When to Utilize a Consultant for Your Organization

By Toni Roldan

As organizations grow and mature there may come a time when a consultant is needed. For some organizations this is business as usual. These businesses routinely utilize consultants to handle various aspects of their business because they are able to benefit from the consultants' expertise and experience without having to commit to the expense of a full-time employee. For others, using consultants is a new venture, full of uncertainty and hesitancy.

Indeed, it takes some effort and good judgment to bring in the person or group who will provide the best benefit for your organization; you will want value for your investment and a positive outcome. So how do you accomplish this, especially when there are so many options available? Where do you start?

First of All, How Do You Know You Need a Consultant?

Consider the following questions.

Have you tried to remedy a situation/issue/problem in-house to no avail? More than once?

Do you need someone with an expertise that you do not have in-house? For instance, if your organization is experiencing a great deal of change, is someone with change management expertise needed to help you navigate successfully through the changes?

Do you need your issue/problem/situation solved quickly but don't have the time to build that skill set or experience in-house? Which leads to the following consideration ...

Is the time that you or others in your organization are spending to address a situation unprofitable, taking time away from more pressing items or items more aligned with the strengths in your organization? For instance, say one of your employees whose strength is in finance is researching and building a new Web site for the organization. Although this person might succeed at doing this, the time and effort he or she would require to complete the project would probably not be profitable or effective. But if you bring in someone whose specialty is in this area, he or she will spend less time doing it; and your finance person can stay on task.

Do you feel a fresh perspective, an objective set of eyes, could discover new ideas and solutions?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then bringing in a consultant whose experience matches your needs could be a valuable proposition for your organization. The next phase is looking for the right fit.

Depending on a number of factors, the task of identifying the right consultant can be either daunting or straightforward. Here are a few things to consider that should make your search easier and more productive:

Factors to Consider in Selecting the Right Consultant

Trust: Trust is probably the biggest factor. As you talk to different groups and individuals, do you have a sense of trust? You may have to blend your instincts and interactions as well as recommendations from others to determine this one. As you interact do you feel that the consultant is listening to you, that the consultant understands what you need, and that the consultant shows a genuine interest in helping you to succeed?

Experience: As you describe your situation, is the consultant able to demonstrate experience and previous results that addressed a similar situation? Your issue or problem should not be foreign to the consultant.

Outcomes: As you and the consultant work to determine the problem and solution(s) are you clear on the outcomes that should result? Both you and the consultant should be in alignment on these outcomes, and they should be clear to both of you. This will help to avoid confusion about what you want the consultant to help you achieve.

Value: Bringing in someone as a consultant is going to require an investment for your organization; you will want to be able to establish value. This, of course, is closely linked with your outcomes. The work your consultant provides should net a value to the organization: This could mean such things as reducing expenses, increasing employee satisfaction, or streamlining job functions. The bottom line is, understand what your investment will yield.

Partnering with a consultant can be a rewarding and profitable endeavor for your organization. Be patient and understand what you are looking for as you interview and assess different individuals and groups. Remember these key points to help make your search more successful:

In Summary

Why and When to Hire

• You are moving into an area that is unfamiliar.

• You have tried to address an issue/concern/problem but have not been successful.

• You do not have the expertise.

• You do not have the time to build the skill sets internally that are needed for the problem.

• You need a quick resolution.

• You recognize that this is not an area of strength for you and opt to focus your attention and energy on areas where you excel.

How to Hire the Right Person

• Look for a good level of trust and comfort.

• Feel the consultant is listening to what you need.

• Have a shared clarity about the outcomes you are striving to achieve.

• Understand the value to your organization; this will help determine the net benefit the consultant's services will yield.