You may need a consultant for your business — Here’s why.
Invited article by Career Coach Amber Ramsey Learnitforlife
Business owners are often jacks-of-all-trades; they have a variety of skills that they use to start and grow their company. But even the most skilled entrepreneurs have areas in which they may need additional support and assistance. This is where consultants come in to save the day. Consultants offer a range of skills that can assist business owners in various tasks.
WHY CONSULTANTS ARE WORTH THE INVESTMENT
Business owners who hire consultants often do so because they recognize that their time and efforts can be used elsewhere. Some consultants offer many services, such as organizational services, personal assistance, and design work. Business owners are often inundated with responsibilities, and removing tasks like these from their list can reduce stress significantly.
It’s a must to be aware of your challenges and limitations. Hiring consultants or assistants to handle certain work can save you money in the long run by preventing errors, allowing you to focus on tasks that require your expertise. Often, having an objective person assess your business practices can offer a fresh perspective, which can change the way your business operates for the better.
OUTSOURCING OPTIONS TO CONSIDER
Business owners can use a consultant for everything from assessing their business practices to handling their finances. Companies with an online presence often require an IT or web consultant to handle site development and ensure the optimal functioning of online systems. SEO consultants help companies with content curation and create productive marketing campaigns to grow the business.
Brick-and-mortar companies may find that a design and organizational consultant is ideal for the layout and aesthetic appeal of the space. A system to manage paperwork and reduce clutter is a practical way an organizational consultant can help. Service-based companies can benefit from a process-oriented consultancy that examines coordination and communication between team members. The outcome of such work may be more streamlined, effective systems in your company.
It’s also useful to examine how effectively your team manages time. Apps for time management and productivity can tell business owners a lot about areas that require improvement and how staff can be more productive. A mobile timesheet app, for instance, will offer real-time reporting so that you can stay on top of your daily operations, as well as make it easier to manage teams and deal with employee timesheets on the go. This, in turn, makes it easier to process payroll, saving you both stress and money in the long run.
FINDING THE RIGHT SOLUTIONS
As you explore ways to use consultants for your growing business, it will be useful to consider several candidates to ensure that you find one who meets your needs. Look to your network for recommendations, or look for independent or freelance consultants in various work-for-hire platforms. Ask for references and work samples and portfolios (if applicable) prior to hiring. When you interview candidates for consultancy work, check rates, availability, and the approximate number they can devote to your project.
REMEMBER YOUR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
As we’ve discussed, having one or more consultants to help you build your business can make or break your success. But don’t forget to invest in yourself as well. Dr. Eleftheria Egel, director and founder of Navigating Transformation, is dedicated to helping women forge a pathway to the entrepreneurial pursuit that fuels their passion. Learn more about how we can unfold your potential together, and then set up your 30-minute first meeting with Dr. Egel!
You may find that hiring a consultant is a game-changer for your business. Using a consultant will alleviate a lot of stress and free you up to focus on other tasks, knowing that crucial aspects of your business are in capable hands.