Which one can be a more effective consultant, an External Consultant or an Internal Consultant? Explain. Most companies at some time will face opportunities where they may need an organizational development consultant. When issues arise in business strategy, reduction of costs or organizational design an OD consultant can research and apply knowledge to improve those processes. When companies make that decision they also face the decision to use an internal consultant or external consultant. An internal consultant is the best option if the company employs organizational development consultants. Internal consultants are more effective because they understand their organizations culture and share greater insight to the systems, processes, resources and limitations of their organization. Internal consultants have an advantage of understanding their organization culture. This helps to aid in determining and understanding root causes of opportunities more efficiently. Most internal consultants have a strong rapport with other organization members at all levels which allows for trust. When an organization trusts consultants it can save time when diagnosing and implementing change management processes. Often, “internal consultants are able to easily and quickly address new challenges as they arise and/or spot them.” (Perluxi, 2011) Most external consultants are not there to see the fruits of their labor and therefore can’t address those new challenges as quick as an internal consultant because of their position within the organization. Internal consultants share a greater insight into systems, processes, resources and the limitations because they work within the company. The time that it can take an external consultant to navigate the culture deters from addressing the critical opportunities that need the consultant’s attention. Thus internal consultants, if they