Most companies, at one time or another, will bring in consultants to help them reduce expenses or help them to complete a major project.
Telecommunications is an area where many businesses need outside help. The industry changes quite rapidly and a good telecom consultant firm can not only provide current solutions but ongoing support as well.
Each telecom consultant is different and may specialize in just one are of telecommunications. Finding the right telecom consultant for your business can be a tricky matter. Armed with the right questions you can easily find a telecom consultant that is the right fit for your company.
5 Questions To Ask Every Prospective Telecom Consultant
What Are Your Areas Of Specialty?
Telecommunications is a very broad industry and most consulting firms focus on one area. If the consultant you are interviewing specializes in VoIP migration and you need a firm that can help you with an audit it might not be a good fit. Find a consultant that has years of expertise in the area that you need assistance.
How Long Have You Been In Business?
This is important. With so many changes happening in the last few decades you want a consultant that has been through it all. As a rule of thumb you want to hire firms with at least ten years of experience or, ideally, 20 years. This will ensure that you are dealing with a seasoned professional.
How Big Is Your Company?
The telecom shake-up of the 90’ placed many executives out of work and many of them started their own consulting firms. Many of them were just one person in an office. Many of these one-man consulting firms are just middlemen between you and the real telecom provider. This is not to say that you should only deal with large firms, there are plenty of great small telecom consultants who will do a wonderful job for you. You just want to be sure that they are big enough to handle the work you are about to give them.
Do You Have References?
Check out the firm’s past work. Don’t just ask for names and phone numbers, though. Ask to see completed projects that are similar to what you want done. Any reputable telecom consultant will be happy to share this information with you. Also, request to see specific results from their work. What was the cost reduction as a result of their recommendations? What were the efficiency gains? The more information you get from them the better decision you will make.
How Do You Get Paid?
Consultants get paid in a variety of ways. Some prefer hourly billing, others choose a fee per project, and some only get paid if you do too. Either way, get it spelled out beforehand. Also, ask it the consultant is getting paid by the companies that they recommend. Some consultants will quote you a very low price up front because they are getting paid commissions by the companies whose products they recommend.
Armed with these five questions and a little research you will certainly find a telecom consultant that will fit perfectly with your business.
[author_bio username=”Ken” name=”yes”]
