The words consulting and counseling are commonly used throughout the SBDC Program as synonyms, but not always. More specifically, consulting is the substance of the activity and counseling is the process of the activity. The term consultant is most commonly used to describe the person, the word counselor is almost never used to describe an SBDC consultant. Consultants are change-agents.
�Counseling is confidential, individual advice, guidance or instruction given to a person or entity concerning the formation, management, financing and operation of small business enterprises and may be conducted one-to-one, by telephone, or by [interactive electronic media].� (2002 SBA Program Announcement, page A-1.) �The counseling must be substantive. SBDC�s counseling of clients should be reflective of its area�s demographics..� (SBDC/SBA Project Officer�s Handbook, page III-1)
�This process [of counseling] includes identifying and analyzing the client�s needs and problems. To accomplish this, the consultant may need to gather information and conduct research in order to implement the appropriate strategy. The goal of SBDC consulting is to increase the management capability of the business owner and is viewed as an educational process.�
(2002 ASBDC Accreditation Standards at www.asbdc-us.org/directors/index.html. Under Links for State Directors, click on ASBDC Accreditation Standards)
See related topics in this sections:
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Consulting Defined |
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