Every business is trying to get an edge over its competition. However, achieving this is a lot easier said than done… or is it?

Let’s take a second to step away from the world of business and look at one of the top-performing athletes in the world, Anthony Joshua (AJ). The professional boxer holds an impressive record of 24 (wins) – 1 (loss) over his competition and is a multi-time world champion.

You might be wondering, ‘why am I telling you this?’

Or ‘what does this have to do with my business?’

Well, be patient, it will all make sense very soon.

One of the reasons AJ has managed to stay ahead of his competition for multiple years is because he’s invested a lot (and I mean a lot!) of money into his nutrition. Now, I’m very confident that AJ knows how to cook. Yet he made the decision to pay for a sports nutrition expert to advise and manage what he eats every day. A decision which has proven to be very successful in his career. It’s the same case for all of the top athletes and sports teams around the world. They pay for the top experts in specific fields (such as nutrition, conditioning, marketing etc) to manage and advise them on their area of expertise.

So, if this is what they are all doing to stay ahead of their competition, why not replicate this within your business?

This is where an independent consultant can be of benefit. A consultant can advise you and your board on the best practices and solutions (within their expertise) to help your business achieve the success that it deserves.

Continue reading this article to find out what an IT Consultant can do for your business.

What is IT Consultancy?

IT consultancy is the process of advising organisations on IT solutions which can help them to achieve their business aspirations and goals. Presently, the technology world is growing at a remarkable rate. The strategic use of IT within businesses is becoming increasingly more present due to its efficiency-boosting capabilities, whilst also creating a competitive advantage.

Find out more by visiting our ‘IT Consultancy Solutions’ page.

Key benefits of hiring an Independent IT Consultant:

1. Have valuable experience within the industry

The great thing about consulting an expert is they’ve most likely got a wealth of experience. The likelihood is they will be able to understand your businesses IT issues and provide a solution because they have already experienced it or something similar elsewhere.

2. Experts in network security

We’ve spoken a lot about cyber security the past few months, and that’s because it’s a serious concern in 2021. An IT consultant can advise your business on the best practices and solutions (specific to your industry) to ensure that your network is secure and meeting the increasing number of compliance demands.

3. Understanding of industry-leading technology solutions

An IT consultant will have access to tried and tested technology solutions which will only be recommended if they are suitable for your specific business requirements. Therefore, minimising the risk of poor investment.

4. Flexibility

A recent survey found that 48% of top executives named ‘flexibility’ as one of the top reasons for hiring an independent consultant.

When engaging with an independent IT support company, you will most likely find that they will have more time and flexibility to discuss your business concerns and ambitions than a large organisation. The result of this means they can gain a true understanding of your industry and business practises, to provide a specific strategy on how you can utilise technology solutions to move your business forward. With the level of consultancy required tailored to your businesses’ specific needs.

5. Effective budget planning

An IT consultant can advise you on how to make the most of your available funds, completing a technology audit to identify any necessary hardware or software upgrades. This allows for early preparation which helps to avoid sudden unwanted (expensive) expenses later on in the year.

The mentioned upgrades will also help to future proof your business, transforming it into a ‘modern workplace’, which requires less maintenance as well as improved financial stability.

What is the consultancy process?

As we just mentioned, that is very much based on your businesses’ specific requirements. However, generally speaking, an IT Consultant will sit with your Board of Directors to discuss your long-term IT strategy and planning processes. This could be provided as an interim ‘IT Director’ service, whereby a consultant is provided one day per week, for a set period of time.

Often, new 3rd party systems that need integration will be discussed, with consideration as to how they would impact your current IT infrastructure. In addition to this, advice regarding hardware upgrades, and the requirement of a modern workspace will be provided.