1. DON MCGONAGLE
Things To Consider
Before Choosing
The Business
Consultant

2. 1
INTRODUCTION
Getting a new business off the ground is no small feat. Neither is
scaling up that business and taking it to the next level. These are
the main challenges facing entrepreneurs and small business
owners.
They have a huge amount on their plate to try to achieve these
goals. Too often, decision makers in small businesses attempt to
carry the whole burden.
They want to be in control of their firm and feel a responsibility
to its development and growth. They think it’s only they whose
duty it is to achieve that growth. That’s entirely understandable,
but it’s rarely the right way to go.
Business Consultant

3. What Is Business Consultant
Instead of investing heavily in costly
technologies or contingent staff, most
businesses employ the services of consulting
firms. Consultants are usually hired for their
specialized skills and their access to digital
tools and infrastructure. These firms provide
businesses the expertise and resources they
need in a more cost-effective setup.
There are many different types of business
consultant. Some work on specific areas of a
company and others offer more generic
advice. The most common types of
consultant are as follows:

4. 01
HR Consultants
02
Sales & Marketing Consultants
03
IT Consultants
04
Strategy & Management
Consultants
Different Types
of Business
Consultant

5. HR CONSULTANTS
SALES & MARKETING
CONSULTANTS
Consultants with a focus on a firm’s HR can be invaluable. They
will offer insights into everything to do with a business’s
personnel and staffing. That might include suggestions about
hiring and firing. It may also cover areas like pay and benefits for
different staff members.
These experts take a narrower view. They focus on the two
connected departments of sales and marketing. They may
suggest a new campaign for a firm to adopt or one they should
scrap. They might also pinpoint weaknesses with sales
techniques. Or even problems with a firm’s current sales staff.
Different Types of
Business
Consultant

6. IT CONSULTANTS
STRATEGY & MANAGEMENT
CONSULTANTS
Many business owners have something of a blind spot when it
comes to IT. Consultants specific to this area help to ease the
issues this may cause. They can assess a firm’s IT infrastructure
and help improve it. They can also offer ideas on how to scale
that infrastructure with the business’s own growth.
Experts who take a wider view of firms they work with. They
look at the overall picture of how a business is run and whether
business strategy is correct. Their insights will be towards the
ends of growing and developing the business. Often over the
longer term.
Different Types of
Business
Consultant

7. Different things to look out for when vetting
candidates:
KNOWLEDGE & TRAINING
1
TRUSTWORTHINESS &
INTEGRITY
2
NICHE OR INDUSTRY FOCUS
3
DONE ONGOING

8. It’s not necessary to have academic qualifications to be
a good business consultant. Many may argue that
practical experience is much more important (we’ll get
to that shortly). When you’re assessing potential
consultants, though, perusing a CV is a fair way to
start.
It’s also good if they’ve completed lots of other courses.
That shows you that they’re dedicated to self-
improvement. They’ll likely have the kind of attitude that
would serve them well in helping your firm.
Knowledge
& Training
DON MCGONAGLE

9. DON MCGONAGLE
Trust is key to any business relationship. Or relationship
in general. If you’re going to work with a business
consultant, you need to have complete trust in them.
You’ll be sharing intimate details of your company and
business strategy with them.
You need to be certain that they’re always going to give
you the best advice. Even if it’s something you may not
want to hear. Or if it’s something that might cost the
consultant more business with you. When it comes to
working with a consultant, honesty truly is the best
policy.
Trustworthiness &
Integrity

10. DON MCGONAGLE
Many consultants work only with certain types of
companies. Some work with firms of a certain size.
Others specialise in a particular field or niche. Before
approaching a consultant, make sure they do work with
businesses like yours. Otherwise, you’ll be wasting your
precious time.
Niche or Industry
Focus

11. THANK YOU