I often hear horror stories from business people in all types and sizes of organizations about I.T. consultants. It's not necessary to dwell on the bad experiences, but there's no doubt that the I.T. consulting field has its share of incompetent or just downright shady characters. The good news is there are also lots of qualified, experienced, and knowledgeable consultants available to help you with your company’s digital nervous system. How can you, as a business owner or manager, separate the good from the bad? In this article, I’ll share the three magic questions you can ask before hiring the wrong I.T. consultant.
Number one: Are you certified (not to be confused with "certifiable")?
Insist on certification: Microsoft offers several levels of certification including the new Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) credentials, the former MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer), and the Microsoft Small Business Specialist. The MCSE was Microsoft's premiere certification requiring a very broad base of knowledge on systems and networks. The MCSE required the candidate to pass as many as seven tests. The newer credentials are even more rigorous and they allow an individual greater ability to specialize. The Small Business Specialist is a narrower certification focusing in a specific area. The Small Business Specialist certification requires the candidate to pass two tests. All certifications require extensive training. A Microsoft Small Business Specialist will be more attuned to the needs of small businesses (obviously), but may not have the breadth and depth of training of an MSTS, and MCITP, or an MCSE. When you ask about certification, make certain that the individual holds current certifications (such as Windows Server 2003). You should ask for a copy of their transcript. Also request certificates of completion of formal training. The people who don't have certifications do have lots of reasons why it's not necessary, but the reality is that the certification process requires a successful candidate to follow a structured course of study followed by one or perhaps several rigorous examinations. There are other certifications in addition to Microsoft such as those from Cisco or CompTIA (Computer Technology Industry Association) that can help you determine an individual's level of competence. There are also, in fact, competent individuals who do not carry professional certifications, but as a business professional you don't have the time or resources to sort them out. Insist on current certifications. You’ll find links to websites where you can learn more about I.T. certifications at my website: http://www.doncrawley.com/.
Number two: What is your experience?
Insist on experience: We've all heard the stories about the genius computer kids. While the stories may be true, your business requires someone who is not just a smart computer person, but someone who also understands your business and who has extensive "real-world" experience. I.T. consultants’ jobs are less about technology than about delivering creative solutions to workplace problems. When you’re interviewing a candidate, ask about the kinds of problems s/he has seen in businesses similar to yours and the kinds of solutions s/he recommended to the client. Ask how they incorporate scalability into their solutions. (Scalability is the ability of systems to grow and adapt as end-user needs change without the need for a major retrofit.) Insist on someone who is a legitimate business (ask to see their business license) with several years of experience (I'd say a minimum of five years.)
Number three: May I call your references?
Insist on references: Get at least three references. Your computer network is your business's digital nervous system. Talk to at least three companies or sole proprietors who have had successful experiences with the prospective company or individual. Remember, the most important question to ask is, “Would you hire this individual or firm again?”
Having a successful experience with an I.T. consultant requires that you do your homework before you make the hiring decision. It requires that you consider the answers to all three questions. Just because they’re certified doesn’t mean they’re experienced in real world problem-solving. Just because they’re experienced doesn’t mean they have current knowledge on current technologies. Just because they have good references doesn’t mean they have experience in solving your business problems.
Finally, be prepared to budget enough to get and keep quality consultants. Remember, your successful investment in information technology will allow you and your staff to work more creatively, more productively, and more competitively. Remember also, you'll pay for good consultants whether you hire them initially or not.
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