Computer Consultants Secrets ™

When you are just starting your IT support company, you will most likely be wearing all the hats.  You will be responsible for sales, technical support and administrative duties, until the company is established enough to justify delegation of certain tasks to a salesperson or a few different technical staff members.

Wearing Multiple Hats is Important During Startup

A lot of people might think of themselves as having one skill when it comes to their businesses.  For example, someone might just feel like he/she is good at being an entrepreneur, but has sub-par technical and sales skills.  But if you are not willing to wear multiple hats, particularly during startup, you are already behind the curve.  Most of your local competitors in IT support will be wearing multiple hats, particularly during startup.

Your firm will often compete for sweet spot clients against one-person consultants working out of their houses with very low overhead.  And many of these people will have fairly good technical skills and personalities that work well in sales positions.

When Should You Delegate in IT Support?

You may be able to find a great technical person and a salesperson and keep them very busy.  But in most cases, your IT support business needs to evolve.  You, as the owner will start out by being both the salesperson and the tech person.  As the company grows and gets more clients, you will consider subcontracting out some overflow work or specialty work in order to free you up for sales and marketing.

When you reach the point where you are working with a couple different subcontractors consistently, you should start to think about the money your firm is spending on subcontractors and realize you should delegate to someone you put on payroll.

The Main Idea about IT Support

Remember that in IT support, some of your competitors will not be skilled at sales and tech issues right away.  They may also challenge you!  It’s very important to wear multiple hats during startup to help your business grow into the future.

Added By:  Joshua Feinberg

A professionally-administered survey from Dynamics Markets released earlier this week determined that only one in three IT projects meets expectations.  So what advice for a consulting business is there to help with this phenomenon?

Dynamics Markets surveyed 800 middle and senior IT managers in large companies in eight different countries for Tata Consultancy Services.  Nearly 70 percent of those responding said their managers and their boards still offer financial support, even for unsuccessful IT projects.  Common problems with projects were going over time, greater-than-expected maintenance costs and reluctance of business users to adopt the new technology once installed.

Because leading VARs found statistics did not quite match their experiences, they decided to release the following 6 pieces of advice for a consulting business looking to meet expectations of clients and thrive.

1.     Plan Well:  While no one can plan for everything that happens, this advice for a computer consulting business is critical.  Many IT providers might submit low project estimates just to get a job without thinking about the business impact of a poorly-planned project.  IT providers need to add extra time into each phase of the project to make sure it stays on track, and that clients are happy.  

2.     Add the Right Requirement-Gathering Procedures:  Projects typically fail because of improper requirements gathering.  The advice for a consulting business is to focus on project management and the management of implementation and know the difference between the two.

3.    Focus on Relationships:  Often projects fail because there is a lack of connection between the business needs and the IT goals of the project.  The solutions must match the business, and the consultant and the client must be on the same page about what is needed.  The advice for a consulting business is to stress relationship strength and build trust with clients from the beginning.

4.    Manage Expectations:  This advice for a consulting business means that everyone involved in delivering the project (and receiving it) needs to know the plan for the project.  Project managers and consultants need to use good and realistic methods of measuring success at each stage of the project.  

5.    Communication is Key:  You need to communicate your plan from the beginning of a project.  Good advice for a consulting business is to think of you and your clients as a team and to focus on building relationships by communicating regularly.  Everyone needs to know what is happening at all times.  

6.    Spend Money and Spend it Wisely:  Small businesses need to invest in IT projects.  If the client does not have enough money to complete the project the right way, you need to put it on hold.  The best advice for a consulting business when it comes to getting clients to invest is to make sure they are capable before starting a project; don’t take on a project if you can’t do it the right way from the beginning.

Added By:  Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

Part of project management in IT consulting is figuring out how to price IT audits.  Pricing IT audits should be based on your rate, but you will have to also be prepared to offer a discount to get to the next step in IT sales.  

