All services that are contracted to perform research and analysis that allows professionals to make informed decisions are included in the knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) industry. A lawyer, for example, might hire a KPO firm to conduct research that will allow him or her to draft a contract for a client. Any professional who either performs KPO consulting work for a client business or specializes in assisting client businesses in finding KPO workers to complete tasks for them is referred to as a KPO consultant.
When a KPO consultant outsources work for a client, his or her job is largely determined his or her position and status within the company. An executive consultant from a KPO firm, for example, might be in charge of communicating directly with clients’ contacts. He or she may also be able to decide what types of services his or her KPO firm offers, as well as have the final say on issues such as cost, technology, and business practices.
Some KPOs conduct intelligence analysis and provide recommendations to clients in the form of actions and strategies. When this is the case, a KPO consultant will frequently meet with clients before conducting analysis to determine which solutions they require. Clients can communicate with KPO consultants in other countries via email or phone. A KPO consultant writes a report in which he or she makes recommendations and explains how they were reached.
A KPO consultant may also refer to a professional who assists clients in locating KPO firms with which to contract. A client, for example, could meet with a KPO consultant and present him or her with a list of problems or potential projects. A consultant can then match a client with KPO workers he or she has worked with before and knows will perform well. This type of consultant can act as a go-between for a client company and a KPO company, giving the client peace of mind that he or she is outsourcing to a company that adheres to certain standards and guidelines.
A recruiter can also be a KPO consultant. In this case, he or she may receive and read resumes before selecting employees who he or she believes will be valuable KPO professionals. A consultant may also visit prestigious schools to meet promising aspiring professionals in some cases.