Outsourcing can be cost-effective solution

Consultants can be used for everything from computer systems to construction sites to personnel management issues. Using outside consulting sources on specific projects can be cost-effective and productive for businesses.

However, before bringing a consultant on board, businesses are advised to do their research, said Greg Williams, vice president of economic development with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

"The biggest thing with consultants is credibility," Williams said.

Checking references and researching the consultant's background and experience is critical, he said.

"I'd say credibility and reputation are top on the list," Williams said.

Marlene Chism, president of ICARE Consulting, agreed with Williams and said businesses should carefully consider their options when choosing a consultant.

"I think they need to look at someone who is willing to do research about the business," she said. If a consultant does not do a thorough assessment up front, the business may end up losing money on the project, she said.

Chism's area of expertise includes business and motivational speaking, and interpersonal skills training.

"I work with companies that want to build strong business relationships and with people who want to be better communicators," she said.

Before a business hires a consultant, it needs to specifically identify what its challenges are, Chism said. The ability to communicate well with the consultant is also crucial, she added.

It is important for an outside consultant to know the area well, she said. For example, the best and most experienced consultant from California may not be a good fit for a company in Springfield, she said.

Staying local

Bob Cumley, assistant city manager, said city officials make every attempt to use Springfield area companies when choosing consultants.

"We encourage business from the local community," he said.

Cumley said the city typically hires consultants only when regular staff members are busy with ongoing projects and are not able to work on larger, infrequent projects.

"It's not cost-effective for us to have personnel on board year around to work on large projects that only occur once or twice per year," Cumley said.

When consultants are needed, city officials prepare requests for proposals and submit them to the market, allowing consultants to bid on projects based on responsibilities and requirements, Cumley said.

When choosing a consulting company, Cumley said, the city considers the company's expertise and its background in the specific area for which it is being hired. Whenever possible, it is preferred that the company has a local office, he added.

If a consulting company based outside of Springfield is chosen, the city encourages the use of area businesses on the project, he said.

"We strongly encourage they use local subcontractors. We still want to keep as much of the business local as possible," Cumley said.

The city has hired consultants on various Jordan Valley Park projects, including the ice park, exposition center, parking deck and park area.

Consulting teams are used to complete feasibility studies to determine if projects will be successful based on their projected cost, he said.

Such a study was completed for the Jordan Valley Ice Park.

More recently, consultants were hired to assess Central Street parking needs and subsequent options. Consultants are also being used to evaluate the proposed change to make Jefferson and Campbell avenues open to two-way traffic.

Legal consultants are used when the city is involved in major legal cases or litigation, Cumley said.

"In some cases we'll bring in outside legal resources to represent city employees, so there won't be any question of conflict of interest with the city representing them."

Williams said the chamber has recently used industrial consulting companies.

"We've used consultants for the analysis of industrial parks, both Partnership Industrial Center and Partnership Industrial Center West, in terms of location and feasibility issues."

The chamber uses consultants on a rotating basis, depending on projects and activities in the works.

"It just depends on what our business plan dictates each year and what our specific needs are," Williams said.