As we become more reliant on technology in our daily lives, there is an increasing demand for IT consultants who can ensure that our systems are functioning properly and help us to resolve any difficulties. As an IT consultant, you can be very valuable, whether you’re enhancing a huge company’s IT infrastructure or guiding a less tech-savvy customer through a basic problem.
In this article, we’ll take look at some of the basic strategies you can follow to ensure you set your IT consultancy services apart from the crowd.
1. Have patience
It may be quite irritating as an IT consultant when you’ve spent weeks demonstrating a new IT system to a company only to be bombarded with the same queries. When dealing with others, remember to be patient.
For folks who aren’t experienced with technology, something that may appear as simple to you may be tough for them. If you’re getting the same inquiries again and over, send an email out with any extra information you might need. It’s easier to create a great connection with a company if you’re patient and adaptable.
2. Meet all deadlines
Take some time while consulting for a client to assess how long a project will take and offer a reasonable deadline. Don’t make the mistake of establishing a short deadline only to appease the client; it will only generate problems when you’re late and dealing with a disgruntled customer.
If it appears that you may miss your deadline, talk with the customer as soon as possible to explain the problem. One of the most essential things you can do as an IT consultant is to execute what you stated you would do in the period you specified.
3. Acquire expertise
Although having a broad understanding of your sector is beneficial, becoming an ‘expert’ in a certain field may help you stand out. Look for market gaps or areas where the firms you work for are having difficulty, and try to become the go-to person for that problem. This might provide you an advantage over the competition and is a huge selling point when it comes to potential clients.
4. Stay away from jargon
This is crucial for IT experts. Although you are familiar with technical jargon, it may appear to your clients like a foreign language. When discussing IT-related topics, remember to keep your audience in mind and use simple language to convey concepts.
Don’t forget to manage your risks. For example, ensure you have adequate business insurance* in place to cover any risks you may encounter in your day-to-day business. This will enable you to run your business on a day-to-day basis without having to worry about what may transpire if things go wrong.
Life is dramatic enough, but getting your business insurance doesn’t need to be. Get multiple quotes from trusted Australian insurers with BizCover today.