The Pros and Cons of Hiring an Internal Consultant vs. an External Consultant

Apr 04, 2022

The Pros and Cons of Hiring an Internal Consultant vs. an External Consultant

When it comes to making important business changes, companies often turn to consultants for their expertise and guidance. Traditionally, far fewer tourism property owners and hospitality business owners sought consulting services for their businesses - until now. With the increase in tourism businesses seeing the benefits of hiring experienced industry-specific consultants, the question now is: should you hire an internal consultant or an external consultant?

Internal Consultants

Internal consultants are employees of the company who are hired to provide specialized knowledge and advice to their colleagues. Here are some of the pros and cons of hiring an internal consultant:

  • Pros: Internal consultants have a deep understanding of the company's culture, processes, and goals. They are readily available and can provide ongoing support and guidance to their colleagues.
  • Cons: Internal consultants may have limited experience outside of the company and may not be able to provide fresh perspectives or innovative solutions. They may also face conflicts of interest or biases when providing advice to their colleagues.
internal consultant

External Consultants

External consultants are independent contractors who are hired to provide specialized knowledge and advice to a company. Here are some of the pros and cons of hiring an external consultant:

  • Pros: External consultants like Tourism Consulting Solutions bring a wealth of experience and expertise from working with a variety of companies and industries. They can provide fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to business challenges.
  • Cons: External consultants may not have a deep understanding of the company's culture, processes, and goals. This can easily be overcome by providing the consultant with a thorough overview of the product or business prior to work commencing.

Which One Should You Choose?

The decision to hire an internal or external consultant ultimately depends on the specific needs and goals of your company. If you need fresh perspectives and innovative solutions, an external consultant may be the way to go.

It is also important to consider the cost and availability of each option. Internal consultants may be more cost-effective and readily available, but external consultants may bring more value and expertise to the table.

Conclusion

Both internal and external consultants can provide valuable insights and guidance to companies. Ultimately, the goal should be to find a tourism and hospitality consultant who has extensive experience in the industries and who can provide the most value and help the company achieve its objectives.