There are times when large corporations need a metaphorical kick in the pants to stimulate the workforce and make processes more efficient. This is when CEOs should consider bringing in outside facilitators to focus on development and improvement. When CEOs look outside the company to provide guidance for their staff, the external consultants can help coordinate partner retreats, coach on firm growth, provide guidance and help companies during technology changes, according to an article for Accounting Today.  

Outside facilitators should have a particular skill set in order for CEOs to get the most out of them. By possessing certain character traits, CEOs will be able to see a change in their staff that will lead to more efficiency in the workplace. Below are a few of the qualities outside facilitators should have.

Forward thinker
Large corporations that are slow to adapt to today's new technology are often the companies that get left behind when their competition is flourishing. For example, using business planning software for budgeting is much more efficient than doing it by hand. Researching innovations in mobile technology can improve communication and collaboration throughout the firm.

A resourceful outside facilitator will perform due diligence and research to understand what innovations will work best at a particular company. Creating a plan to become more efficient will also lead to a company taking the next step in becoming more profitable.

Understands their role
While an outside facilitator is getting paid to help the CEO, he or she must know it's not for personal benefit, but for the success of the company. Outside facilitators  who are willing to work behind the scenes for the benefit of the company are often the ones that will help it the most. However, facilitators who are providing the help to the company for recognition or who want to get credit for the success of the large corporation are the ones CEOs should try to avoid.

Trustworthy 
If a CEO and his or her employees are able to trust someone outside the company for guidance on how to improve processes and efficiency, there are many potential benefits. By trusting facilitators' advice, CEOs will take those outside thoughts and ideas and apply them to how they manage their companies. Outside facilitators should work to be as transparent as possible, which means anyone within a firm can come to talk and understand their suggestions. With good reasoning and research as a backbone to the facilitators' theories, CEOs and their staff will be able to trust these consultants even more.

Strong listening skills
Outside facilitators that are brought in to help CEOs with their processes should understand the right time to take the initiative while also fading into the background and letting members of the company work to improve their efficiency. During strategic planning meetings, outside facilitators should observe from the background and take notes on what is being said, then provide their guidance when called upon by the meeting orchestrators. If outside facilitators are too eager to voice their opinions, companies may find them as a roadblock instead of a stepping stone toward success. It's important for outside facilitators to know how to listen and absorb information when brought in by a CEO.

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