The Advisory Council - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of frequently asked questions about The Advisory Council.

Q: Who created The Advisory Council and why?
A: A group of top CIOs and IT leaders created The Advisory Council to provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional research and expensive consulting firms. The Advisory Council was designed to provide decision support, from senior IT experts, to help organizations form action plans around IT management issues.

Q: We already use another research firm; why do we need TAC?
A: TAC is not a research firm. Traditional research firms provide an encyclopedic database of generic information. These databases typically do not provide the insight organizations require to meet the needs of the business in today’s rapidly changing environment. Our decision support service is designed to provide targeted, organization specific, and timely advice to our clients’ questions. Our clients find this to be the type of information their organizations require to make the right decision and improve service levels in a fast-paced world.

Q: What is TAC?
A: The Advisory Council is an Expert Decision Support Network comprised of more than 200 IT Experts. Our Experts deliver timely responses to our clients’ issues via Personal Advisory Reports or phone calls, which our clients rely on in order to make informed decisions. So just as your Legal or Finance department will retain an outside firm for expert information, our clients retain us to fill that role for their IT departments. The Advisory Council’s clients rely on our Experts’ advice and direction so that they can save time and money when addressing the strategic, operational and project-related challenges which crop up daily.

Q: I already have a peer network which I use for my advice; why do I need TAC?
A: Peer networks do have some advantages, but by nature they are ad hoc networks which are limited by the knowledge and experience of the “peers.” The more limited the knowledge and experience, the more likely the peer network won’t have the answer or may have the wrong answer. An example of peer networks is on display in the TV show Who Wants to Be A Millionaire. How often does the lifeline friend called know the answer to the question at hand? In the daytime syndicated version, even Who Wants to Be a Millionaire has moved to experts. The Advisory Council provides a vetted network of IT professionals who average more than 20 years of experience, and provide deep coverage to 97% of 873 IT practice areas. They are sought after speakers, thought leaders, and ex-CIOs.

Q: How can top Experts provide me specific responses to my organization’s issues at a fraction of what traditional research firms charge?
A: Instead of having a large group of junior researchers in-house, we have an expansive network of senior Experts under contract. This not only gives us access to some of the best minds in IT, it also keeps our costs far lower than traditional research and consulting groups.

Q: How many user seats are included in a TAC advisory services contract?
A: TAC’s Advisory Service is an enterprise-wide offering. Contracts are priced based upon the annual number of Personal Advisory Reports and Expert phone consultations, not on the number of seats. As an enterprise-wide service, clients can configure user access to the service in a manner that best suits the needs of their organization.

Q: What exactly is a PAR?
A: A Personal Advisory Report is an approximately 1000-word document which is written in response to the issue you present, incorporating your organization’s goals, technology configuration and constraints — enabling clients to take action and execute on the advice.
Click here for a sample PAR.

Q: With whom may a PAR be shared?
A: Our enterprise model allows clients to copy and share PARs as widely as they like within their organization.

Q: What do we do when a PAR isn’t enough?
A: TAC offers extended PAR service for situations which are beyond the scope of a PAR, either (1) because more than a few hours of Expert research time is required, or (2) because multiple Experts are required to provide a satisfactory answer. Questions of a benchmarking nature usually require a custom consulting engagement because of the extensive research required.

Q: What is the TAC SmartGrid?
A: TAC SmartGrid reflects the methodology which our Experts utilize to analyze an organization’s situation in response to the IT management issues clients pose. Since every IT decision affects the business, the TAC SmartGrid addresses the implications of your question as it relates to these four categories:

Alignment: Effective IT leaders strive to bring their IT strategy, organization, architecture, infrastructure and applications into alignment with the needs of the business. By learning your business objectives, we can provide advice on how to align your IT decisions.

Cost Reduction: At TAC, our advice focuses on the cost implications of your decisions and the related technologies.

Organization: Every IT decision carries ramifications which affect personnel, processes and careers within the organization. Our experts deep experience helps them frame our advice around the impact that a decision poses to the organization.

Technology: Technologies are deployed to automate some business process. TAC’s advice examines the benefits and the pitfalls of your technology decisions.

Q: What is the turn-around time for a PAR? An expert call?
A: PARs have a standard turn-around time of three-to-five business days. For expert calls, you will be contacted within one business day to establish a mutually agreeable time for the call.

Q: What are the qualifications needed to be a TAC Expert?
A: Just having twenty years of experience in IT is not enough. TAC Experts have in-depth knowledge in specific fields of IT. Our Expert network is our most important resource. We pride ourselves on having the broadest range of coverage in the IT advisory industry, and top Experts in each field.
Click here to see a selection of expert bios.

Q: Can I get on-site consulting from TAC experts?
A: If, after a PAR or phone consultation, you feel the need to have the expert come on-site and work with your team to accomplish a specific goal, it can be arranged. We make sure that our on-site consulting services are clearly defined and focused on accomplishing the designated task.

Q: What do you mean by “custom report,” “tailored” or “specific response”?
A: Each client faces unique challenges and problems; we take the time and effort to understand each one intimately. Using your business profile we have a window into your business. We profile your IT environment and organizational structure so we can answer questions in the context of your business. Our reputation is built on our personal touch and professionalism.

Q: How does The Advisory Council help my career?
A: TAC goes beyond answering your technical questions to address the business issues behind them. By proving the value of IT to your business you advance your position in the company. The Advisory Council also co-sponsors regional CIO events where you can network with your peers and keep up-to-date on industry trends.

Q: How do I sign up?
A: Thank you for your interest in The Advisory Council. To become a TAC client call +1 781 791 9582 x701, or e-mail sales@tacadvisory.com to speak with one of our account representatives.