Consulting office. What is consulting: types, forms, its difference from coaching, the main tasks and goals of a consulting company. List of structures with which the consulting company can cooperate

In situations like this, the process of changing working methods is usually very time consuming and painful.

What is the reason for this:

  • At times, poor understanding of management and economic fundamentals.

Sometimes a conscious rejection of the introduction of a new one.

- Low level of the simplest economic culture.

Implementing recognized business practices in Russia is a long process, not a quick return on it, as our leaders want. However, consulting is still in demand with us. Representatives of foreign companies jointly with Russia occupy the first positions. It is clear why. The desire to quickly and efficiently apply progressive methods in Russian conditions is the main reason.

The formation and expansion of the scientific base, the holding of seminars, the appearance of many research articles on this topic should be recognized as a positive moment in the development of this direction in Russia. Also, the presence of many organizations that have money, have achieved outstanding indicators, are able to develop further, focusing on long-term existence.

The creations of our specialists are not inferior to foreign works. For example, the topic of "reengineering" is widely discussed in the West and is very popular.

Difficulties of various companies are internal and external. Raw material prices, exchange rates, legal difficulties have a serious impact. The situation is exacerbated by internal tensions in the team, the change of bosses and partners. These problems can be solved by contacting the services of professional consultants. Consulting is also necessary if it is necessary to minimize costs and increase production growth.

Giving new approaches to business is the way consulting companies work. The willingness to solve any individual problem by developing an exclusive plan is also the work of the consultants. The formation of an image policy is one of the parties to consulting, conducting an audit with the placement of indicators in the public domain.

Consulting is divided into groups:

Subject (subject) it is applied in working with clients directly and is broken down into a general one related to finance and production

Methodological- used by consultants - expert, process, training.

Combining the above two methods, we get a hybrid. In different countries, we use a certain type of such services most, which depends on the economy, market and private details.

In modern interpretation it looks like this:

  • General management.
  • Administration.
  • Personnel management.
  • Marketing.
  • The production part.
  • Information technology.
  • Specialized.

The consultant is not responsible for solving the problem, he only instructs those responsible for it. The purpose of the consulting research is to show ways by improving internal processes. There is internal, external and international consulting on localization. Sometimes the military, HR - human reserves, also - within the framework of training, Technologies - IT, related to environmental issues and management.

In Russia, the types of such services are becoming more and more important every year. The growth of professionalism among consultants is predicted. Many of ordinary citizens have a very vague idea of ​​what consulting is and how simple advice can help optimize production or increase staff motivation. Although, in fact, it is the most interesting and creative work. It is very diverse and provides many ways to find key nodes.

To understand the counseling process and clarify:

How is the process going:

  1. Reflection. Action - sets topics for elaboration and reflection.
  2. Specialist. Action - monitors the process and provides feedback.
  3. Detection. Action - selects materials and encourages discussion.
  4. Finding parallel solutions. Action - finds alternatives, stimulates potential. Evaluates the result of introducing alternatives.
  5. Helps in finding solutions. Action - takes part.
  6. Teacher-instructor. Action teaches. Offers training programs.
  7. Technical expert. Action - Offers information to reach a solution.
  8. Propaganda. Action - indicates the direction of the exit from the situation and convinces them of their loyalty

With the help of this article, we tried to clearly and simply explain what consulting is, to reveal the main aspects of this concept, an interesting history of the emergence and development of this phenomenon in the world and Russian economies, to help navigate the complex modern world.

In this article, you will learn what consulting is and what an important function it performs in the field of business. What types of consulting services exist, who provides them and when it is advisable to apply for them. As well as expert comments and a helpful video on the topic of consulting.

Consulting is a type of intellectual activity, the scope of which includes consulting entrepreneurs, leaders of small, medium and large businesses. The main task of consulting is to analyze and determine the state in which the enterprise is at the moment of analysis.

With the help of consulting services, you can resolve most commercial issues: legal, financial, technological, etc.

