What exactly is a consultant?

Dictionary definitions focus around two words: expert and advice. These two key words are important for understanding what a consultant is. First, a consultant should be an expert. Second, a consultant should provide advice.

One of the common mistakes is to hire contractors when an expert is called for. Contractors are people who agree to perform a job for a price usually for a shorter period of time. In other words, they are supplemental staff. They have no prerequisite knowledge and are expected to complete work.

Many contractors (and contracting companies) call themselves consultants (and consulting companies). But remember: Consultants are experts; contractors are labor.

When you hire a consultant be clear that you are hiring expertise, of which the primary goal is to provide advice. The advice may be in the form of an evaluation and recommendation. It may also be direct training of employees with recommendations. This is, in fact, the way most of my consulting engagements go. I'm there to educate IT management, technical staff, or both, on what they are doing well and what they can do better " or at least how to best utilize the technology they have.

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