As technical leaders navigating the challenges of 2021, your ministry has become more critical than ever to your church’s effectiveness. This challenge is likely to continue indefinitely.
That means you may be needing ongoing support and consultation to keep your church’s video, audio, and lighting systems up to the challenge with the tools and workflows that you need.
A smart consultant will make you a priority, responding to everything from calls to texts to emails to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram DMs.
To help you, we’ve put together a list of seven important business moves you’ll want to make sure the AV consultant you choose will deliver.
1-They’ll Return Every Call, Text, Email, and DM Promptly
You’re busy with your own projects, so you’ll need a consultant or integrator that you don’t have to chase around when you have questions and need answers. A smart consultant will make you a priority, responding to everything from calls to texts to emails to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram DMs.
2-They’ll Keep the Ball in Your Court
You’ll know a consultant has things under control when they clearly outline next steps and keep you up to speed and in the loop, ready for your next moves.
3-They’ll Track Your Story
The difference between a teammate and a hired gun is the way a teammate knows the score. So, look for a consultant with the needed infrastructure in place to ensure that you don’t have to continually remind them of context and what it is you’re wrestling with in your technical ministry.
4-They’ll Know Their Stuff
AVL is one of the most rapidly changing industries around. While it’s often easier and more efficient to just continue offering new clients, like you, the same solutions that worked three years ago, these established technologies can often end up costing more upfront, as well as being more expensive to operate and maintain overtime. Great consultants will invest the time it takes to keep abreast of where things are moving in each discipline and they will use that up-to-the-minute information to set you up for success.
5-They’ll be a Bargain Master
Consider the mechanic who almost always comes in 20% cheaper than his would-be competitors but still produces consistently amazing results. When you’re confident that the consultant you partner with is always going to look for the best deal, you’ll find it easier to trust them when they say that an expense is necessary. AVL consultants who earn a reputation of producing value for their church clients are the ones you want to have in your court.
6-They’ll Keep Their Word
While this one seems like it should go without saying, working with churches can be an inherently messy business. Things change, leaders come and go, and projects sometimes go dramatically sideways. Through the highs and lows, a successful consultant will learn how to keep their word and follow through on projects, delivering on time and on budget. Simply put, they will have your back through thick and thin.
7-They’ll Lead With Love
The best consultants will engender your confidence that the relationship is about more than just making another sale. Ultimately, you’re looking for a consultant who’ll partner with you and be able to serve as a source of encouragement and affirmation for your technical ministry, one that clearly demonstrates a heart for the church.
