Consulting Made Easy: Top Software Tools for Managing Projects & Clients
As a consultant, what are you doing to stay on top of your game? In this ever-evolving field, it’s critical to have access to the best tools on the market to power your business. Whether you are a one-man band or a consulting firm juggling multiple clients, leveraging the right tools and software solutions can make all the difference to your workflows and approach to productivity.
In this article, we will explore a handful of tools you should consider adding to your technology stack. Sure, it’s easy for a technology stack to get bloated - but the best tools will seamlessly integrate with the rest of your stack and work in sync to push your operations forward. Let’s dive straight in and consider how consulting tools can impact your consulting business’s bottom line.
How can consulting tools impact the bottom line?
There is no doubt that consulting tools can have a significant impact on your bottom line. From saving time and money to enhancing client experiences and fostering relationships, there is no limit to the impact an effective consulting tool can have on your business. Ultimately, it all comes down to how you utilize these tools and integrate them into your workflows.
If you are committed to delivering exceptional client experiences and want to drive client retention, having access to the right set of tools will likely come in handy. Upon utilizing various consulting tools to improve client engagement and bolster relationships, you should begin to notice a difference in your bottom line. The best consulting tools will make a tangible difference.
Tools For Business Consultants (5 Options)
1 - StartingPoint
StartingPoint is a must-have workflow management system for any consulting business that wants to get serious about delivering results for its clients. With a centralized location for all client data, you can hit the ground running with new consulting projects and stay ahead of the curb. StartingPoint will become your digital hub for all client communication and collaboration.
From messaging clients to sharing and storing important documentation, StartingPoint comes with a set of all-encompassing features that are fundamentally designed to reshape your client experiences and take your service delivery to new heights. StartingPoint is well-equipped to provide consultants with the necessary features to support streamlined client experiences.
2 - Loom
Loom is a popular screen recording and video messaging tool that enables you to create instructional videos, client presentations, and other forms of video content. With Loom, at the tap of a button, you can record your screen, voice, and webcam, and then share the video content (using a special link) with clients or team members at your consulting firm.
3 - Calendly
If you are a consultant and you haven’t been sent a Calendly invite in the last 18 months, where have you been? Calendly has become a staple in every remote-working consultant’s technology stack. You can present a “live” calendar to your clients and enable them all to book time with you. This calendar can automatically create Zoom meetings and integrate with other tools.
4 - Lemlist
Running low on clients? We’ve all been there. Lemlist can get your consulting business firing on all cylinders again with automated email campaigns. If you want to reach a vast number of potential clients, Lemlist can enable you to set up scalable email campaigns. You can segment these campaigns based on the target recipients and conduct split tests along the way.
5 - Canva
When it comes to creating client proposals and visual documents to illustrate big ideas and concepts, Canva can play a pivotal role in bringing these visuals to life. Canva is a cloud-based graphic design platform that’s jam-packed with a full range of templates for consultants. You name it, it’s on there. You are equipped with all you need to kickstart document creation.
What tools are needed for consulting?
The types of tools you need to deliver consulting services will depend entirely on the type of consulting services you offer to clients. Although, you will inevitably need the following:
Communication tools
These tools help you stay in touch with clients and team members at your consulting firm. The communication tools can include email, instant messaging, and video conferencing.
Project management tools
These are designed to help you stay organized and on top of your projects. StartingPoint is a good example of a project management tool that also doubles as a communication tool.
Scheduling tools
These tools will help you schedule meetings and consultations with prospective and existing clients. As we mentioned earlier, Calendly is an example of a scheduling tool.
Design tools
These tools will enable you to develop professional-looking proposals and presentations for clients. Canva is a good example of a web-based design tool for consultants.
Why should you choose StartingPoint?
StartingPoint brings plenty to the table as an effective tool for collaboration and communication. Whether you are an independent consultant or work as part of a consulting firm, our solution is designed to scale to your needs. StartingPoint’s platform can scale up as necessary to support your business as you map your ambitions and pursue your business objectives.
You can also use StartingPoint to begin embracing workflow automation. The platform comes with the necessary tools for consultants to begin exploring the possibilities of workflow automation. If you want to build custom workflows and find new ways to streamline repetitive processes, StartingPoint can provide you with the tools to make this possible.
Simply sign up for free and start using our platform right away!