5 Tips for Working with a Consultancy Firm
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Communication Is Key
Since the consultancy firm may be in a different location, it is crucial to keep open, constant lines of communication to link your company with their consultants. Encourage the consultants to ask questions at any point during the project lifecycle to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the project is moving forward as planned. Also, provide regular feedback on their work to motivate them for a job well done and to make them aware of any areas they may need to work on.
Communication is a two-way street, so keep an open mind to what the consultants have to say. Consultants are very skilled, experienced people and may have suggestions for ways to speed up a project or an alternate method of getting a task done. Be open and receptive to their technical proposals and it may help the project move ahead more smoothly.
Both new and established companies face many challenges when it comes to getting their technology right. A company's team is its lifeblood, and selecting the right people to help execute the vision and accomplish business goals is crucial.
Many companies today are hiring outside experts to get a different perspective, extra horsepower, and unbiased specialized expertise across multiple functions. In fact, more than twice as many U.S. tech companies today are turning to outside consultants to help support their tech needs than in 2013, according to BDO's 2015 Technology Outlook Survey.
Consultancy firms can help with everything from one-off projects for companies that don't have enough time to pull together a team, to long-term projects that require a team with deep experience in an emerging or cutting-edge technology. Hiring a consultancy group can benefit early-stage companies by enabling them to focus on their business and products first, instead of on recruiting software developers. Established companies can benefit from a highly skilled and business-oriented external team that is ready for fast-paced product development and able to quickly adopt the company's methodology, infrastructure and process.
Selecting the perfect consultancy firm may seem daunting at first. In this slideshow, Theo Nissim, CEO at Gemini Solutions, has identified five tips to keep in mind when choosing and working with a consultancy company.
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