Every business needs a consultant sooner or later. This is true of huge corporations too. So it should come as no surprise that your small business may need some strong advice from an outside source who is not only competent but also an expert in your field of business.
So when should you hire a business consultant? The answer to that question is subjective, which may not seem to help much. The reason for the vagueness is that every business is different, as are the challenges that each business faces. A good clue about when you need a consultant’s help comes from looking at how hard you and your team struggle to meet goals.
Goal Setting and Consultants
Do you struggle to find the next step when working toward a goal? If you are unsure of what to do next, then you may need a consultant. It is easier to find guidance from someone who has already been down the path you are walking.
That is really what a consultant does — he guides you based on his knowledge and experience. The result is that your business has an easier time navigating obstacles that could founder your boat.
Goal setting is important, but the process is not just about naming the goals to reach the next level. It is a process that begins with understanding and identifying goals as well as pitfalls. Companies like Ruota Consulting can help you move your company past road blocks so that it reaches the next summit.
Compliance and Regulations
Compliance and regulations change constantly. Some are easy to understand and may fit neatly into your business model. Some are cumbersome and require a complete change in how you do business. Some regulations are very technical, and some compliance programs are difficult to understand. A consultant can help ensure that your business remains in compliance, adheres to regulations, and avoids noncompliance penalties.
This is important because some contracts, government and otherwise, require specific compliance. ISO standards are one example of how compliance with regulations help a business to grow. To become ISO certified means your company complies with a very specific set of standards for your industry. If your business becomes ISO certified, a whole world of new business opportunities arise.
Part of the process of ISO certification requires an outside audit. In this sense, whether we are talking about ISO or not, a business consultant can help your company discover new sources of business, new product lines, and help set your company up for growth.
While there is not an exact answer to when you need to hire a business consultant, there are plenty of ideas which you should consider. Questions to ask yourself are:
- How good are we at meeting our business goals?
- Are there processes that we can do better?
- Are we in compliance?
- How efficient are our business processes?
- Can we grow faster and remain stable?
- What risks do we face and how many of those are unrecognized?
Does your business need a consultant? The answer to that question is: it probably does.
Photo credit: Anton Pethukov / Flickr
