Why hire a consultant?
Experience, expertise and independence
When you hire me you get a consultant who has worked in charities, been properly trained as a consultant and is independent of any software company.
- I started my career working in charities and I know what it's like to be a frontline DBA juggling all sorts of responsibilities in a very challenging sector. I know the ups and downs, the passion for cause and the teamwork that's needed to make it all happen.
- I was trained at a consulting firm (and one that only works with nonprofits, not a corporate management consultancy) how to deliver excellent results for my clients. Everything I learned over 4 years there makes me the the consultant I am today. I went into that role being organised, reliable and comfortable speaking to senior leadership. I left that role knowing how to manage a project scope, identify best outcomes for my clients and efficiently manage my time. I also, during that time, taught myself how to code. From a book. I am not afraid of hard graft and doing the work needed to get things done.
- Being independent means I can advise you without any obligation or allegiance to a particular system. I speak freely about the advantages and shortcomings of the various systems I work in. I value this independence and the trust it helps instill in my clients.
How does it work?
1. My work with you starts with a no-obligation conversation. We'll get to know each other and discuss the challenges that you need help with, and when you need that help. We might have multiple discussions but often one is enough for me to create a proposal. Once we've agreed on the scope and cost of the project I send you a formal agreement to sign. I also set expectations for when I will be working for you, any milestones and deadlines, and what I will need from you and your team to ensure success (this is usually mostly to do with being responsive to communications). As soon as you sign off, the work begins!
2. I set aside dedicated time to work on your project and will keep you updated on progress. If I run into anything that is "out of scope" or holding up progress I'll let you know straight away so we can discuss how to proceed. All work is conducted with the utmost care to the security of your data and systems.
3. Some services are quick and short ("please import this dataset now! We needed it yesterday!"), some take longer and are more involved (audits begin with lots of conversations with your team). Rest assured that along the way I'll be using the agreed project scope as my rulebook for what needs to be done and when. You'll be sent invoices on a monthly basis. If you pre-pay, you'll receive a monthly statement of the remaining budget (some organisations do this to allocate spending in a particular financial year).
4. Once the project has been completed I might ask you for a testimonial and you might ask me for more help! Oftentimes I finish a project and the client calls me back in a few months to help with something else. If you don't need further help, that's also great!
Why you should hire a consultant
- You tap into a wealth of expertise and experience. Good consultants can be a tremendous boost to the smooth operation and productivity of your fundraising operations. Having the expertise means we can quickly target what needs to be done, and do it, so you can get on with enjoying the benefits.
- Hiring a consultant like me can be far more cost effective than recruiting a new staff member to do the work. Finding a CRM expert with experience in the field is challenging, on top of the cost of recruitment. Then there is the possibility that the work will take far longer because the new recruit will be expected to take on other tasks. Additionally, with a consultant there is no national insurance or pension for you to pay. It can make a lot of sense to hire a consultant like me to fix a problem and then recruit for a permanent staff member once the work is complete. If this takes a while I am on call to keep things ticking over.
- Often what appears to be a data or system problem is actually a people problem. It could be lack of training, a "that's not my job" reluctance or a loss of knowledge when a staff member leaves. A consultant can both fill a gap and speak frankly about the problems they see. This external voice is invaluable as the prompt needed to get things done.
