If you have never used a consultant, you may be apprehensive or downright uncomfortable with the idea. In this day of downsizing and emphasis on the bottom line, product quality, customer satisfaction, and rapid changes in technology and the marketplace, there are many valid and compelling reasons for using the right consultant. Of course, we'd like to make you comfortable with the idea of calling on a consultant, and if possible, we'd certainly like that consultant to be us!!
When you have special projects, and who doesn't, that your staff never seems to get to or lacks all the expertise required, the right consultant on a project-only basis can make good sense.
We've all run up against problems that just seem to persist. A consultant can bring in a different perspective or special expertise that can go a long way toward solving those pesky problems. Sometimes it is even a problem that they have solved before.
The interrelated areas of process control, quality improvement, ISO 9000, customer satisfaction, and profitability have taken much greater importance. A consultant with experience in ceramic processing, production equipment, personnel training, and marketing can make a big impact on your business. Not by coincidence, those are all strong points of FCS.
Is your staff trained in ceramic technology? Production personnel, technicians, sales staff, managers??? It is very likely that your ceramic engineering staff doesn't have the time or resources or experience to train other personnel in a formal way in ceramic technology. We do! It is one of our specialties. And we believe that this is one of those still neglected areas in the industry that is the cause or great grief and lost profits. Talk to us about training programs!
The marketplace is brutally competitive, and bridging the gap between management, product development, manufacturing, and all of your marketing and sales functions has to be done better than ever before. A consultant with "real-life" experience in all these areas can be a significant asset.
Life is a lot more complicated today. Few companies have the in-house expertise to handle it all. A consultant can fill in those gaps.
It can really be helpful to a company to have an "outsider" take a relatively unbiased look at your company's entire business. A consultant with the proper experience can uncover weak areas that might go unnoticed and have novel approaches for these and for the known problem areas. FCS has years of real experience in the marketing and business areas.
When does using a consultant make more sense than hiring staff??
1. When there are short term needs. You don't have to "marry" a consultant like you do when you hire a new staff member.
2. During a reorganization.
3. When the future is unclear or serious challenges to the business exist.
4. When there are long term needs or special problems or opportunities that do not require or justify another full-time person.
1. Pertinent expertise and experience.
2. A proven track record.
3. Someone you really feel comfortable working with- the people connection.
4. Value and flexibility.
1. A solid commitment.
2. Openness, full information, and cooperation.
3. A clear explanation of needs and direction.
4. Your trust and confidence. Although we ask for it up front, we also expect that to receive it in full measure, we have to earn it.
5. An open mind!
