NFIB

How to Hire a Computer Consultant
10/ 17/ 2003

Sometimes you just can't figure out how to get your computer to do what you want it to do. It's nothing to be ashamed of. We take ours in to the computer experts, too.

It's like taking your car into the experts for service. Many years ago I'd regularly do a tune up, oil change and other minor maintenance on my car. But I knew my limitations. I'd always take it in to the experts when something was beyond my capabilities.

Just as with a car, there are many minor fixes you can make to your computer.

And even if you don't fix it yourself (or have a friend fix it), I think it's important to know some basics about your computer so you'll know how to describe what's going on to an expert. It will also save you much anxiety worrying about what could be wrong.

I know that understanding the basic workings of my car has helped me not think a disaster is imminent if I hear a strange noise.

Will they make house calls?

Some will. You may pay a bit more for them, but it saves you from unhooking all those cables then figuring out where they go again. (It will also save you from that sinking feeling when you have a cable and you can't figure out where it goes.)

The ones who make house calls may also be available to teach you how to troubleshoot, so you may not have to call them back so soon. The ones who don't make house calls will most likely work at a computer store. Consider yourself lucky if you find one who is pleasant, doesn't speak to you like you're stupid, and can explain in English (not "techno-babble") what happened, what's the solution, and how to (perhaps) avoid the problem in the future.

How to find one

How can you find someone who is competent, reasonably priced, and speedy? The easiest way is to ask your friends who they've used and recommend. If that doesn't work, ask at your user group or call your favorite local computer store.

What to look and listen for

When choosing a consultant, it's important that she or he be knowledgeable, but able to explain things clearly and without making you feel dumb. If you're looking for a long-term relationship and for someone to help you with more than an emergency, interview several consultants.

Ask questions to which you already know the answer and see how she responds. An example of a basic question (that I really asked once) is "How do I dim my monitor's screen?" If she uses a word you don't understand, ask her to explain it. If you still don't understand, beware. She may not have a good idea of how to communicate with someone at your level.

Also listen to your gut -- how do you feel during the conversation. Do you feel stupid? Afraid to ask another question? Like this person is more interested in impressing you with what he knows than in helping you understand and find a solution? If the answer is "yes" to any of these questions, move on to the next interview. You won't be happy in the relationship.

Helpful hint: We label our cables before unhooking them so we know what they plug in to. File folder labels work well for this. Write on half the label, peel it off and wrap it around the cable so both ends stick together. By writing on only half the label, you can easily read it.

Rebecca L. Morgan, CSP, CMC, focuses on creating innovative solutions for people-productivity challenges. She's appeared on 60 Minutes, Oprah, National Public Radio and in USA Today. She's authored four books and co-authored three more. For information on her services, books, and tapes contact her at 800.247.9662, rebecca@RebeccaMorgan.com, www.RebeccaMorgan.com

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