Laboratory consulting … assistance for success

You can't be an expert on everything. Utilising the skills of others is crucial in an extremely competitive world. Whether you are starting a new laboratory, or expanding or upgrading your existing laboratory, getting assistance from an experienced laboratory consultant could make a big difference to your operational quality & efficiency, and your financial return. The initial output of time and money spent on laboratory consulting can actually save you a lot of time and money in the long term. Depending on your needs and budget, most consulting firms offer flexible solutions. You may require assistance for only one aspect of your operation, or you may require in-depth assistance with a consultant working side by side / step by step with you on every aspect of your new venture. A consultant can provide you a one-time assessment, or work with you on a continuous advisory basis. Before selecting a consultant, you can confirm qualifications & experience and check how long a consulting firm has been in business, and if reputable laboratories have used their services. You can hire a consulting firm on a step by step basis. For example, if one of the initial steps involves an assessment of market opportunity, you can continue with the firm for later steps (e.g. marketing) only if you are satisfied with their completion of the initial steps. Some firms have broad skills in all aspects of laboratory operation while some are highly specialist in distinct areas. You can use a single firm or you can use multiple firms. For example, one firm could be used for staff recruitment and management solutions, while another firm for establishing standard operating procedures and automated solutions. Using a consulting firm based in your country is convenient for paying or communicating with your consultant, and is also ideal if local knowledge is required, however, the firm that offers the best solutions for your needs, or the most cost effective, may be a foreign firm. There are advantages to using an international firm. For example, using an international firm may help you keep up to date with international standards. There are many aspects of consulting that require a physical in person presence in your lab (e.g. staff training), whilst there are also many aspects that can be handled remotely (e.g. identifying new revenue streams). The degree of in person requirements you have for your consultant versus requirements that can be handled remotely may determine whether you use a local or foreign consulting firm.

Consultants may provide assistance in the following:

1. market opportunity & risks
2. startup costs
3. marketing
4. accreditation / certification / licenses
5. regulatory compliance
6. standard operating procedures
7. quality control standards
8. optimized operations & cost savings
9. lab design
10. lab inspections
11. audit preparation
12. staff recruitment & training
13. interim staffing
14. management
15. supply part-time lab directors
16. equipment / instrumentation / supplies sourcing
17. automation
18. off-site data review
19. new revenue streams

See BioscienceCentral's list of laboratory consulting service providers