Why you should validate your skillsets: running a consultancy firm
It is now common practice for those working in the engineering sector to be required to do more. They are not only expected to be skilled, but also able to work in multi-disciplinary teams, understand diverse issues and convince others of their ideas and solutions.
A wealth of knowledge and experience can be harnessed in the early years of working in a company as a newcomer. If one has the eagerness to learn and grow, there are many ways to further harness your professional competences. One such example can be by transforming knowledge into practical use and coming up with new solutions to problems.
This could help you excel in your chosen specialisation, whether it is working in the operational, professional or administrative side of the business. While this may at first involve a steep learning curve or a series of fall starts, minor victories and lessons picked up along the way can help to better highlight your capabilities and challenge you to meet new goals. Development and growth are very without any doubt, an integral part of any professional career. They are also beneficial to those who are determined to rise and forge a path towards success.
As a young professional, a newly qualified trainee or future leader, learning the ropes in a professional services firm or a consultancy practice can help you identify your strengthens and further clarify the next steps you should take in your career.
Leading business and infrastructure companies such as PwC and Siemens, multilateral development banks, the United Nations and even national governments have understood the benefits of harnessing the best talent and fostering deeper employee engagement. Understanding the company’s philosophy can provide insight into how best to harmonise design with intention or project with long term aspirations of sustainability and quality.
Creating a dedicated training programme or an internal system to help your staff better understand the mechanisms of your business and how they can use this knowledge to make it function more effectively are essential. Aside from training programmes, mentorship and targeted courses, certifications are another way to ensure the knowledge gained is recognised by the industry. This in turn will show that quality services are being provided by these qualified professionals.
Let us not forget that management structures can be complicated to understand when you are a newcomer or inexperienced in the business of running a consultancy firm. By expanding the business expertise of young engineers and other professionals working in the company, they are effectively empowered to make the business more successful.
Over the years, business development in the consulting engineering context has gained significant importance. This is understandable given that the viability, sustainability and productivity of any consultancy practice or professional services firm are heavily dependent on the quality and integrity of the professional services offered.
How can this knowledge be acquired?
Well, aside from training in the various aspects of business administration and corporate management, it might be useful to validate your practical knowledge after some years spent working in that sector. The knowledge and skills cover the business aspects of managing a consulting firm – which can include wide-training topics.
FIDIC Credentialing Ltd (FCL) offers professionals working in the infrastructure industry certification in five strategic areas of expertise. One such qualification which could be applicable in this instance, i.e., validating the skillsets used in running a consulting practice is the FIDIC Consulting Practitioner programme.
This programme, which takes the form of an exam is currently open and accepting applications until 3 March 2023. We encourage anyone who has three or more years of experience or is a future leader to apply for this certification. It is a great way to validate your expertise and demonstrate to the industry that you are more than capable to meet the demands of your sector.
You can find out more about the exam and assessment requirements by visiting our programme webpage.
