How to Hire a Consultant

The right consultant can give you valuable insight into your business, increase productivity and improve your bottom line.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Detremine what you need in a consultant and write up a description.

2. Assess resources and talent from within your company before going outside for help.

3. Determine whether you need an outside consultant or whether the project can be handled in-house.

4. Ask for referrals at trade groups, the chamber or commerce and from others within your industry for outside consultants.

5. Check the background and references of any consultant you are considering. Make sure he or she has the expertise you need.

6. Meet with the consultant and discuss the parameters of the project - what needs to be done, price and time line.

7. Make sure the consultant understands your expectations.

8. Agree on checkpoints and deadlines for various stages of the project.

Tips & Warnings

• Many consultants work in strategic alliances with professionals you already use, such as accountants and lawyers. Ask around.

Who Can Help:

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[jens]

on 4/18/2008 Step 5 is extremely important when working with a consultant for a first time. Verifying their background and references provides assurance to their capabilities. One service that could help with this is http://www.crederity.com. It validates someone’s background in real-time.

Steps 6 and 7 should be embellished to acknowledge that you need to have good screening criteria for a consultant. Not only do they have the right skills, but are they the right fit for the project team they’ll be working with. Remember to assess skills, personality/problem-solving approach and cultural fit.