How to Choose the Best Power BI Consultant For Your Company

If your company has recognized that it needs help optimizing their Power BI platform so it can synthesize data from various sources and generate more actionable insights, then you’re ready to hire a Power BI consultant. But before you choose the first consultant you come across in the Google results, consider what you should look for in a Power BI consultant to ensure you get the results you need.

What is a Power BI Consultant?

A Power BI consultant is an expert in Microsoft’s Power BI platform and is experienced in assessing companies’ business intelligence (BI) needs and recommending appropriate BI solutions that will make those companies more competitive. A consultant will review your current platform and reports, identify areas that need improvement, and recommend optimization solutions that will transform your use of data in your organization. Additionally, a consultant will ensure that your data is secure by implementing the powerful data protection features in Power BI.

What Kind of Results Can I Expect From a Power BI Consultant?

When you’re working with a Power BI consultant, you can expect to see results quickly because as soon as they know the deficiencies in your current data processes, they can make recommendations that will change the way your data is presented so that you can use it more efficiently. From there, you can create better reports on more reliable data and share that information as necessary to the people who need it. With better data and better reporting, you’ll be able to make better decisions that will ultimately positively impact your bottom line.

Top 3 Benefits of a Power BI Consultant

Specifically, the top three benefits you can expect to attain when using a Power BI consultant are improved data quality, optimized reporting, and increased data security. You have a lot of data coming into your systems, but unless you know how to extract and display the right data, you aren’t using it in the best way possible. A consultant will ensure that the data you receive on your dashboards is functional and actionable, which then translates to optimized reports that explain the data to others. Finally, your consultant will use Power BI’s data protection features to ensure your company is safe from data breaches, hacks, and other cyber security threats.

Qualities to Look for In a Power BI Consultant

When selecting a Power BI consultant, focusing on a few key traits is critical. First, consider their formal qualifications. Look for Microsoft-certified BI engineers as it attests to a solid foundation in Power BI. While this doesn't prove their competence outright, it indicates their commitment to mastering the tool. Then, assess their problem-solving skills. As each business will have its own set of unique data challenges, the consultant must demonstrate an adaptable and innovative problem-solving approach. You can do this by presenting a data scenario you are facing and asking them to articulate a high-level overview of their resolution strategies.

Another essential quality to look for is strong communication skills. As consultants are often tasked with training teams, they should be able to translate complex technical concepts into layman's terms. Since education is a never-ending journey, look for a consultant who emphasizes continuous learning and is committed to equipping your team with the skills to use Power BI independently. Lastly, while most cannot share examples of past work, reputable consultants should be able to provide testimonials or case studies that attest to their skills, reliability, and professionalism. Choosing a Power BI consultant isn't just about finding a technical expert—it's about finding a partner who can help you leverage real-time data insights that can change the trajectory of your business.

Conclusion

Power BI is a game-changing platform for businesses, but only if you know how to use it correctly. A Power BI consultant will ensure that you are gaining actionable insights from your data so that you can make better decisions, demonstrate progress, and report on all facets of your company.