Are you a young professional trying to make a career of information technology (IT) consulting? Maybe you’re a young company looking to streamline its IT infrastructure instead? Regardless, you need to understand what makes effective IT consultants and IT consulting firms.
In this blog, we’re detailing all of the attributes effective IT consultants should have. Typically, IT consultants work with a managed IT provider, otherwise known as a managed service provider (MSP).
IT management consulting can provide guidance in the following areas:
- Software engineering
- Cloud computing
- On-demand technical support
- Cloud services
- Overall IT consulting services that focus on your infrastructure’s hardware, software, etc.
The best IT consultants have a wide range of talents. These talents include IT experience, critical thinking skills, risk management, IT project management, interpersonal skills, and effective communication abilities.
At Senroc Technologies, we believe your IT infrastructure should feature the latest technologies and expertise. If you’re wondering how to streamline your company’s IT infrastructure with on-demand IT support, contact us today. As the premier Denver managed IT services firm, we simplify IT so you can focus on what matters most in your organization.
IT Experience
When it comes to IT consultancies, the one with the most experience typically gets the carrot. At its root, the IT space is reserved for experts and there is a high barrier to entry. Even if a professional climbs the initial hurdles of the tech industry, they have to push themselves to stand out among other candidates.
The IT industry doesn’t only have a high barrier to entry. It also has a large skills gap between novice and experienced professionals. IT consultants should be experts and not all experience is equal within the industry. To stand out as an IT consultant, you need a wide range of skills and a large portfolio of archived successes.
Critical Thinking
IT consultants don’t have the luxury of becoming mechanical in their focus. Their primary responsibilities revolve around troubleshooting hardware, software, and network issues. Critical thinking is necessary, and they need to understand how to compile and analyze relevant data.
Consultants should be adept at identifying the root cause of issues and they must determine solutions to those issues quickly. They should be able to utilize predictive analytics within your IT infrastructure and devise solutions that move your organization forward.
While they might not be required to build systems from scratch, IT consultants should be able to thoroughly analyze existing systems and issue recommendations that move the needle for organizations. Numbers analytics are a necessary component of the position as well.
Critical thinking skills also incorporate time management abilities. If a business needs you to remove viruses or fix software, you will need to provide an accurate project timeline to execute on a project plan.
Consultants need to identify faults as well as solutions in real-time. Clients might also ask you to find more effective and quicker solutions. Therefore, you need a sizable acumen for the latest technological solutions and tools.
Technical Knowledge
You can’t just stay informed on the latest technology tools to be an effective IT consultant. You need to be able to master these tools.
IT consultants must correspond with the leaders of other companies and explain strategies succinctly. You can’t merely guide your clients to prospective solutions. You must implement solutions and show clients why they will work long-term.
As a consultant, IT consultant skills should cover all aspects of IT needs. This includes the ability to repair computer viruses, design new systems, and implement technological elements.
Interpersonal Skills
The technological components of your responsibilities cannot overshadow your ability to communicate complex information to your clients. Clients hire IT consultants because they don’t want to spend loads of time uncoiling technological issues.
IT is a difficult, specialized industry and time is precious. As an IT consultant, you need to be able to help your clients see the strategy of your approach. Without this clarity, they’re liable to search elsewhere.
Collaboration
Effective IT consultants are not one-man shows. To understand what your clients want, you need to be an excellent collaborator. As a Harvard business study shows, one of the most common reasons consultants fail is from listening to their personal needs rather than their client’s needs.
As an IT consultant, you need to be aware of how your ability to work with others affects your overall performance. You should rely on your clients to communicate their needs and collaborate with them to deliver on your promises.
Action Orientation
IT consultants can’t just talk a big game. They need to show action in their strategies. Action-orientated IT consultants will display the following characteristics:
- Evaluate strengths and weaknesses on a periodic basis.
- Perform under pressure.
- Thorough understanding of the project. This includes non-technical aspects.
- Ability to delegate responsibilities to other team members.
- Display of emotional intelligence.
- Perseverance in the face of adversity.
Action-orientated IT consultants are able to manage the technological components of their duties. They can also navigate the complexities of office and social settings. Effective IT consultants should be able to handle stressful situations and consider the complete framework of their project rather than the finite components.
Those more comfortable working solo will likely not be able to translate their skills into successful IT consultancy. The bottom line with action orientation is IT consultants that attune their approach to their clients. They will be able to handle feedback and will perform regular critical evaluations of themselves.
What Sets IT Consultants Apart?
Successful IT consulting isn’t just about who’s the most tech-savvy. In many ways, the collaborative skills and abstract thinking abilities of your IT consultant will determine their success.
Below, we list some examples of what sets excellent IT consultants from mediocre ones.
- Passion– Your IT consultant should immerse themselves in their craft. They should understand the latest technology and what will set your organization apart from the competition.
- Creativity– Effective IT professionals should understand how to adapt to solve problems. In the IT sector, what works now will not work for long. That’s why IT consultants have to upgrade their skills and stay ahead of the curve. Determining a long-term strategy requires intuition as well as flexibility.
- Dedicated to Customer Experience– When it comes to IT consultants, it’s not just about the skills. It’s about the availability and the level of service you provide to people. Being available to your clients when they need you most is an excellent way to set yourself apart from the competition.
- Eagerness to Learn– Because the IT sector changes constantly, effective IT consultants actively seek ways to expand their knowledge and network. Understanding the latest trends as well as the leading technology providers will position you well in a highly-competitive industry.
- People Skills– Listen to your client’s needs and communicate a proposed solution to their needs.
Bottom Line- What Skills Does an IT Consultant Need?
IT consultants should be able to provide their clients with the latest technology while concisely explaining strategies to their clients. These professionals should not only have the skills and acumen to carry out complex technological solutions. They need collaboration and communication skills to be able to deliver these strategies and explain their significance.
At Senroc Technologies, we provide our clients with intuitive IT strategies. Our human-centric approach to IT means you will always be able to speak to someone about your IT needs. Whether you are a large corporation looking for IT support or need an IT consultant for small businesses, we have a solution. We understand IT is complex, but we’re here to simplify things.
Contact us today for a free consultation and learn more about how we can fortify your IT infrastructure at +1 (303) 350-4055.
