To be an IT Consultant requires extensive knowledge and experience of the job at hand as well as being able to provide high-quality customer service from start to finish. Your clients, rightly so, will ask many questions when in doubt or when something is unclear but they may also request solutions that are less favourable to your professional advice and this is where working collaboratively is vital to ensure the best outcome. Above all, all clients must be treated with respect and IT consultants should maintain the following goals to ensure they are working with integrity and providing the best service for their clients:
IT CONSULTANT – KNOW YOUR STUFF AND BE HONEST
First and foremost, you will need to know what are you talking about when speaking to a client. Don’t lie about it. You could tell them enthusiastically about your strengths, background, expertise, and even the hours you spent on a project – but remember that the client is taking a leap of faith when they are hiring you. Don’t violate that trust for any reason because they will know if something is amiss.
SAY “NO” (GENTLY) BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT’S RIGHT
Clients hire you for your opinions, experience and knowledge. Giving them anything less breaks their trust and confidence in your work. They might eventually not heed your advice and altercations may lead to parting ways. Speak up if you must but do it mildly just to get your professional views across but most of all, do not agree to a project that you cannot provide the highest quality service on.
WAIT WHEN NECESSARY
If you are giving opinions based on similar experiences you have encountered, don’t push it throughout your conversation with your client. It is your job to present your discovery of THIS case and provide the client with the best solution. Do not force your recommendation just because you are the IT expert.
FOCUS ON THE CLIENT AT HAND
When you are hired by a client for a project, you belong to that client. Focus on the current case at hand from start to finish. Don’t troubleshoot another client’s problem; don’t even think about another client’s project. If possible, turn off your phone when you are at your client’s facility. Your client will see that you are focused on the job, instead of witnessing you and another client on the phone while doing it.
STAY OUT OF OFFICE POLITICS
Every workplace has politics so be professional and stay out of it. The only views your client is paying you for are those that support your IT position.
DO A GOOD JOB
Every project is unique and has a different set of detailed specification glitches. Recognize the problem and rectify it in a timely and efficient manner. Do it right and demonstrate your professionalism and skill.
DON’T CREATE A DEPENDENCY
Stop holding on to a particular client just to keep a business relationship with them. A recently finished project might require maintenance at one time and they should be approaching you because of your expertise and trust.
With our consultancy services at Global ITN, we understand your business needs and can provide you with the customized IT solutions to support and enhance your business functions. We will help you to translate your innovative ideas to meet your IT systems’ needs and assist you in creating your specific IT strategy.
What Global ITN offers:
- Professional business-to-business consulting to understand your business needs
- Broad-ranged IT consultancy covering data centre, IT security, procurement, IT network, wireless and cabling.
- Objective non-biased advice and recommendations
- Access to Global ITN’s specialized expertise.
- Temporary help during one-time projects to avoid heavy staffing requirements
- Real-time of your IT services as necessary
