Easy online collaboration tools can provide secure, branded project portals that allow consultants to share a consulting project plan, manage project documents online, track issues, and capture ideas and discussions.
Strategic Benefits
Imagine that your company is one of several consulting firms invited to present proposals to a great prospective client. Of course you will present your innovative approach and emphasize the collaborative nature of your consulting process. But what if you could also propose a secure online project portal where the clients staff can login, track task status, participate in discussions, and access and comment on document drafts. Wouldn't the client love that? Proposing a secure project portal would really set you apart from your competition. It will also streamline communications and project management when you are awarded the job!
Start with a Consulting Project Site Template
We have many consulting firms that use our online collaboration software in just that manner. They may use their own brand and colors on a site, or often they will put their clients brand and colors on the site. They start with a project portal 'template' which has been configured to use the consultants methodology and terminology. It takes just a few clicks to [Add a New Site], select a template to copy, and click SAVE.
While each project is unique, a consulting project site template could look something like this. You can click on the image below and see a full-size screenshot.
Start with this template, then add/delete pages as needed for your specific project requirements. Click here to see this full consulting project site.
In less than an hour, you can create a branded, customized project portal, configure it with new pages as needed, upload an initial consulting project plan, and upload initial project documents. Then enroll your team, and your clients staff - each will get an email invitation to the secure site, with a unique password. No training is necessary.
Each project team member can login, access or upload documents, and update tasks for which he/she is responsible. When the project reaches its smooth conclusion, GroveSite offers an 'Archive Site' tool so you can make a snapshot of the project site (on CD) for your client.
Learn more at GroveSite or sign up for a free trial. GroveSite also provides free, live coaching.
This is part of a series, "Online Collaboration Software: Oh, the Things You Can Do". Each blog post in the series will describe a high-return use of collaboration software. It is designed for end-users – the business people who will use the information every day. Please feel free to comment, and to join us in submitting your own story – good or bad. Click here to access the Introduction article of this Series.
