Over the past several decades, it’s become significantly more popular to hire an IT consultant or any type of consultant a business might need. Currently, there are nearly 500,000 consultants in the United states alone. With the proliferation of freelance consulting platforms, hiring an IT consultant in Denver is much easier than it was a decade ago. As with any business investment, consulting comes at a price. No matter who you hire, you’re going to have to spend some money.
How can these investments be turned into a positive return? The money you spend on a consulting engagement can be easily repaid if you follow certain steps, and you can avoid spending a fortune on these services.
Get Clear About Consultant Fee Structures
Consider various fee structures before bringing a consultant on board in order to get the best deal. Here are some of the typical ways a consultant could charge you for their services:
- Project-based fee: Fees are set from the beginning of the project and are very structured. In the event that you are not sure how long the project will take to complete, this might prove very cost-effective. It means that you won’t have to pay extra fees if the project takes longer than expected, or if the scope of the project increases.
- Hourly rate: They are paid based on their billable hours. The best way to use this is when you know the approximate duration of a project.
- Retainer model: In some cases, paying your consultant a fixed monthly fee under a retainer model can be beneficial if you need their services frequently for a very long time.
Make Sure You’re Hiring for the Right Reasons
Businesses have easy access to top consultants through consulting marketplaces, but these may not be the best option for your needs. Although it is quite easy to hire a consultant today, it’s vital that you find the right fit for your unique business needs. Here are a few scenarios where hiring an IT consultant can be beneficial:
- Temporary projects need to be completed and your regular team can’t handle the workload.
- Your business has a skill gap that requires bringing in an expert.
- A business decision you are making requires expert advice.
- The company needs to change but you aren’t confident enough to handle it yourself.
If you welcome a consultant into your business for the right reasons, you’re setting yourself up for success. Conversely, if you hire a consultant without clear business goals and objectives in mind, your relationship might not yield the best results. Consulting relationships are most effective when the desired outcomes are clearly defined and when there’s an internal gap in either skill or available time to complete discrete projects.
Eliminate Any Roadblocks Your Consultant Could Face
Consultants are professionals who solve problems. The business, however, is responsible for ensuring that they aren’t unknowingly interfering with the consultant’s job. You must communicate to your staff that this engagement is dependent on their cooperation before you approach a consulting marketplace to find the best consultant. A consultant’s career could be derailed by internal politics or a lack of cooperation from the team. Most consultants work temporarily with you and your staff. It is essential that your staff accept that these consultants are experts in their field and see how they are providing value to your business.
Consultants should be trusted for their processes, expertise, recommendations and frameworks. Therefore, if a consultant asks for a company’s balance sheets dated five years ago, that information should be made available to them.
Consultants can also be slowed down by resistance to change. Consultants can help with change management, but they can’t fix a fundamentally flawed culture within your organization — although they can offer recommendations for improvement. Sometimes, ego conflicts prevent companies from implementing consultants’ recommendations. Once that happens, all of the hard work the consultant did may just be disregarded. This ultimately becomes a waste of investment in time and resources for your business.
IT Consulting Services Are Increasing Every Year
Between 2011 and 2019, the US market for IT consulting grew by over 30% to 524.5 billion U.S. dollars, according to Statista. A forecast increase in market size of more than ten percent is expected for the IT consulting industry in the U.S. in 2022. There is a strong possibility that you will achieve your goals with the right consultants if you have adequately defined your goals. It’s time to roll up your sleeves, team up with your consultant, and navigate your way to the destination once you’ve made the financial investment.
Let Resilient Offer the Tech Support and Guidance You Need
Business performance can be drastically increased by using information technology. Nevertheless, understanding what digital transformation means for your business can be a challenge. As one of the first Denver IT consulting firms in Colorado, Resilient Managed Computer Services was founded in 1983. Our approaches to cater to the changing landscape of IT services have evolved significantly over the years, allowing us to provide smooth and flawless IT consulting services.
Your business deserves a team that can concentrate on delivering exceptional support rather than chasing down random problems. With Resilient’s trained and certified professionals, you’ll be able to focus on growing your business without worrying about your tech needs. Get a complimentary initial consultation by calling 303-371-7214 or visit us online to see how we can help boost your team’s efficiency and smooth any bumps in your operations.