Things To Consider Before Choosing The Business Consultant DON MCGONAGLE
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Business Consultant
INTRODUCTION
Getting a new business off the ground is no small feat. Neither is scaling up that business and taking it to the next level. These are the main challenges facing entrepreneurs and small business owners. They have a huge amount on their plate to try to achieve these goals. Too often, decision makers in small businesses attempt to carry the whole burden. They want to be in control of their firm and feel a responsibility to its development and growth. They think it’s only they whose duty it is to achieve that growth. That’s entirely understandable, but it’s rarely the right way to go.
What Is Business Consultant Instead of investing heavily in costly technologies or contingent staff, most businesses employ the services of consulting firms. Consultants are usually hired for their specialized skills and their access to digital tools and infrastructure. These firms provide businesses the expertise and resources they need in a more cost-effective setup. There are many different types of business consultant. Some work on specific areas of a company and others offer more generic advice. The most common types of consultant are as follows:
01 HR Consultants
Different Types of Business Consultant
02 Sales & Marketing Consultants
03 IT Consultants
04 Strategy & Management Consultants
HR CONSULTANTS
Consultants with a focus on a firm’s HR can be invaluable. They will offer insights into everything to do with a business’s personnel and staffing. That might include suggestions about hiring and firing. It may also cover areas like pay and benefits for different staff members. SALES & MARKETING CONSULTANTS
These experts take a narrower view. They focus on the two connected departments of sales and marketing. They may suggest a new campaign for a firm to adopt or one they should scrap. They might also pinpoint weaknesses with sales techniques. Or even problems with a firm’s current sales staff.
Different Types of Business Consultant
IT CONSULTANTS
Many business owners have something of a blind spot when it comes to IT. Consultants specific to this area help to ease the issues this may cause. They can assess a firm’s IT infrastructure and help improve it. They can also offer ideas on how to scale that infrastructure with the business’s own growth. STRATEGY & MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS
Experts who take a wider view of firms they work with. They look at the overall picture of how a business is run and whether business strategy is correct. Their insights will be towards the ends of growing and developing the business. Often over the longer term.
Different Types of Business Consultant
Different things to look out for when vetting candidates: 1
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KNOWLEDGE & TRAINING
TRUSTWORTHINESS & INTEGRITY
NICHE OR INDUSTRY FOCUS
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ONGOING
Knowledge & Training
DON MCGONAGLE
It’s not necessary to have academic qualifications to be a good business consultant. Many may argue that practical experience is much more important (we’ll get to that shortly). When you’re assessing potential consultants, though, perusing a CV is a fair way to start. It’s also good if they’ve completed lots of other courses. That shows you that they’re dedicated to selfimprovement. They’ll likely have the kind of attitude that would serve them well in helping your firm.
Trustworthiness & Integrity
DON MCGONAGLE
Trust is key to any business relationship. Or relationship in general. If you’re going to work with a business consultant, you need to have complete trust in them. You’ll be sharing intimate details of your company and business strategy with them. You need to be certain that they’re always going to give you the best advice. Even if it’s something you may not want to hear. Or if it’s something that might cost the consultant more business with you. When it comes to working with a consultant, honesty truly is the best policy.
Niche or Industry Focus
DON MCGONAGLE
Many consultants work only with certain types of companies. Some work with firms of a certain size. Others specialise in a particular field or niche. Before approaching a consultant, make sure they do work with businesses like yours. Otherwise, you’ll be wasting your precious time.
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