Have you ever considered hiring a business consultant to assist you in your business expansion? It often makes sense to do this if you own a small independent business, which is not associated with any dealer networks or franchise systems. Yet you have to be careful when hiring a business consultant. Are you sure they know what they are talking about, understand the dynamics of your market or industry? If not how can you be certain you will not be wasting you money? Here are the top 7 tips to hiring a business consultant for your company. 1.) Make sure that your ego and their ego match, if they are too much of a bully it will cause endless non-productive friction. 2.) Read up on any and all previous articles and advice this consultant has put out; does it appear to be worthy advice? 3.) Do not be fooled by pure professionalism or titles, sure it is nice, but are they faking it or do they really know their stuff. 4.) Ask them their fees up front and what you will get for this in advance. Come to an understanding and ask for this in writing to be sure you are on the same page. 5.) Try to find a consultant who knows everyone in the industry and is well connected. 6.) Verify that the information on the consultants resume is correct and not over embellished, are they capable, experienced and have done this before. 7.) Give them a test run on something you are familiar with, do they talk the same language have real strategy skills or are they blowing smoke and acting more like a politician? Indeed, I hope you will consider all this in 2006, when hiring or scouting out the right business consultant for your growing business. |
