Knowledge and experience in your industry is a must. No matter what your reason for engaging consultants, you ll want to find someone who is knowledgeable about your business processes and the unique aspects of your industry. In addition, the firm will not be able to provide ideas on innovative practices used by others in your field to make their businesses more successful. The best way to find a firm with a proven track record in your industry is by word of mouth. Contact your colleagues in organizations of similar size and function, and ask for names of firms they ve used with success.
Professional organizations are another good resource.
You may also consider asking the opinion of companies that provide you with services. For example, if you re looking for help in redesigning your financial department s processes, ask your accountants to recommend a good consulting firm. If your project is a computer system implementation, ask the vendor you ve selected for names of several firms familiar with their software package. Keep in mind that your sources will have their own biases, so be sure to research ALL potential firms before making a final selection, regardless of where you obtain your recommendations. If you re unable to find references within your own circle of contacts, many other resources can help you identify candidate firms.