revenue management, sales
techniques, or digital
marketing strategies, its
consultants customize
instruction materials, case
studies, and practical
exercises to match the
individual requirements of
each client.
As a business consultant,
Revstar has achieved
signi icant milestones and
received recognition in the
hospitality industry.
Noteworthy achievements
include generating a pro it
of 2.2 million within the last
six months through direct
contributions, achieving an
eight percent increase in
ADR (Average Daily Rate)
for a luxury hotel group
without additional costs,
improving a luxury
boutique hotel's RevPar
(Revenue per Available
Room) ranking from 4th to
1st in its competitor set,
facilitating advance
payments of USD 500,000
for a partner to enhance
cash low, and helping an
Airbnb partner achieve a 22
percent revenue increase,
surpassing one million in
annual revenue.
Revstar's success is
evidenced by client
recommendations and its
commitment to
underpromising and
overdelivering.
Strengthening the Roots
in Global Market
Looking ahead, Revstar is
already established in
Europe, Asia, Asia Paci ic,
and Australia. It has now
expanded its services to
include clients in the Middle
East. Its goal is not to be the
biggest hospitality
commercial consultant but
rather to be recognized as
the best and most trusted
source in the industry.
Revstar prioritizes action
over empty promises.
Revstar is committed to
continuously exploring new
technologies and improving
its services for hotels. It will
stay at the forefront of
emerging trends and
technologies in the
hospitality industry. Its
dedication to delivering
excellent quality work and
being a top advisor for hotel
groups ensures that it
remains cutting-edge,
providing impactful and
transformative solutions to
its clients.
Revstar as a Trustworthy
Partner
What sets Revstar apart is
its deep domain expertise in
the hospitality industry
combined with a
personalized and data-
driven approach. Its
consultants bring a wealth
of experience from leading
hotel brands and possess a
comprehensive
understanding of revenue
management, reservations,
and commercial strategy.
Revstar's training
methodology goes beyond
generic concepts and
theoretical frameworks. It
focuses on practical
implementation and
provides clients with
actionable plans and
measurable outcomes. Its
commitment to continuous
learning and staying abreast
of the latest industry
research and trends allows
it to offer up-to-date and
relevant guidance.
Moreover, Revstar's
success is rooted in building
strong relationships with
clients and becoming their
trusted partners in driving
commercial success. It takes
the time to understand
clients' unique challenges
and aspirations, tailoring its
services to their speci ic
needs. Revstar's dedication
to achieving exceptional
results and maintaining
long-term client satisfaction
sets it apart in the
consultancy landscape.
The Education View January 2024
Cover
Story
At Revstar, we
understand that
every client is unique,
with specific goals,
challenges, and
opera ng
environments.
T H E

14. Asia's Most Trusted Business
Consultants to Follow
JANUARY - Issue 01
Name of the Person Description
Dr Hanane Benkhallouk
Katja Ruethemann
Prithvi Shergill
Salma Al Zeairy
Anastasia Ignatenko
Founder,
Revstar Pte. Ltd.
Group CEO,
Entomo
Business Operations
Consultant and Operations
Manager
CEO and Founder,
Anastasiax Group
Katja Ruethemann facilitates growth and profitability
by combining revenue management, marketing
strategies, and streamlined operations.
Prithvi Shergill is one of those highly accomplished
professionals with a wealth of experience in Human
Resources (HR), Business Consulting, and
Entrepreneurship.
Salma Al Zeairy helps companies grow effectively
by applying innovative strategies focusing on
execution.
Anastasia Ignatenko is a passionate, driven, and
results-oriented female tech entrepreneur with 10+
years of experience in various business jargon.
Dr Hanane Benkhallouk’s influence and expertise
span continents, having worked with
organizations and stakeholders in over 20
countries.
Designation
Executive Director,
Sustain Leadership
Management Consultancy

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16. Shergill Driving Growth through
People-centric Solutions
Prithvi
16
n today's fast-paced and
Icomplex business
environment, the role of
business consultants has
become increasingly crucial.
Their expertise, objectivity,
strategic guidance, and
change management skills
help organizations navigate
uncertainties and drive
growth. By leveraging the
services of business
consultants, companies can
tap into external
perspectives, optimize
operations, and stay ahead
of the competition. The
partnership between
businesses and consultants
has become a powerful tool
for success in the modern
business landscape.
Prithvi Shergill is one of
those highly accomplished
professionals with a wealth
of experience in Human
Resources (HR), Business
Consulting, and
Entrepreneurship. Prithvi's
career journey has enabled
him to work with diverse
teams and shape solutions
for organizations and
individuals to reach their
potential.
His professional journey
began when he realised that
value gets created by
combining purpose, people
and pro iciency.
Experiencing this in local
and national leadership
positions and international
training with student
associations such as AIESEC
led him to join AT&T in
1990, where Prithvi worked
in several HR roles across
the USA, Philippines, India
and then Singapore, which
helped him understand how
important it is for HR to be
aligned with business
objectives and ensure
people practices create
happiness.
Voyage to Superiority
Prithvi established a start-
up called
NetCel360/VSource
between 2000-2002 and
experienced the impact of
business cycles on people.
Working with Asia's
leading telecommunications
companies at SingTel, his
mandate from 2002 was to
transform HR service
delivery, using technology
and shared service models
to impact organisational
effectiveness and enable
effective integration with
joint venture companies.
In 2004, Prithvi joined
Accenture, progressing to be
a partner, working closely
with internal stakeholders
to shape strategy and
ensure execution, enhancing
the maturity of policies,
processes, practices and
platforms impacting
leadership, talent and
culture. These served as the
foundation of the growth
engines for its businesses
across technology,
consulting and operations.
His assignments in
Accenture led him to work
on a human capital strategy
to ensure the ef iciency and
effectiveness of business
operations, value creation
and people development in
various contexts, cultures,
and countries.
Prithvi was then
appointed Chief Human
Resources Of icer at HCL
Technologies in 2012,
where he played a pivotal
role in the reset of the talent
strategy to re-energise the
culture founded on the
strategic intent of putting
'Employees First, Customers
Second,' seeding, nurturing
and harvesting
ideapreneurship to multiply
pro itability and innovation.
His experience at HCL
Technologies helped shape
his experience and
expertise on the need for
systemic operating models
and solutions, combining
technology and talent.
These experiences at
different companies across
countries have helped
Prithvi develop a distinctive
perspective on the
opportunities HR and
leaders have in engaging,
enabling and empowering
people to build their
pro iciency and
performance.
After transitioning to be
an entrepreneur, Prithvi
established 'Tomorrow'
with colleagues who had
shared beliefs in the
opportunity to refresh
people management by
stewarding digital
transformation initiatives
with an outcome
orientation. Tomorrow
merged with Entomo, where
their expertise and
experience were codi ied
into a people experience
platform that enterprises of
tomorrow use to transform
performance, talent and
learning.
Shaping Customized
Business Solutions
Prithvi Shergill has
remained committed to
investing in creating
capacity, enhancing ability,
capturing creativity, and
driving change leading to
growth. His career as a