“Consulting is help in management to achieve the set goals and positive business results. These are expert consultations in a specific area. "

Consulting specialists are independent and provide assistance to the management system of an organization or enterprise. The main goal of these specialists is to improve quality.

Help should be understood as consultations on organizational issues and recommendations on how to do business competently in different market conditions.

At the same time, any consultations are given after a detailed study, analysis of the business and its existing problems. Further, options for business development are considered: reorganization of the enterprise, increasing labor efficiency, etc.

Tasks, goals and stages of consulting

The key task and at the same time the goal of consulting is to improve the quality of management, increase the efficiency of personnel, improve the functioning of the business and find a solution to financial, legal and other problems that negatively affect profits and business in general.

For each individual case, consultants of consulting firms create unique solutions that will improve the management structure and solve existing problems.

Consulting tasks include:

  • market analysis;
  • forecasting;
  • strategy Development;
  • analysis of competitors;
  • analysis of services, products, goods;
  • financial and economic analysis;
  • consultations.

The main stages of consulting

There are 4 main steps involved in consulting services.

  1. Detecting and posing a problem. At this stage, an independent specialist analyzes the business, the market and identifies all existing problems.
  2. Assessment of the situation. After identifying problems, the consultant assesses the situation - how critical it is for the business and how it hinders its development.
  3. Creation of a plan to eliminate the problems found. At this stage, a strategy for solving problems is being developed.
  4. Implementation of the plan. The final stage is the implementation and implementation of the created strategy to solve all the issues and difficulties of the enterprise or business.

The main types of consulting services

Consulting services are suitable for almost any type of business, as there are more than 10 types of them. Each will be discussed in detail below.

The scope of activities of consulting companies includes:

This is a type of consulting services aimed at improving management and running a business or entrepreneurial activity. Experts provide advice and optimal solutions to existing problems related to working with clients and staff. They find and analyze the company's problems, and then implement a developed strategy for their effective elimination.

Such consulting services are aimed at advising on any industry and business area. They allow you to differentiate yourself from competitors and increase the company's profits.

In this case, we are talking about the financial management of the business. This includes:

  • investment analysis;
  • financial planning advice;
  • creating strategies to strengthen the financial system and its future development;
  • designing plans for business investment activities;
  • creation of a structure for managing finances, investments, economic services and the budget of an enterprise or company.

Consulting on accounting, training accountants and their managers to work with accounting software and assistance in maintaining new forms of accounting.

Tax consulting

Assistance in paying taxes, processing tax documents, reporting, detecting violations and eliminating errors in the field of taxation.

This type of consulting consists in providing assistance in the legal field and is of an exclusively consulting nature. Consulting company specialists help companies solve legal issues using a systematic or integrated approach.

Expert Consulting

It consists in analyzing the business and implementing the identified problems by developing a special strategy and plans.

HR consulting

In this case, work is carried out in the field of personnel motivation, improving production performance, holding events for company employees, optimizing the psychological climate within the team and solving other personnel issues.

Such consulting services are related to information technology and support of various business processes. Due to this service, it is possible to determine how effectively information technologies are used in business.

Investment (strategic) consulting

This includes consulting managers and investors on investment activities. Experts offer optimal and safe schemes for investing or raising capital.

Logistic consulting

This type of consulting services is aimed exclusively at solving issues and problems in the field of logistics. They allow you to develop a uniform and optimal logistics policy. Find strengths and weaknesses and strengthen them by analyzing logistics, developing and implementing projects and strategies to improve the situation in this area of ​​business.

Environmental Consulting

These services are suitable for companies from the construction, engineering or manufacturing sectors. In this case, specialists are looking for a solution to problems related to the environmental support of a company or a large enterprise.

Environmental consultants help organizations find the best solution to reduce the pollution caused by their activities.

