One of the many questions we are asked here at Compliance Consultant is “Why should we work with you?” Whereas we could wax lyrical about how wonderful we think we are, we have been around long enough to understand that if people are asking that question, they are either not totally convinced, or they like what they see but just need to validate their choice with some facts.
In fact, what they are probably trying to understand is the different types of consultancies and the benefits of each, or, “How do I choose a good consultant?”
To be totally honest, there are some situations where we may not be suited to the type of work you want done or even the scale of the work required. We accept that some larger organisations MUST deal with companies that are PLCs, but small and medium sized firms have a choice.
It’s never easy to say goodbye to work before it even starts, but you are looking for a service and at the cost that suits your business.
So, here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of working with single consultants, small consultancies, and large consultancies in the UK:
Single consultants
Benefits:
Personalised service: You will work directly with the consultant, who will have a deep understanding of your specific needs.
Flexibility: You can work with the consultant on your own terms, and they can be more responsive to your needs.
Cost-effectiveness: Single consultants can often be more cost-effective than large consultancies.
Drawbacks:
Lack of resources: Single consultants may not have the same resources as small or larger consultancies, such as a team of experts or access to the latest research.
Risk: If the consultant is not experienced or qualified, you could end up with a poor outcome.
Availability: Access may be limited as everyone has a holiday and may not be contactable in that time.
Small consultancies
Benefits:
Personalised service: Like single consultants, small consultancies can offer personalised service, matching skill sets to the issues and be more responsive to your needs. You will likely be dealing direct with the consultant allocated to your work.
Expertise: Small consultancies often have a deeper understanding of a particular industry sector or type, which can be beneficial for your business. Additionally, they can bounce ideas off their peers and make sure the work is “Quality Assured” with a 4 eyes approach.
Cost-effectiveness: Small consultancies are undoubtedly more often cost-effective than large consultancies.
Drawbacks:
Lack of resources: Smaller consultancies may not have the same resources as larger consultancies, such as a ‘team’ of experts, access to the latest research, or the latest “tech” offering.
Risk: If the consultants are not experienced or professionally qualified, you could end up with a poor outcome.
Large consultancies
Benefits:
Resources: Large consultancies have access to a wide range of resources, including a team of experts, access to the latest research, and the latest technology.
Credibility: Large consultancies are often seen as more credible than smaller consultancies.
Experience: Large consultancies have often worked on a wide range of projects, which can give you peace of mind that they will be able to deliver on your needs.
Drawbacks:
Cost: Large consultancies can be expensive.
Lack of personalisation: You may not get the same level of personalised service from a large consultancy as you would from a single consultant or a small consultancy.
Resource: If the consultancy has a lot of lower grade staff, they will undoubtedly be doing most of the work and may not be properly supervised and you could end up with sub-standard work. Would you even be talking to the same person each time?
Risk: If the consultants are not experienced or professionally qualified, you could end up with a poor outcome.