17. Special Feature
I have remained
committed to
investing in creating
capacity, enhancing
ability, capturing
creativity, and
driving change
leading to growth.
Prithvi Shergill
Group CEO,
Entomo
“
The Education View January 2024

18. I see purpose in
partnering with
people in the
community to build
capability, courage,
and commitment to
change how they
perform, learn and
grow.
business consultant allows
him to engage with multiple
communities across
cultures and countries to
help companies and people
become the best versions of
themselves.
His intentions, promises
and actions are rooted in
the belief that professional
consultants should act as
trusted advisors to their
clients, demonstrating
ownership to understand
the context and shape
customized solutions that
translate strategy into
action. He believes that
success requires a deep
understanding of the
drivers of the client's
business and culture and
relationships that truly go
beyond the contract.
Delivering Desired
Results with Empathy
Prithvi Shergill emphasizes
that the commitment to
demonstrate 'Empathy,'
apply 'Adaptability,' and
build 'Relationships' are
three of the most crucial
personal qualities that have
contributed to his success.
By developing empathy, a
leader can connect with
stakeholders on a deeper
level, understand their pain
points, and create a working
model that delivers desired
results in a culture that is
fostered by inclusivity,
respect, and collaboration.
In today's fast-paced
business environment,
change is constant, and
leaders must be able to role
model Adaptability in
changing circumstances by
remaining resilient, agile,
and forward-thinking,
thereby responding
proactively to be future-
ready.
Finally, he sees building
transparent relationships
with employees, customers,
and stakeholders as
essential in inspiring trust,
which is the fuel to have
people commit to applying
their abilities authentically.
Prithvi Shergill believes in
staying updated with the
latest technology, trends,
and research, and he
achieves this by being
curious about things that he
does not know, have
exposure to or experience
with.
To reach the right
decisions, he demands it to
be evidence-based and
seeks data that can be
translated into information
and insight, which inspires
the right action.
He can often be seen
seeking out time with
people one-on-one to learn
from them, attending
industry conferences to
learn from audiences he
engages with, seeking
responses and reactions to
ideas on online forums, -
and seeing 'networking' as
building a mutually
bene icial association.
Keeping the Same Pace
through Adversities
Prithvi Shergill shared that
one of the biggest
challenges for professionals,
including himself, remains
co-creating enterprise-wide
people enablement
technology solutions whose
value can be seen in their
awareness, adoption, and
assimilation to augment
practices, processes and
policies truly.
Prithvi Shergill has been
humbled to have
represented his teams to
receive several notable
recognitions – some of the
more memorable ones
being the:
• Asia Human Capital
Summit Award from the
Human Capital
Leadership Institute and
Ministry of Manpower in
Singapore twice, with
Accenture in 2009 and
with HCL Technologies in
2015, honouring
innovative people
practices adopted by Asia-
based organisations.
• Stevie Award for Best
Human Resources
Department with
Accenture in 2012 and for
International Business
with Entomo in 2021 and
2022.
• Brandon Hall Awards for
Talent Management with
Accenture in 2012 and
with Entomo in 2021 and
2022.
• Forbes Award for HCL
recognising it as one of
the fastest growing
companies in 2012
(which continued until
2017-18 with revenue
increased from $4.9
billion to $8.6 billion, net
income grew from $859
million to $1.5 billion, and
EPS increased from $1.33
18

19. Exploring New Avenues
Prithvi Shergill sees his
purpose to partner with
people in the community to
build capability, courage,
and commitment to change
how they perform, learn and
grow.
He sees his career journey
to date as the path that has
opened opportunities to
enable him to explore new
avenues with teams and
people across countries to
shape answers for them to
reach their potential.
He is energised when
answering what work needs
to be done, who has the
skills to do this work, and
how the work should be
done– by having fun while
making the world a better
place to live in!
Prithvi Shergill always has
a point of view and is always
available to share it. The
only advice he sees of value
for those who listen to him
is to learn from his mistakes.
Each person has their own
journey they are on and,
more importantly, their own
purpose and goals.
Sometimes they have
re lected and articulated
these, sometimes, they are
in the process, and
sometimes, they have yet to
start. He ensures he makes
himself accessible to people
wanting to exchange notes
as they aspire to accelerate
towards the milestones that
re lect growth for them.
His role when engaging
clients is to ensure that the
offerings that are
represented to them
consider re lecting solutions
that will deliver the desired
business outcomes and
values that are important to
them. These offerings are
premised on an evolving
point of view on the drivers
of enterprise and employee
performance and growth.
to $2.32, representing
growth of each of these
metrics by approx. 175
per cent) and many
others.
More than the awards, the
opportunity to share the
experiences of the work he
has stewarded with other
leaders and teams at
various events, as a member
of the SHRM Think Tank or
the Economic Times
Advisory Council – and at
educational institutions
such as Harvard Business
School, Indian Institute of
Management, Bangalore as
well as many others, using
case studies published to
capture the learnings from
his career journey has been
most ful illing.
During his tenure, entomo
has been recognised with –
• 2023 Gold Stevie Winner
for Innovative use of Tech
in HR – 2023 APAC Stevie
Awards
• HR Online Employee
experience awards 2023 –
Best Career Development
Program
• HRTech Awards – Best
Talent Intelligence Award
2023
• ObserveNow Super30 HR
Leaders Awards – Best HR
Service Provider 2023
• Singapore Business
Review Technology
Excellence Award 2022
• Gold Stevie Award –
Middle East and Africa
Stevie Awards 2022
• Human Resources
Online's HR Vendor of the
Year Award 2021
• Brandon Hall Excellence
in Technology Award
2021 – Best Advance in
Unique Talent
Management Technology
• Recognized as a 'Leader'
in Winter 2023 G2
Awards
Special Feature
The Education View January 2024
T H E

