So, your business hit its stride. The only problem is that it’s become clear that your vision requires more time, more expertise, and more experience than your team currently has. We understand. It’s essential to note that you’ve already done the hard part. Now, it’s time to consider hiring a business consultant to help with the rest.
A business consultant can find solutions to existing issues and create a strategic plan to achieve your vision, maximize your results, and optimize your time. In short, they are your Jedi master. They do not do your job for you but enable you to elevate your business.*
*No galactic battles required.
When is it time to hire a business consultant?
There are a few clear indicators that it’s time to hire a business consultant. For one, if you’ve hit a wall and find yourself seeking additional expertise, it’s time. While it’s a great thing to seek knowledge, you must also face the fact that you can’t do it all. A business consultant can help you shortcut inevitable mistakes, especially in areas where you lack proficiency.
For two, if you’re constantly telling yourself that “there’s just not enough time in the day,” it’s time. A business consultant will help you get the right result faster. This is incredibly important for early-stage business owners who can’t afford to waste precious resources on dead ends.
For three, if you understand the basics of how to do something but not well enough to be efficient and effective, let’s say it together, it’s time. A business consultant will help you augment your resources, eliminate the need for additional fixed expenses, and provide the secret sauce you need to elevate your team.
Define the outcome you want to achieve ahead of time.
Before you dive into hiring a business consultant, it’s vital to clearly articulate the outcome that you want to achieve. Circulate the desired result with all stakeholders and ensure alignment.
Note: have this in writing when you’re vetting possible candidates. This is your company’s north star—your source of truth.
Communicate the desired outcome and ensure that the individual you hire believes in this as much as Gandalf believes in Frodo. Find your Gandalf, and the rest will fall into place as the proposed solutions result in your vision. Not to mention, you save time and money by getting the right consultant the first time around.
Select the right business consultant.
Aligning every action around your desired outcome is crucial [and] guarantees that all time and efforts are focused on pushing the needle forward.
Second, explore multiple options. If you’re lucky, your first candidate will impress you with their sophisticated speaking style and intelligent insight, but complete a few more interviews. Establishing a baseline, getting a feel for who is out there, and making a fully-educated decision is paramount. There are too many horror stories of companies hiring individuals with stellar first impressions, only to find out they aren’t all they’re chalked up to be. Avoid lost time and expenses by doing your research. Ask questions and look for specific answers shared with confidence. Additionally, always check their references.
Third, once you have your chosen candidate, agree to terms and expected outcomes ahead of time. As mentioned previously, aligning every action around your desired outcome is crucial. This guarantees that all time and efforts are focused on pushing the needle forward.
Here’s what comes next.
You will get the right result faster by taking the steps outlined above. Not to mention, you’ll save time and money and increase your team’s effectiveness. Once you’ve selected a consultant that fits your vision and the desired expertise and experience, keep your overall costs in check by time-boxing engagement with the consultant. This ensures you set clear expectations with your consultant as you allocate a fixed amount of time for a specific task. Timeboxing also leads to greater control over the task at hand and ensures a focused and efficient approach.
It’s also helpful to explore additional options that optimize your benefits. For example, our digital solution at Centrae, when paired with the right consultant, can accelerate your growth and reduce the cost of traditional consulting approaches, further optimizing your ROI.
