What is a business consultant?

Business owners hire business consultants to help with various aspects of their business. According to Business News Daily, consultants can provide business management consulting, analyze businesses, and create solutions to help them meet their goals.

Some business consultants work alone. Others are part of a business consulting firm or agency. Depending on your needs, you may need one or multiple consultants for your project.

Should I hire a solo consultant or work with a consulting agency?

Both options have pros. The benefits of working with a consulting agency include extensive resources and the expertise of multiple consultants. On the other hand, working with an individual advisor may be more affordable. They may have more flexibility to spend more time working with your business.

What services can a business consultant provide?

Many different types of business consultants exist. You can hire for financial consulting, human resources consulting, business operations support, marketing assistance, project management, IT and programming, and more. The type of consultant you should hire will depend on what you need assistance with.

You should also determine how long you will need services for, whether it is short or long term.

When should I hire a business consultant?

You may not know when to contact a business consultant for help. Here are a few scenarios to consider:

• You have a small team and lack resources. Small businesses are just that – small! A business strategist can step in if you only have a few employees on your team who lack expertise in a specific area.
• You aren’t reaching your business goals. A consultant can offer fresh eyes to your business goals and help you develop a more strategic plan. A consultant may have insight into new trends or changes in the marketplace that weren’t on your radar.
• You’re having trouble getting your business noticed. The marketplace can be competitive. If your current marketing strategy isn’t growing your customer base, a brand strategist could help you revamp your efforts.
• You need help fast-tracking a project. If a big project needs to be prioritized but you just don’t have the time, a business consultant can be a resource for you.

What should I look for when hiring a business consultant?

It’s a great rule of thumb to talk with at least three consultants before deciding to hire one. Comparing pricing, services, and experience can help you find the best fit for your budget and goals.

You can also ask for references to hear directly from other small business clients. This can give you insight into the professional’s previous experience and can help you determine if the consultant has worked with other businesses like yours.

To find a business consultant you can trust, ask if they are BBB Accredited or search for them on BBB.org. BBB Accredited Businesses meet BBB’s Accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints.

For more information

Read BBB’s tip on hiring a freelancer. All of BBB’s business tips can be found at BBB’s Business HQ.

Looking for a business coach? Find one near you.

Find more resources on owning a local business at BBB’s Local Business HQ.