To lead a successful consulting mission, it is necessary to combine expertise in a field and a specific set of skills. Being able to adapt to technical, technological, and behavioral changes is essential to provide a quality consulting service.
So what are the qualities digital consultants must have?
N°1 : Understand the business’ strategy
The digital strategy is part of the global strategy of the company. A digital consultant must quickly grasp the issues at stake (market, competition, trends…) to be in a position to take the right actions for the digital strategy while staying in line with the business’ strategy. The web is a playground where test phases are very short and where a concept or an idea can be validated in just a few weeks!
N°2 : Have a global understanding of web marketing
The success of an e-commerce site and a website, in general, depends on the volume and quality of its traffic. Analyzing the audience is a key part of the process. The data from that analysis will give key indicators that are needed to make the right decisions to increase conversions.
N°3 : Know the different web development frameworks
The different technologies available to develop a website or a SAAS business don’t provide any native functionality and yet, they condition many aspects of your project. The choice you make will structure the project in more than one way (budget, technical constraints, …) and must be carefully considered.
As the point of contact between the client and the development team or agency, the consultant brings his expertise to accurately translate the company’s needs into clear technical specifications and help him make the right decisions.
N°4 : Know the different mobile app development frameworks
The use of smartphones and tablets is becoming more and more a part of consumers’ lifestyles. So mobile applications have a bright future ahead of them. Like for web development, knowing the different mobile development frameworks and associated plugins allows the consultant to help his client make the best possible choice.
N°5 : Be a Big Data specialist
Company databases are constantly growing and IT tools are also evolving all the time. Using an external service provider specialized in Big Data is often the best solution for companies to manage information and exploit all the potential of that data. A digital consultant needs to be able to exploit that data or at least give his client the right recommendations to extract its value.
N°6 : Be good at analyzing
Problems within an organization arise from the combination of several complex factors. A superficial understanding of the situation is not enough to provide a relevant solution. The consultant must make a thorough analysis to issue a list of recommendations that will solve the client’s issues.
N°7 : Be good at managing projects
Each consulting mission is a project to be managed. There are therefore one or more objectives to be achieved by following a well-defined schedule and action plan. Indicators need to be set up to measure their progress and performance.
So having good expertise in project management remains essential for a digital consultant. He must be able to build trust with the client by showing he can manage a project according to the deadlines and goals established.
N°8 : Be able to listen and to use pedagogy
The objective of the consultant is to carry out the mission that was given to him. To accomplish that effectively, he must be a great listener from the first meeting with his client and throughout his mission. He must be able to understand the messages conveyed by his client and to avoid disputes. Changes can be a source of uncertainty and tension, so he will have to listen to his client, understand his concerns, and address them.
The consultant will also have to be pedagogical in his approach to share his knowledge and help the client understand his choices. Being able to explain clearly his thought process will allow him to maximize his chances of success in the effective implementation of these new measures.
N°9 : Be collaborative and flexible
When analyzing the constraints and identifying solutions, the consultant must take into account the environment. By enabling or improving cooperation between the different parts and teams within the company, the consultant can find the best performing and feasible alternative for the organization.
Companies also like to work with consultants who adapt to their own schedule and timeline. Being flexible with your time and responsive are important requirements.
N°10 : Be up to date on present and upcoming digital techs and tools
Digital tech, tools, and strategies are evolving rapidly. To meet the needs of companies, the consultant must be up to date on the latest digital skills to learn and follow the latest digital news to know about new trends and new tools.
A digital consultant is a mix between a manager, a tech expert, and a marketer
A good digital consultant needs to have many skills because it requires a global vision to make relevant and innovative strategic recommendations while managing all the moving parts to ensure flawless implementation of the project and its success.
