| One of the questions I hear these days from | | | | any industry. |
| managers and business owners is this: What is the | | | | I cannot tell you that you need to hire a consultant, |
| use of hiring a consultant? They cost money, they | | | | but I can tell you why my clients believe it is good to |
| are just criticizing everything, and they don't know | | | | have one on leash. They say they don't feel so lonely |
| anything about my industry! | | | | when they have a problem. They say that the |
| Consultants come in all shapes and sizes. Some are | | | | consultant is impartial – no personal interests or |
| more direct; others are just giving you hints. It is | | | | hidden agendas, like some insiders may have. The |
| absolutely your decision which style you prefer. | | | | only interest a good consultant has is that your |
| The benefit of having a consultant at hand is that | | | | business should grow – so that you can afford to |
| you have someone you can discuss your ideas and | | | | pay your consultant! They also say that it is very |
| concerns with. Generally, small business owners are | | | | useful to be challenged before they make a decision |
| often restricted to either having to decide everything | | | | – a good consultant might ask some questions |
| alone, or they discuss their business issues with their | | | | that they would have never thought about. My |
| spouses or friends. No offense, but are you sure | | | | clients say that a consultant helps them keep |
| your spouse is totally qualified to give you business | | | | focused and see clearly, and can often simplify the |
| advice? In some more complicated cases, it may be | | | | complex situations they encounter. |
| useful to talk to someone who has the collective | | | | And all of them say that they sleep better at night, |
| business experience of many people, many industries | | | | because they have one more brain to think about |
| and many business issues. | | | | their issues. |
| The consultant may not be experienced in your | | | | So, if you can relate to any of these reasons, you |
| industry. If your questions are very specific, you | | | | may want to do some research on consultants. Find |
| need to choose a consultant who is an industry | | | | the one you are comfortable talking with! Honesty is |
| expert. But believe me, about 80% of the issues a | | | | the most important thing when you are working with |
| consultant has to solve, are general, people-related or | | | | a consultant. |
| business finance-related problems that can occur in | | | | |