20. Salma
Navigating the World of Business Operations
Al Zeairy
“
I feel so
excited when
I see the
output of a
small change
that impact
the business
big time.
Salma Al Zeairy, a
seasoned Business
Operations Consultant
and Operations Manager
has been at the forefront of
this sector, providing
invaluable insights and
strategic guidance to her
clients. Salma Al Zeairy is
highly accomplished with
profound expertise in the
ield. She is currently
associated with the
esteemed organization,
Business Operations
Consultant, where she
leverages her extensive
experience to assist clients
in various industries.
Stepping into the
Consulting Sector
Salma says, "I think the
challenge was the main
trigger to my decision,
exploring different ways of
running the businesses, I
wanted to expose myself to
different models and
different business
methodologies."
With a background in
pharmacy, Salma Al Zeairy
embarked on her journey in
the corporate world at the
quality assurance
department of Marico Ltd,
one of the largest Fast-
Moving Consumer Goods
(FMCG) companies. During
her ive years in this role,
she gained extensive
experience in backend
operation management and
process design,
implementation and
development.
Recognizing the
importance of customer-
facing operations, Salma
transitioned to Kaya Skin
Clinic, a service business
under Marico Ltd. She took
on the role of clinic
manager, delving into the
world of service industry
operations. This experience
marked her irst step into
the service industry and
ignited her passion for
optimizing operational
processes in diverse sectors.
Emphasizing the same she
shares, "In Business
Operations generally and in
the Dermatology market
speci ically, there is a lot to
experience every single day.
If you look at the number of
players in this market, you
will ind plenty of players
who provide unique services
from a Dr led clinic to a
multinational chain, each of
them has its own target
customers with their unique
service providers, I wanted
to invade this area and
add/de ine a value chain at
every step of their client
journey."
As she progressed in her
career, Salma sought to
expand her knowledge and
skills in different ields. She
delved into the itness
industry to further sharpen
her operation management
expertise, exploring cross-
learning opportunities and
applying her insights across
industries.
n today's ever-evolving
Ibusiness landscape,
the role of business
operations consultants has
become increasingly vital.
These professionals help
organizations optimize
their processes, enhance
ef iciency and drive
growth. The role of
operations consulting, or
operations management,
focuses on the
improvement of operating
models, internal operations
and value chains of
organizations.
Operations consultants
are responsible for
initiating change and
supporting clients to
improve the productivity
and effectiveness of their
internal operations. They
will usually conduct an
audit of the current state of
operations and then
suggest ways in which the
value chain can be
enhanced. The importance
of consultants in helping
businesses identify new
opportunities for growth,
develop strategies for
expansion and optimize
operations to improve
ef iciency and pro itability
cannot be overstated.
20

21. Special Feature
Salma Al Zeairy
Business Operations
Consultant and
Operations Manager

22. This diverse experience
allowed her to develop a
comprehensive
understanding of business
operations and identify
areas where her expertise
could make a signi icant
impact. Salma on stepping
into the future expresses, "I
feel so excited when I see the
output of a small change
that impact the business big
time."
Qualities of a Successful
Business Consultant
Salma believes that
successful business
consultants possess several
essential qualities. These
include effective
communication skills,
strategic thinking,
approachability, open-
mindedness, lexibility,
agility and a willingness to
embrace new challenges.
In her words,
"Communicator, strategic
thinker, approachable, open
minded and lexible, agile,
ready to try new challenges."
Salma Al Zeairy: Inspiring
the World of Business
Consulting and
Operations Management
When asked about her
inspiration to become a
business consultant and
operations manager, Salma
highlights the allure of
exploring different business
models and methodologies.
The challenge of running
businesses and the dynamic
nature of the market
intrigued her, sparking her
desire to make a difference.
She sought to invade the
dermatology market,
enhancing value chains at
every step of the client
journey and witnessing the
transformative impact of
even small changes.
Staying Current with
Research and Trends
Salma says, "There are
multiple ways to keep
yourself updated with all
new technologies and trends
in different categories."
To provide up-to-date
service to her clients, Salma
Al Zeairy actively stays
“
The world is
focusing on
customization
and my unique
USP is
customizing the
project/business
plan and training
programs on the
unique needs
and
expectations of
my clients.

