Should I or shouldn’t I? What to consider when hiring a consultant for your school
There are pros and cons to hiring a consultant, and they need weighing carefully before you reach out to people like us.
Think about whether your project is short and temporary or long term. We are not going to stay around for long! Consider whether you already have the specialist knowledge in-house, and how the cost of an employee compares with consultancy fees. A consultancy rate can look expensive next to a salary, but there are other factors to weigh. Ask how much control you need, and whether an employee or a consultant would suit that better. And think about the impact on your team. Will the consultant fit your school’s values and culture?
Here are some of the benefits consultancy can bring.
Expertise
Perhaps the biggest advantage is that consultants usually work in very specific areas, and bring the detailed, in-depth expertise your school needs.
Flexibility
A consultant can be available for a short, specific piece of work or for one lasting a few weeks. They can be parachuted in to fix a knotty problem and leave again, with no need to hire a new employee. Consultants can often work flexible hours too, including evenings and weekends.
Filling a skills gap
If your school needs expertise it does not have in-house, or a skill it only needs occasionally, a consultant may be the most efficient option. Filling a temporary or specialised gap with a full-time employee is often costly and slow.
Quick impact
When you need a clearly defined piece of work done urgently, hiring a consultant can be far quicker than a long recruitment process.
A different perspective
Consultants can often offer alternative solutions. A fresh look at your school from an outsider can bring analysis, and solutions to the challenges that have been holding you back.
Possible cost savings
A consultant’s daily or project rate might look high, but you pay only for the services you need and avoid other employee-related costs. Hiring a consultant can actually save money.
Fixed costs
When you hire a consultant, you know the exact costs up front. There are no overheads, and you can extend the contract depending on your needs and the results of the first stage.
Neutrality
A good consultant is always unbiased and objective. That helps you get past the bottlenecks and fixed views that can build up among full-time staff over time. Because their work is time-bound, their focus stays on the agreed goal and plan, with a clear strategy that keeps things on track without internal distractions.
Before you hire anyone
There are many benefits to hiring a consultant. But before you do, remember:
- First, solve the problems you can solve yourself.
- Second, decide exactly what role you have in mind for the consultant.
- Third, ask yourself what you want to be different once the consultant has finished the job.
- Fourth, do not rely only on a list of achievements or a polished website. Speak to them and get to know them, make sure you feel you can work with this person, and ask if you can talk to someone they have worked with before.
Want to know more about how consultancy could help your school? Book a free consultation with Here to Learn.
