5 Things an IT Consultant Can Do to Be a Valued Resource
An IT job specification can be a pretty straight forward advertisement for technical expertise and overall performance expectations while on the job. Most times, the clients’ requirements are met and the contractor does exactly what’s expected. It’s a select few, however, that become truly valued resources, anticipating problems, creating solutions and developing a customer-centric frame of mind. These are the individuals who go beyond the 9 to 5 to bring increased productivity and success to the team, those who understand the overall strategic implications and business impact of their projects. An IT consultant can transcend the division between consultant and client by selflessly offering his full repertoire of skills for the betterment of the team.
A consultant that takes on much more than just the minimal expectation is an invaluable resource to any client. Here are 5 things an IT consultant can do to become a valued, and therefore highly sought after, resource to a client:
- Bring Diversity to the Table. Consultants have an advantage when it comes to diversity of experience, which comes in the form of technology, industry, team dynamic and political architecture. Consulting, by its nature, exposes consultants to many different projects, each with their own set of expectations, tools, and resources. In dealing with an ever-changing group of people, technologies, and processes, the consultant learns great flexibility and multiple methods by which to analyze and solve complex problems.
- Educate on Technology Trends. Because the consultant is usually on the move, he or she is able to stay on top of the latest technology trends. While one client is using legacy technology, another may be on the cutting edge; getting exposure to new and different technologies at one client may greatly benefit another in the future. Staying on the forefront of what’s new in the industry and educating the client is a sure way to ensure a consultant stands out. A truly valued consultant has become a subject matter expert in his or her field.
- Help in Recruiting. Great consultants tend to stick together, so a great consultant could potentially bring in more just like him. If there are additional technology needs that need to be filled, a consultant who’s put in the work to become invaluable to a client is more likely to be trusted with the task of bringing on additional resources.
- Do Some Grunt Work. Highly valued consultants are appreciated for their efforts on the work required, but also aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and do some work that might not be quite what they intended. Doing work outside the scope of the current assignment will be appreciated and can help establish a reputation for doing whatever is necessary to get the job done.
- Be a True Consultant. Use resources, including the resources at the disposal of your hiring company, to guide and educate clients. Work with both client and company resources to develop presentations, eBooks, blogs, or any other type of industry-related thought leadership content. Putting in the extra effort to establish a reputation as a thought leader as opposed to just another consultant will cement value for years to come.
While a consultant’s assignment itself may be challenging, it’s relatively easy to show up each day and produce what’s expected. However, bringing true value and a unique perspective to a client is something exceptional, something expected at Resource1. Because of our thorough interviewing process and strategic account management philosophies, we are able to provide consistent value to our clients.