Restaurant consulting

This type of consulting is intended exclusively for the restaurant business. It includes:

  • Analysis of the success of the restaurant.
  • Development and implementation of new standards in business.
  • Business optimization.
  • Restaurant management on a contractual basis.
  • Full support of the restaurant from the moment the idea was formed to its opening and further work.

These are the main types of consulting services that every entrepreneur and company leader should know about.

“Consulting services are consultations about certain things. The word "consulting" comes from the word "consultation". Therefore, if you take and simplify the whole model, then this is just a consultation, but in most cases it is expensive and very professional.

In fact, you pay for the experience and knowledge of some people - a consultant in a specific area or several consultants. "

Stanislav Tsist - manager consulting agencyUniConsulting

Who is engaged in consulting services

The services described above are provided by consulting companies. This work is done by specially trained professionals called consultants.

The tasks of consultants of consulting firms include:

  • Search for problems within the company.
  • Analysis of the activities of the enterprise.
  • Development of strategies and programs to solve the problems identified.
  • Consulting on any issues: management, accounting, logistics, finance, etc.

Consultants have all the necessary knowledge to help small, medium or large businesses solve problems and quickly adapt to an ever-changing market or a regularly growing one.

In particular, consultants of consulting companies have the following knowledge:

  • computer science (possession of a computer and various software);
  • marketing and advertising;
  • finance and accounting;
  • sales and management;
  • logistics and investments;

They also need to understand personnel issues, environmental issues, as well as computer technology, basic software and more.

When is it advisable to use consulting services?

  1. In case of disagreements between business partners on the further development of the company, production, marketing, investments, etc.
  2. When a business is in a critical situation, for example, on the verge of bankruptcy or ruin, and the manager or entrepreneur is not able to independently solve the problems that have arisen and keep the company.
  3. When you expand your business and scale it up. When it is planned to work in other regions of the country or even enter the international market.
  4. When you need to find fresh ideas to quickly promote a new service, product or product.
  5. When it becomes necessary to conduct an audit of a business in order to understand how effective it is and what are the future prospects given the current state of affairs.
  6. When you plan to sell a business and you need to check all the important points.
  7. In the absence of new ideas for promoting a business, product, service or product. Or for the development of a new product, instead of an obsolete or outdated consumer.
  8. When a manager or managers need new experience and knowledge to effectively work with customers, staff, to improve the quality of products and reduce production costs.

Consulting - solving any problems in the field of business

In conclusion, we summarize all of the above.

Consulting is a type of activity aimed at solving a number of issues and problems associated with doing business. There are 14 types of consulting services in total, which are provided by consulting companies. The service itself is provided by specially trained consultants.

It is necessary to resort to consulting services when a company or business has problems in management, competition, finance, investment, accounting, logistics and other areas.

Consulting helps to quickly solve the problems that have arisen and restore the stability of the company. However, such services are not cheap and require some effort, since it is difficult to solve all problems without the active participation of the manager.

Consulting services are popular all over the world, since they can be used to solve various kinds of business problems that are not directly related to the main activity of the company. By using consulting, the company has the opportunity to focus on its core business.

Consulting - very useful service for businessmen... Those who have never used consulting services are interested in their cost. Not everyone understands the economic benefits of attracting specialists from outside, and it can be very significant.

In order to assess what significance a consulting company can bring for business development, we will give a definition and consider the essence of this concept.

What is consulting?

Let's start by defining consulting according to the Oxford Dictionary.

Consulting means "doing the business of providing expert advice to people in a particular field." In other words, a consultant is someone who advises a specific group of people.

Consulting is business of providing expert advice a certain group of people.

A consultant is someone who has a certain level of knowledge that a certain group of people find valuable, and people in that group are willing to pay the consultant to access their experience.

It is worth noting that there is nothing mentioned about big firms, degrees or certifications. If you can provide expert advice to a specific group of people, you can be a consultant

All of this begs the question, why is consulting so valuable?

The answer to this question is at the heart of the meaning of counseling.

