I often get asked whether working with a consultant over a long time really adds value to any business.
For example, during a recent conversation with a friend, I happened to mention that I was completing a report for a client.
I also told her that I’ve worked with this client for the past 5 years. My friend looked at me with shock as she wondered out loud, “Why would a client engage you for so long?”
Since this is a reaction I get frequently, let me share five benefits of engaging a consultant over a longer duration.
5 benefits of working with a consultant over a long time
1. The consultant gets to understand your business better
This helps the consultant provide more customized solutions that are easily adaptable to your business.
This is especially advantageous when a consultant is preparing content for training you or your team. Since the consultant understands you better, they prepare the right solution for your challenge.
In contrast, a one-off interaction with a consultant may end up with you getting a ‘one-size-fits-all’ off the rack solution.
2. There’s reduction of unnecessary overlap
When you work with different consultants, each of them comes up with their own version of the solutions that you need.
However, when you work with one consultant for a longer period, each assignment within your engagement builds on the previous one(s).
This helps prevent repetition and unnecessary overlap. You save time and money which can be utilized for other facets of the business like marketing and product development.
3. You build good rapport with the consultant
The rapport will extend to ‘freebies’ such as valuable advice from the consultant through impromptu phone calls and emails.
Such informal consultation sessions are normally not charged for, but they provide a value addition to your business.
4. You have a trusted advisor
The consultant gets to straddle between being the neutral fly on the wall as well as a person who genuinely understands your business.
They have your best interest and provide solutions and/or advice that’s practical, unbiased and functional.
5. You tap into the consultant’s experience and networks
Professional consultants have a wealth of experience garnered from dealing with, and networking with other clients.
The longer you interact with the consultant, the more you benefit more from their knowledge and experience. They also connect you with their networks over time.
Is it worth it working with a consultant for long?
Many people think that working with a consultant over a long period of time is costly to the business. This is true only if you’re working with an inexperienced consultant or one that’s not suitable for your business.
However, when you get the right fit, a consultant provides immense value to your business. The rewards and benefits accrued from this long-term relationship greatly outweigh the consultancy fees charged.
If you want your business to leapfrog to the next level, or want to motivate and fire up your employees, engaging a consultant over a period of at least 6-10 months will yield the results you want and help you get unstuck.
Do you need a consultant or a coach?
It’s easy to get confused when thinking of hiring an external expert. And sometimes, you may not know whether you need a consultant or a coach. You also don’t want to waste time and money, so you want to make the right choice.
Does this sound like you?
Talk to one of our business coaches or book a Business Breakthrough strategy session and let us help you make the right decision.
During this consultation, the coach will help you:
- Clarify your vision of the ultimate business success you’re seeking.
- Uncover hidden challenges and obstacles that may be sabotaging your success.
- Identify whether you need to work with a consultant or business coach to overcome these obstacles.
We’re brutally honest in the strategy sessions. By the end of the session, if one of our programs is a good fit for you, the coach will offer it to you.
If your coach feels that you’re OK on your own, they’ll tell you and show you how to do it.
If you need help from a consultant or someone outside Biashara 360, your coach will direct you to them or help you identify the specific person or organization to reach out to.
So take a moment to book your Business Breakthrough strategy session today.
NOTE: One-off consultations or strategy sessions are not a replacement for a comprehensive consulting engagement or coaching program. If you’ve had a complimentary or paid for consultation with us, then you already know your next step. If your next step is coaching, Contact us and let’s move the conversation forward.
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2 replies to "Does Working With A Consultant Over a Long Time Add Value to Your Business?"
I believe that some businesses need consultants on a longer term basis. Like were I am, I’ve been here since late January. Though I completed the training I was hired to do within two months, I also had to retrain those who were still struggling to adapt to change.
Then there were the new staff who came on after some of the older staff left. Those who left did so because they didn’t want to adapt to the new roles or had disciplinary issues.
As adjustments were made, promotions came and there was need to train the newly appointed staff in the acting roles of ‘supervisors’. Now am about to finish taking them through their performance appraisals. This was done in view of the training that I had done with them.
So depending on the client’s business direction, it helps to keep a consultant for a longer period.
Thank you for sharing your experience Angela. It’s great that your client realized the need for continuity even after you’d completed the initial engagement. I hope the team is getting more cohesive as you work with them.