23. abreast of the latest
research and trends across
various industries. She
attends industry-speci ic
conferences and workshops,
meets industry idols to
learn best practices, and
regularly reads research
articles from scienti ic
websites. Additionally, she
maintains close
relationships with vendors,
recognizing their pivotal
role in shaping market
awareness and strategies.
From attending business-
speci ic conferences and
workshops, meeting the
idols of every industry and
learning the best practices
of their companies and
establishments, reading
new research and articles
on industry-speci ic
scienti ic websites to
meeting the vendors of
every consumable/product
is one of the most important
aspects of staying current.
Salma also discussed the
past decisions supporting
steps for the future saying,
"In the last ive years, I can
see manufacturers/suppliers
played an important role in
shaping the market
awareness both at the
service provider side as well
as the customer."
Explaining through an
example Salma adds, "For
example, in the Dermatology
industry, manufacturers/
suppliers started promoting
directly to the end user
which has become a
breakthrough in marketing
strategies."
The business-to-
consumer strategy has
become a big pillar in their
strategies, rather than
educating a medical
professional or a service
provider. Hence expanding
the market and pulling
more of the inicky
consumers into the
industry.
The Business Operations
Consultant Organization
Driven by a desire to help
small and struggling
businesses grow, Salma Al
Zeairy founded her own
business operations
consulting irm. Her
organization specializes in
guiding clients through
their business journeys,
identifying pain areas and
working collaboratively to
develop unique value
propositions. By leveraging
her expertise, Salma aims to
empower her clients and
facilitate their success in a
market yet to mature in the
Middle East.
Engaging Clients in an
Unpredictable Market
Situation
Salma says, "Let me tell you,
communication is key!"
In today's unpredictable
market situation, Salma
emphasizes the importance
of communication and
aligning expectations.
Salma remarks detailing
the same, "Think from a
client perspective, I always
think through a business
owner mindset, Initially, I
make sure to align the
expectations and the vision
very well, de ine the scope of
work and keep a continuous
follow-up mechanism where
the clients feel and
appreciate the
improvements that their
businesses are going
through."
By clearly de ining the
scope of work and
establishing measurable
Key Performance Indicators
(KPIs) with realistic
timelines, she ensures
clients can assess and
appreciate the
improvements in their
businesses. She informs her
practices as "De ining some
clear measurable KPIs with
realistic timelines make it
easy for me and for the client
to assess and measure the
progress of the completed
work. "
Agility, lexibility and a
willingness to revise goals
and processes are also
crucial in engaging clients
and achieving mutual
success.
She also adds, "Linking the
actions to the initially set
goals is one of the best tools
to engage customers. Agility
to change and being lexible
to revise goals and processes
will help both consultant and
client to achieve their
mutual goals."
Differentiating
Instruction for Diverse
Clients
To meet the unique needs of
each client, Salma Al Zeairy
emphasizes pre-alignment
and mutual agreement
based on client objectives.
By tailoring and
customizing the content,
processes and
responsibilities, she ensures
a client-centric approach.
Continuous evaluation,
feedback and improvement
enable her to deliver
outputs that not only satisfy
but also delight her clients.
"I always look at the client's
needs. Pre-alignment is the
key – myself and the client
should set a very clear
mutual agreement based on
the client's objectives. Hence
we create the content of the
client's requirements, de ine
the right process and it
should be as tailored and
customized as possible," as
Salma expresses.
Both Salma Al Zeairy and
the client must be prepared
to modify or adjust
objectives based on the
current accomplishments.
The output should be
carefully examined and
valued for its learning
process, with a focus on
continual development and
enhancement to deliver an
outcome that not only
meets but exceeds the
client's expectations.
In many instances, clients
approach Salma without a
clear understanding of the
actions they should take,
resulting in an open
conversation where she
takes the lead in crafting the
entire project journey and
delegating responsibilities
to key individuals. Having
key personnel to collaborate
with makes follow-up
procedures more
streamlined and ef icient.
Overcoming Challenges
One of the common
challenges Salma
encounters is clients'
The Education View January 2024
Special Feature

24. limited understanding of
the scope of her work.
Educating business owners
about the comprehensive
nature of business
operations professionals
can be challenging but
necessary. She emphasizes
the long-term qualitative
improvements resulting
from her work, such as
saving process time,
avoiding reworks and
enhancing the customer
journey. Salma also
acknowledges the limited
capabilities in the industries
she serves and aims to
bridge the gap through her
expertise.
In her words, "The most
common challenge I face
with clients understanding
my work, and it might sound
funny but the reality is very
few people understand the
framework of business
operation professionals, I get
lots of requests for business
turnarounds in terms of
turnover and pro it without
understanding the real scope
of work and hence it
becomes a tough one as your
work will impact both
qualitative and quantitative
perspective of the business
and owners will need to
understand before any
commitment."
Usually, qualitative
improvement has an
indirect long-term pro it to
the company. Saving process
time, avoiding reworks and
facilitating customer
journeys will de initely
improve the business in the
longer term.
She shares, "Capabilities
in the market are still limited
in the industries I'm
associated with currently."
Incorporating Technology
into Training
As a proponent of
technological
advancements, Salma
actively integrates
24

