What You Should Know When Hiring an IT Consultant
If your business is in the midst of taking on a big tech project, such as website redesign or implementing a new company-wide system, look for a skilled IT consultant. Tech across industries is changing at a rapid pace, and in-house IT may not have all the answers.
IT consultants offer many advantages to businesses. To leverage their full potential for your business, do some self-reflection. When you have an idea of your needs, the dialogue between you and your new IT team becomes much more streamlined – you’ll understand what they offer and they’ll know what to expect from your business.
Here are some questions you should ask when looking to hire some outside tech help.
How Can You Protect Your Intellectual Property?
In our modern age, unskilled or unscrupulous IT consultants can do extensive damage in a short amount of time. Know who you are working with – look for testimonials and do a follow-up call. You don’t want to deal with someone who hijacks the company Twitter page or locks everyone out of logging into company systems. Collect the consultant’s IP address first to keep both parties safe and accountable.
Do I Have a Detailed Contract?
Miscommunication is the root of many problems in the business world. Clearly lay out what the consultant’s duties will be when they agree to work for you. Talk it out, then write it out. Deadlines, expenses, milestones, hours, and deliverables are just a few of the things you must address. Using a standard contract is often beneficial, as employees will know what to expect and your company will be consistent.
Don’t forget confidentiality agreements. On the off chance that something goes wrong, you want your brand to be well-protected from legal disputes.
What Will Their Status Be?
You have two options when hiring an IT expert: staff employee or independent contractor. A misunderstanding here can lead to confusion or legal issues. If you choose to make them a regular or temporary employee, you’ll have to withhold taxes and consider retirement and healthcare. An independent consultant doesn’t require any of that, but they’re not obligated to stay with your company. You may want to talk with a legal adviser before deciding.
There’s plenty of ground to cover when recruiting an IT consultant. For personalized help with this process, contact PT Systems today.
