Competitive Advantage for a Small Information Technology Consulting Firm: Study of Managerial Hiring Preferences of Business Analyst Information Technology Consultants

Darren Mankasingh*, Franklin Ramsoomair**
* MBA Graduate, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
** Faculty, Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Periodicity:June - August'2017
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.12.1.13564

Abstract

This study investigates whether a smaller IT consulting firm can gain a competitive advantage over a larger consulting firm. It asks hiring managers in Canadian financial institutions and wealth management firms to provide their opinion on what are the most desired characteristics of a consultant, the most desired hourly rate for the consulting services provided, and the best approach to marketing these consulting services. The study found that a small IT consulting firm can gain a competitive advantage over larger consulting firms by offering similar high quality services as a larger firm, but at a reduced price. The CBAP® (Certified Business Analyst Professional) certification proved to be an influencing factor in the hiring process. Hiring managers expect the consultant to have at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree and six to nine years of work experience. It was discovered that the most desired characteristic of a business analyst IT consultant is the “Ability to deliver”. The best approach to marketing consulting services to a hiring manager is to use word of mouth. The findings of the study provide insights that Vanijem Consulting Inc., which is a consulting firm that the investigator owns and operates, can use to develop a marketing and hiring strategy.

Keywords

Competitive Advantage, Consulting, CBAP, Canada, Financial Institutions, Marketing Strategy, Hiring Strategy

How to Cite this Article?

Mankasingh, D., and Ramsoomair, F. (2017). Competitive Advantage for a Small Information Technology Consulting Firm: Study of Managerial Hiring Preferences of Business Analyst Information Technology Consultants. i-manager’s Journal on Management, 12(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.26634/jmgt.12.1.13564
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