| Does your business need the services of a | | | | What do you mean by the "we"? Are there any |
| computer consulting firm? Before you rush out | | | | other people who work at your company? |
| and hire the first techie or slick-salesperson that | | | | Are they employees or contractors? What are |
| knocks on your door, be sure to consider these | | | | their names, specialties and backgrounds? How |
| favorite Computer Consulting 101 hiring tips for | | | | long have they been with the company? Will they |
| screening and interviewing local computer | | | | be involved with this account? |
| consulting firms. In this first in a two-part series, | | | | (Tip: The more pointed questions you ask, the |
| we'll look the root of the problem, as well as the | | | | more you'll flush out the B.S. and hyperbole.) |
| four most basic criteria that you'll need to ask | | | | Small Business or Large Company Computer |
| about when searching for computer consulting | | | | Consulting Experience |
| vendors. | | | | What "size" is your typical consulting client, in |
| Computer Consulting 101 Preventative Medicine | | | | terms of number of PCs, employees and annual |
| Many small business owners have a tough time | | | | revenue? |
| knowing how to deal with difficult computer | | | | Generalist or Specialist Consulting Company |
| consultants. However, if you're able to uncover | | | | What industries or vertical markets have you |
| potential problems at the start of your computer | | | | worked with? And in what particular aspects and |
| consultant/client relationship, you can avoid many | | | | software applications? |
| of these unpleasant issues altogether. | | | | What kinds of products, services, and platforms |
| Root of the Problem | | | | does your company shy away from? Do you |
| While most entrepreneurs and small business | | | | work with any specialty hardware, software or |
| managers know exactly what to ask when it | | | | services vendors? |
| comes to hiring for internal staff positions, hiring a | | | | The Bottom Line |
| computer consulting firm can be more difficult. | | | | In this first of a two-part series of these |
| So on top of dealing with the myriad legal issues | | | | Computer Consulting 101 hiring tips, we looked at |
| surrounding how you retain the services of | | | | why small business owners and managers find |
| contractors (best advice: consult with your | | | | that computer consulting companies are so |
| attorney), as opposed to hiring employees on | | | | difficult to hire, as well as four basic issues that |
| your payroll, you'll need to know how to ask the | | | | you must confront when searching for a new |
| "right" questions. Don't make the ultra-common | | | | computer consulting vendor. In the second |
| common mistake of focusing on the wrong things. | | | | installment of this two part series on Computer |
| Use these Computer Consulting 101 Hiring Tips as | | | | Consulting 101 hiring tips, we'll look at how you can |
| your checklist for doing your homework before | | | | get your hands around the true costs of using a |
| you sign on the dotted line. | | | | computer consulting firm, as well as how you can |
| Part-time or Full-time Computer Consulting | | | | more objectively evaluate the computer |
| Do you have a "day job"? Are you moonlighting? | | | | consulting firm's suitability for the task of servicing |
| Solo Practitioner or True Computer Consulting | | | | your company's technology needs. |
| Business | | | | |