Computer Consulting 101 Hiring Tips (Part 1 of 2)

Does your business need the services of a computer
consulting firm? Before you rush out and hire the first
techie or slick-salesperson that knocks on your door, be
sure to consider these favorite Computer Consulting 101
hiring tips for screening and interviewing local computer
consulting firms. In this first in a two-part series, we'll
look the root of the problem, as well as the four most basic
criteria that you'll need to ask about when searching for
computer consulting vendors.

Computer Consulting 101 Preventative Medicine

Many small business owners have a tough time knowing how to
deal with difficult computer consultants. However, if you're
able to uncover potential problems at the start of your
computer consultant/client relationship, you can avoid many
of these unpleasant issues altogether.

Root of the Problem

While most entrepreneurs and small business managers know
exactly what to ask when it comes to hiring for internal
staff positions, hiring a computer consulting firm can be
more difficult.

So on top of dealing with the myriad legal issues
surrounding how you retain the services of contractors (best
advice: consult with your attorney), as opposed to hiring
employees on your payroll, you'll need to know how to ask
the "right" questions. Don't make the ultra-common common
mistake of focusing on the wrong things. Use these Computer
Consulting 101 Hiring Tips as your checklist for doing your
homework before you sign on the dotted line.


Part-time or Full-time Computer Consulting

Do you have a "day job"? Are you moonlighting?


Solo Practitioner or True Computer Consulting Business

What do you mean by the "we"? Are there any other people who
work at your company?

Are they employees or contractors? What are their names,
specialties and backgrounds? How long have they been with
the company? Will they be involved with this account?
(Tip: The more pointed questions you ask, the more you'll
flush out the B.S. and hyperbole.)


Small Business or Large Company Computer Consulting
Experience

What "size" is your typical consulting client, in terms of
number of PCs, employees and annual revenue?


Generalist or Specialist Consulting Company

What industries or vertical markets have you worked with?
And in what particular aspects and software applications?

What kinds of products, services, and platforms does your
company shy away from? Do you work with any specialty
hardware, software or services vendors?


The Bottom Line

In this first of a two-part series of these Computer
Consulting 101 hiring tips, we looked at why small business
owners and managers find that computer consulting companies
are so difficult to hire, as well as four basic issues that
you must confront when searching for a new computer
consulting vendor. In the second installment of this two
part series on Computer Consulting 101 hiring tips, we'll
look at how you can get your hands around the true costs of
using a computer consulting firm, as well as how you can
more objectively evaluate the computer consulting firm's
suitability for the task of servicing your company's
technology needs.

Copyright MMI-MMVI, Computer Consulting 101. All Worldwide
Rights Reserved. {Attention Publishers: Live hyperlink in
author resource box required for copyright compliance}

 
 
About the Author

Joshua Feinberg, co-founder of Computer Consulting 101, helps computer consulting business owners get more steady, high-paying clients. Learn how you can too. Sign-up now for your free access to field-tested, proven computer consulting secrets at Computer Consulting 101.