The Performance Consultant's Fieldbook

Author: Judith Hale
Copyright: 2006
Location: # of Pages: 281
Price: $50.00
Publisher: PFEIFFER
ISBN-13: 9780787985349

This review originally appeared in Training Magazine and is reprinted with permission. See www.trainingmag.com.

The Performance Consultant's Fieldbook. Having recently attended a highly-touted, high-priced "performance consulting" workshop in which the standard solution was to have some meetings, and then maybe another meeting and a follow-up meeting (I kept thinking of the film Office Space's conference room whiteboard with its "Planning to Plan" flow chart), I was delighted to get my hands on Judy Hale's newly-updated version of her great 2002 publication. Heavily peppered with icons marking real-world scenario-based 'field notes', useful 'field tools', and quick-tip 'field techniques', the book is an encyclopedic resource of real solutions and, as the title says, is truly meant for use as consultants work in the field.

Updates include material on sustaining change, establishing credibility, and measuring results, all from one of the field's most seasoned veterans. Judith Hale has given us a "brain dump" based on her years of experience with myriad clients. Trainers, pay attention! Those wanting to stay credible, agile and employed will move from delivering training programs to crafting and delivering performance solutions. If the field is new to you, there's help here for making the transition. If you're already in the field, you'll no doubt be pleased with Hale's work in documenting and organizing your toolkit. And it gets better: the accompanying CD, complete with dozens of printable checklists, survey tools, and worksheets, is worth the price of the book. This one is a must-have for anyone seeking to move to performance consulting (which includes nearly everyone who reads this magazine, I should think) and the current performance consultant looking to sharpen the saw.

Review by : Jane Bozarth