25. applications and software
into her work to streamline
processes and reduce
human interference.
Enthusiastically talking
about technology, Salma
shares, "As I'm a big fan of
technological advancements,
I always use applications
and software to help reduce
time and human interference
in any of the processes. I try
to foolproof every process I
work with; from client data
collection to business
analysis to billing, I am using
most of the latest global
software."
Taking a data-based
decision is much more
ef icient than deciding
based on intuition. By
leveraging data-based
decision-making, she
ensures informed choices
complemented by intuition.
Exemplifying the same,
Salma says, "While your gut
might tell you the truth
especially when you are in
services that touch human
beings, but you still need to
compliment your decision
with some facts."
Sustaining in the
Increased Competition
Salma acknowledges the
intense competition she
faces, particularly in the
ields she focuses on. To
stand out in the market, she
offers professional and cost-
effective services,
distinguishing herself
through a deep
understanding of roles,
regulations and industry
contacts. Salma states, "In
fact, the competition is
tough, especially in the ields
that I'm focused upon.
Hence, I have to offer a
professional yet cost-
effective service for me to be
able to stand out in that
market."
Equipped with these
tools, she strives to deliver
exemplary service that
earns her clients' trust. In
the Middle East,
understanding the roles and
regulations is very
important and having
contacts to get the right
information quickly is as
important. Salma says, "I
keep myself equipped with
all those tools to be able to
deserve the clients in the best
possible way."
Major Achievements and
Future Plans
Salma views each project as
an achievement, focusing on
the transformative impact
of her work rather than
solely on numerical metrics.
One of Salma Al Zeairy's
most signi icant
accomplishments, which
she believes has
transformed her career and
provided her with an
opportunity to embrace a
whole new realm of
challenges, was the decision
to depart from the
corporate world and utilize
her extensive experience to
support start-up ventures.
Each project holds
immense value for her, as
she approaches them as
fresh opportunities,
disregarding the emphasis
on numbers and
percentages. She says,
"Every project for me is an
achievement, I know people
like to hear numbers and
percentages however I treat
every project as a new
challenge and I make sure,
me and my team is proud of
what we do every day."
Salma ensures that both
she and her team take pride
in their daily work. She
vividly remembers a project
involving Dermatology
clinics that previously
generated annual revenue
of 50 million. Despite their
untapped potential, the
clinics were ixated on this
igure and lacked direction
on how to progress further.
She also shares, "I helped
that business some means to
hit 85mn in six months by
optimizing all resources/
processes they had in place."
Salma's forthcoming 2–3-
year plan centers around
concentrating on start-up
initiatives. She irmly
believes that both the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
(KSA) and the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) present
highly favorable prospects
in the realms of beauty and
cosmetology, with both
markets experiencing
exponential growth in the
medical sector.
Unique Training
Methodology
Salma's unique training
methodology revolves
around customization and
addressing the unique
needs and expectations of
her clients. By tailoring
project plans and training
programs, she ensures a
highly personalized
approach. Her emphasis on
open conversation,
assignment of
responsibilities and
continuous follow-up
facilitates seamless
collaboration and
remarkable outcomes.
She states, "The world is
focusing on customization
and my unique USP is
customizing the
project/business plan and
training programs on the
unique needs and
expectations of my clients."
Special Feature
The Education View January 2024
T H E

26. 26
Responsibilities and Characteristics

27. Article
The Education View January 2024
Effective
Business
What Does an
processes, optimizing
work lows, or implementing
changes to enhance overall
productivity.
Business consultants also
play a crucial role in
transformation
management, guiding
organizations through
transitions by helping them
navigate complexities and
ensuring a smooth
adaptation to new
strategies. Their expertise
extends to providing
valuable insights into
industry trends, market
dynamics, and best
practices, helping
Businesses adapt quickly to
stay competitive and
lexible.
Organizations often ind
themselves at a crossroads
in the dynamic business
world, seeking guidance to
business consultant
Ais a professional
expert who provides
organizations with strategic
advice and guidance to
improve their overall
performance and ef iciency.
Functioning as an external
advisor, a business
consultant brings a fresh,
objective perspective to the
challenges faced by a
company.
The primary role of a
business consultant
involves conducting
thorough analyses of an
organization's operations,
identifying areas for
improvement, and
formulating tailored
strategies to address these
issues. These experts are
adept at problem-solving,
whether it involves
streamlining internal
Consultant Do?

28. overcome challenges and
enhance performance.
This is where the role of a
seasoned business
consultant becomes pivotal.
In-depth Analysis
Like a master detective, a
competent business
consultant painstakingly
examines an organization's
complex internal workings
to identify its strong and
weak points. To pinpoint
areas that require
improvement, they perform
in-depth analyses of
work lows, processes, and
organizational structures.
They then offer
customized solutions to
assist the organization in
achieving its objectives. A
business consultant can
assist companies in
streamlining their
processes, boosting
productivity, and eventually
succeeding with their
knowledge and critical
thinking skills.
A Strategic Planning
An adept business
consultant collects and
analyses operational data
for a client using a variety of
instruments and techniques.
After that, this information
is utilized to create strategic
plans speci ic to the
objectives and demands of
the client's business.
These plans might focus
on increasing productivity,
putting cost-cutting
measures into place, or
creating creative ways to
meet broad corporate goals.
Through their expertise,
business consultants can
assist organizations in
achieving long-term success
and sustained growth.
28
Responsibilities and Characteristics

