How to hire a consultant

As a small business entrepreneur, it's important that you posses personal and professional traits required to build and to maintain your business. There are various skills that are mandatory for business operations such as financial, marketing and production management. You can hire skilled employees or subcontract consultants to assist in these tasks - that's if the budget allows. Ultimately, as a business owner, you will determine your strengths and weaknesses and need to be cognizant of when to seek out the expertise of others. Even if you are outsourcing any or all tasks, please have an understanding of that particular consultant's responsibilities. Most small business owners will need to wear many hats - that being the cost of an autonomous venture and the freedom of being your own boss.

From the start-up of your business, many decisions need to be made, making it very tempting to buy help for projects, such as a business plan, incorporating your business, building your web site, etc. There are times when nothing less than a pro, will do and when that path is chosen, make it a strategic one. Your business goals will be the determining factor, if you need or, can even afford, help.

Use this business form as an example. There are numerous publications explaining business forms that provide a general idea of advantages and disadvantages of each form. Since the liability and tax strategy of your business can be greatly impacted by your decision, it may be a good time to ask the pros. Using this example, the major concerns are liability and taxes and, you'll need an attorney and an accountant, respectively. Recognizing the type of professional is just the beginning; you're not going to trust, just anybody, with your future.

First ask friends and colloquies for names of attorneys and accountants they are pleased with and, add these names to a list. Next, grab the phone book and make calls asking for a free consultation; you'll be surprised at how many offer this service. Arrive at the free consultation armed with a list of questions. The list is very important and the responses will separate the different attorneys and accountants. The final criteria to select one over another is, totally, up to you but, maybe, this list of questions can help. Your interaction with the person and, possibly, their business image will also come into play. Here is a list that you can start with:

• Accessibility - Hours, weekends, can you call for quick consultation free of charge.

• Knowledge - Particular field of interest, continuing education, association meetings.

• Simplicity - Organization, accounting system. Cooperative alliances.

• Small Business Clientele - Any similar businesses.

• Fees, Payments, Charges per Hour.

The previous example is a simpler decision than most, for instance, determining when to seek marketing advice. The process will, basically, be the same: resolving if you are capable of performing the task on your own, if it is a wise return on investment and deciding who is the right choice from an army of consultants. Truly, this is one of the hardest determinations a business owner will make. The fact that someone else will tell you what to do in your own business, may be difficult to accept. However, if you wait too long, you may discover that help is needed when no funds remain in the budget.

The amount of free advice available is staggering, especially considering information found over the Internet. Did you ever hear the adage that you get what you pay for? Be skeptical before implementing something you see in a discussion group or web page, while thinking, that this is the missing piece to your success. If someone is showing you how to make money, you want to make sure they're using the same advice to make money themselves.

You are at home and a water pipe bursts. Do you fix it yourself, or call a plumber? There is nothing wrong with being a "do-it-yourselfer," but you better fix it right the first time or the tab from the damage will be much higher than calling the plumber in the first place. Use the same judgment with your business challenges. Sure, being an entrepreneur means being involved with all aspects of the business. Add flexibility to the mix and don't rule out professional help from someone who does what you need, day in and day out. Make sure to use discretion - does the hired professional appreciate your goals? Seeking professional assistance, may be the boost your business needs to reach the next level. On the other hand, it can be a constant financial drain with little or no results. The responsibility is still yours to be vigilant; no one cares as much or has as much to lose, as the president of your small business.