I heard this back a few years ago. The boss yelled, "Get me a good lawyer but not the one with two hands!"

"Huh?" secretary was puzzled.

Boss continued "...I mean don't give me a lawyer that says 'on one hand, we should do....and this. On the other hand..we do..'".

It is not difficult to fathom what's good professional service (and bad service of course). Just switch roles.

When we as clients, walk out of the lawyers office why should we be feeling indecisive thinking "should I do this, or this, or this...." after hearing what the lawyer said. Or after our tax accountant's visit, we feel so indecisive listening to his advise about "..approach this manner....or taking this route.. or this option..".

Even at the office level, how often is it that staff comes out of the supervisor or manager's room after long discussion, and says "so what does he wants us to do?"

And so it is with everything else. Even in major consultancy projects, the consultant will leave volumes of the completed project papers, complete with executive summary, appendices, schedules, the whole works. If you've been a client of such consulting, have you got the feeling that (after going through the papers) "so what's the consultant asking us to do?".

Whether you're a staff subordinate, consultant, accountant, doctor and everything else, it is good to practise role playing. We see things more clearly.

For professional services, if you are the consultant, after considering, explainining the issues involved, options, etc - you should state clearly which is the option you would go for if you are in his shoes. Some call this "putting your money where your mouth is..." And I would strongly add "and OFFER TO TAKE YOUR CLIENT'S 'SEAT" and run or make it happen for him..." if your client is uncertain it would work. As a consultant I do not only tell you what I think you should do, I offer to do it for you for I am absolutely sure it works.

Again role playing is important and common sense - we're either consulting or receiving consulting advice. As a client in charge of the project, I would appreciate and respect the consultant who not only leaves the stacks of project papers on my table, but offers to help me run and make it happen anytime. He is soooo confident.

Don't we love a good doctor, manager, lawyer, accountant if they offer clear guidance and 'one hand' solution.

Afterall if we read carefully in between the lines, all professional firms have a disclaimer clause. We know they are giving their opinion only and never in the executive role.

James NK Khoo is the owner of Qwenkay Information http://www.qwenkay.com a company providing accounting and content management systems software support. He is also the publisher for Go Uncle Web http://www.gouncleweb.com, a practical online business and web oriented guide. James has been in the commercial and industrial sector for many years.

If you need solid practical advice with accounts/bookkeeping or a budgeted yet decent website, contact him at james@qwenkay.com