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By the definition, consulting is a knowledge work. Having a know-how advantage over clients puts consultants in a position to give advice and charge a hefty sum. That’s fair and desirable, of course. For many companies that formerly hired consultants, though, this proved to be a problem. Needless to say, there are consultancy companies that just don’t fulfil their promises. As it happens, markets are far more complex than overly simplified illustrations. In addition, products exhibit a level of complexity far more convoluted than lemons and oranges.
The key role of consultancy, therefore, is not just to poke you to reimagine your business. It’s to set everything in place to help you attain that image. Being result-oriented and adapting to customers’ needs and prevalent challenges separates reliable partners from false prophets. Achieving the best results while minding your budget is the way Net Group sets a standard for excellence in modern-day consultancy.
“Our Plan Was to Bring In Consultants, But…”
Increase in taxes, inflation, market uncertainty, outright bad experience with consultants, and the rest that comes along in 2023. It’s the bulk of issues companies can’t just swipe left to. And the elephant in the room is: How in the world are companies supposed to stay profitable, hire consultants they can’t even trust to work in their best interest, and focus on solving key business challenges? Well, barely. As we’ve elaborated in our previous consultancy piece, we need a change in narrative. Companies should hire consultants not despite the challenges, but because of them.
The Trust Roulette
According to Runn, 87% of customers emphasize that trust is key in choosing a consultancy company. And the kicker is, that as much as 62% of the same audience says the IT consulting industry is a problem. It’s a predicament without dilemma and it goes by the name of trust.
The root of the problem? Well, the world of consulting is like a digitally-charged version of a Wild West. There are no rules of entry or gatekeepers whatsoever – both your competitors and their aunts can fumble the pistol. Moreover, there’s no established financial barrier to enter, meaning it’s really easy to call yourself a cowboy.
And guess who’s paying the price? All consultants – the good, the bad, and the ugly ones. Just like folks that originally tended the cattle – Cow-Boys – got a notorious reputation, we can’t help but notice consultants are reliving a similar destiny decades later. The worst thing is that suited advice-givers don’t look as cool in movies.
Separate the Wheat from the Chaff
In the vast consulting landscape, it’s easy to get lost in the noise, especially when everyone seems to have the “know-how.” You see, in the world of business, eloquent voices and gunslinging theory are no substitute for hands-on experience. Therefore companies in grave need of advice should be looking for seasoned veterans with: verifiable and rich portfolios; real-world success stories; proof of technical echelon; and earned reputation. They should mercilessly weed out the ugly from the good because frankly there’s no real authority or mechanism that does this for you.
Therefore scour for the evidence and be the ruthless sheriff. Your company’s prosperity shouldn’t be left to second chances.
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