Specialists and generalists can both provide a wealth of experience to your business. But which provider should you actually work with?

Should you opt for a provider that can cover all areas or a provider that’s the best-of-the-best in one crucial area? This can be a tough decision for sure.

If you’re facing this choice, don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll look at what a specialist provider is, what a generalist full-service provider is, and what the essential differences are. Your mind will be made in no time.

What is a specialist provider?

As their name suggests, specialists have hyper-specialized skills in one specific area. These providers are usually considered experts in their chosen fields, and they’re a great pick if you need an innovative problem-solver.

Specialist providers, like the focused Gaming Innovation Group, know everything there is to know about their subject area. With this team, you don’t need to worry about a botched job as everything will be covered. Specialists with one area of expertise are known as I-shaped specialists.

Advantages

• Specialists have specific and in-depth knowledge. Since they’ve spent so long practicing their craft, they have all the necessary details ready to go.
• They’ll be up to date with the latest tech. Specialists will always be up to date with cutting-edge innovation and industry news, so you’ll never need to worry about being left behind. They’re also usually up to date with consumer needs, which is a win for your customers.
• Fewer choices to hire. Usually, having fewer hiring options is challenging, but in this case it makes choosing the specialist quicker and easier.

Disadvantages

• Smaller general knowledge. Since specialists are hyper-focused on one area, their general knowledge is less extensive than a full-service provider. They often won’t be able to help if you have other issues outside of their field.

What is a generalist full-service provider?

Unlike a specialist provider, a generalist full-service provider offers an extensive range of solutions. Full-service providers can provide help with more tasks and issues than specialists, but their knowledge is not as in-depth.

A generalist is often referred to as a dash-shaped specialist as their knowledge isn’t as concentrated, but it does run across a range of areas. For example, a full-service writer might be able to write poetry, but a poet will know their craft in greater depth than the full-service writer ever will.

Advantages

• Knowledge that spans different niches. If you don’t need help in one specific area, a full-service provider could be for you.
• Multitasking abilities. Generalist and full-service providers are known to be great multitaskers, which is ideal if your project is multi-faceted.
• Innovative and outside-the-box thinking. Full-service providers tend to be more creative in their thinking. These professionals can understand the bigger picture and the routes needed to fix the problems.

Disadvantages

• Lack of expert knowledge. Generalists can’t devote their time to one area, making them unable to complete niche projects without the help of a specialist.
• Vague skills. While generalists and full-service professionals add lots of value to projects, their skills are vague and often more suited to project management roles.
• Generalists are more likely to experience burnout. As these full-service providers work with many different teams and subject areas, they’re more likely to burn out than specialist providers.

Key differences to know

Are you still trying to decide which professional is the best for you? Let’s look at how generalist full-service providers and specialists measure up.

Knowledge

When it comes to knowledge, specialists always have more in-depth facts and figures. With more time spent focusing on one area, specialists will always beat generalists in their chosen fields thanks to their thorough understanding and experience.

Transferable skills and flexibility

Some jobs may require a wider breadth of skills, and the generalist full-service provider shines thanks to their broader experience. Though their knowledge may be less deep, they can handle tasks and projects that span different needs.

Cutting-edge knowledge

If you have a niche problem that requires a detailed solution, you’ll want to work with a provider with cutting-edge industry knowledge. Specialists are always up to date with the latest tools and tricks, ensuring you’ll be left with a modern and complete product.

The takeaway

When it comes down to choosing a specialist or generalist full-service provider, many signs tend to point to the specialist unless you’re looking for a provider that can handle multiple problems. Each professional will come equipped with skills to tackle your job, but make sure you research completely before choosing.