Hiring A Consultant: Should You or Shouldn’t You?

by Nikki DiBacco

 

I’ve been asked literally hundreds of times over the course of my career as a consultant what I do, or what qualifies me to be a ‘consultant’, or my favorite, why should the office/practice/manufacturer hire me at all.  Well, my honest opinion is this:  hiring my partners and I, or any consultant group, depends on what your needs are, and what your expected outcome is. Sometimes, a good office manager, or a revised marketing and business plan can be just what is needed. Other times, having an objective third party, with experience in your specific industry, is just what the doctor ordered.

So, what IS a consultant? 

Here is the legal definition:

A consultant is an individual who possesses special knowledge or skills and provides that expertise to a client for a fee. Consultants help all sorts of businesses find and implement solutions to a wide variety of problems, including those related to business start-up, marketing, manufacturing, strategy, organization structure, environmental compliance, health and safety, technology, and communications. Some consultants are self employed, independent contractors who offer specialized skills in a certain field. Other consultants work for large consulting firms that offer expertise in a wide range of business areas and still other consultants hail from academia.

So, the keywords here are:  special knowledge or skills, expertise, finding and implementing solutions. The mark of a good consultant is his or her experience…not just in a ‘job’ capacity, but in being able to adapt to your practice’s needs, and fulfilling your business goals. 

Some things to consider when speaking to a consultant regarding engaging their services:

What is their background? Are they well-rounded in their knowledge, or do they have one or two specific areas that they excel in?

Do they have references? Google them and see what they have done, what accomplishments they have made.

Be wary of anyone that makes ‘pie in the sky’ promises, or offers ‘guarantees’ of success. No one can predict what will happen once the consultant has completed their work, so guarantees and the like are an immediate red flag.

Determine what YOUR needs are, prior to any interviews with consultants.  This will help focus your questions and give you a better potential outcome with the consultant you hire.

Consultants have a place in every industry, and can provide invaluable advice and support.  And the best consultants will tell you, up front, if they are able to help you or not. So, to hire, or not to hire?  Do your homework, ask questions, and if you do choose to hire a consultant, you will have a much better potential successful relationship and more realistic expectations.

Nikki DiBacco is a writer, educator, consultant, and optical boutique owner in Panama City, FL. She is also the co-founder of The Visionaries Group. You can find out more about her at visionariesgroup.com