Sometimes, Business owners could use a little help from esteemed, experienced experts in the field. If you’re not quite sure how to expand your operations, need a better sales strategy, or are confused about how to enhance your efficiency, a Consultant could be the key. More and more companies see the value of these professionals and secure their services. Accordingto the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “management analysts, often called management consultants…employment of management analysts is projected to grow 14 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations.” The growing need for this service suggests that it can be extremely effective. However, not all consultants are created equal. At Measurable Solutions, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses flourish with our time-tested techniques and proven procedures. We understand that picking a partner to help you grow your business can be challenging. Read on to learn more about how to choose the right consultant for your company.
Important Qualifications
What makes a great consultant? The specialist you select to steer your business in the right direction should have certain qualifications. At a minimum, a suitable prospective consultant would:
· Have experience, certifications, education, or some combination of these to back up his or her suggestions. Many people call themselves consultants, but they should be able to justify their designation as an authority in business. For example, at Measurable Solutions, both of our founders, Jeff Lee and Shaun Kirk, had thriving businesses prior to creating our consultancy.
· Come with a full roster of prior satisfied clients. In their Entrepreneurpiece “The 5 Essentials ofChoosing a Consultant,” Doug and Polly White explain: “a good consultant should have experience with the challenges or opportunities you and your company are facing.” Your adviser should be an authority in the field, and there is no replacement for life experience.
· Know other relevant or related experts in your industry. In his Bloggers Ideas article on thesubject, Jitendra Vaswani argues that good business consultants “have proper connections. Business success is all about the right connections and this is something that every successful business consultant should be able to bring to the table.” If you need web design, accounting, or another form of assistance to help your company grow, a qualified consultant should be able to point you in the right direction.
· Be able to communicate with you and comprehend what you need. Doug and Polly White also note: “a good consultant should be articulate…no matter how smart a consultant is, she or he won’t be able to help you improve your business until they fully understand the challenges you face.”
· Have a clean, ethical, effective track record. Unfortunately, it’s easy for smooth-talking consultants to take advantage of business owners in need of help. Doug and Polly White argue that a consultant should have “unimpeachable character. First and foremost, an effective consultant must be a person of the highest character. He or she must be a consummate professional.” Your consultant should take his or her work seriously and maintain high standards, as we do at Measurable Solutions.
Questions to Ask
It’s a good idea to have an initial meeting and conduct an interview with your potential consultant. Below are a few questions you might want to ask:
· Can I see testimonials from prior clientele? Reviews from past partners are perhaps the most valuable information you can gather during this process. At Measurable Solutions, we get results—check out what our clients have to say about their achievements with us.
· Have you worked with a business in my industry? While it may not be a requirement for your consultant to have experience in your particular field, it certainly helps. Our team has worked with clients in a variety of industries, so we’re ready to tackle virtually any project.
· How can I apply your approaches? Many consultants are all talk—they’ll teach you lots of fancy terminology and seemingly meaningful strategies, but none of these do you any good unless you can actually implement them. As our company name suggests, we are committed to providing measurable, tangible solutions for businesses. Our expertise is only valuable if our clients can actively use it to succeed.
· How would you recommend I solve X, Y, or Z problem? Your consultant’s role is to help you overcome obstacles and do your best, so he or she should be able to provide general advice and a plan of attack, even at the beginning. The suggestions your adviser provides can tell you a lot about his or her approach so you can find out whether or not it fits with your plans.
Going through these queries can also give you a good sense of whether or not you and your prospective consultant have rapport, which is also a vital factor. You can’t work well with someone you don’t get along with.
Does Your Company Need a Consultant?
With our comprehensive capabilities, outstanding history, and passion for business, our consultants could be the right fit for your company. To find out more about our services or schedule an initial consultation, contact us today.
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