From Angela Almeida at The Dream Team VA
> www.dream-team-va.com > LinkedIn
Many companies are choose the ease of consultancy over in-house recruitment. Whilst at first glance a consultant’s fee may seem somewhat expensive, many organizations are realising just how economical and efficient hiring a consultant can really be in the long term. Taking onboard a consultant who has the relevant experience and a proven record of success to back up their promises could be one of the best investments your company makes.
“Stay committed to your decisions but stay flexible in your approach”
Consultants adapt to your long-term or short-term goals, offering your organisation a hassle-free way of managing a project with no issues if the project suddenly ends. Consultants work within changing environments as part of their day-to-day professional life, and it is their ability to keep an open and flexible outlook that is imperative to achieving success. A good consultant knows what is happening in the industry is up to date with the latest technology, and ready to think outside the box to come up with meaningful solutions. They are constantly changing their work patterns and, in doing so, are not ‘stuck in their ways’. Instead, they aim to foster a collaborative atmosphere in order to get the best solution for a particular problem or goal.
“Thinking is hard work which is why you don’t see many people doing it“
An objective and independent perspective in your business is a blessing. A consultant is there to reach the end game of a project, and a good consultant should be unbiased and objective. They are not about to be swayed by any internal politics- remember not only are most consultants goal orientated, but it’s also their reputation (and business) on the line, so they will be fully invested in your project’s unhindered success. The added bonus of having an outside perspective from someone who has worked in the industry with other competing companies brings a unique and powerful dimension to your business.
“The world has shown that if you provide capital and expertise to an area that is starved for capital and expertise, really good things will happen”
We can’t all be an expert in everything but we can surround ourselves with people who have the expertise and skills that are missing in our organization. If the work is particularly specialised, your organization may not have the capabilities within your own structure, and so hiring a consultant can be an excellent solution. Consultants specialising in your area of industry bring with them a wealth of key resources ready to use and implement. Unlike full-time employees, you do not need to train or develop them into the role. In fact, a key component of the success story of consultancy is that these professionals already have a proven track record of experience, knowledge and skills. They will be specialists in their areas of expertise, not to mention having the relevant licenses, software and resources that they need to do their job to the highest standard.
“You have to believe in the long-term plan you have but you need the short-term goals to motivate and inspire you.”
Perhaps your staff already have too much on their plate to focus on a specific goal, yet you know that there isn’t a long-term need for a new member of your team. What you really want is someone to come in and just get the job done. In that case a consultant is exactly what you need. They can come into an organization and focus on the short-term goal that needs to be met, allowing your permanent staff to concentrate on their primary role with none of the added stress of a new project. A consultant can help you address certain aspects of your business which a full-time employee would not necessarily be in a position to do, and help kickstart a project which might be one step in the company’s long-term plan.
“Almost all decisions based on cost accounting are utterly wrong”
“Ouch!” is perhaps what you think when you initially see a consultant’s fees, and yet hiring a consultant can be one of the most cost-effective solutions for your business, especially in complex technical areas. Not only are there no pesky recruitment fees, taxes or social insurance costs attached, but a good consultant will already have all the software, licenses and resources they need to do their job, and this alone can save you a considerable amount. You will not need to invest in their training or give them extra benefits, and depending on the needs of the business you can easily stop and start the contract. I repeat: no expensive benefits; no expensive recruitment fees. And if you do find that they are not a perfect fit with how you work, it’s a lot easier to simply part ways!
Ultimately the greatest benefit of using a consultant is the optimization of the project at hand. This leads to better methods and tools being used, which in the long run promotes better products, that have higher performance, and that get to market quicker. And this, in turn, leads to increased profit!
A key thing to remember when thinking about using consultants is that from the beginning of the process you retain a good deal of project control by having key identifiable milestones in the work package. And, as with all relationships, fluid communication is fundamental to ensuring you are both happy with the work engagement.