Your Hourly Rate is Your Guide

When dealing with project management and pricing IT audits, you should take your hourly billing rate and figure out that you will be spending about three hours on site.  You will also spend another hour in the shop writing up reports for IT audits and providing an estimate.  Think about your average hourly billing rate and add it up.  

You can guess that, when all is said and done, you will probably spend about five hours on an IT audit.  Figure this into your idea of project management for this and do the math.  Make sure you round down to figure out the discount.   

Don’t Bill the Full Amount

Your goal when thinking about pricing IT audits and project management with this task is to get to the next step in the sales process.  You are not billing at the full amount or by the hour.  You want to let prospects and customers know that they can afford your services and you are not just there to run up a bill.  Your goal is to find out what your prospects’ problems are, help them organize and help them figure out what needs to be addressed.  

Expect to spend a couple hours coming up with recommendations on what to do first, what it will cost them and when you can schedule it.  Don’t give away expertise for free, but also don’t look to get a typical hourly billing rate when figuring out the project management for IT audits.  

You Should Discount

You want prospects to open up their wallets and show they will spend money on your services.  Even if you don’t get 50 or 75 percent of your normal hourly billing rate with IT audits, you can consider the process a sales cost.

Think about charging anywhere from $250 to $350.  If you want to get aggressive, don’t go lower than $199 or $200.  Make it a fixed price to help with good project management and find out if the prospect will be able to spend money.

Blogged By:  Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

If your main focus is to sell to government, non-profit or educational institutions, your computer consulting firm might be used to working with on-the-fly IT spending and the next steps.  However, when you are working with mainly small businesses, you probably don’t want to ascribe to the “use it or lose it” IT spending concept.

IT Spending and the “Use It or Lose It” Philosophy

With educational institutions and non-profits, if you don’t spend money during a fiscal year, leftover funds may not carry over into the next year.  The board of education will probably also feel that your department doesn’t need the full amount they’ve been giving you for IT spending needs and will cut your budge.  Often then, there is a year-end rush to get rid of the tech account, regardless of whether it is the right time of year for this type of IT spending.

The IT Spending Trap for Small Businesses

Many small businesses often practice the “use it or lose it” philosophy, even though it’s not the best option.  Should clients just rush out to get a great PC gadget because they are having a great year, quarter or month?  

No.

You are your clients’ virtual CIO, and you need to be the “grown up” every once in a while and rein in some IT spending.  Remind them of their priorities (gently) and their annual technology plan (and keep in mind, there IS a definite “plan” involved!).  

Planned IT Spending

You should have a written plan for your clients’ projects.  This will help keep your clients’ IT spending priorities on the right track and give you a steady consulting income throughout the year.

Added By:  Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

When you work in IT consulting, you have the option of offering a lot of different services to many different sizes of companies.  How can you fulfill the needs of large small businesses?

The key is to pick two or three of the networking skill sets you use with the sweet spot.  You could pick advanced virus protection, firewall intrusion detection, VPN and routers. If you decide you will focus on security and border access, that would be your specialty and the only thing you would do. 

Large Small Businesses Require Extreme Specializing

With IT consulting for large small businesses, you would have to get a really deep specialty by product platform.  These types of companies typically have a real IT manager on payroll 40 hours per week that will do general tasks in house.

Would IT Staff Need You?

Companies typically put someone on payroll to do IT when they are paying a lot of outsourcing expenses.  Once they have this person on staff, he/she will be expected to keep outsourcing expenses down until a specialized task arises.  As a deep niche IT consulting specialist, these specialized tasks would be your opportunities.

Blogged By:  Computer Consulting Kit

IT consulting rates are slightly different depending upon where in the world you reside.  The IT consulting rates mentioned in this entry will be based in U.S. dollars, so make sure to do some conversions.   These rates work well for populated suburban areas and major metropolitan areas.  If you are in an area of low population or a rural area, you will find you can’t charge as much, but you will have business costs that will be quite low.

