Any mother will tell you, keeping children in the right size clothing and on the right path is quite a chore. A growing business is very similar. Your IT solutions must be economical and scalable for your company’s next phase of growth.
IT consultants’ can be a bit overzealous. Of course, that is just the nature of the industry. We love new technology. Our passion shouldn’t dictate your IT solutions. The truth is, your business is your baby, you know what’s best, and your intimate knowledge is the key to properly managing every aspect to maximize growth and profits.
Your needs should always come first. Don’t settle for an IT consultant that puts some other priority ahead of crafting a solution to fit your specific business needs. There is no cookie cutter mold that your company could fit into snuggly for the long haul. Ask yourself, “Is this solution the simplest way to meet our needs?”
If you have reservations, PAUSE! If you see any signs of these common IT consultant overselling trends, don’t be afraid to put on the brakes. The end result may be a costly investment your company doesn’t need.
- Yes, yes, yes! If you hear a slue of “yes” answers and no explanations or alternatives, ask more questions. Your IT consultant may be a bit too competitive. Don’t just ask if they know specific technology or methodologies, see if they recommend solutions to fit your processes better. Otherwise, you may be sucked in by a provider that is overselling their abilities. Saying “yes” could mean they know how to Google and will figure out how to fix anything you want addressed. They may not be truly ready for your company’s needs.
- False expectation fluff. Look for structure. A good IT consultant knows their limitations. They can generally give you a rough estimate of the time they need for a given issue. Time management is a huge issue for all IT consultants. We always want to fit in every project our clients bring to us. However, the reality is, sometimes things are just hectic. Your needs have to be met no matter what type of workload your IT consultant is facing. Don’t be afraid to ask for a timeline and follow-up. A good IT consultant should be upfront with you 100% of the time.
- Trendy technology tyrants. The only people really excited about the newest technology releases are geeks! Often times, new technology is the most risky solution because it hasn’t been tested for your specific needs. Your IT consultant just thinks it is the cream of the crop because it is new and improved, so that is what you’re sold. It is honestly better to start with a tested product, software program or piece of hardware that has been on the market for a while. At least you know what you’re buying can be implemented and you won’t feel like a test dummy.
- “Bigger is always better” beliefs. Many consultants are tempted to implement solutions that are far beyond what is actually needed. Always look for scalable solutions that are practical for your company’s needs now and will grow with you as your organization expands. If you feel like you are investing in too much, slow your IT consultant down and reevaluate the end-result. Ask yourself, “What problems will this solution resolve?”
Innovation is good if it is done right. There is such a thing as bad implementation and in IT, it means you could lose a lot of money. Technology innovation simply put, is leveraging technology to make a change that is advantageous for your business. Don’t let your dreams, or those of your IT consultant, interfere with what your business actually needs.
Overzealous, overpromising, overselling IT consultants can hurt. If you would like a second opinion, give us a call. We will come on-site and assess your network to verify your have all the best software and equipment to fit your company’s immediate needs and future goals.
64-point full system check of all the technology you use for your business.