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When Do You Need A Consultant?
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Considerations When Hiring A Consultant
by Don Frost

Before hiring a consultant, you must clearly understand the project, problem or opportunity that needs attention, and why? In some cases, only a symptom may be known and a consultant will be called to get to the root of the problem.

What do you expect?
Clearly define the “deliverables” you expect from the consultant at the end of the project. Is it a report, onsite work to be completed, or a plan of action that delivers specific steps leading to the desired outcome?

A measure of success
Consider how best to measure the success of the consultant’s work. Envision where you want to be “at the end of the day” and be sure to communicate this to everyone involved.

The right skill for the job
Each type of service provided by consultants required different skills. Be sure you have defined those skills and determined who best possesses them. Be sure your consultant’s expertise and actual experience matches your needs. As the saying goes,”Trust only those who stand to lose as much as you when things go wrong.” Be sure to hold those who make promises stand by those promises.

Request for proposal
Prepare an RFP, preferably in conjunction with appropriate staff to locate and review consultants who potentially fill your company’s needs.

Timing is everything
Determine your schedule with anticipated progress dates so you can ensure the project keeps moving toward a successful conclusion and everything that is necessary to achieve the goal has happened.

Staff responsibilities
Who will be the day-to-day, primary contact for the consultant? Will that person make decisions as needed, or defer to others? Who within your organization will be involved in the project? What will they do and who will supervise them along the way.

One versus many
Will you need a consulting firm with tremendous resources or a small, one person operation offering exactly the expertise you need? As John F. Kennedy once said, “A committee is twelve men doing the work of one.” Sometimes you need to bring in the whole division and sometimes one solitary scout will do just fine!

When Do You Need A Consultant?
by Peggy Nicholson

Simply put, if your company has a problem or challenge that can’t be handled in-house, you need a consultant. Investing in the right consultant could represent a tremendous savings in time and money. The experience and objectivity that naturally accompanies those on the “outside” will frequently astonish and amaze even the most “outside the box” thinking staff members.

What kinds of situations justify bringing a consultant in? Here are some to consider:

Same old approach
If you seem to be considering a similar path to solutions to diverse needs, you may need an objective look at the problem. The closer you are to any problem, the more difficult it is to maintain an overview and inject the right combination of common sense and creativity. Understanding the problem doesn’t necessarily mean you can develop the best solution.

Limited time or staff
Even if you feel the expertise is available within your current staff, but you’re short on time, you should consider bringing in a consultant. Qualified short-term assistance can make all the difference in your success.

Expertise required
If your challenge simply exceeds your reach, a consultant with specialized knowledge and experience can not only get the job done, but many times make it look easy.

Need to avoid hiring a permanent staff member
Bringing in a full time staff member (salary, overhead, benefits, etc.) is a financial and organizational commitment that, in many cases, is undesirable. Your relationship with a consultant can be predetermined not to exceed whatever restrictions you require.

Crisis management
Depending on the nature of the crisis, staff members can become extremely protective of their employment stability, staff, resources, etc. Maintaining day-to-day operations during a crisis while trying to resolve the problem can be extremely difficult. Consultants can lead the way and guide you through areas rarely visited in normal business experience.

If you think you may need help for any of the reasons above, or any other reason, you’re probably correct. Carefully select and hire a consultant!

Copyright © 2009, Frost Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.