IT Consulting Rates for Micro Small Businesses

When you are dealing with micro small businesses, IT consulting rates are going to vary because of the involvement of gurus and volunteers.  You can find rates from $0 to $50 and sometimes more.  If you want to work with micro small businesses as a stepping stone to sweet spot clients, you need to get only the best and most profitable.  

Set Your Rates High

You need to charge at the top of the IT consulting rate range or above when dealing with micro small businesses because otherwise you will not be able to switch from moonlighting to full time.

Charging $50 or less for IT consulting services just doesn’t work.  The only people charging rock-bottom rates are moonlighters that will never be full-time consultants.  You just can’t be happy and work 80 hours per week for $20,000 per year.  

Added By:  Joshua Feinberg

Oracle announced last week that it would be rolling out a program for VARs that work with the small business market.  Its new VARs order process will allow resellers to order directly through distributors without membership in its partner program.  This new idea is in part an attempt to help the company stay competitive with Microsoft.  
    
As part of this new program, VARs can sell Oracle products through any distributor attached to Oracle and can also get support and training through this distributor.  This process will eliminate all up-front fees and contracts.  

Now “remarketers” can just order Oracle These new VARs will be labeled “remarketers.”  Judson Athoff, vice president of global platform and distribution sales and the leader of the Oracle Technology SMB Program says this change is necessary in order to get at the low end of the market.    The company came about deciding on this “one-click” ordering program with the help of analysts that determined the company was losing business from small businesses because of the complexity of the ordering process.  
products through value-added distributors and better give Oracle solutions to small accounts without having to pay big-account prices for VARs programs.

Blogged By:  Computer Consulting Kit

Recently, solution provider ArmorCore Technologies LLC announced a program for computer resellers looking to specialize in storage and security solutions.  The company stated it would recruit 30-40 storage and security computer resellers in the proceeding six months to help build the program and meet its quota for data recovery, data backup and security products.  

The company declared on June 14th that its computer reseller program would respond to the 22% - 28% expected growth in the storage and security market over the next five years.  The ArmorCore computer reseller program will also help respond to similar growth in the software and hardware industries.

Tom Kane, Jr., vice president of Channel Sales and Marketing for ArmorCore stated the computer reseller channel program is an attempt to respond to the demand for the company’s Total Data Protection solutions.  The small business market is changing quickly in terms of security and storage, and is looking for simpler solutions that were previously available and at more reasonable prices.

Companies and computer resellers that partner with ArmorCore can expect excellent security features from its products that will help position them to compete.  As part of this program, ArmorCore will help computer resellers through the sales process and provide the following resources:  all tools, documentation and support; education and information about data protection and security; suites of products that include data security, backup and recovery, storage, encryption, compliance and easy-to-install software.

Computer resellers looking for more information about this opportunity can visit the attached link.

Added By:  Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

Part of understanding how you will provide IT support for businesses is knowing where you are when it comes to the competition.  Making expensive mistakes will take up too much precious time and effort.  

Micro Small Businesses and IT Support

Those businesses with 1-10 PCs that make anywhere from $100,000 to $1 million per year get their IT support mainly from internal gurus.  They also use independent hotlines, software vendors, ISPs and independent vendors.  They are typically used to spending $1.99 or $2.99 per minute to talk to people about their IT issues.  They also scan websites and forums looking for free answers.   

Micro Small Businesses and Volunteers

Micro small businesses usually depend on volunteers – a PC-aware friend or family member – to provide free IT support.  They might be annoyed by the quality of service, but at least the service is free.   

Can You Compete with Free?

You can compete with free IT support, but the going is tough.  You can use micro small businesses as touchstones.  They get their IT support sometimes from system builders too, including white box system assemblers that put together systems from brand name parts.  

Sometimes IT support will come from retail store clerks that make $6 - $10 per hour.  You can compete by highlighting the value of your IT support for micro small businesses.