29. Problem-Solving
Approach
Businesses encounter
challenges requiring expert
attention to identify,
address, and resolve them.
Skilled consultants possess
a wide range of problem-
solving skills that enable
them to tackle issues such
as supply chain
optimization and
communication
streamlining, among others.
They work closely with
businesses to understand
their unique challenges and
provide solutions that
enhance operations,
productivity, and
pro itability. With their in-
depth knowledge and
experience, consultants are
an asset to any business
looking to overcome
obstacles and achieve
sustainable growth.
Managing the Transitions
It can be intimidating to
introduce change in an
organization; it takes
careful planning and a
subtle approach. Business
consultants provide clients
with the expertise to ensure
a seamless transition by
specializing in navigating
the complexities of change
management.
They collaborate closely
with organizations to
pinpoint areas needing
development, create plans
for bringing about change,
and offer advice on handling
resistance. Business
consultants ensure
organizations adapt to
changing circumstances and
survive in a consistently
changing environment by
utilizing their knowledge
and experience.
Ef icient and Valuable
Advice
In the business sector,
consultants are essential
because they provide
organizations with vast
knowledge and valuable
perspectives to help them
grow sustainably. Having a
thorough understanding of
the sector, they can offer
insightful counsel on
market trends, best
practices, and creative
solutions. Because of their
extensive knowledge,
consultants play a crucial
role in assisting businesses
in making wise decisions
and achieving long-term
success.
Client Relationship
Management
Establishing and preserving
solid client relationships is
critical in determining a
consultant's success in the
consultancy world. An
effective consultant listens
actively to the client's
concerns and empathizes
with them. By doing so, they
can better understand their
client's needs and devise
strategies that cater to their
speci ic requirements.
Clear communication is
equally essential in
consultancy as it ensures
the consultant and client are
on the same page. Lastly, the
proposed strategies must
align with the client's vision
and goals. Considering all
these factors, a consultant
can build a valuable
relationship with their
clients and help them
achieve their objectives.
Possessing Analytical
Acumen
Top-performing consultants
exhibit exceptional critical
thinking abilities that
enable them to break down
intricate organizational
issues into manageable
components. They possess a
remarkable capacity to see
beyond the immediate
problem and understand
the situation's broader
context, allowing them to
provide comprehensive and
practical recommendations.
Their analytical
understanding and strategic
thinking skills position
them as valuable assets for
any organization looking to
achieve long-term success.
In today's fast-paced
business environment, a
skilled consultant
recognizes the importance
of being agile and
responsive to change. They
can quickly adapt their
strategies to stay in line
with the ever-shifting
market dynamics and
emerging trends. A great
consultant can help clients
navigate even the most
challenging business
landscape by staying ahead
and embracing change.
Dynamic Public Speaking
Mastery
The capacity for clear and
effective communication is
critical in the consulting
industry. A consultant's
ability to communicate their
conclusions and suggestions
in a way that is
understandable to all
parties concerned is
essential to their success. By
doing this, consultants can
encourage open
communication and
cooperation amongst
stakeholders, eventually
producing better results.
Problem-Solving Aptitude
The heart of consultancy
lies in solving problems.
Successful consultants
approach challenges
proactively, employing
creative problem-solving
techniques to address
issues and capitalize on
opportunities.
Interpersonal Skills
Building relationships is a
core competency for
consultants. They must
connect with clients and
team members, earning
trust and cooperation to
implement changes
successfully. Trust is the
bedrock of any consulting
relationship. Effective
consultants adhere to a
solid ethical code, ensuring
integrity in their actions,
recommendations, and
interactions.
Conclusion
The role of an effective
business consultant is
multi-faceted, requiring a
combination of analytical
prowess, strategic thinking,
and interpersonal skills.
While businesses manage
the intricacies of the
business environment,
these consultants emerge as
invaluable partners, guiding
them toward success with
insights, expertise, and a
commitment to excellence.
Armed with a toolbox of
skills and a passion for
improvement, the
in luential business
consultant stands as a
beacon in pursuing
organizational excellence.
The Education View January 2024
T H E
Article

30. “
Hanane
Empowering Organizations
for Success
Benkhallouk
n today's fast-paced and
Icomplex business
environment,
organizations require
expert guidance to navigate
challenges and drive
success. Dr Hanane
Benkhallouk is a highly
regarded business
consultant with an
impressive background in
sustainability and a wealth
of accomplishments.
I prioritize values such as integrity,
transparency, and accountability. By
upholding these values, I establish trust
with clients, demonstrating that their
best interests are at the forefront of my
consulting practice.
Dr
I

31. “
being. As a yoga
practitioner, a world
traveler, and a multilingual
individual luent in four
languages and dialects, she
brings a rich cultural
perspective to her work.
The Education View had
the privilege to interview Dr
Hanane Benkhallouk for its
latest edition 'Asia's Most
Trusted Business
Consultants to Follow.'
Below are the highlights of
the interview:
Please provide a brief
introduction about
yourself and your
professional background.
I was born in Casablanca,
Morocco, and later became
a naturalized American in
New York City, where I went
to college, and started my
early career in the late 90s
early 2000, and where I
witnessed 911 closely,
which greatly in luenced my
journey and choices.
Currently, I reside in
Dubai, where I was recently
granted a 10-year Golden
Visa as an 'innovator and
special talent.' Throughout
my career, I have been
fortunate to gain diverse
experiences across various
industries, including
banking, hospitality, retail,
and entrepreneurship.
These experiences have
exposed me to different
roles, such as operations,
marketing and
communications, business
development, and senior
management.
Additionally, I have had
the privilege of leading
multicultural and
multifunctional teams. This
rich and varied background
has naturally led me into
the ield of consulting.
What speci ic areas or
industries do you
specialize in as a business
consultant? Could you
share some notable
projects or success stories
that demonstrate your
expertise in these areas?
As a business consultant, I
specialize in fostering
human centricity, driving
culture change, and
promoting sustainability
within organizations.
Human Centricity: I work
closely with clients to
develop strategies that
prioritize the needs and
experiences of employees,
customers, and
stakeholders. I help clients
design employee-centric
policies, develop customer
journey mapping, and
implement feedback
mechanisms to create
positive and meaningful
experiences.
Culture Change: I assist
organizations in
transforming their culture
to adapt to changing market
dynamics and foster a high-
performance environment. I
help de ine and
communicate core values,
establish shared visions,
and implement change
management initiatives.
By fostering a culture of
collaboration, learning, and
agility, businesses can drive
innovation, improve
decision-making, and
enhance overall
organizational effectiveness.
Sustainability: I guide
organizations in integrating
sustainable practices into
their operations, products,
and services. This includes
assessing and developing
strategies to mitigate
climate risks. I also assist in
establishing sustainability
reporting frameworks and
integrating social
responsibility initiatives to
create long-term value for
both the organization and
society.
By specializing in human
centricity, culture change,
and sustainability, I enable
organizations to create
positive impacts on their
employees, customers,
communities, and the
environment. This holistic
approach helps businesses
thrive in a rapidly changing
world while contributing to
a more sustainable and
inclusive future.
How do you ensure that
your solutions are
tailored to meet the
unique needs of each
client?
Our SEEDS methodology,
encompassing Sense,
With a distinguished
academic pro ile, holding
an MBA and a DBA focused
on sustainability in
business, Dr Benkhallouk
brings a unique perspective
to her consulting practice.
Her expertise extends
beyond academia, as she is
a published author of the
Amazon Bestseller book,
'Seeds of Change,' which
has impacted over 5000
business leaders and
entrepreneurs worldwide.
Dr Benkhallouk's
in luence and expertise
span across continents,
having worked with
organizations and
stakeholders in over 20
countries across Asia,
Africa, Europe, and the
Americas. Her exceptional
contributions have earned
her multiple awards,
including the prestigious
'Game Changer' award by
the Middle East Institute of
Excellence and the
'Saphira' award,
recognizing her as a
positive ambassador by the
Moroccan Government.
Notably, Dr
Benkhallouk's insights and
thought leadership have
been featured in reputable
publications such as
Harvard Business Review,
Forbes, and more. She has
made a signi icant impact
as a founding regional
leader of the irst Lean-In
Circle in the Middle East, an
organization initiated by
Sheryl Sandberg to
empower women in the
workplace.
Beyond her professional
achievements, Dr
Benkhallouk embraces a
holistic approach to well-
Feature
What I believe sets me apart
from other business consultants in terms
of trustworthiness based on my self-
awareness and also feedback and
testimonials from my happy clients.

