Looking to enhance your business’s IT capabilities? Consulting services, like those from Hifen, can be a game-changer, providing valuable expertise and guidance to help optimize your technology infrastructure and drive growth.

In my many years of consulting and services, I am brought in to consult on a technology, topic, or implement a solution. In those engagements, the ability of the client to be open to the consulting instead of just looking for an expensive set of hands or for a shortcut made the difference between their ability to maximize my value and see the full benefit of the services I was providing.

Jumping the Gun

In one such example I was brought in to help an organization identify the challenges they were going to have in performing a technology upgrade. The first day we discussed the common technology incompatibilities and I presented a couple methods for scanning the environment to identify areas of concern. While I gave an overview of the scan tools and methods, I did not give them the full solution architecture, assuming we would decide on a method and work on implementation that aligned to their processes the next day.

However, I must have been too good and provided to much confidence with my teaching, because that night the IT team ran full steam ahead with one of the solutions trying to speed our engagement up and move to the incompatibility data. The next day, I was awoken by the client calling franticly from a war room because the scan tool they implemented caused issues with some critical systems and created a business outage. Not only did they not follow my advice, but in their haste, they bypassed their processes and caused a business outage that cost them much more than my consulting would have to their timelines or budget.

Leverage the Expertise

This not only happens on small engagements, but I have seen this on multi-year, multi-million dollar programs. The ability of the business/client to really leverage the consulting is the make or break for the success of the endeavor. I have seen projects that were preconceived by the client prior to our engagement and therefore did not follow our methods, best practices, and/or guidance and inevitably ran astray and led to failures in the project and in some cases, the end of careers.

7 Tips to Maximize Your Consulting Investment

Here are some essential tips to keep in mind when engaging with an IT consulting service:

1️⃣ Clearly define your goals: Before embarking on an IT consulting journey, establish clear objectives that align with your business’s needs and aspirations. Whether you’re aiming to improve security, enhance efficiency, or streamline operations, a well-defined goal will help guide the consulting process effectively.

2️⃣ Research and choose the right consultant/firm: Take the time to research multiple IT consulting firms. Look for expertise and experience in your industry, as well as a proven track record of successful projects. Request references and check client testimonials to gain insights into their capabilities and reliability.

3️⃣ Maintain open communication: Effective communication is key to a successful IT consulting partnership. Keep the lines of communication open, ensuring that you clearly articulate your expectations, concerns, and any changes to your business requirements. A collaborative approach fosters a solid working relationship and enables consultants to better understand your unique needs.

4️⃣ Embrace innovation: IT consultants bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table. Be open to their recommendations, as their insights can unlock opportunities for growth and efficiency. Embracing new technologies and approaches can give your business a competitive edge in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

5️⃣ Plan for the long term: Effective IT consulting extends beyond short-term fixes. Work with your consultant to develop a long-term strategy that aligns your technology roadmap with your business goals. This comprehensive approach ensures the sustainability and scalability of your IT infrastructure, saving you time and resources in the long run.

6️⃣ Prioritize cybersecurity: In today’s digital age, cybersecurity is a top concern for businesses of all sizes. Make sure your IT consultant emphasizes the importance of data protection, implements robust security measures, and stays up to date with the latest threats and best practices. Protecting your business-critical information is paramount in today’s interconnected world.

7️⃣ Evaluate and refine: Regularly assess your IT consulting engagement to gauge the effectiveness of the partnership. Measure progress against your defined objectives and provide constructive feedback to help strengthen the relationship. This continuous improvement cycle ensures that your consulting arrangement remains aligned with your evolving business needs. Remember, IT consulting is an investment in your business’s future. By selecting the right consultant, maintaining clear communication, and embracing strategic innovation, you can maximize

Trust in the expertise

If you do your due diligence and find yourself with a good consulting firm and consultant, leverage their expertise to take your business forward. And when you find that right fit, consider treating the relationship as a partnership to help them be trusted advisors for your business and your challenges. I promise you that it makes the difference in the long run.