5 Things to Look For in a Consultant
Are they vendor agnostic?
Consultants are in a unique field. For technology consultants, there are no certifications required to establish expertise or credibility.
Anyone can claim to be a consultant.
In fact, many vendors have employees who have “consultant” somewhere in their job title, and they may actually provide advice to customers.
And they may be vendor agnostic—among the products that they provide. But they are certainly not going to recommend a product outside of their portfolio.
Do you want your choices to be limited?
Do they receive resale or vendor compensation?
Underneath it all, many “consultants” are typically in some type of sales role where their true job is to get you to spend (more) money with their company. In most instances, there is some sort of compensation or reward for a successful effort.
Do they have any conflicts of interest?
Are they representing you, and recommending the best solution for you?
Or are their recommendations limited to the products that are sold by their company?
Are they recommending the solution that pays them the highest commission?
Have they signed a strict code of ethics?
Have they demonstrated their commitment to high ethical standards by signing a code of ethics?
Are they experienced?
You want a consultant who has worked on similar projects, is up to date on the technology, and knows how to avoid common pitfalls.
How do you find consultants who meet your criteria?
The Society of Communication Technology Consultants (SCTC) is an association of independent consultants who are vetted for independence and experience. Members must meet requirements for experience in the industry, provide references, and agree to uphold the ethical and professional standards of the SCTC.
The screening process is thorough. Not every applicant is admitted. We’ve done the work for you.
In an industry without certifications for expertise or credibility, you can be sure that SCTC members have met rigorous requirements.
