You are a digital transformation consultant. You have been tasked with the daunting task of transforming your organization into a digital business. You’ve got experience in software development, data management, and digital marketing. You’re passionate about what you do and want to share that passion with others by teaching them how they can use these tools to improve their business processes and increase revenue.
What is digital transformation consulting? Digital transformation is a common buzzword in today’s business environment. However, it’s not easy to do. Without the right tools, processes and people you will be lost in the chaos of digital transformation.
The good news is that there are some great tools that can help you start your digital transformation consultancy and make sure it has a positive impact on your clients’ businesses. You decide to start a consulting firm based on your own experience and expertise. You know the value of providing consulting services because you have seen it first hand in your own company. In fact, you have even written books on topics related to software development and marketing! The digital transformation of organizations is a market that is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18.3% between 2019 and 2023. If you want to start your own digital transformation consultancy, here are some steps for you:
Choose a niche
The best way to start your digital consultancy is by choosing a niche that you think will be profitable in the long run. It should not only be profitable but also customer-centric and solve real problems for your clients. If a niche appeals to you, make sure that it has some degree of customer demand and not just potential customers.
Identify potential customers first by defining their pain points using research methods like surveys and interviews, before identifying their needs and requirements through keyword analysis, Google Trends, etc., so as to have a clear picture of what they need from an organization like yours or any other service provider.
Don’t be afraid of not being able to sell yourself
You don’t have to be an expert in everything to be a consultant. You don’t even have to know how to use a computer! If you can do the basics of what they need done, then that’s all they’ll need from you. The key is having the right mindset, which means focusing on what your clients need rather than what you want or think you should do yourself. You’ll probably make mistakes along the way but don’t let them discourage you or make you think that this is too hard or not possible. It really isn’t!
Define your purpose
What problem are you solving? For example, are you helping companies with their marketing strategies, sales processes or customer service? Is there one particular area where your expertise makes the most impact? Or do you want to focus on multiple areas by providing services in different industries?
Figure out your client’s needs
What are they looking for from their consultant? Are they looking for someone to help them with strategy or tactical advice? Are they looking for someone who can educate them on new technologies or processes? What kind of team and project structure do they prefer — solo practitioners or teams of specialists working together under one roof?