755 - The role of consultant in strategic management

N. Lygeros

As strategy is a chameleon, the role of the consultant in strategic management is necessary polymorphic. It can be separated in two main noetic categories.
The first one which is the most obvious aspect of consultation can be considered as a formal combination of brainstorming and lateral thinking. It corresponds to the elaboration of a strategic plan in its holistic sense. In other words, the consultant in strategic management gives the guide-lines of a specific project and his recommendations on some problematic fields. But his expert advices are not executive duties. This category involves in an essential way cultural, economical and mathematical skills.

The second one which is more abstract can be considered as a combination of problem solving and decision making. It corresponds to the realization and the feedback of a strategic plan in the negotiations phases. In other words, the consultant in strategic management develops meta-heuristics which can be used in creative abductions. This category involves in an essential way specific cognitive, lexical, psychological and social skills.

Finally, the polymorphic role of the consultant in strategic management is not only restricted in the research of the best move but also the next one.