Comprehensive guide for initial client consultations
Purpose: These questions help you understand the client's current situation, identify pain points, assess their technical maturity, and determine the best custom solutions for their business.
Approach: Not every question needs to be asked in every consultation. Use these as a guide and adapt based on the conversation flow. Focus on listening and understanding their specific needs.
Industry, size, primary services/products
Full-time, part-time, remote workers
Growth plans, expansion, new services, efficiency improvements
On-premise servers, cloud services, hybrid approach
Slow systems, downtime, security concerns, email issues, etc.
Daily, weekly, monthly - quantify the impact
Ransomware, phishing, data breaches, lost files
Biggest concerns and fears
Repetitive processes, data entry, follow-ups
Windows versions, server OS, Mac, Linux
Required for PCI compliance and email deliverability
Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, on-premise Exchange, other
On email, servers, cloud services, admin accounts
Local backups, cloud backups, how often, when last tested
Traditional antivirus vs. modern EDR solutions
Hardware firewall, software firewall, default settings
Single location, multiple locations, remote workers, VPN
If yes, what platform? If no, are you planning to build one?
Current provider, any issues with uptime or speed
Slow loading, downtime, difficult to update, expensive
Regular updates, occasional changes, seasonal updates
Multiple domains, email routing, subdomains
PCI DSS compliance requirements
HIPAA compliance requirements
Financial services, legal, manufacturing standards
What are the requirements? Are you meeting them?
When, what were the findings, what was addressed
Full-time IT person, part-time, break-fix provider, none
What do you like about your current setup
Response times, availability, expertise, communication
Immediate, same day, next day, acceptable wait times
After-hours critical systems, weekend operations
Security, reliability, cost reduction, growth support
Time savings, revenue protection, peace of mind, growth enablement
Budget range, timeline, approval process
Business impact, recovery costs, downtime tolerance
Immediate fix, long-term partnership, phased approach
Comfort level with technology, training needs
Or hybrid approach - what's driving the preference
Change management, training requirements
Industry-specific software, integrations needed
Phone, email, support portal, in-person meetings
New locations, more employees, new services
Mergers, acquisitions, new regulations, technology shifts
New software, hardware upgrades, cloud migration
Lead management, customer follow-up, appointment scheduling
Partners, board, IT committee, other stakeholders
Urgent, next quarter, next year, exploring options
Proposal, references, site visit, budget approval
Let them ask - shows you're listening and builds trust
Next steps, timeline, what to expect
Helps identify workflow inefficiencies
Vision and goals - helps design custom solution
User experience issues, productivity blockers
Automated, manual, ad-hoc, not at all
Written plan, tested, or no plan at all