In the last few years, we’ve noticed a shift when it comes to what business clients want from technology partners and support.
Today, more businesses are looking to take a strategic, all-encompassing approach to their technology challenges and plans, but they’re not sure how to get started. They share this with us in conversations and comments we receive on our contact form, such as the following:
“We’re mostly happy with how things are working right now, but we could benefit from a more well-rounded perspective.”
“Things seem to be moving really fast. The work and output is fine, but we need fresh ideas about how to get more out of our technology.”
“Our technology process seems a little outdated. I can’t put my finger on what we’re missing, but I know we’re missing something.”
This type of candid customer insight always brings us back to our roots, and the consultative approach that Brightstone has followed since the early 1990s.
How Brightstone defines “consultative approach”
The phrase “consultative approach” covers a pretty wide spectrum, across nearly every industry.
It’s a method that many professionals use, including sales, leadership, business transformation teams, and customer service. To take a consultative approach means that you will spend extra time with clients in order to deliver solutions that solve challenges, and open doors to future planning. In other words, the consultative approach is about the solution, not selling a product or products.
Translating “consultative approach” for our clients
When we wear the hat of “technology consultants,” we work at the discretion of our clients. our goal is to build a valued and valuable strategic partnership, and help guide clients toward new ways of thinking.
We apply this philosophy in order to learn as much about each client’s business, challenges, and goals as possible. Then, with this stack of data at our disposal, we begin recommending, building, and supporting the right set of strategies and solutions that align with a client’s immediate and long-term goals.
Here are a few key points about Brightstone’s take on a consultative approach:
Our work is about much more than delivering short-term wins.
Granted, when clients are dealing with a technology emergency, we will shift gears in that direction. With that said, we don’t stop the moment we deliver a “fast fix.” Instead, we continue to delve and push forward in order to drive strategy in a meaningful way.
As technology consultants, we work to identify challenges, opportunities, & new ideas.
In doing so, we make sure that opportunities always point back to a client’s stated objectives and goals.
When we present strategic recommendations, we explain how they will help solve challenges, and also open new doors.
We only move forward once the client buys in, and agrees that they want us to take the next steps.
More than anything, taking a consultative approach in the world of tech is a chance to create strategic, long-term partnerships that help improve the way our clients do business. It’s a reminder that technology is not an end-all, but a set of tools that, will make things easier for businesses (and for individuals).
Our job is to make sure that the technology tools and solutions continue to live up to their end of the bargain.