Five Reasons to Hire a Business Consultant

Five Reasons to Hire a Business Consultant

by Fatima Calderon

1.  Experience.

Yes, you have experience with your product or service and intimate knowledge of your own business. But, the consultant will bring their own mix of experience in the industry and specific functions. A consultant has the vantage point of dealing on a regular basis with different clients facing the same challenges as you. This is a privilege and advantage worth the money you pay because the consultant will bring with him the best practices that have already worked for similar clients / similar industry.

     2.  Fresh Perspective.

There’s an advice floating out there to tell a stranger your problems because they can be more objective. And it’s true. You can fall easily into the daily routines, especially if you are a small business owner where you have to do a little bit of everything. An outside voice, “a fresh set of eyes” can take a lot off your plate while bringing real analytical value and insights.

     3.  You will gain.

Regardless on your firm’s needs (to bring more clients, to convert more leads, to restructure the organization, to gain social engagement) you and your team will gain knowledge and add to your skillset when you implement and maintain the consultant’s recommendations.

     4.  Accountability.

It’s not that an in-house staff won’t care or won’t do their job well, but a professional consultant depends on their reputation, which is based on the results they bring their clients. So you can be sure the consultant will do everything to bring you the results you need because they want repeat business, a great testimonial, and/or a referral.

     5.  It will save you money.

Even the most expensive consultant will save you money in the long run because you will stop losing money when you implement the changes (hey, "a penny saved is a penny earned", right?). If you hired the consultant to increase sales then obviously you will increase profits as well.

However, there are “budget-friendly” consultants out there that are knowledgeable and skillful as the trendy, big-name pricey guy.

Having a salaried marketing /management employee can cost you upwards $40k per year, while a consultant will be significantly less, even on a retainer basis.

If you have been on the fence about hiring an independent consultant, I hope this list has highlighted the many ways hiring one is well worth the investment.