Subscribe to FeedWhen you are interviewing for a job, you are not only being considered for the position, you are considering whether you want to join that business. The same goes when you start a business. In fact, given the amount of dedication it takes to start, build and profit from a new business, it is critical that you look at the endeavor as a job and compare it to your other opportunities to make sure it is the right fit for you.
Behind every success story is great execution. And behind every successful execution is a well-worn set of projections and a plan. There are multitudes of resources and templates available online from sites like the Small Business Association, but how do you get started thinking through a new product or service concept? Before you write a polished plan, pull out trusty Microsoft Excel and start creating scenarios.
You have a challenge that requires specialized expertise to solve. The problem does not require a full-time hire so you turn to consultants. Three months later it seems the problem is not solved and a lot of money was spent. What happened?
Your first reaction might be to discard the idea of hiring a consultant. However, in successful relationships, consultants help businesses beat the market, scale more profitably, and achieve goals more quickly. What is the difference between these successful consulting arrangements and the others? How you manage the relationship.
