As the IT needs of a Minneapolis-based company evolve and become more complex, it often needs the advice of an experienced IT consultant who specializes in its area of need. But what if the company has never had an official meeting with an IT consultant? How should it prepare for the session? In this article, we answer the second question by providing a list of four things that you can do to help facilitate your first meeting with a provider of IT consulting in Minneapolis.
Read the Consultant’s Website
The consultant should know the ins and outs of how your company operates, and you should know about the consultant’s company in terms of what it offers. This will help you understand where the consultant is coming from, and develop any questions you may have about its services. So, before your first consultation, take some time to read the consultant’s website.
Prepare an IT System Timeline
Preparing an IT system timeline that shows the system’s evolution in terms of hardware, software, outsourced services, and system users will help give the consultant a good idea of the IT direction in which your company is heading. A thorough IT system timeline can also reveal why the present problem exists, the one for which you need the assistance of a consultant.
Research Your Area of Need
The consultant will be the one who proposes solutions, but the more information a provider of IT consulting in Minneapolis knows about your IT needs, the faster it can identify a solution. A good consultant will also research your area of need, but stating your needs as clearly as possible upfront will help give the consultant a good starting point for conducting the research.
Be Prepared for More Meetings
The first consultation will probably be performed free of charge. However, unless your IT issues are simple enough to resolve within a few hours, you will likely need to have additional meetings with the consultant. There is no set number of consulting sessions that a company must have to find a solution, but most businesses receive at least three consulting sessions.
Contact Stratosphere Networks
Preparing for your first meeting with an IT consultant can seem challenging, but taking the steps above will help facilitate the conversation and expedite the solution identification process. If you are looking for an experienced provider of IT consulting in Minneapolis, Stratosphere Networks is here to help.
We have assisted numerous companies in various industries with finding the right IT solutions for their needs. To let us do the same for you, call us today at (877) 950-1999, or fill out our contact form.
Source References:
http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-prepare-for-a-consulting-interview-2010-4
http://managementconsulted.com/consulting-interviews/management-consulting-interview-questions-preparation/
