When searching for corporate communications consultants, how wide of a net do you cast? Do you ideally look for someone within a 10-mile radius of headquarters? A consultant within the same city? Region? State? Time zone?
At one point, I thought location was a critical factor when it came to hiring consultants. But I’ve changed my tune over the last couple years because I see how it’s personally benefited my firm – as well as my clients’ businesses – for me to broaden my net.
While Evo Communications is extremely proud to be a Minneapolis-based company, our reach is wider and our impact stronger since expanding our talent pool. We now have specialized consultants based in a range of cities around the U.S., including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati and more.
And in the past few weeks, I've spoken with two new potential Evo consultants with stellar resumes from New York City and Seattle, both of whom found me via LinkedIn. It just so happens that these two communications experts have niche, in-demand communication expertise.
The rise of remote work during the pandemic opened many leaders’ eyes to the benefits of hiring or engaging the very best people available – not just the very best people available within their city. But, still, some companies were resistant or slow to adapt. But I’ve noticed that has changed in the last six months, at least amongst my diverse client base. While there are rare circumstances when a remote arrangement isn’t feasible, those situations are very few and far between. When meeting with prospective clients, location of the consultant simply isn’t a big point of discussion any longer; it’s all about the skills, innovative thinking and depth of experience that the consultant brings to the table.
Here are some key benefits organizations can derive by expanding the consultant talent pool beyond local boundaries:
Highly specialized skills: Looking to bridge knowledge and skills gaps on your communications team? Drawing from a national talent pool allows you to tap a broader collection of potential consulting candidates with the precise traits, abilities and skills you seek. Moreover, experienced remote corporate communication consultants need little to no onboarding. They can hit the ground running and quickly make a significant impact.
Scalability: Remote corporate communication consultants offer more flexible staffing solutions. You can more quickly scale your team up or down to meet project needs or cyclical demands without concerns about geographic limitations.
Extended daily coverage: Corporate communication consultants working across different time zones provide your organization with greater operational capabilities. This can be particularly valuable when it comes to handling urgent communications needs. A more geographically dispersed team, including consultants, can provide real-time support and guidance during crises.
Insights into unfamiliar markets or regions: Local market knowledge can be invaluable. Is your West Coast-based organization acquiring its first subsidiary in middle America? Is your company opening its first Miami location? Position your communication strategies for success by connecting with in-the-know consultants in cities or regions where your company is looking to expand. Communication consultants from different regions enhance your ability to navigate cultural nuances, use appropriate lingo and generally ensure that your messaging – whether for internal communications or external audiences – is relevant, sensitive and effective.
Greater access to media contacts: Consultants with local connections might also be able to help amplify your company’s voice by connecting you with media sources in target markets through their established relationships with local outlets and influencers.
Language proficiency: Corporate communication consultants fluent in different languages can assist in crafting multilingual communications, expanding your reach to wider audiences.
In the evolving realm of corporate communications, geographic boundaries are increasingly irrelevant. By casting a broader net and engaging remote consultants from diverse backgrounds, communications leaders can weave together a richer tapestry of skills and perspectives, which will only make your team’s impact stronger – and more relevant.
Searching for corporate communications consultants? Reach out to me to book a discovery call.
About Evo Communications
Evo Communications knows that strategic communications has the power to drive results that boost company reputations – and the bottom line. That’s why we are your go-to source for connecting with experienced, highly skilled corporate communications consultants who can onboard themselves and get to work right away!
We are a certified woman-owned agency of independent corporate communicators. We work alone, in pairs or in curated teams to meet the specific needs of our clients. While we are based in Minneapolis, we have consultants across the country. With foundations in Fortune 500 companies, we leverage our collective strengths to meet your needs, acting as a seamless extension of your team.