If you’re looking for help developing or overhauling your company’s IT strategy, it’s important to work with an experienced and qualified consultant. But how do you know if it strategy consulting is right for your business? Once you’ve found a few potential candidates, what should you ask them? Here are 10 questions to get started.
This is probably the most important question to ask. You want to make sure your consultant has extensive experience in the industry, preferably with companies that are similar in terms of size and scope.
You’ll also want to make sure that your consultant’s area of expertise aligns with your needs. If you’re looking for help with developing an e-commerce strategy, for example, you’ll want to make sure the consultant you’re speaking with has experience and success in that specific area. For an e-commerce strategy, experience might include: website design, user experience (UX), conversion optimization, marketing automation, and more. For a more in-depth document about what an e-commerce strategy might look like take a look at this article called “7 Reliable E-Commerce Strategies for Your Small Business” from thefool.com.
Of course, you’ll also need to know how much the it strategy consulting firm charges for their services. Be sure to get a clear understanding of what’s included in their rates and what, if anything, would incur additional charges. In our findings, when looking on a website called payscale.com, we found that an IT Consultant in Canada* will make around $75,000 a year with a base salary start at $49,000. Now this is the amount if you are working for a firm and prices may vary by area and project required. This still gives us a good idea of a ballpark amount that someone might charge for services.
It’s always a good idea to review a consultant’s past projects before hiring them. This will give you a better sense of their work style and whether or not they’re a good fit for your company. If there is not much detail about a project the consultant has done in the past, inquire with them and ask more about it. Some questions you may want to ask are: What was the projected time the project was to be completed at and what was the actual completion date? Did the project pose any challenges and how did the consultant work through them?
Make sure the consultant you’re considering is licensed and insured. This will protect you and your company in the event that something goes wrong during the project.
Be sure to get a copy of the consultant’s terms and conditions before hiring them. This will help you avoid any misunderstandings or surprises down the road. A companies terms and conditions can include things like payment terms, revision policy, and more. Make sure you fully understand the conditions and ask questions if anything is unclear.
If possible, try to speak with some of the consultant’s past clients. This will give you a better sense of their work style and whether or not they’re a good fit for your company.
Some consultants prefer to communicate via email, while others prefer phone or video calls. Make sure you know how the consultant prefers to communicate so you can be sure you’re on the same page from the start.
Be sure to ask about the consultant’s availability and hours. This will help you avoid any scheduling conflicts down the road.
Finally, be sure to ask about the consultant’s policy on revisions and changes. This will help you avoid any misunderstandings or surprises down the road.
Asking these questions will help you narrow down your list of potential candidates and find the right IT strategy consultant for your company. With the right consultant on your team, you’ll be well on your way to developing a successful IT strategy.
Looking for an IT strategy consultant? We can help. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
If you’re looking for an IT strategy consultant, contact us today. We offer a free consultation to discuss your needs and see how we can help. Call us at 1-250-595-8282 or email us at info@iticanada.itihosting.ca to get started. We look forward to hearing from you!
Do you have any other questions you would add to the list? Share them in the comments below!
