While many business leaders understand why to hire a consultant (Specialist, Professional, Veteran, Expert...), often the real question is about when to hire a consultant. You have needs in your business and you have choices to fill those needs, when is a consultant the best, or at least an on-par, option?

1. WHEN TO HIRE A CONSULTANT
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2. This is true for start up CEOs, small business
owners and organization heads.
For example, you could build out the new
marketing campaign, but that is really the job of the
senior marketer… and you only have a junior
marketer.
A consultant bridges the gap allowing you to
lead, to supervise at the executive level, and to
empower your staff through project engagement.
YOU COULD DO THE JOB YOURSELF,
BUT YOU SHOULD NOT
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3. Sometimes a key business need or project comes along
and it is outside of what your staff does on a daily
basis.
All you can see is fear in their eyes.
Fear of failure, fear of overtime, fear of change, fear
of hard work.
Consultants "live change" and complete big projects
and work under high expectations every day.
YOUR EMPLOYEES ARE AFRAID
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4. You really haven’t quite figured out the sort of
skills, or personality, or experience that will
best fulfill your needs.
Work with a consultant to refine or define your
needs.
A consultant’s experience can be a great
sounding board to focus your business.
YOU ARE UNSURE OF YOUR NEEDS
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5. Having a budget for employees is an issue for
just about any organization.
A consultant is likely your best use of your
funds.
You limit your financial exposure to the
amount contracted.
You “buy” only the work needed.
HEADCOUNT IS A BIG ISSUE
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6. Consultants are often immediately available and
don’t require much if any training.
A full-time employee requires turning on the hiring
process, finding budget and approval for the hire,
spinning up recruiters and spending in multiple
organizations to on-board an employee.
Not to mention that when a mistake is made with a
full-time hire, it is more costly to undo than with a
consultant.
IMMEDIATE EXPERIENCE IS
REQUIRED
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7. If you have a one-off job or a short-term
project, hire a consultant rather than disrupting
your full-time employees’ work plan.
Just as most businesses have full-time financial
people but hire contract accountants at tax time,
consultants can provide expert services when
performing due diligence on a company or
technology, evaluating new markets or business
strategies, and more.
YOUR NEEDS ARE SHORT-TERM
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8. Timing is everything and businesses often need to
“get the ball rolling.”
This leads to existing staff being overtaxed as stand-
ins, or a costly delay in the program.
A consultant will get the project started, set up the
necessary processes, build customer engagements,
resolve technology concerns and meet other needs as
well as transition the project to your newly hired team
when they finally come on board.
YOU NEED TO GET THE PROJECT
STARTED
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9. “Try before you buy” is part of the when as well as
the why of hiring a consultant.
When you want an industry expert, look for a
consultant before spending your money on someone
who might not work out in the long term.
A good industry consultant may also be able
to refer a colleague to two for your permanent roles.
YOU WANT TO TRY BEFORE YOU BUY
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10. Read the blog and download the article at
www.JordanRidge.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION
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