Are the clients of the internal consultancy free to use external management consultants as an alternative?
It is argued that the client having a choice between different management consultancies (together with the ability at any time to go elsewhere if not satisfied), and correspondingly a management consultancy organisation being exposed to actual or potential competition (external competition in the case of internal consultancies), is – if not actually of the essence of the client/management relationship – a crucial discipline on management consultancy, in assuring a strong focus on the highest level of professionalism, delivery of results, and client satisfaction. If an internal consultancy is not subject to this discipline, then it is argued that the degree of development of these characteristics must be in real doubt and subject to serious (and sceptical) scrutiny. the client should have the opportunity to reject the internal consultant (that is go outside). Does the consultancy have the right to refuse the assignment? An internal consultancy that may be forced to take any assignment a
