Have you ever wondered when the right time is to bring in a technology consulting firm to help your organization?
One of the lessons many business leaders inevitably learn is that consultants are a very important part of growing a business. In fact, most established businesses get to a point where they recognize they could benefit from outside help.
Technology consulting services can positively impact efficiency, return on investment (ROI), productivity, and competitiveness for all sizes of businesses. They enable organizations to focus on their core business functions while leveraging the benefits of consulting.
How do you know when you need a technology consultant, and what do you look for to know how to choose the right one for your business? Here’s how.
What is a Technology Consultant (and What Do They Do?)
Technology consultants help companies address business needs and identify and solve problems by leveraging technology. They work with organizations to maximize their existing technology or how to invest in new technologies to support business goals.
Technology consultants play an integral role advising leaders on how technology can drive organizational success. They often work with internal IT staff on a wide range of activities, including:
- Analyzing current IT processes and systems to identify issues and resolutions.
- Establishing a technology budget.
- Determining cybersecurity threats and implementing solutions to address them.
- Assessing existing infrastructure and addressing maintenance needs and enhancements.
- Designing and implementing new systems and processes.
- Supplementing staff needs in key areas with the required expertise.
Technology consultants may manage short-term, long-term, and complex multi-phased projects. They keep a pulse on technology advances and make recommendations based on their clients’ needs.
10 Signs to Bring in a Technology Consultant
Now that you know what a technology consultant is, you may ask yourself how to know when to consider hiring one. Here are some of the ways to know a technology consultant may benefit your organization.
1. You need help keeping up with emerging technology—Technology is rapidly evolving, and running your business, serving your customers, and keeping tabs on technology trends can be challenging.
2. You’re struggling to meet (or set!) goals—Are you setting one-, three-, and five-year plans, and are you meeting your goals? A consultant can help you establish a roadmap to set goals with strategies to achieve them.
3. You want a spark of inspiration—Running a business can cause tunnel vision. Reaching out for a fresh perspective backed by data and experience provides exposure to new ideas you may not get within your organization.
4. You lack specialized skills—If you don’t have a specialized skill set that you’ll need for a particular project, it’s a good idea to look to bring in a consultant. Supplement your need for the time you require without bringing on permanent staff.
5. You need to supplement staff—Sometimes, you can’t wait to hire the right person for the job, or you can’t find someone with the right experience. Bring in an technology consultant who can fill those critical gaps.
6. You are seeking objectivity—A technology consultant can serve as a catalyst for change by providing much-needed objectivity. Change can be difficult, and an external resource who cares about your organization with the advantage of distance can provide fresh insight.
7. You need help growing your business—If your business financials don’t reflect your goal achievement, you may want assistance solving the gap.
8. You want to grow your employees—Technology consultants leverage their skills and experience to train and mentor staff to improve performance.
9. You’ve stalled out—Sometimes, businesses have a solid roadmap for the future but just don’t know how to implement it. Bringing in a consultant can provide the time, expertise, and resources to get you started.
10. You need a quick fix—Not all businesses have adequate resources to manage time-sensitive projects like regulatory compliance or the ability to exploit an opportunity. Bringing in an experienced technology consultant can help you ramp up quickly so you don’t miss out.
What Qualifies As a Good Consulting Practice
It should go without saying that any good consulting practice you consider has technological proficiency in the area(s) you need. Some specialize in particular areas like cybersecurity or infrastructure, while others offer more generalist services.
A generalist may be beneficial if you don’t know exactly what you need or have needs in multiple areas. Either way, they need qualifications and experience to support you.
Good consulting practices have technical chops, and their consultants have solid interpersonal and communication skills, attention to detail, and critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Some may have degrees and certifications, including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and Project Management Professional (PMP).
One of the most important and intangible qualifications of a good technology consultant is that they care. A good consultant not only wants to provide solutions to address business needs and problems, but they genuinely care about the outcome. If a consultant takes a long-term view of your relationship, it’s a good bet they understand the importance of this!
How to Choose the Right Tech Consultant
Knowing you could benefit from technology consulting is a great first step. Once you decide to hire a consultant, here are some recommendations for choosing the right one.
1. Ask a lot of questions. Don’t be shy, as you’ll potentially work with them. Ask detailed questions about their approach, experience, and client relationships.
2. Check their reviews, references, and track record. Do your homework and check their online presence and with your network. With apps like LinkedIn, chances are you know someone who may know them.
3. Consider their view. When you talk with the consultant, do they share details and take a long-term view? Do they focus on relationships or exclusively on results? Have they worked on multiple projects with companies, or do they tend to make one-time commitments? These can provide insight into what you might expect from working with them.
4. Do they have the expertise you need? Do you need a consultant for one project, or do you need multiple people with very specialized knowledge? This understanding can help you decide on current and potential future needs.
5. Review their website and marketing materials. Are they professional and clearly details their skills, expertise, and experience? Do they show well-documented case studies? Do their values align with yours? Pay attention to how they present themselves.
After you do your homework, sit with your decision a bit. Consider your research, what you heard, and what your network said. Ask yourself: is this an organization I can learn from, grow with, and get the support needed to build my business? You have found a partner if you can answer yes to all of these questions.
Selecting the right technology consulting firm can be overwhelming, but we believe we could be the perfect match for your company. With our extensive experience across diverse industries, we’re confident in our ability to support your unique needs.
Let’s explore how we can work together. Schedule a complimentary 30-minute strategy call.