In the modern business world, a good IT consultant can play a vital role in managing and expanding a profitable company. You’ll need to work with reliable professionals, and that means learning how to separate the great IT firms from the mediocre ones. Syndeo Communications shares three terrific ways to tell the difference.

1. Go Deeper With Past Clients – You’ll want to speak with past San Diego clients who have worked with the IT team you’re considering. Most IT consultants will provide you with client references, but you should make an effort to go beyond their suggestions if at all possible.

   When you speak to former clients, try to get a feel for both the positives and negatives of working with the IT consultants in San Diego. Were they easy to communicate with? Did they respond promptly to deadlines and stay on schedule? Were they flexible about payment or very demanding? Most importantly, when you’re talking to a client who no longer works with the IT firm in question, ask why the relationship ended. This can speak volumes about a consultant’s possible weaknesses.

2. Learn About Applicable Credentials – In the IT field, many industry leaders operate extensive certification programs to verify the skills of technicians and programmers who work with their products (Microsoft and Cisco are excellent examples). Certifications are available for a wide range of industry-standard software and hardware.

   If you already know what programs and machines your IT consultants will need to work with, you should investigate the certification field for those particular products. Look for appropriate credentials on your prospective IT team. Bear in mind that having one certified employee doesn’t translate into universal expertise; you may want to specify that your work must be handled by professionals with the right credentials.

3. Ask About Professional Development – IT is a constantly evolving industry. Good consultants understand this and work hard to keep themselves and their teams at the cutting edge. In responsible, growth-oriented IT firms, owners and managers will do a great deal to foster their subordinate’s development and make them more capable workers.

   Ask your potential IT consultant to outline what steps their company takes to encourage employees to cultivate their professional skills. The answer to this question is very telling; you want to work with firms that invest in their workers’ professional development. They are typically dedicated to higher standards of service and usually prioritize the quality of their work over accumulating maximum profits.

If you’re not sure exactly what kind of IT consulting services you’ll need, sit down with the prospective company and discuss immediate needs, budget restrictions, and future goals. A company that understands your requirements for services such as email security, on-site support, and data recovery will be better positioned to help you grow and succeed. To schedule an appointment with Syndeo Communications, a reputable and experienced IT consulting firm in San Diego, call (760) 650-3300.