The true meaning of consulting - the consultant is one who gives advice. Therefore, it is worth asking the question "why do people buy advice?"

Why do people ask for advice?

They want to change something, achieve something, and they need help.

If the financial condition of the company is not what the leaders want. That being said, they know what their desired state is, but they need advice to find out how to get there.

This is why people want advice. They want to get from point A to point B, but they don't know how to get there. They are either lost or face obstacles that they don't know how to overcome.

The true meaning of consulting is to help people solve problems and move from where they are.

And the more valuable the desired state is for someone, the more he is willing to pay for help.

For example, if a small business owner earns 60 million rubles. per year and their goal is to make 120 million rubles. per year, the achievement of their goal for them is 60 million rubles, and they are probably ready to pay 5 million rubles, 10 million rubles, 20 million rubles, perhaps even up to 60 million rubles.

Consulting in a nutshell: helping people in solving problems and achieving results.

So if reaching a desired state is so valuable to people, why don't they just figure it out on their own?

Why People Hire Consultants

There are three main reasons people decide to bring outside advice:

  1. They simply cannot figure it out or get to the desired state on their own.
  2. They have a general idea, but they want to get there faster.
  3. They want to save time and effort by following an effective, proven system.

Three main types of consulting companies

When someone says, "I am a consultant," they usually fall into the same from three categories.

  1. Management consulting.
  2. Corporate consulting.
  3. Independent consulting.

Management Consulting is what most people think of when someone says consulting. This area is dominated by large firms to help businesses improve strategy and operations or manage significant business events such as mergers and acquisitions.

Independent consulting often comes up when someone has developed expertise in a field, they choose to build and run their own business around that experience rather than continuing as an employee.

Specific selling experience can be almost anything, and thanks to the emerging gig economy, thousands of new independent consultants are creating highly profitable businesses for themselves.

How can you become a consultant?

Exists two main ways to get a consultation:

  1. Get a job.
  2. Start your own business.

While getting a job in consulting is more competitive and more challenging than ever, starting your own consulting business is still no easier.

With the rise in staff costs, more and more companies are looking for temporary and permanent outside help, often in the form of consultants and “do-it-for-you” services. If you are interested in starting your own consulting business, there has never been a better time to get started.

The world's largest consulting firms today include PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, Ernst & Young and KPMG (KPMG). They are also called the "big four".

In most cases, the services of consulting companies are used by managers, administrative staff, and department managers.

Companies can use the services of external consultants in two cases. First, when the company is small and at an active stage of its development. In this case, it does not have its own structural units capable of solving the task.

Secondly, the services of consulting companies are often used by large corporations. The fact is that the conclusion of the consulting division to outsourcing is due to considerations of economic feasibility and allows you to reduce the cost of maintaining personnel.

Usually, a consulting company is contacted in difficult crisis situations. For example, with a drop in sales, loss of market share and a decrease in the competitiveness of products. Consultants can help reorient a business to more promising niches for development or develop a company's marketing or competitive strategy. But dealing with critical situations is not the only function of the consulting company.

Often, her clients are companies that involve business development and the search for new directions of development. To this end, consultants conduct marketing research of the market, determine the most promising niches for its development, analyze the activities of competitors, make a pre-investment assessment of business projects, and forecast the development of market segments. They can also carry out an internal audit of the company's activities to identify problem areas within the organization.

External consultants can solve internal problems of the company, providing the management with a plan for optimizing business processes, building a management structure in the organization, motivating personnel, etc. They can also directly participate in the management of the company, carry out strategic and tactical planning.

The main goal of HR consulting is to increase the efficiency and individual productivity of employees.

Another area of ​​activity of consulting companies is the development and implementation of information systems, as well as system integration.

A new direction of consulting is the so-called personal consulting. Unlike traditional psychological counseling, it is aimed at developing strategies for personal development, forming a system of relationships.

