Welcome back to the CLP Central Communication Technology Consultants Market Research Survey.
In the past few years we’ve seen big changes in the communications technology consulting industry. Five years ago 42 percent of respondents considered themselves telecommunications consultants; today that has dropped to 10 percent. Now, communications technology is the biggest category at 18 percent, but information technology, communications & collaboration, unified communications, network Infrastructure, business communications, and strategic/management are all around that 10 percent mark as well.
We seem to be seeing the steep decline of traditional telecommunications and IT-centric consulting. New and evolving technologies have broadened the focus of the industry, and consultants are going to need to adapt rapidly to these changing trends.
It is all about communications, regardless of the technology or device, which also now makes consultants more strategic and business focused with their clients rather than just helping with the best phone system or reducing telecom costs. Today’s consultants need to master a variety of technologies, and apply them to a broader range of end-user business challenges.
A high percentage of traditional telecom consultants seem to recognize this and are changing their consulting model and positioning. New consultants are starting from a business and user perspective and then drilling down to the communications technologies and solutions that best meet the business needs of their clients.
Consulting opportunities and entry points today are more likely to be at the C-level’s office.
New Survey Question for your Participation
Please take our next survey question: How has your end user client mix changed over time? We will post the results here, and will also email you the results.
Our market research surveys are confidential. Please be assured that our summary of survey findings are reported in aggregate and do not cite the individual or company names of respondents. Any responses you provide will be used only in combination with those of other survey responses. If you have any questions about this survey, you may contact me at msawka@clpcentral.com.