Telephone Excellence by Mike Mitchell

Getting Professional Help
By Mike Mitchell

Do you have a major, complex project on the horizon? Are you already overburdened with the day-to-day activities of your telecom department? If you take on a new project, will it take too much time away from your routine responsibilities? If so, now may be the right time to hire a consultant to help you complete that large-scale project.

When should you consider hiring a consultant?
If you are like me, you put in 45 to 50 hours a week on average just to keep the department running smoothly. When additional projects do arise, you have to work them into your schedule, which usually means rearranging your priorities. Why hire a consultant?

*Project expertise - some projects require specialized knowledge
*Time constraints - you may not have the time to manage this project yourself
*Limited in-house resources - you may lack either the necessary staff or specialized equipment

What are the advantages of using a consultant?
Although hiring a consultant can be expensive, you need to compare the consultant's cost to those costs required to manage a project in-house. You may find that hiring a consultant is the smartest move. This new resource can help control employee-related expenses and ensure project completion. Consider this:

*A consultant is fee based - there is no additional expense in paying company benefits
*You control the consultant's schedule
*A consultant is no longer needed once the project is completed - no long term expense

How can you sell the idea of a consultant to your director or VP?
This is usually the most difficult task in hiring a consultant. Almost every hospital is under financial pressure, and available funds for additional resources are scarce. One key to successfully managing a department is getting the job done cost-effectively and on time. Don't be afraid to approach senior leadership with alternative solutions to accomplishing your goals. Be sure to have the following information ready before presenting your case:

*Define the scope of work - what does your project entail (tasks, time, and costs)
*Detail how a consultant can help you achieve your goal - what does he/she bring to the table (expertise, knowledge, and resources)
*Identify the consequences of not having additional resources - what is the impact on other projects or routine tasks (delays, work not getting done, etc.)
*Explore sources for financing a consultant - what funds are available (review project budget, check operating budget for under budget areas)
*Sell, sell, sell! - you are in the best position to know how to make this effort successful

Justifying the need for a consultant is not easy, but delaying completing a project or missing a deadline may be even more difficult (and embarrassing) to explain. Also, if other departments are depending upon you, it's important you put yourself in the best possible position to successfully complete your project. Ultimately, it's your responsibility to ensure telecom projects are delivered on time. With this objective in mind, you should be able to make a convincing appeal for hiring a consultant when resources are limited and budgets are tight.

-Mike