32. Engage, Empower, Develop,
and Sustain, serves as a
robust framework to
guarantee the
customization of our
solutions to meet the
unique needs of each client.
Let's explore how each
step of the SEEDS
methodology contributes to
this tailored approach:
Sense: Start by thoroughly
understanding the client's
requirements, goals, and
challenges. Through
extensive discussions,
interviews, and
assessments, we gain deep
insights into their speci ic
needs, and it helps us in
laying the foundation for
tailored solutions.
Engage: Active engagement
with the client is vital to
establish a collaborative
partnership. We foster open
communication, creating a
safe space for the client to
share their thoughts,
concerns, and ideas. By
nurturing this dialogue, we
ensure that their unique
perspectives are considered
throughout the process,
facilitating a comprehensive
understanding of their
requirements.
Empower: The
empowerment of the client
is central to our approach.
By involving them in
decision-making and
solution design, we harness
their expertise and input.
This collaborative approach
ensures that the proposed
solutions align with their
speci ic context and
requirements, promoting
ownership and commitment
to the inal outcomes.
Develop: Armed with a
deep understanding, active
engagement, and
empowered collaboration,
we develop tailored
solutions. Leveraging our
expertise, best practices,
and innovative approaches,
we design strategies,
frameworks, and action
plans that directly address
the client's unique
challenges. Flexibility and
adaptability are prioritized
to ensure seamless
integration within their
organizational context.
Sustain: Our commitment
extends beyond
implementation. We focus
on creating sustainable
solutions that can evolve
and grow with the client's
changing needs. Continuous
monitoring, evaluation, and
feedback loops guarantee
the ongoing effectiveness of
the solutions, aligned with
their evolving requirements.
We provide ongoing
support, enabling the client
to sustain and re ine the
solutions independently.
How do you stay updated
with the latest trends and
developments in the
business consulting
industry?
I stay updated with the
latest trends and
developments in the
business consulting industry
through continuous
learning, industry
publications, networking,
thought leadership, and
client engagement.
Attending conferences and
online courses and reading
reputable publications keep
me informed. Networking
connected me with experts
and thought leaders. By
engaging in thought
leadership activities, I
contribute to industry
discussions. Working
closely with clients exposes
me to diverse challenges
and evolving needs.
How do you ensure ethical
practices in your
consultancy work?
I ensure ethical practices in
my consultancy work
through a robust framework
that includes maintaining
con identiality, avoiding
con licts of interest, acting
with integrity, adhering to
professional standards, and
upholding client interests as
the top priority.
I prioritize transparency,
open communication, and
ethical decision-making to
ensure the highest level of
trust and integrity in all
aspects of my work.
What emerging trends do
you foresee in the
business consulting
industry, particularly in
the Asian market?
In the business consulting
industry, several emerging
trends are expected to
shape the Asian market.
Here are some key trends to
consider:
Digital Transformation:
The Asian market will
witness a surge in digital
transformation initiatives
across industries.
Consulting services will play
a crucial role in helping
businesses adopt advanced
technologies, leverage data
analytics, implement
automation, and enhance
cybersecurity to stay
competitive in the digital
landscape.
Sustainability and ESG:
Consulting will play a vital
role in helping
organizations integrate
sustainable strategies,
address climate change
risks, improve ESG
reporting, and meet
evolving regulatory
requirements. As businesses
strive for responsible
growth, consultants will
assist in implementing
sustainable business
models, enhancing supply
chain transparency, and
developing impactful social
and environmental
initiatives.
Market Entry and
Expansion: The Asian
market presents immense
opportunities for global
businesses. Consulting
services will assist
companies in market entry
strategies, navigating local
regulations, identifying
potential partners or
acquisitions, and developing
effective expansion plans to
tap into the region's growth
potential. Consultants with
deep knowledge of local
markets, cultural insights,
and strong networks will be
instrumental in helping
clients successfully enter
and navigate Asian markets.
What advice would you
give to individuals who
aspire to become
successful business
consultants?
Develop Expertise: Build a
strong foundation of
knowledge and expertise in
a speci ic industry,
The Education View January 2024
32

33. enkhallou
“
Dr Hanane Benkhallouk
Executive Director,
Sustain Leadership
Management Consultancy

34. functional area, or
consulting discipline.
Specializing in a niche area
allows you to differentiate
yourself and become a
trusted advisor in that
domain.
Continuous Learning:
Embrace a mindset of
continuous learning. Stay
updated with the latest
industry trends, emerging
technologies, and best
practices through reading,
attending conferences,
participating in webinars,
and pursuing relevant
certi ications or advanced
degrees.
Build a Professional
Network: Cultivate a strong
professional network by
actively engaging with
industry professionals,
attending networking
events, joining industry
associations, and utilizing
online platforms.
Collaborating and
connecting with others in
the ield can lead to
opportunities, partnerships,
and knowledge sharing.
Gain Practical Experience:
Seek opportunities to gain
practical consulting
experience through
internships, project-based
work, or entry-level
positions in consulting
irms. Practical exposure
helps develop problem-
solving skills, client
management abilities, and a
deep understanding of
consulting methodologies.
Entrepreneurial Mindset:
Cultivate an entrepreneurial
mindset by being proactive,
taking initiative, and
seeking opportunities for
growth. Treat your
consulting career as a
business, continuously seek
new clients, and strive to
deliver exceptional value to
clients.
“
By blending global
expertise with cultural
sensitivity, I ensure
that the solutions I
offer are both
effective and
culturally relevant,
addressing the
specific challenges
faced by
organizations in our
region.
34
The Education View January 2024
T H E

