FAQ's

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A business consultant is a professional with a variety of skills who has the ability to assist business owners with their endeavors. Consultants are knowledgeable because of their education and previous experience. 

Business consultants also provide management consulting to help organizations improve their performance and efficiency. Consultants analyze businesses and create solutions while helping companies meet their goals. 

Business owners should consider hiring a business consultant when they need help or perspective on their chosen field of interest. Or are in need of a change in their company.Business owners should consider hiring a business consultant when they need help or perspective on their chosen field of interest. Or are in need of a change in their company.

Pricing ranges based on the needs and goals of your business. Typically fees are determined by estimating the number of hours it will take to complete the project, multiplied by their hourly rate. Usually, consultants require basic terms, such as a percentage of their fee be paid when the business signs the contract for services, otherwise known as a retainer fee.

A business coach takes steps to help you improve as the leader of your business. A business consultant takes a more specialized hands-on approach by providing specific solutions for the business itself. Simply put, coaching is done WITH you and consulting is done FOR you.

There are various types of business consultants specializing in different business aspects. My area of expertise is in Strategic Planning and Management. Some of the key levels of this type of consulting focuses on are the following:

• Expanding into new markets and/or increasing awareness in your current market.

• Reorganizing your business model to create a cost-effective strategy.

• Increasing your business’s capabilities.

• Acquiring a new business venture and building strategic partnerships.

• Merge with another business or change your business’s structure.

• Standing in as middle management during the transition period.

We also specialize in operational consulting. Which supports your organization in helping you improve day-to-day processes. This type of consulting takes inventory of your current business model and strategizes on the best way to produce the same high-quality results at a fraction of the cost and time. These consultants also support your business through quality control and understanding how to tweak and optimize your production for better results.

Consultations that take 20 minutes or less are free. More in depth consultations where detailed information is needed will have a cost. Please refer to the services section of the website for pricing. If you were referred to my consulting group, your consultation is cost free up to 30 minutes. Please be sure to mention who you were referred by so I can be sure to thank them. 

Generally, there are three stages of a business consultant’s process: discovery, evaluation and implementation. 

In the discovery phase, the goal is to learn about your business. A good business consultant takes the time to learn as much as possible about a business from the owner and employees.

In the evaluation phase, the goal then is to identify where change is needed. This phase includes identifying your company’s strengths and weaknesses as well as current and foreseeable problems. And then finding actionable solutions that eliminate the problems or put systems in place that provide a work around for them. This is a key area where communication and feedback are essential to creating an effective plan to make the proper adjustments for growth in your company. 

Once your company agrees on a plan. We enter the implementation phase: which sometimes includes restructuring the business or implementation of the agreed upon plan. The consultant will then build on your assets and eliminates liabilities. And will monitor the plan’s progress and make adjustments as needed.

It is reasonable to set goals and measure deliverables for any consultant you chose to work with. This process is similar to management by objectives and implementing SMART goals.. 

1. Set clear, measurable objectives. At the beginning of the work, be sure that you and your consultant establish clear objectives that are as specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-oriented (SMART) as possible.

2. Establish the tangible results you want. Establish your desired financial outcome and any other measurable outcomes. Such as increased revenue, annual savings, or reduced employee turnover.

3. Determine the intangible results you want. Ensure your consultant knows the intangible results you want to see. Those may include improving morale, strong implementation of business values and increased customer satisfaction.

4. Measure progress at each phase. Measure your objectives and the progress at every phase of your collaboration.

5. Evaluate KPIs. Evaluate the set key performance indicators (KPIs) at the end of your consultant’s work.

6. Provide feedback based on a questionnaire. A consultant can provide a comprehensive questionnaire that covers the entire business ecosystem and desired areas for improvement at the start of the project. And then they can offer the same set of questions at the end. This way, you’ll be able to easily compare the results.