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[S904]Start Computer Consulting Business

by Joshua Feinberg, Jos

In order to ease clients through the process of accepting your solutions in the computer consulting business, you have to stress value and return on investment (ROI) instead of presenting your services as an expense. Even though each client will have different ideas of what is ?expensive? or ?affordable? with your computer consulting business, you need to make sure they all understand, regardless of their ideals, that your networking solution is worth it.

An Example

As an example, if you are working with an insurance agency, it might have 11 employees and PCs running Microsoft Windows 98, Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP Professional desktop and notebook PCs. The agency might be attempting to hire three new independent contractors (either part-time or virtual employees). Each agent at the company might currently have their own modem line, modem and dial-up account once with the company for 90 days. This means every agent costs approximately $25 per month to support plus message units.

How To Communicate Costs

With 40 hours per week of Internet access, the cost of the analog line will go up to $60/month. Then $20/month will be added for a dial-up account, meaning that for 14 agents and employees, your computer consulting prospect will spend over $1,100 per month for analog lines and dial-up ISP accounts. Even if your computer consulting client or prospect uses no component of your networking solution aside from the centrally managed, shared secure high-speed Internet connection, his investment will only take a few months to show noticeable improvement.

Communicating Benefits

Besides monetary gains, your computer consulting business prospect will gain more control over his business, administration and Internet usage monitoring. These benefits are almost priceless in the long-run, so the prospect can already afford your computer consulting business? solution because they will see a return on their investment both monetarily and structurally within just a few months.

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In the first part of this two-part series on Computer Consulting 101 hiring tips, we looked at why small businesses find it so difficult to hire good computer consulting companies, as well as four basic questions that you must be addressed when searching for a new computer consulting vendor.

Now in this second and final installment of this two part series on Computer Consulting 101 hiring tips, we'll look at how you can evaluate the true, often-confusing expenses of using a computer consulting company, as well as how to more thoroughly review the computer consulting company's professional credentials and experience.

Reseller, "Pure" Computer Consulting Company, or Hybrid Technology Provider

Does your company resell various technology products, such as hardware and software? Is this a profit center or do you mind if we shop for our products elsewhere? And if we do shop elsewhere, can we still purchase your needs analysis and procurement services?

Are there any other vendors, such as ISPs or telephone companies, that your firm acts as an agent or affiliate for? In other words, do you accept commissions or referral fees for steering business toward certain vendors?

Costs, Hidden Charges, and Billing Procedures

What are your payment terms, rates and hourly billing minimums? What is billable and what is not billable?

Do you charge for your travel time? Telephone support? E-mail/online support? Remote support?

Are there any hourly rate billing premiums for after-hours or emergency service? What constitutes "after hours" or an "emergency"?

Do you offer support contracts? What are the cost and benefits?

Client Reference Accounts, Case Studies, and Testimonials

Can you tell me about one of your more long-term small business client accounts?

Can you tell me about one of your more recently signed-on clients? Can you tell me about a small business client who didn't work out and why?

Can you provide references?

Research/Developments and Keeping Skills Sharp

How do you keep up with new tech developments?

What do you bill clients for and what do you absorb internally? Are there any gray areas?

Training Approach and Knowledge Transfer

How do you feel about handholding and in-depth training with users?

What kind of user and technical training can you provide?

Will you train our internal computer administrator to become more self-sufficient, even if it takes away from your "job security" and opportunities to bill more hours?

The Bottom Line on Computer Consulting 101 Hiring Tips

Don't fall into the ultra-common trap of hiring an independent computer consultant or computer consulting firm that isn't a good fit for your business. Use these Computer Consulting 101 hiring and screening questions as the basis for making a more informed hiring decision for your computer consulting vendor. And if you have any doubts, don't be afraid to seek out a second opinion with another computer consulting company.

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Joshua Feinberg has sinced written about articles on various topics from Adwords, Business Plan and Information Technology. Joshua Feinberg helps computer consultant business owners get steady, high-paying clients. Sign-up now for Joshua's free audio training that shows you how to use field-tested, proven Small Biz Tech Talk tools at http://www.SmallBizTechTalk.com/blog. Joshua Feinberg's top article generates over 1000000 views. to your Favourites.