Time Saved is Money Saved

How do you know when to hire a consultant?

The short answer is when you don’t have the expertise and/or the time to do what needs to be done. The longer answer is, can your organization afford it? Our question is, can you afford not to hire a consultant?

Have you ever wondered why consultants charge what they charge? After all, a staff member can be much less expensive, coming in at about $25 to $45/hour – right? Not necessarily!

Many consultants today have anywhere between 25 and 40 years of earned experience. They are experts in their field, and you are paying for that expertise, which, in the long run, is an excellent investment, providing you engage the right consultant, have clarity about the project and your expectations, and make time to meet with them. Hiring the ‘right’ consultant will save you time and money in the long haul.

What do we mean by hiring the ‘right consultant’? Consider these key points:

  • Meet the consultant in person or virtually; will they take the time to answer your questions?
  • Do you feel at ease with them?
  • Do they have the expertise you are looking for?
  • Can they work within your budget?
  • Do they have references, and can you speak with those references?
  • Is there a good fit?

In contrast, a staff member can cost your organization a full year of wages $$$, plus benefits including sick days, vacation, RRSP contributions, shares in your company, all the statutory holidays, and more.

Be careful – whereas in today’s ever-changing market, many employers place multiple responsibilities on staff due to cutbacks, organizational restructuring, and layoffs. This seriously impacts the individuals who have to perform numerous tasks, and often, the expectations can be overwhelming, especially when they are responsible for functions. They don’t know what to do or where to start.

Ethical fundraising consultants abide by the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Code of Ethical Standards – have a look here – link to our website under donors. They DO NOT take a percentage of the amount raised and WILL NOT work on commission. Click here to learn more – https://afpglobal.org/ethicsmain/code-ethical-standards.

Interested in learning about the consultants at Pounce Support Services™? Connect with Kat Mooney, Principal Navigator, at 780.819.0095 or by email at kat@pouncesupportservices.com.