The Value of Hiring a Tech Consultant

The Value of Hiring a Consultant

We’ve probably all heard discussions around the office about if Professional Services (Consultants) are actually a net benefit to customers. In fact, I’ve actually heard Professional Services being described as “a necessary evil” and “a tax on customers” from executives who are significant non-believers. It’s not uncommon for team managers to have a healthy suspicion of bringing in outside experts, being unsure how they would lead to better product innovation, implementation or onboarding. However, I believe there is a material misunderstanding of the value consultants can bring to organizations. Depending on the type of consultant, the benefits of employing consulting services can be grouped into a few categories: 

Acceleration of Value Realization (Speed to Market):

Often tracked as Time-To-Value (or, less helpfully, Time-To-Go-Live), Professional Services should be driven to shorten the time it takes for a client to receive value from their investment. Solving a problem quickly has value. Yes, a customer or client might be able to do it themselves but if it takes longer, and distracts from other work that needs doing, then it actually costs them more and undermines ROI.

A Driver of Solution Adoption (Scalability):

If your Professional Services are focused on solution adoption, rather than base implementation, then you will maximize product utilization, get key features aligned to working practices, and create opportunities for license growth, upsell and cross-sell.

A Reason for Retention (Utilization)

Focusing on solving a client’s problem and increasing their engagement with the product will make clients less likely to struggle and to switch to other tools and competitors. It is highly unlikely that your products and features are unique and clients will switch to competitors if they continue to have a problem that you haven’t addressed.

A Source of Customer Advocacy (Value to End User Customers)

Marketing teams main use for bringing in Professional Services is often to provide testimonials of the benefits clients have received from their product. Great customer advocacy generates prospect confidence to support new sales.

Identifying the Value Tech Consultants Can Bring to Your Business

A businesses primary goal once a decision has been made relative to purchasing a new technology, a new tool, or a new software has been made, is to ensure that your business is getting the desired outcomes required and the return on your investment (ROI) as quickly and efficiently as possible. Thousands and perhaps millions of dollars are being invested, so driving to a rapid implementation and roll out are vital to driving the desired business outcomes. From ensuring a technical fit and data migration within your environment to ensuring training and usage of investments being made are all part of the journey.  Areas to consider include:

• Risk Mitigation: Outsourcing allows access to specialized talent and expertise that may not be available in-house, especially in rapidly evolving fields.

• Product Development: Ensure product-market fit and apply best practices.

• Strategic Growth: Formulate business strategy and scalable processes.

• Sales and Marketing: Optimize demand generation and sales processes.

• Operational Efficiency: Identify inefficiencies and streamline operations.

• Financial Management: Analysis of Funding, financial modeling, and budgeting.

• Customer Retention: Enhancing customer journeys and support strategies.

• Compliance and Security: Navigating regulatory requirements and implementing best security (such as information cascade models).

• Networking: Leverage industry connections for partnerships and insights.

• Core Focus: Allow teams to concentrate on product development and customer engagement.

  
  

How TechCardinal Consultants Bring Value to Your Business.

At TechCardinal Consulting, we are a technology based company focused on two primary focus areas, digital transformation, and business process efficiency. Change in any form is difficult, which is why TechCardinal Consulting creates custom roadmaps to outline the correct next steps your business needs to take to continue being successful. Every vendor tells you that their tools and technologies are the best, which is why it’s so important to have someone on your side to help your solutions assessment. If your organization is looking for innovative ways to grow your business, consider taking flight with TechCardinal. 

TechCardinal Consulting Managing Principal / Partner