Blogged By:  Joshua Feinberg

More and more solution providers are learning that specialization is critical to providing the best tech services.  A recent research study conducted by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) confirmed this idea.

CompTIA shared findings with solution providers at its Managed Services Summit in Coronado, CA last week.  The organization polled 332 managed technology users and asked them what the five most important things were that they sought when choosing solution providers.    

Twenty-seven percent stated they chose solution providers that specialized in unique services.  Other factors included a pre-established relationship with the solution provider, the provider’s reputation and availability of support.  Also included in the findings were recommendations and referrals from others that had worked with the solution providers.  

Respondents stressed that low prices were not the top concern when seeking out solution providers.  The quality of the services offered and the fit of the solutions to the specific business were far more important to those looking for solution providers for their small businesses.   

CompTIA stressed that solution providers often have to educate existing and prospective customers on tech solutions and managed services.  Fifty-two percent of customers polled stated their lack of knowledge about solutions was a huge factor in discouraging them from choosing solution providers.  

Blogged By:  Joshua Feinberg

Don’t set IT support rates too low, or you will have to work harder than you have to in order to keep your business running.  As a computer consulting professional, you need to make sure you don’t provide anything for free.  

IT Support:  Make a Profit

You should not run into a situation with IT support where your revenue comes incredibly close to expenses.  This type of situation can occur when you do work for free.  There should be a big discrepancy between your revenue and your expenses so you can get a profit and cover overhead.

Micro small businesses of certain types will look unfavorably at offering IT support rates that are acceptable, but there are plenty more that will be willing to pay $75 to $100 per hour or even more.  

In IT Support, Qualify Customers

You need to find the best IT support customers and qualify them so you are not wasting any time with those that will suck you dry of time and money.  These types of customers will stop you from finding the most profitable clients.

Don’t waste your time for a second on people that will take your time, energy and money when it comes to IT support.

Blogged By:  Computer Consulting Kit

Sometimes the processes that keep business running smoothly can benefit your customers as well as your business. Technology is constantly evolving, so keep on top of the current developments that can help you deliver the best service possible to your clients.

Read on to see what one of our computer consultants implemented and how it worked for him.

"We implemented a standardized ordering process and setup online ordering for our clients and staff. In the discussion on service level agreement you spoke about providing service levels that are better than our competition and so this is one of the things no one else offers."

Wesley K. Robinson, CSG HealthNet Solutions, Inc.
Lubbock, Texas

The Bottom Line about Project Management

To learn more about technology assessments, click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business.

Systems integrator projects translate to effectively working with another organization.  The systems integrator who has a clear understanding of the client relationship will be able to work efficiently.  A satisfied customer is the goal for every systems integrator. 

Understanding the Client Relationship

A systems integrator should remember three important factors when working with a client.  Remember that a client is not always available to you. 

It is also wise to understand that your contact may not be the decision maker.  Finally, make sure that your client has clear expectations of what your relationship will be like.

An Unavailable Client is Commonplace

Every systems integrator will, at some point, try to contact a client about a pressing matter and find that he is nowhere to be found.  He doesn’t return phone calls, he is not in the office, and no one knows when he will return. 

It is a common misconception that your client is waiting for your every move.  In order to keep this from happening too often, it is wise for the systems integrator to schedule regular meetings to communicate about the project. 

Know Who the Decision Maker Is

The success of a job increases when a systems integrator is able to identify the decision maker.  If a contact is not the decision maker, a project is often slowed down or even comes to a complete halt. 

It is best for the systems integrator to address this issue before the start of a project.  Explain the importance and benefits of dealing directly with decision makers.

Explain Your Job Clearly

Often, a client misunderstands the relationship between himself and the systems integrator.  Before beginning a project, explain each step of the process. 

Give details of what you will be providing and when.  A client who knows what to expect is more likely to be satisfied upon completion.

The Bottom Line about a Systems Integrator

Understanding the client relationship is vital for every systems integrator.  Use respect and courtesy when communicating.  By knowing what to expect, a job will run more smoothly and efficiently.

