As a small-business owner, you’re used to wearing several hats. However, you don’t always have the time or expertise needed for those various roles. So what do you do when you need help but don’t have the resources to bring on a full-time team member? The answer could lie in temporary consulting.
If the role you’re struggling with most is in the information technology (IT) department, bring in an IT consultant to solve important technological problems and/or implement new systems. Hiring a temporary IT consultant to work on specific tasks can be more time and cost efficient than hiring a full-time IT employee.
Here’s how to find the right IT consultant.
Identify Your Needs Before You Hire
Before hiring a consultant, consider what projects need to be completed. An IT consultant works in partnership with your business and can do the following for your company:
- Identify hardware, software, and network requirements
- Assist in selecting providers
- Design, test, and implement new systems
- Provide expert technical advice and assistance
- Train users on new systems
Once you’ve determined your company’s IT goals, you will have an easier time narrowing down the candidates. Choosing the right person can mean the difference between an IT disaster—like your website going offline—and successful business operations. Read on for three tips to help you find the best person for the job.
- Analyze Their Credentials and Experience
Ask potential IT consultants about their education, their work experience, and their certifications, if any. Although not essential, certifications can ensure you’re hiring someone knowledgeable on current technology. Their certifications will also provide insight into what the consultant specializes in.
Here are a few important things to look for:
- Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in information technology, information systems, computer science, business, or another related field
- Relevant experience with similar problems that your company needs solved
- Certifications from technology vendors such as Java developer certifications
- Operating system certifications including Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP), Microsoft Certified IT Specialist (MCITS), or Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS)
- Business management certifications such as a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) from the Institute of Management Consultants
Ensure your candidate is knowledgeable about your company’s current hardware and software to save time and money that could be wasted on a learning curve. Look at their certifications and ask questions to know if you’re hiring someone who understands your current system.
Additionally, ask the candidate for samples of their previous work. An IT consultant’s portfolio should include written descriptions of projects, a client list, and any apps or websites worked on. Ask questions about the showcased work, as well, to determine if they have the experience your company needs and expects from an IT consultant.
- Ensure Compatibility with Your Team and Industry
Even though an IT consultant is a temporary hire brought in to work on specific projects, treat the process as though you were hiring a new employee. They’re independent from your company, but they will still be working with your team and within your industry. It’s important to decide if the candidate is compatible with your company culture by asking questions and noting their personality.
Ask for and contact references to ensure compatibility. Conversations with previous clients can indicate the candidate will work well with your team—or reveal some red flags. Even if you plan on hiring a referral, it never hurts to get a second opinion. If they’re hesitant or unwilling to share their client list and provide references, move on to the next candidate.
These are a few questions to ask their references:
- Was the quality of work satisfactory?
- Did they meet established deadlines?
- Did any problems show up after the work was completed?
That last question is especially important—problems occurring after the completed project could indicate dishonest practices that initially get great results but don’t work long-term.
The best IT consultant for your company understands your industry in addition to having relevant skills. An individual who has worked in the real estate industry their whole career may not understand the restaurant industry and its needs, for instance. Someone who typically works with large corporations might have difficulty helping your small business. Ask for a client list to determine if the candidate has experience with your industry and with your small-business needs.
- Protect Your Company with a Signed Contract
Before officially hiring an IT consultant, have a contract written up to protect your company’s intellectual property (IP). Include a confidentiality agreement to protect any sensitive information the IT consultant may have access to.
Protecting your company’s IP is critical. Your company may own three types of IP: patents, copyrights, and trademarks.
- Patents protect your inventions by preventing others from making, using, or selling them. Examples include tangible devices, processes, and designs.
- Copyrights protect your legal right to things you create such as books, music, architectural designs, software, and artwork.
- Trademarks are items that differentiate your brand from your competitors. Trademarks can include logos, colors, slogans, and jingles.
Your company may have additional confidential information that needs protecting. Over the course of the project, the IT consultant may have access to logins, customer data, and other sensitive information. IT consultants have many clients—some of which may be your competition. Confidentiality agreements can prevent the IT consultant from stealing or sharing any sensitive information about your company with your competitors or others.
If it’s necessary to share confidential information before a formal contract is signed, execute a non-disclosure agreement prior to sharing anything.
Hire the Best Person for the Job
Close to one-third of companies have allocated technology budgets, but if your business doesn’t yet have the resources to do so, that’s okay. Hiring a temporary IT consultant can mean one less hat for you to wear as a small-business owner. By asking the right questions about their qualifications, verifying their experience in your industry, and following up with a written contract to protect your business, you’ll be one step closer to having a valuable relationship with an IT consultant.
Do you have any tips or suggestions for hiring an IT consultant? Let us know by tweeting at @FrontierBiz.