The issue or problem may be short-term. For example, a property or a group of properties may be undergoing a franchise change. To effectively manage change and maximize opportunity will require an intense effort, analysis and focus that will stress existing organization’s resources and potentially jeopardize well being of rest of operation. This is a situation where a consultant can assist in managing change until conversion is complete and newly franchised properties have stabilized.

Another example is when a position is stubbornly vacant and right candidate has yet to materialize or position is such that it can be effectively filled on a part-time basis. To leave position vacant is hurting operation but to make a hasty decision has long-term consequences. This is an illustration of how a temporary arrangement with a consultant can keep operation moving smoothly until a position can be permanently filled.

In other situations, issue may be more long term and effective use of a consultant on an ongoing basis may be a cost effective solution to problem. For example, a smaller organization may not have resources of a larger company in oversight or training. The example comes to mind of a small company in which several hotels are seeing market share and REVPAR index slide and need assistance to turn situation around and provide ongoing support. Where there is no corporate regional Director of Sales or for those regional DOSs whose time is already spread thin, a good consultant can fill that requirement on an ongoing but part-time basis at a rate of remuneration far less than addition of a permanent, full time staff member.

The list of potentially problem areas is relatively endless and includes any number of operational, technical and customer service areas. A consultant allows you to hire a level of expertise that you might otherwise not be able to afford.

But lest you think that this is self-serving -- allow me to provide view from other side; what makes a ‘consultant-client’ relationship work for benefit of both. A good consultant-client relationship is a professional marriage. A consultant wants to provide value to client but recognizes that it requires a bit of work on both sides. Let me share with you how to maximize a consulting relationship:

The Chemistry Thing. Once you have identified one or more consultants who may be qualified to assist you in your problem area, have a telephone conversation with each. As is any relationship, chemistry is an issue. You know if this person has a style that will compliment and mesh with yours and that of people in your organization. Not every client and consultant has chemistry required to get job done, no matter how qualified consultant. Ask for references and examples of how they successfully assisted other clients in similar situations.

In wake of September 11 terrorist attacks on USA, attention was drawn to age-old, secretive, and globe-spanning banking system developed in Asia and known as "Hawala" (to change, in Arabic). It is based on a short term, discountable, negotiable, promissory note (or bill of exchange) called "Hundi". While not limited to Moslems, it has come to be identified with "Islamic Banking".

Islamic Law (Sharia'a) regulates commerce and finance in Fiqh Al Mua'malat, (transactions amongst people). Modern Islamic banks are overseen by Shari'a Supervisory Board of Islamic Banks and Institutions ("The Shari'a Committee").

The Shi'a "Islamic Laws according to Fatawa of Ayatullah al Uzama Syed Ali al-Husaini Seestani" has this to say about Hawala banking:

"2298. If a debtor directs his creditor to collect his debt from third person, and creditor accepts arrangement, third person will, on completion of all conditions to be explained later, become debtor. Thereafter, creditor cannot demand his debt from first debtor."

The prophet Muhammad (a cross border trader of goods and commodities by profession) encouraged free movement of goods and development of markets. Numerous Moslem scholars railed against hoarding and harmful speculation (market cornering and manipulation known as "Gharar"). Moslems were first to use promissory notes and assignment, or transfer of debts via bills of exchange ("Hawala"). Among modern banking instruments, only floating and, therefore, uncertain, interest payments ("Riba" and "Jahala"), futures contracts, and forfeiting are frowned upon. But agile Moslem traders easily and often circumvent these religious restrictions by creating "synthetic Murabaha (contracts)" identical to Western forward and futures contracts. Actually, only allowed transfer or trading of debts (as distinct from underlying commodities or goods) is under Hawala.

"Hawala" consists of transferring money (usually across borders and in order to avoid taxes or need to bribe officials) without physical or electronic transfer of funds. Money changers ("Hawaladar") receive cash in one country, no questions asked. Correspondent hawaladars in another country dispense an identical amount (minus minimal fees and commissions) to a recipient or, less often, to a bank account. E-mail, or letter ("Hundi") carrying couriers are used to convey necessary information (the amount of money, date it has to be paid on) between Hawaladars. The sender provides recipient with code words (or numbers, for instance serial numbers of currency notes), a digital encrypted message, or agreed signals (like handshakes), to be used to retrieve money. Big Hawaladars use a chain of middlemen in cities around globe.