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CHOOSING A TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANT AND PROVIDER
This topic can be daunting, particularly to the small business owner on a budget. Failing to navigate this decision successfully can also be time consuming and costly. Remember, you are seeking an objective, skilled consultant who can successfully communicate your needs to you. Follow these practical guidelines to find the Information Technology provider that is right for you:
DECIDE WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR - BREAK/ FIX OR LONG-TERM BENEFITS
Many I.T. businesses provide break/fix solutions to their clients. If this is all you need, then great. Keep in mind though, that if you are seeking a competitive edge or significant cost savings, a better option may be to find a consultant with whom you can build a long-term relationship. You can either find a consultant to assess your needs and then have another company implement the solution, or find one company that can do it all for you. However you choose to proceed, here are some practical tips to help you in the process:
INTERVIEW MORE THAN ONE CONSULTANT
Interview more than one consultant to get a good feel for each firm's skill level, communication ability and qualifications. If any firm you interview discourages you from seeking other proposals, be concerned.
ASK FOR PROPOSALS
It is important that you know exactly what your consultant will be doing with your I.T. infrastructure. You have a right to a written proposal from your consultant. This should contain the scope of the work to be performed delivered in clearly defined tasks with completion dates. This will help you to clarify if the projects are reasonable in cost and time as well as identify any hidden costs or agendas.
WHAT ARE THEIR QUALIFICATIONS?
You don't have to have a license to practice I.T. consulting. But, there are things you can look for to ensure your consultant is qualified.
- Is your consultant recognized as an expert in the area?
- Does your consultant come recommended? (Feel free to ask for references)
- Does your consultant have a strong track record of successes, particularly with projects or businesses similar to yours?
- Does your consultant have industry certifications and are they knowledgeable about the hardware, software and services you use or will need?
ASSESS COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Can you understand what the consultant is saying, or does it sound like a foreign language? A quality consultant will know the importance of asking the right questions, listening to your responses, and explaining things clearly and professionally. Be sure you are comfortable with your consultant's communication style and that they maintain an open level of communication with you throughout your relationship.
DEPENDENCE OR INDEPENDENCE?
Watch out for consultants that keep things from you or foster overdependence. You will want to work with a consultant that has your long-term success at heart. When you are outsourcing your I.T. needs, you want a consultant who will be proactive and focused on prevention. Look for consultants who offer suggestions for prevention and who help you plan for growth. Seek out consultants who keep you informed and don't hold information (like passwords) from you.
Remember that you are looking for someone who will save you big money over the long term. Your provider should be able to recommend quality products, identify weaknesses in your infrastructure and rectify them, plan for future growth, work to prevent breaks, and keep your company up and running smoothly with minimal downtime. Don't settle for less.
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