When you're hiring organizational development consultants, you want to make sure their methods are supported by both experience and research. Because it's a rapidly changing sector, you should keep up with organizational development consultants news and trends to ensure that your OD consultant is using the newest and most effective methods possible.
Keeping up with news and trends mean that you need to check out insider sources as well as consumer sources for organizational development consulting. Drawing from both types of sources, you'll be able to understand new developments as well as get a sense of which methods are standing the test of time. Look up the following sources of information on OD consulting:
1. Classic and new books that OD consulting companies routinely use
2. Professional organizational development consultant organizations
3. Individual organizational development consulting firms' websites that feature news
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Read books geared to both organization development consultants and consumers
To understand breaking news and trends within OD consulting, you have to understand its current state. Books can fill you in on both classic methods and cutting edge organizational development consultant tools.
I recommend: At the
Free Management Library, find an overview of OD consulting as well as a recommended reading list of books for both the organizational consultant and the layperson. At the
Organizational Development Portal, you can view a recommended list of basic books to familiarize yourself with the ongoing trends in OD consulting.
Join professional organizations to get the inside scoop on OD consulting news and trends
This may be too much of a financial investment if you're a smaller office and don't engage in OD consulting yourself. However, if you can afford it, joining professional organizations is the best way to understand new methods OD consultants will be using.
I recommend: The
Organization Development Network is the most comprehensive professional organization for organization development consultants. Joining gives you access to three industry-specific publications, as well as reduced rates for conference attendance.
ASTD targets trainers and consultants, including OD consultants. Membership in the ASTD includes access to publications that report on news and trends in the industry.
Visit organizational development consulting firms' websites for news and trends
Individual OD consulting firms often carry a good range of articles and white papers on their websites. Check these regularly to keep up on the latest news affecting how you may implement organizational development at your company.
I recommend: Toolpack Consulting includes a small but useful library of white papers and articles which is constantly growing.
Kindred Organizational Consulting maintains a library of articles, and also posts upcoming events where you can learn about new trends.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- To keep up with organizational development consultants news and trends, create a strong relationship with the OD consulting firm you employ. Meet regularly to discuss new developments and how they may help your company.