In this article, you’ve been introduced to the systems integrator understanding of the client relationship.  To learn more about the systems integrator click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business.

Technology consultant work consists of large and complex projects.  Every technology consultant is responsible for monitoring their projects.  Tracking the progress will ensure that the objectives are met and the job runs smoothly for the technology consultant. 

Monitoring Project Performance

Understanding the monitoring process will allow a project to stay on course.  Several factors should be considered. 

Progress reports, review meetings, and adjustments all enter into the process.  The technology consultant, as the project leader, will want to consider all of these factors while managing a project.

Progress Reports

All team members responsible for a project activity should submit a progress report to the technology consultant.  Reports include the current phase of the project as well as any problems or successes that have been encountered. 

The consultant should determine at the onset of the project when these reports will be submitted.  For larger scale jobs, progress reports will need to be turned in more frequently. 

Establishing Timelines

Consider the individual when establishing a report time line.  Some employees will be more productive if left to their own devices. 

Others will need stricter guidelines.  For first time team members, use tighter controls and request more frequent reports.

Review Meetings

After reviewing all progress reports, a technology consultant will be prepared to highlight discussion topics for a meeting.  These review meetings should be scheduled at regular intervals, giving everyone involved the opportunity to offer input and share concerns.  These meetings are the perfect time to discuss solutions to project roadblocks.

Make Adjustments

As a project progresses, the technology consultant will need to make changes.  A variety of problems can arise.  The budget could be decreased. 

Another possibility is the loss of an employee to another project that takes priority.  Or, delays might occur because tasks took longer to complete than expected.  Ask the team for their opinions and work together to solve these issues.

The Bottom Line about the Technology Consultant

It is imperative that a technology consultant monitor his project continuously.  Demand progress reports, schedule review meetings, and make necessary adjustments.  Effective monitoring allows for an easier ride with fewer roadblocks. 

In this article, you’ve been introduced to the technology consultant and how they monitor project performance.  To learn more about the technology consultant, click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business.

Technology consultant jobs will require knowledge of project management.  Projects will flow more smoothly and achieve the desired outcome if a technology consultant is aware of a few essential tips. 

A technology consultant should have clear goals, plan, communicate effectively, and be flexible.

The Essentials for Project Success

Clearly defined goals are the first step towards a successfully completed project.  A technology consultant should have everyone’s approval on the stated goals.  The client, the consultant, and any colleagues or employees should all be committed to the project. 

Planning and Communication

Everyone has heard the old adage, “Fail to plan and you must plan to fail.”  Planning is a crucial stage in project management. Determine what facilities will be used, what equipment is necessary, and the amount of the budget. 

The success of your project is jeopardized if the client suddenly runs out of money.  Communicate openly with the client and everyone else involved in the project.

Remain Flexible

A technology consultant should be prepared to make changes whenever necessary to keep the project running smoothly.  Regularly evaluate the project anticipating changes along the way. 

In the midst of the project the client may decide to focus on a different goal.  Or if a company’s sales goals have not been met, the budget may suddenly be decreased. 

Prepare for Change

Perhaps employees who were assisting with the project are transferred to another job in the middle of the project.  If the technology consultant is dependent on their work, a new course has to be taken.  The consultant who is ready for change will be more apt to succeed.

The Bottom Line about Technology Consultants

A technology consultant should be familiar with project management and its many facets required for success.  Setting clear goals, planning and being flexible will set you on the right course.

In this article, you’ve been introduced to the technology consultant’s project management essentials. To learn more about the technology consultant, click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business.

Generally, a client hires an I.T. consultant to achieve a set goal.  Traditionally, a consultant was retained for their advisory capabilities only.  Presently, there is more of trend towards a consultant who advises then carries out the plan.  Sometimes, you may want to simply carry out a planned project.

