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Find the right Consultant/Advisor for Your Business
Monday 17th October 2022
Andrea Cassidy
Finding the right business consultant or advisor for your company is a fantastic way to add value to your business and move you closer towards your goals.
The right consultant/advisor will prove an invaluable mentor who can help you to avoid the common pitfalls of your industry or business model, help you develop a stronger mindset and fast track your business towards success.
However, this is not a decision to rush into. It's important that before hiring any consultant or advisor, you do your research so that you know if they are the right fit for your company.
In this blog we will take you through the best way to find the right fit for you.
Get Clear on What You're Looking For
Before you start looking for a consultant/advisor it's important to identify exactly what you need. Are you in need of someone to help with your marketing strategy? Or do you want an expert who can provide advice about the best steps for expansion? Before you begin searching for a consultant/advisor, you need to know exactly what it is they'll be working on.
It's also important to consider which qualities you want your consultant/advisor to have, how you want to communicate with them and the level of experience you desire.
Getting clear on the kind of consultant/advisor you want will make the search infinitely easier, and enable you to screen candidates more easily.
Identify Potential Consultants/Advisors
The next step in finding the right consultant/advisor for your business is to identify potential candidates.
One of the best ways to do this is by using LinkedIn. Networking events are also a great place to look for business consultants/advisors, or you could turn to your peers for recommendations.
Wherever possible, try and identify at least three potential consultants/advisors who could help with different aspects of your business so you can compare their credentials against one another.
Do Your Research
Once you have a long-list of candidates it's important that before making any decisions, you do your research. Some key things to look out for are:
● Relevant experience. It's not just about whether or not a candidate has worked in your industry before, although that is important. You should also consider their level of experience with your particular business model.
● Strong career history. Unfortunately, lots of people have five seconds of success and then begin marketing themselves as a consultant/advisor - and these are precisely the people that you want to avoid. Look for a consultant/advisor with an admirable career and plenty of experience.
● A good reputation. A consultant/advisor should have a strong online presence and lots of positive reviews from previous clients that can prove their value to your company.
Compare Strengths
Once you have a good idea of the kind of experience and expertise your potential consultant/advisor has, it's time to compare their strengths against each other. Ask your most trusted team members to weigh in with their opinions, too, and don't forget to listen to what your gut is telling you.
You could also ask your shortlist of potential consultants/advisors to provide references from past clients so that you can verify their claims.
How to Approach Consultants/Advisors
The final step in finding the right consultant/advisor for your company is to compile a list of potential candidates and then contact them.
When you get in touch with consultants/advisors, it's important that you provide as much information about yourself and your business as possible so they can understand what kind of help you need. Make sure you explain exactly what kind of support you're looking for and set realistic expectations. It's important to be honest so that you can truly tell whether or not a consultant/advisor is a good fit.
It's possible that a consultant/advisor may not feel as though you are the right fit for them and recommend a colleague or peer who is better equipped to meet the needs of your business.
Summary
If you're looking for a consultant/advisor to help with your business, it's important that you take the time to outline what you're looking for and vet your candidates properly. Working with the right consultant/advisor will add huge value to your business and really move the needle, so don't rush into any hasty decisions, and remember to trust your gut.
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