Types of consulting companies

Consulting companies are extremely diverse. From the point of view of the profile of their activities, they can be highly specialized (which cover the entire range of consulting services) and highly specialized (providing only one type of service - for example, company audit or IT consulting).

The methods of activity distinguish between expert, process and training consulting.

Localization distinguishes between domestic and international consulting.

According to the range of tasks solved by consulting companies, one can single out specialists in the field of commercial, financial, legal, environmental, technological consulting, etc.

White salary- this is the only legal form of remuneration. When looking for a job, many job seekers also face illegal types of payment: black and gray wages. In order to figure out whether a given employer's salary is legal, you need to pay attention to the following signs.

Signs of a white paycheck:

  • The full amount of the salary is indicated in the documents when applying for a job.
  • The accrual of bonuses and other incentive allowances is carried out by order.
  • The money is transferred to the card or issued through the cashier. Cash payments must be made on one of the following documents: cash order, payroll, or payroll. The documents must be signed by a manager, chief accountant or authorized person. Opposite the surname of a specific employee should be the amount that is handed out.
  • No additional envelope amounts will be issued.
  • The actual amount of income is reflected in the 2-NDFL certificate and in the payroll.
  • All deductions are made from the entire amount of the employee's income.

What is the official pay

Many people do not even think that they are receiving illegal income. They work without registration or receive part of their payment in envelopes, but do not realize that part of their income is hidden. For most employees, it does not matter that the size of their actual income according to documents is less than their real earnings. Employees pay attention to the fact that money arrives on time, without delays.

The official salary is calculated either according to the report card, or according to the fulfilled norms. An employee should not be issued for a salary less than the minimum wage established by the state.

Salary structure

  • Salary. To calculate which, the actual hours worked according to the timesheet are taken into account, or the actually fulfilled norms.
  • Increase (for length of service, qualification, length of service, rank or others).
  • Additional payments for work on weekends, for night hours, for replacing an absent employee, and others.
  • Incentive payments, including bonuses.
  • The regional coefficient established in a particular region.

When an employee is on sick leave, he is paid a temporary disability benefit. When on a business trip-business trip. And when you go on vacation, vacation pay is paid.

Features of employment at work

When hiring an employee, a hiring order must be made. An employment contract is another fundamental document describing the position, working conditions, rest, as well as the amount of remuneration for performed duties.

You need to familiarize yourself with the following internal documents of the organization:

  1. Collective agreement.
  2. Bonus regulations.
  3. Inner order rules.
  4. Job descriptions.
  5. Taxes and salaries.

You need to understand the difference between accrued and paid salaries. The difference between them is withholding personal income tax (personal income tax), trade union dues, alimony and other deductions on a writ of execution.

In addition, the employer pays mandatory contributions from all accrued income of employees to the following extra-budgetary funds:

  1. Pension Fund of the Russian Federation (PFR).
  2. Mandatory Health Insurance Fund (MHIF).
  3. Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation (FSS).

Illegal types of salaries

On the territory of the Russian Federation, there is only one type of remuneration - the official salary in accordance with the Labor Code of the Russian Federation. In the common people, such earnings are called white wages. No other types of wages are legal, there are no legal concepts of black or gray wages.

Black salary

An employment contract is not concluded with an employee, an order for employment is not made, and there is no documentary registration of a person in the organization. Such an employee receives earnings in cash in an envelope.

The obvious disadvantages of illegal sources of income:

  • The lack of protection of the employee by law.
  • Lack of tax transfers.
  • The impossibility of formal care for vacation, sick leave or maternity leave.

The employee does not have seniority and there are no deductions either to the MHIF, or to the Pension Fund, or to the FSS. In the event of illness or dismissal, the employer often does not pay due payments. When the time comes to receive a pension, the payments will be minimal.

The only advantage of such a source is the higher amount of illegal income. This option is convenient for business areas with a regular turnover of cash, which are then used to pay earnings.

This method is also convenient for real estate organizations. In such firms, only a few people are registered, and the rest receive only interest on sales.

