"The publication of this book coincides with a increasing recognition that the challenges facing society and organisations are not amenable to 'quick fixes'. The approaches to consultancy which underpin the cases presented here are particularly relevant in this new context. The contributors are graduates of AOC and their associates; and the work they describe here is a testament to the quality of that programme and the learning that participants get from it.One thread which runs through the book is consultancy as learning: learning for both the client and the consultant. The contributors to this book are both accomplished and experienced as consultants, and in a continuous process of development. They are open to reflection, critique of their work, and learning from and with their clients.This notion of learning on the part of client is important too. An effective consultancy intervention is one which not only helps the client to address a particular issue or problem, but which also develops the capacity of the client organisation and individuals in it to respond to change and development in the future." -- From the Forward by Phil Swan, Director of the Tavistock Institute