1. Hiring A Statistical Consultant
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2. The Ideal Consultant Statistical Skills Nonstatistical Skills
Training (usually M.S. or Ph.D)
Experience (get references)
Skill recency (occasionally an issue)
Nonstatistical Skills
Dataside manner (questioning, non-defensive)
Problem-minded (not “data-minded”)
Interventionist (wants to improve client skills)
Organization and practicality (focused)
Communicates (interacts, informs client)
See D. A. Zahn and D. J. Isenberg, “Nonstatistical Aspects of Statistical Consulting,” The American Statistician, V. 37, N. 4, 1983,

3. Ideal Consultant - Practical
Focuses on deliverables
Identifies the real client
Ascertains client’s goals
Sets boundaries on the problem
Defines a stopping point
Sets a timetable
Establishes milestones
Produces a plan and/or prototype
Evaluates progress, gets client reactions
See D. A. Zahn and D. J. Isenberg, “Nonstatistical Aspects of Statistical Consulting,” The American Statistician, V. 37, N. 4, 1983,

4. Ideal Consultant – Professional
Ethical responsibility
Maintains neutrality
Indicates limitations of the analysis
Refers client elsewhere if necessary
States fees clearly (non-contingency)
Professional performance
Provides full report and documentation
Identifies key non-statistical issues
Recommends options for further study

5. Ideal Consultant - Reports
Oral
Sensitive to client’s reactions
Allows interruptions and questions
Answers questions patiently
Prepares clear exhibits
Written
Avoids unnecessary jargon
Provides a rough draft as early as possible
Respects confidentiality (no loose copies)
Keeps it concise
See J. R. Boen and D. A. Zahn, The Human Side of Statistical Consulting (Lifteime Learning Publications, 1982).

6. Dataside Manner Handling Emotions Communication Group dynamics
Client fear (sources, comforting)
Client anger (sources, defusing)
Communication
Written
Verbal
Non-verbal
Group dynamics
Stereotyping
Dominant personalties
See J. R. Boen and D. A. Zahn, The Human Side of Statistical Consulting (Lifteime Learning Publications, 1982).

7. Tough Clients Number freaks Number phobes Heterogeneous audiences
Local politics
Local culture
Domineering clients
Power struggles
Personality clashes
Harried clients
Indecisive clients
See J. R. Boen and D. A. Zahn, The Human Side of Statistical Consulting (Lifteime Learning Publications, 1982).

8. Make or Buy? Statistical literacy is nice ...
Every employee needs some statistical training
Every firm needs some in-house expertise
But an outside consultant can ...
Bring in exactly the skills needed when needed
Straddle internal political issues and biases
Help you improve your in-house staff skills

9. Hiring a Consultant It’s your money ... so get the most by
Evaluating the consultant before hiring
Interacting with the consultant
Listening to the consultant with an open mind
Evaluating the consultant’s work
Rehiring a good consultant (and conversely)

10. Suggested Reading
J.C. Baskerville, “A Systematic Study of the Consulting Literature as an Integral Part of Applied Training in Statistics,” The American Statistician, Vol. 35, No. 3, August, 1981, pp
J. R. Boen and D. A. Zahn, The Human Side of Statistical Consulting (Lifteime Learning Publications, 1982).
Javier Cabrera and Andrew McDougall, Statistical Consulting, New York: Springer-Verlag, 2002.
Derr, Janice, Statistical Consulting : A Guide to Effective Communication (Thompson Learning, 2000).
D. A. Zahn and D. J. Isenberg, “Nonstatistical Aspects of Statistical Consulting,” The American Statistician, Vol. 37, No. 4, 1983,