I.T. Consultant Roles

The Advisory Role

The classic I.T. consultant role is that of an advisor.  First, the consultant will need to research and investigate. Then the consultant will review all pertinent information to generate his findings.  Once a report and recommendations have been presented to the client, the consultant’s job is finished.  It is up to the client to carry out the recommended plan of action. 

The Advisory and Action Role

Most consultants will become advisors and then carry out their plans of action.  Obviously this will be a more lucrative role because you are being paid for your advice and for completing the project.  This also allows an I.T. consultant to see an assignment from start to finish, which is very satisfying.  A word to the wise:  be certain that you have the expertise that is required to carry the project through to completion.  You will be doing a great disservice to your client by learning as you go!

The Action Role

Often a client will already have a planned project and they are seeking an outside I.T. consultant to complete the task.  This puts you in the role of taking action.  You are completing the project by following the guidelines set out for you. 

No matter what role you take on as an I.T. consultant, remember that you are responsible for meeting your client’s needs and expectations.  Your role may change from project to project.  Assess each job and determine which role will best suit your client. 

The Bottom Line about Being an I.T. Consultant

In this article, you’ve learned about being an I.T. consultant. To learn more about becoming an I.T. consultant, click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business. 

Computer repair prices can be determined using a variety of methods.  Consider four of these methods before setting computer repair prices.  Just remember that deciding on computer repair prices is not an exact science.  There is no right or wrong decision – only the right choice for you!

Four Price Setting Methods

Market Pricing

This is the belief that computer repair prices should be set at whatever a customer will pay.  Prices will vary from job to job.  However, many could construe this method as dishonest.  If two customers begin discussing your work, the differential is sure to come up in conversation.  So use this method with caution.

Competitive Pricing

Establishing computer repair prices based on the competition is another option.  Charging a considerable amount more than your local competition must mean that you are offering a far superior service or product.  If you are not able to prove this to your client, you will lose the business.  On the other side of the spectrum, use care if you are priced far below your competition.  Computer repair prices should not be so low that your company is perceived as a “bargain-basement” business. 

Needs-Based Pricing

Another approach is to determine how much money you expect or need to make.  Then decide the number of hours you will work annually and calculate how much an hour you will bill.  This number will decide your computer repair prices.  The drawback to this method is uncertainty. Knowing exactly how much business you will do during a year is very speculative and is especially difficult for a beginning consultant to determine.

Former Salary Plus Benefits Pricing

This method is similar to needs-based pricing.  Instead of figuring out how much you want to make a year, you calculate your former salary and add in health care and other benefits.  The total is then used to determine your hourly rate.  

Before determining computer repair pricing, it is wise to review the different methods.  Often, a consultant will integrate two of the methods to determine pricing.  Using a needs-based pricing only will keep the focus only on your needs.  However, if competitive pricing is also considered, you are more in tuned with your customer’s needs, as well.

The Bottom Line about Computer Repair Prices

In this article, you’ve been introduced to computer repair prices. To learn more about computer repair prices, click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business.           

Computer networking business owners will take on many new management skills.  Applying the 80-20 rule will assist them in better managing a computer networking business.

Computer networking business owners are not always natural managers.  These skills must be honed while operating the computer networking business.  The 80-20 rule is a useful tool for managing a computer networking business.  Every owner should be familiar with what the rule means to each aspect of his business.

The 80-20 Rule

What is the 80-20 rule?  Generally, it means that 80 percent of the work is done by only 20 percent of the people.  This rule can be applied to all aspects of the computer networking business, not just employee output.  Consider some of the possibilities listed below.

Customers

Eighty percent of a computer networking business profits come from twenty percent of the customers.  This is an important factor to consider.  Most of your time and energy should be given to those twenty percent.  Those customers offer the most potential to earn a profit for your company.

Expenses

A computer networking business should focus on twenty percent of expense categories.  This twenty percent often produces eighty percent of the waste.  Possibilities for increased profitability are waiting to be discovered.

