Last year’s words belong to last year’s language. And next year’s words await another voice.” – T.S. Eliot
New year, new summits to take — it’s an exciting time for small businesses and scrappy startups everywhere. But any new path needs a game plan. A strategic game plan. Behold the business strategy consultant, your most trusted ally for your most aggressive goals.
Firstly, what is a strategy consultant?
Business consulting is a broad term, but think of a strategy consultant as a business advisor with deliverables. They’re well learned in any given industry, using research, analysis and assessments to help their clients grow their business.
Here are 10 ways a strategy consultant can help you rock the New Year.
1. You’ll save time.
84% of business owners work more than 40 hours a week, according to a 2017 survey from The Alternative Board. But when table-stakes initiatives come up, your daily grind can’t stop. Business strategy consultants tackle big growth goals with hairy details, making sure nothing falls through the cracks. This frees your time to focus on daily operations or even dream up a new way to differentiate your products and services.
2. You’ll save money.
A study from the Society of Human Resource Management found businesses spend an average of $4,129 on new hires. All that training, onboarding, tech and office space costs: not an issue for strategy consultants. Consultants are extensions of your team who won’t allow processes to slow their speed to the finish line. This doesn’t mean new hires don’t have a place in your company — just that, for more strategic initiatives, a strategy consultant is a better investment.
3. You’ll innovate faster than ever.
Growth is the name of the small business game, but change often comes slowly with limited resources (and other things to worry about). Strategy consultants work within super tight deadlines to reach goals quickly, accelerating transformation in short bursts that make a big difference.
4. You’ll keep a pulse on the industry.
Knowledge is power, and strategy consultants are always aware of latest research and analyses of your industry. They use best practices to inform their work and help you rest easy knowing you’re always aware of the changing tides of business — and ready to respond.
5. You’ll get a fresh, unbiased look at your business.
A strategy consultant can be your best friend when it comes to out-of-the-box thinking. Not bound by the day-to-day, they can look at your business with a fresh set of eyes and offer solutions you may not have thought of being “in the weeds.” They’re also not afraid to challenge your thinking. Though attentive to your needs, they’re not “yes men” — they’ll offer an objective angle with the sole intent of getting the best results.
6. You’ll have their full attention for very specific needs.
Without having to balance several widely different tasks or projects, strategy consultants go guns blazing into whatever missions you throw their way. This gives you confidence that your most ambitious projects have the utmost attention and will be completed successfully and on time.
7. You’ll fulfill just about any business need.
You don’t always have to shoot for the moon when it comes to your consultant. Consulting work spans a “hierarchy of purposes”, services that span everything from improving company-wide efficiencies to giving information on a specific topic.
8. You’ll get a tailored plan that works for you — and only you.
Good strategy consultants use best practices to inform their work, but great consultants will tailor an action plan after a thorough assessment of your unique business. This balanced approach uses insider and outsider knowledge to solve your growth challenges.
9. You’ll learn new skills from watching them work.
Working with a strategy consultant isn’t a one-and-done deal. Savvy business leaders can draw inspiration from a strategy consultant’s methods, applying their principles to other business goals — an investment for the long haul, indeed.
10. You’ll develop a meaningful relationship.
A strategy consultant doesn’t have to be all business; the better fit they are for your company, the smoother your experience will be. Treat the selection process as if you were hiring a new employee. Someone who can work well with your teams and who fits in well with your company culture will go a long way.
At Sage Business Consulting, we celebrate small businesses and are committed to strategic growth every day. Learn how a management consulting session can help you build an action plan that fast tracks your growth and success!
We hope 2019 is your best year yet!