There are times for any business person, or entrepreneur, when we need to call in some support. Knowing who to call, and when, can make a real difference to how fast and how effectively you overcome challenges. This series of blogs explores some of the main types of support available to you, and some things to consider in choosing what type of support you might need. [So far we’ve covered Coaching, Mentoring, Peer-to-peer/Action Learning, Networking, Training & Business Advisors]

 

Type of Support: Consultancy

 

What is it?

A consultant brings specific expertise of a challenge (or challenges). They should usually bring experience of working on this challenge with a large number of clients.

 

Pros

Consultants are usually experts, but should also have some breadth of experience. They often bring expertise of knowledge which is not otherwise available to your organisation.

 

Cons

Consultancy can be expensive, and will not necessarily leave you with additional skills or experience in house.

 

Ideal for…

A short-term burst of expertise in a specific area.

 

Things to consider when choosing who to work with:

A good consultant should be able to demonstrate a track record of success for the clients they’ve worked with. Don’t be afraid to ask for references!

 

As with all business support it helps if you work with someone you get on with, someone who shares your values and someone who you trust. Don’t be shy of asking for a taster session, or to meet for a coffee before you decide to work with people, and if possible, meet more than on potential provider before you decide to proceed.

 

 

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences about business support, why not pop over to fb.com/RubyStarAssociates and join the conversation there.

 

Blog by Isla…