Employees

In addition to employee output, the 80-20 rule applies to employee problems.  Eighty percent of problems stem from twenty percent of the employees.  Address the problems with these twenty percent.  Train and motivate them or replace them.  As for the employees who are producing eighty percent of the work, be sure to reward their efforts.

Success

A computer networking business manager should determine his talents and strengths.  Delegate jobs to employees who are strong in other aspects of the business.  Eighty percent of the business successes will be a product of only twenty percent of your efforts. 

The Bottom Line about Computer Networking Business

In conclusion, apply the 80-20 rule to every aspect of your computer networking business.  It will ease the transition of starting a new business.  The computer networking business will operate smoothly and hopefully reach its growth potential.

In this article, you’ve been introduced to computer networking business. To learn more about computer networking business, click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business. 

A great way to see if you and potential clients are a good fit is by first trying "proving ground projects." In this article, you’ll learn how proving ground projects are essential before signing any long-term agreements for computer consulting.

Proving Ground Projects Defined

Proving Ground Projects are the first projects computer consulting professionals complete with a new customer who hasn’t yet become a client or a steady client. During this time, consultants are proving they know their stuff, are dependable and personable, and provide good value.

At the same time, the customers are proving to the consultant that they have reasonable expectations, a compatible personality type, and that the customer is willing to PAY for professional IT services at the going market rates.

Be Observant During Proving Ground Projects

If all goes well for the consultant, he/she is on the right track toward having a new, steady client by successfully completing the computer consulting proving ground project.

However, all too often, consultants aren’t observant enough during the proving-ground project. They end up starting a long-term relationship with someone who proves to be a nightmarish client. This is usually because they were so enamored at the prospect of landing a new computer consulting customer, that they missed the obvious warning signs. Some of these include when clients:

1. change their mind constantly
2. are late for meetings
3. verbally abuse employees
4. don’t believe the "rules" apply to them

The Bottom Line about Computer Consulting Proving Ground Projects

Don’t rush into a client relationship without determining you are a mutual fit by first trying computer consulting proving ground projects. Proving ground projects ensure that both parties have realistic expectations about each other in the computer consulting relationship.

In this article, you’ve been introduced to computer consulting proving ground projects. To learn more about computer consulting, click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business. 

Many different responsibilities are included in providing IT support to your clients. In this article, you’ll learn which areas need to be a part of your comprehensive services.

Coordinating Telecommunications Solutions

With sweet spot clients, you’ll probably end up coordinating your IT support with the local telephone company, whether it’s a CLEC (competitive local exchange carrier) or ILEC (incumbent local exchange carrier), to get a leased line. You’ll research what kinds of connections are needed and even basic dial-up networking recommendations. Most IT support departments also end up coordinating tech support with ISPs for Internet access.

Testing, 1, 2, 3

Inevitably, your firm is going to get involved in vertical industry-niched applications, whether you bring the vertical applications in, or your clients ask you to test the application out before they make a major IT investment. Your client will want your IT support firm to evaluate how the vertical application fits into their network.

Training the Guru or the Masses

Like it or not, your firm will get involved in training.  Sometimes that training may be more formal end-user training where you take small groups aside and show the users a new application. Other times the training may be more informal with the internal guru—the one that everyone comes to with questions. By training the “guru”, the guru will be able to “train” others on the more routine matters (such as how to recover a lost toolbar or taskbar).

Count on the Inevitable Disaster

Your firm will also need to get involved in disaster recovery planning, checking out the data backup system, the antivirus software, the power protection and the security.  Also don’t forget proactive maintenance.

The Bottom Line about IT support
Your biggest value to your customers is in your problem solving and the strategic planning. You must be able to take everything clients have that’s IT-related, put it down on paper, get it organized, figure out what needs to be done immediately and what can wait, how the immediate IT needs fit into the budget and other needs of the business.

In this article, you’ve been introduced to the components of IT support. For more information on improving your IT support, click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business.