Myth #1: Any Food Service / EVS consultant can help you achieve your goals.
Fact: Some consultants, but certainly not all, have the resources and experience to help you reach your goals. One of the problems in the industry is that anyone may call him or herself a consultant. Many such people have no clear foundation on what meaningful consulting is as they haven’t been trained. Instead, they rely only on a prior work role before entering the field. As a result, the quality of consultants varies dramatically. I strongly suggest working with a coach/consultant who has had a significant presence in the industry with documented and published results.
Myth #2: Consultants are an expense.
Fact: Consultants are an expense to the budget, but the right consultant can show the client how his or her services (more than just a well-written report in a pretty binder) can contribute to the reduction in the initial expense via a vetted ROI. When coupled with hands-on-coaching, these recommendations “give life, substance, and positive outcomes” to the suggested process improvements and pave the way for long-term course correction within the audited space. It makes financial sense in the long run!
Myth #3: Consultant/coaches can only help you reach business goals.
Fact: A good consultant/coach is someone who has demonstrated the ability to help others create positive change in their work locations and its culture. That training can transcend the work site. The positive change and training they gain may be applicable outside of work as well on interpersonal goals such as relationships, time management, work-life balance, stress reduction, simplification, and health. The effective consultant/coach works with the client to help him create a well-rounded work/life scenario.
Myth #4: Consulting/coaching takes a lot of time.
Fact: Yes, it is well documented that change for humans is difficult. Studies show that effective and sustained modification in better behavior is achieved with small, incremental changes over time. It is further understood that on average, “time” can be twelve months. This is due to the complexity of human life and the required daily activities, responsibilities, and struggles that are present while that person/department attempts to make a “course correction.” The sooner it is reconciled that “better and best” is available and achievable, and the commitment is made, the earlier “better” can be attained. This coaching must be done on a regular schedule to ensure that initial goals are reaffirmed and progress is monitored, recognized, modified, and rewarded.