Gray salary

In part, the official salary is called gray. At the same time, employees are registered for a minimum wage. It is from this amount that the employer pays all taxes. Sometimes an employee is appointed to a position with a lower salary. The rest is paid in an envelope.

Such a scheme allows the employer to reduce tax costs and increases wages. However, sick leave, maternity leave, vacation pay, as a rule, are calculated according to the minimum wage and their size is minimal. It is highly likely that after the decree, the employer will offer to quit, and in case of disagreement, he will leave only the white part of the salary.

Another disadvantage of partially illegal earnings is that the employer regulates the amount in the envelope on his own and can establish various fines and illegal deductions.

Illegal salary scheme disguised as dividends

Another way of paying salaries is a scheme that includes a minimum wage and dividends. Each employee is given the opportunity to purchase shares in the organization, which he must sell when he leaves.

These conditions are specified in the employment contract. A smaller part of the salary is drawn up and paid on time. The employee periodically receives most of the income in the form of dividends, which in fact make up most of his earnings.

Taxes are paid only on the minimum wage. The frequency of dividends is not monthly, but quarterly. In this scheme, dividends are a good cover for illegal income. To identify this scheme, they reconcile all labor contracts, minutes and documents of shareholders' meetings, employee shares and the amount of payments.

What is the employer's risk

Often the employer is calm and confident that employees will not complain because they will not be able to prove anything without official documents. However, illegal schemes are easily detected. To do this, an unscheduled check is carried out and the number of employees in the workplace and in the staffing table is simply compared.


The identification of this scheme can be facilitated by employee complaints to inspection bodies and testimony. Illegal wages and tax evasion threaten the employer with heavy fines and even criminal liability.

Advantages and disadvantages of official earnings for an employee

  • The main advantage is the social security of the employee. If there is a violation of labor obligations, then you can file a complaint with the regulatory authorities.
  • The registration of workers and the payment of white wages is a sign of a stable organization.
  • Taxes are charged on all earnings. In the future, the amount of pension payments will be calculated from these taxes transferred to the PFR.
  • Temporary disability benefits and vacation pay are calculated based on total earnings.
  • When you go on parental leave, it will be easier to return to your position by keeping your salary, since the registration is official.
    You can confirm your income with a certificate, which is sometimes needed to obtain a mortgage or loan.
  • The size of the salary is fixed, the employer has no right to reduce it at will.
  • In case of dismissal of an employee, the employer must pay all due payments.
  • You can return part of personal income tax from the budget using tax deductions. This is beneficial in the case of buying an apartment or house on a mortgage.

The disadvantages are not so obvious, but still there.

  • Official income is usually less than illegal income. Since the employer reduces part of his expenses by cutting the size of wages.
  • Most of the vacancies in private business are offered with illegal earnings, so it is more difficult to find a job with an official salary.
  • Alimony and debts under orders of execution are withheld from official earnings, it is easier to hide illegal income. In this regard, when registering an employee, the deduction from wages will be in full.

Advantages and disadvantages of a white salary for an employer

  • The obvious disadvantage is the cost of taxes.
  • Complex accounting reporting.
  • The inability to fire an unsuitable employee, because according to the Labor Code, this is difficult to do.

The advantages for the employer are much less:

  • Lack of responsibility for illegal wages and tax evasion.
  • Good reputation and stability of the organization.
  • Accounting transparency.


How to check if the employee's pay is official

If an employee has doubts about whether he has official income, then this can be checked as follows. You need to register in your personal account on the website of the Federal Tax Service and download the 2-NDFL certificate there. Organizations are required to submit these certificates annually by surname. Having received a similar one in accounting, you can compare income by month.

Despite the obvious merits of the white salary, most employers and employees opt for the gray option. Making such a choice, you need to weigh all the risks, since more often workers lose more than they get. It should be borne in mind that with an illegal salary, the employer may delay its issuance for an indefinite period, pay it not in full or not pay at all.

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