As we increasingly rely on technology in our day to day life, it also means we rely on IT consultants to make sure our systems are running correctly and to fix any issues. Whether you’re improving the IT systems of a large business or talking a less than tech savvy client through a simple problem, many businesses couldn’t survive without you.
Today, we’ll look at simple ways you can make yourself stand out from the crowd with your day to day work.
1. Be patient
As an IT consultant, it can be incredibly frustrating when you’ve spent weeks explaining a new IT system to a business only to find yourself fielding numerous calls with the same questions. Remember, be patient when dealing with people. Something that seems easy to you can be difficult for those who aren’t familiar with technology. If you’re finding you’re being asked the same questions over and over, send an email around with additional information if necessary. Making sure you’re patient and flexible helps you build a positive relationship with a business.
2. Stick to deadlines
When consulting for a client, take some time to consider how long a particular project will take and give a realistic deadline. Don’t make the mistake of giving a short time frame just to please the client – it only causes issues when you’re overdue and dealing with an unhappy client. If it looks like you’re going to run over your deadline, speak to the client about this as soon as possible to explain the situation. As an IT consultant, one of the most important things is that you do what you said you would do in the timeframe you provided.
3. Become an expert
Although it’s good to have general knowledge about your industry, a great way of helping you stand out is to become an ‘expert’ in a specific area. Look for gaps in the market or areas that businesses you work for are struggling with and work towards becoming the go-to person for that issue. This can often give you the edge over the competition and is a big drawcard when being considered by potential clients.
4. Avoid jargon
This is an important one for IT consultants. Although tech-speak is second nature to you, it can sound like a foreign language to your clients. Remember to consider your audience when discussing IT related issues and use easy to understand language or explain certain concepts.
Although we’d be relying on you for any IT related issues, you can rely on us to help you with your insurance. At Contractor Cover, we make things easy for by teaming up with the world’s largest insurer to bring you a convenient insurance bundle containing the most common policies required by contractors. This means your areas of risk are covered and you can go about your business without the worry.
To discuss insurance for your business, contact Contractor Cover today on 1300 438 268 and we’d be happy to help.