36. 36
Step-by-Step Guide

37. Article
The Education View January 2024
How
Become
to
a
Business
Consultant
These consultants
function as navigators in the
corporate seas, charting a
course for companies to
navigate the complexities of
an ever-shifting business
environment. Beyond the
traditional con ines of
advisory roles, they are
instrumental in shaping and
executing strategies that
align with organizational
goals, ensuring adaptability
and resilience in the face of
challenges.
Establishing a Solid
Educational Foundation
The journey towards
becoming a business
consultant begins with the
establishment of a solid
educational foundation.
Aspiring consultants
typically initiate their
careers by earning a
bachelor's degree in
n the ever-evolving
Ilandscape of business,
the role of a consultant
has transcended traditional
advisory functions to
become an indispensable
asset for organizations
navigating the complexities
of today's dynamic markets.
Business consultants,
armed with a unique blend
of strategic thinking,
problem-solving acumen,
and specialized expertise,
play a key role in steering
companies toward success.
Aspiring business
consultants, driven by a
passion for innovation and a
desire to make a signi icant
impact, often ind
themselves on a quest for a
roadmap that can guide
them through the intricacies
of building a successful
career in this challenging
yet rewarding ield.

38. business-related ields such
as business administration,
inance, or management.
However, for those aiming
for a higher level of
expertise, pursuing an
advanced degree, such as a
Master of Business
Administration (MBA), can
signi icantly enhance their
credentials in the
competitive consulting
landscape.
Cultivating Practical
Experience
Beyond the theoretical
realm of classrooms,
practical experience plays a
pivotal role in shaping the
capabilities of aspiring
consultants. Seeking
internships, entry-level
positions, or roles that
expose individuals to
various facets of business
operations becomes
instrumental. This hands-on
experience provides
invaluable insights into the
day-to-day challenges faced
by businesses, preparing
consultants for the
multifaceted nature of their
future roles.
Developing Specialized
Skills
Successful business
consultants often stand out
as specialists in speci ic
areas such as strategy,
inance, marketing, or
human resources. Aspiring
consultants are encouraged
to identify their areas of
interest and invest time in
developing specialized
skills. This may involve
pursuing relevant
certi ications, attending
workshops, or obtaining
additional training to
distinguish themselves in
their chosen ield of
expertise.
Building a Robust
Professional Network
Networking emerges as a
cornerstone of success in
the consulting industry.
Aspiring consultants are
advised to attend industry
conferences, join
professional associations,
and connect with
experienced professionals
in their chosen ields.
Building a robust
professional network not
only provides valuable
insights into industry trends
but also creates
opportunities for
collaboration and client
acquisition.
Honing Communication
Skills
Effective communication is
a non-negotiable skill for
any successful consultant.
Aspiring consultants are
urged to re ine their ability
to convey complex ideas
clearly and persuasively,
both in written and verbal
forms. The communication
skills of these individuals
play a pivotal role in
articulating solutions,
building rapport with
clients, and facilitating
effective collaboration
within teams.
Cultivating Problem-
Solving Abilities
Consultants, by nature, are
problem solvers. Developing
a robust problem-solving
mindset involves honing
analytical skills and
cultivating a strategic
approach to challenges. The
ability to think critically and
provide innovative solutions
becomes a hallmark of
successful consultants,
positioning them as
valuable assets to their
clients.
Crafting a Professional
Brand
Establishing a strong
professional brand is crucial
in a competitive ield.
Aspiring consultants are
encouraged to create
professional websites,
curate portfolios of their
work, and showcase their
expertise through articles or
blogs. A well-crafted
personal brand not only
enhances credibility but
also serves as a powerful
tool for marketing
consulting services.
Gaining Practical
Consulting Experience
Before venturing into
independent consulting,
gaining practical experience
within an established
consulting irm is advised.
This exposure allows
individuals to work on
diverse projects, interact
with clients, and learn from
experienced mentors.
Practical consulting
experience is invaluable for
honing skills and gaining a
deeper understanding of
client relationships.
Obtaining Relevant
Certi ications
Consideration of obtaining
relevant certi ications in the
chosen specialization is
recommended.
Certi ications such as
Certi ied Management
Consultant (CMC), Project
Management Professional
(PMP), or industry-speci ic
credentials add a layer of
credibility to pro iles,
instilling con idence in
potential clients and
employers.
Launching Your
Consulting Practice
Armed with education,
experience, skills, and a
robust network, aspiring
consultants are encouraged
to embark on the inal step:
launching their consulting
practices. De ining niches,
setting realistic goals, and
developing comprehensive
marketing strategies are
crucial. Leveraging
professional networks,
showcasing expertise
through case studies or
testimonials, and
positioning themselves as
trusted consultants in their
chosen ields become
essential.
In conclusion, the journey
to becoming a successful
business consultant is
multifaceted. It requires a
combination of education,
practical experience,
specialized skills, effective
networking, and a strategic
approach to problem-
solving. This step-by-step
guide serves as a roadmap
for aspiring consultants,
offering insights into the
key milestones and
strategies that can pave the
way to ful illing careers
where they can make
substantial impacts on
organizations seeking
guidance and innovation in
the dynamic business
landscape.
The Education View January 2024
T H E
38
Step-by-Step Guide