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We are Located In Red Deer, Alberta
(403)506-7680
Geek on Call
RedCore Enterprises Ltd,
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Hiring a Consultant F.A.Q.
Q: Why hire a consultant?
A: With many clients under
their belts, consultants can provide you with advice based on their
experiences with others who've implemented the services in which
you are interested. All the manuals and reference materials in the
world won't truly give you an understanding of how a system will
work for your firm. Long-term, firsthand knowledge is best.
Q: Why is there such a wide range
of costs for computer consultants?
A: Many factors influence computer
consultant rates. These include:
- Experience
- Skill level
- Education
- Consultant's organization and associated overhead
- Areas of specialization
- Self-perception of the consultant
- Business sense of the consultant
- Market factors
Q: Most of the consultants I
talk with "sound" like they know what they are doing. How do I select
which consultant or firm to use?
A: Computer jargon can make
many non-experts and pseudo-experts sound knowledgeable. However,
to provide efficient and effective assistance to businesses, computer
consultants MUST also be able to communicate well with clients of
all backgrounds. Many projects fail due to poor communications,
so look for consultants that you can understand and that understands
you.
Q: Why should I even consider
a computer consultant instead of just hiring a computer expert?
A: Consultants can often make
the best choice when:
- Very specialized skills are needed and are difficult to
find in affordable employees
- The expense of hiring a new employee can be up to an additional
40% of the employee's annual salary
- The consultant has resources that employees typically do
not have available
- Employees are often pulled from projects to help in other
areas, making it difficult to complete projects efficiently
- The project has a known life-span and layoffs are undesirable
In addition, the cost of training, supporting, paying
taxes and benefits for a new employee can be up to an additional
60% of the employees annual salary. When these often hidden costs
are considered, consultants are often cost-effective too.
Q: Once I choose a computer consultant
for my project, can I just turn the project over to the consultant
and forget it until it is finished?
A: While you can do this, it
is not suggested. Computer projects typically involve automating
a business task or developing a product for your business. Your
expertise (or your employees') about your business can speed many
development issues and provide quick resolution to any problems
that may occur.
Q: Why would in-house technical
staff resist help from knowledgeable computer consultants?
A: There are almost infinite
reasons - some of which are important and others which are counter-productive.
Several of the most common reasons are:
- Lack of confidence in the consultant's ability, skills,
experience or integrity
- Previous bad experience with consultants
- Concern that the use of out-of-house experts would make
it appear that the in-house staff is not capable or is inefficient
- Office politics
- Resentment that funds spent on consultants is not spent
on the in-house staff
- Frustration that the consultant was selected without the
input or approval of the in-house staff
Q: Why are there so many tales
of custom computer projects that went way over budget?
A: Just like many non-computer
projects, the reasons can vary. However, some of the most common
causes are:
- Lack of understanding by some or all parties about the amount
of work involved (before and/or during the project)
- Unrealistically low project bids that were the result of
miscalculations or attempts to "just get the work"
- Poorly defined project specifications or constantly changing
specifications
- Failure of management to ensure that non-project employees
are responsive to the needs of the project development staff
Q: If a consultant knows how
to install and configure a software program, then shouldn't they
be experts how to use that program and train users?
A: Not necessarily. Many computer
consultants are proficient in Microsoft Word or Excel but that doesn’t
make them Microsoft Certified Specialists (MCS) in the same way
they don't become CPA's or Graphic Designers by just installing
and configuring QuickBooks or Adobe Photoshop.
While each of these questions
could be discussed at great length, the information presented here
can be an excellent starting point for dealing with these important
issues.
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