a Tips for Hiring the Right Consultant by Shaun Dallas Dance | Oct 28, 2020 | shaun dallas dance, strategic planning
Hiring a consultant can be very risky. Nearly anyone can get a tax ID number and a company logo and claim to be an independent consultant. Because of this, it is very important to verify the legitimacy of any rm before you hire them. In addition, it’s important to do your own assessment before taking the plunge and investing time and money in a consultancy contract. The rst step would be to determine whether you actually need external help or if it’s an issue that can be handled internally. De ne clearly what the problems are, and then walk yourself through a checklist of potential issues. Some companies need a restructuring of their organizational hierarchy. Some need a more uid chain of communication such as open-door policies instead of static weekly meetings.
Another important thing to examine about your business is whether a consultant is something you can even a ord. Start-up companies are at their most vulnerable during their rst three years, which is also when many growing pains occur. Examine your budget – not everyone can a ord a tier 1 consultancy rm like McKinsey. Fortunately, there are many other options if you decide to go ahead. Make sure you know exactly what you want the consultant to do by making a list of existing problems and how you imagine a successful outcome. Does success look like a higher pro t margin? Increased brand recognition? Longer turnover between employee hires? While it may be di cult, it’s important to be honest about what is wrong and what might need to change. This is not a time for egos to get in the way. Be ready to hear recommendations and be open to change. There are many ways to put a company or independent contractor through a vetting process. Look at the age of the “ rm” and ask about previous contract durations. Check a consultant’s track record by asking for and checking references personally. One good thing about using a rm is that they have done the vetting phase in advance. Online freelancers are also vetted through sites like Upwork. In addition to formal checks, it also helps to check google reviews with a simple web search. During interviews, look for red ags to watch out for. A good sign of a vested party is if they ask you intriguing questions including the relationship you are hoping for, any challenges along the way, and the short- and long-term goals you wish to achieve. A consultant should be there to nd out as much as possible in order to come up with a custom-made solution just for you. If they appear to be tting you into a pre-fabricated one size ts all solution, they are not the right consultant for you. Lastly, make sure you get your contract in writing and stay in touch with the consultant throughout the process.
Search
Recent Posts Tips for Hiring the Right Consultant
Creating a New Direction For Your Business Welcome!
Archives October 2020 September 2020
Categories shaun dallas dance strategic planning Uncategorized
Meta Log in Entries feed Comments feed WordPress.org
Links AngelList Issuu ThriveGlobal
©2020