Hiring a consultant can be a big decision for any organisation. Whether you need help with a specific project or ongoing advice, a consultant can offer a fresh perspective and expertise that your team may not possess. However, before hiring a consultant, it’s important to define your goals and objectives for the engagement. In this blog post, we explore why defining goals is crucial and provide tips for defining your goals and objectives for hiring a consultant.
1. Identify Your Pain Points
Before defining your goals and objectives, it’s important to identify your pain points. What issues are you experiencing that a consultant may be able to help with? Maybe you’re struggling with a specific project, or you need help with a particular business function. Whatever the issue, identifying your pain points will help you determine what you hope to accomplish by hiring a consultant.
2. Determine Your Objectives
Once you’ve identified your pain points, it’s time to determine your objectives for the engagement. What specific outcomes do you hope to achieve by hiring a consultant? Maybe you want to improve the efficiency of your operations or increase your revenue. Whatever your objectives, make sure they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
3. Set Realistic Expectations
It’s important to set realistic expectations for your consultant. While a consultant can certainly help you achieve your objectives, they can’t work miracles. Be realistic about what can be achieved in a given timeframe, and understand that results may not be immediate. A good consultant will work with you to develop a realistic plan and timeline for achieving your objectives.
4. Time and materials or Work Package delivery?
Two common consultant engagement methods are Time and Materials (T&M) and Work Package Delivery (WPD). Both models have their pros and cons, and choosing the right one for your project can make all the difference between meeting your objectives or failing to deliver.
5. Define Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Defining key performance indicators (KPIs) is critical to measuring the success of your consultant engagement. KPIs are metrics that you can use to track progress toward your goals and objectives. For example, if your objective is to increase revenue, your KPI might be monthly revenue growth. Make sure your KPIs are aligned with your objectives and that you have a plan in place to measure them.
6. Communicate Clearly
Clear communication is essential to a successful consultant engagement. Make sure you communicate clearly with your consultant about your goals and objectives, as well as your expectations. Encourage open communication and regular check-ins to ensure that you’re both on the same page. Being open and honest about your expectations and concerns will help you build a strong working relationship with your consultant.
Hiring a Consultant With Reed PS
Hiring a consultant can be a great way to achieve your business objectives and overcome your pain points. However, it’s important to define your goals and objectives for the engagement to ensure that you get the most out of the relationship. By identifying your pain points, determining your objectives, setting realistic expectations, defining KPIs, and communicating clearly, you can ensure a successful consultant engagement. Remember, a good consultant will work with you to develop a tailored plan that meets your specific needs and helps you achieve your objectives.
At Reed Professional Services we specialise in helping businesses and organisations find industry-leading talent and experts that deliver. For help with engaging a consultant, contact us today.
