How to Select A Business Consultant –

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For many business owners, choosing a consultant is almost like shooting in the dark. According to a recent study, only 7% of businesses feel they know all the questions to ask when hiring a consultant.

The process of choosing a consultant isn’t any different from purchasing other business services. First, you must identify a list of potential service providers and send out requests for quotation (RFQ’s) … and then possibly requests for additional information, known as requests for information (RFI’s.) Next, with the consultant, you need to: (i) target desired outcomes, (ii) define a scope of work and (iii) agree on a project budget. Before negotiating a final agreement, remaining concerns on both sides are discussed and then references should be checked before selecting a consultant or consulting firm.

Because so much of the success of a consulting engagement depends on the “human element,” there are a handful of specific questions you should be asking the consultant during the selection process.

Consider the following questions, which are broken down into six-(6) categories, as a checklist you can use to make sure you have been thorough in your due diligence. Evaluate the candidates on each of the following questions using a scale of one-(1) to ten-(10) and total your score to quantify the consultant’s fit for your business.

1. Knowledge Competence: What is the consultant’s educational background and experience ? How well does the consultant — or consulting firm — know your industry and the specific problems you are trying to solve ? and how well do they know your marketplace – i.e., the political, legal, economic & tax environment, competitive forces, etc. To learn more about the consultant’s education and experience, you should review the consultant’s LinkedIn page, and ask for their resume and/or firm’s statement of qualifications.

2. Technical Expertise: Some consultants are generalists, others are specialists, and the most experienced consultants may claim both general and specific knowledge. After identifying the consultant’s technical expertise, you should ask whether the consultant(s) possess any certifications ?

“Certified Management Consultants,” for example, have been vetted for their understanding of consulting and their track record of success; moreover, there are ethical standards to which they must adhere, as well as continuing education requirements they must fulfill.

3. Process Compatibility: Questions to ask here include: What models and methodologies does the consultant or consultants use to implement change ? Does their process fit with your business ? And how intrusive will the process be on your business ?

4. Methods of Knowledge Transfer: Methods of knowledge transfer refer not only to the human element (i.e., the consultant’s communication skills and how they interact with managers and employees,) but also how practical and “hands on” the consultant will be to ensure project alignment and attainment ? Key questions to ask here include: what is the demeanor of the consultant and how is his or her chemistry with your management team ?

5. Performance Assurance: Questions to ask to ensure that you get a substantial project ROI: Does the consultant have any kind of performance guarantee ? How do they follow up after the project ? And do they have a track record of success in similar situations ?

6. Character & Ethics: Last, what do their past clients (references) have to say about them ? Do they have past legal issues, BBB complaints or negative Internet reviews ?

Hiring the right consltant offers many benefits including the ability to: (a) solve business problems the business is unable to solve, (b) introduce new ideas and industry best practices, (c) be a catalyst for change — by circumventing organization dysfunctions, for example, (d) improve employee morale, and (e) get you where you want to be more quickly with respect to the objectives of for the project, which could include improved sales, cash flow, profits, quality, customer service, productivity, employee safety, more free time and better overall competitiveness in the marketplace.

If you are looking for a top notch small to midsized business consultant, feel free to reach out to the author, James J Talerico, Jr., at 1-800-828-7585, or review the Institute of Management Consultants USA web site for more choices.

Jim earned his Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation in June of 2019. Less than 1% of all management consultants worldwide are certified.