Are you listening?
Kevin Adelson
Owner at MobileIT LLC | IT Cybersecurity & Managed Services Expert | Helping Companies Secure Their Digital Assets and Streamline IT Operations
When people talk about consultancy services they often have a misconception that it should be led by the consultant.
Can you imagine going to the doctors and not saying anything, and for them to guess what treatment you need? It just wouldn't happen.
You need to ask the right questions and then listen. The listening is critical. When offering consultancy you need to remember that they are paying for your experience and knowledge.
We use a very simple process here at Mobile IT:
Evaluate
Design
Implement
The first stage is key. We look at the current situation with complete neutrality and take as much information as possible. We look for any risks or potential weak spots and sometimes, where clients want something specific, we assess their wants against what they actually need. We go through the measures required and discuss what needs to be done at the design stage so there are no surprises. We work with a diverse group of clients and our experience extends back to over a quarter of a century. We also ensure we are at the cutting edge of the changing tech landscape. It's no excuse as a consultant to not make recommendations based on new trends and to ensure your clients know about all relevant changes.
When you look to a consultant you want to know you are getting the best expert advice and a relationship where as the world changes, you have someone on the inside with their finger on the pulse.
When we go into the design stage we take on board everything discussed and address all the issues. The reassurance factor that the client was actually listened to is key. If you consult for a couple of days but what you design is way off the mark then you weren't listening closely!
Often you can tell the experience level of a consultant simply by the questions they ask you. Your experience and your ability to listen and make plans according to both is critical. Don't have preconceived plans before going into it and ensure what you offer reflects exactly what the business needs and not necessarily what they want. They're coming to you for expert advice after all.
Interested in learning more? Then book an appointment with our team.