If you are considering working for yourself as an independent IT network consultant you might be wondering what they do for customers on day to day basis. This article will cover what types of IT services network consultants perform at client sites so you have a good understanding of what to expect when you start your IT consulting business. The typical independent IT consultant performs a wide variety of IT work for small to medium size businesses. Larger size companies where there are 50 or more client computers and three or more servers will use an IT network consultant on a regular basis. Whereas the smaller size companies will typically call you to setup a new IT equipment or call you when a major IT malfunctions occur. I am going to explain what a typical IT consultant does for their customer on a day to day basis. They are as follows:
Be a good listener – listening to customers is the number one job function as an IT consultant. This might seem obvious but many IT consultants look at everything from a technology perspective first when helping their clients. To be successful as an IT consultant you want to make sure you give the best advice possible even if it means you do not implement a technology solution for your client. You will strengthen the client relationship which will earn you additional work at a later time as well as client referrals. Your number one goal when dealing with your client is to listen to them about their issues. Help them save time, money and take away their frustrations so they can be effective in their job role.
Projects – Most IT consultants start working for customers on a project basis. Then after getting to know the IT consultant they begin to call upon the consultant for other IT related issues. Working on projects is great way to get into a company because typically they will continue to call you for help. When an IT consultant first meets a potential customer they are either seeking an IT professional with specific knowledge about a new technology they want implemented, or they want to migrate a hardware/software platforms. In either case when an IT consultant works on a project they should be trying to grow a new relationship with the customer.
IT Support – an independent IT consultant will be called upon to setup new computers, maintain servers, resolve end user computer issues and troubleshoot network or Internet outages. This type of work is commonly referred to as Managed IT Services. This type of work is performed on a weekly or biweekly basis for customers. Managed IT services can become a predictable income stream that you can count on because once a client finds an IT consultant they trust they stick with them for many years.
Be flexible – when you work for yourself as an independent IT consultant you must be willing to do work that might be out of your normal scope of duty. For example if the company has a phone problem with one of the end users they may ask you to resolve the issue for them. Normally the phone service provider would resolve an issue like this but if you’re called upon you should try to resolve the issue and if it requires a phone technician expert then line one up for your client. The IT consultant must always resolve the issue one way or the other even if it means getting other people involved to help you.
In conclusion you now have a good understanding of what independent IT consultants do on a day to day basis for their clients. There are thousands of businesses looking for IT help any given day. Do you have the IT know how to help them? Do you have the desire to start working for yourself in IT? Signup for the Email newsletter and I send you a copy of the How-to Determine if IT Consulting is Right for You guide. Enter your first name and Email and I will send you the guide immediately.
Thanks,
Tom
P.S.
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