Why a Certified Business Consultant?

All purchases, whether it’s business to consumer (B to C) or business to business (B to B), are made for the same two reasons – either purchase benefits or seek solutions to problems. Buying a wheelchair ramp because you can no longer maneuver up and down stairs, purchasing a new tire because the current tire is flat and cannot be repaired or purchasing a new part for your lawnmower so it will start again are all examples of solutions to problems. Buying a can of Pepsi, purchasing new blinds to replace your existing ones to make your home look nicer or buying a firepit for your back patio to keep guests warm while you entertain are all instances of purchasing benefits. Day by day, week in and week out, or year over year every company on this planet works to sell products or services to fulfill customer’s wants (benefits) or needs (problems).

For Owners & CEO’s of small businesses, the challenge to remain laser focused on their mission, vision, founding principles and future of the company can be daunting. Issues like competitors, products or services, company culture, inventory and employee & customer retention are constant disruptions. Mid-sized to large companies have the benefit of an extensive leadership team with expertise in specific areas whose sole purpose within the organization is to ensure the above tasks are taken care of successfully. For most small businesses, the Owner or CEO is oftentimes the “chief cook and bottle washer” to manage these day-to-day issues. For a small business to sustain long-term success an owner or CEO needs to have a wide array of knowledge in multiple areas of business. More often than not, leadership teams of small businesses lack this overall type of knowledge. A small business owner might have significant passion and love of the business, but this isn’t enough to create a sustainable and profitable company. When leadership teams of small businesses do not understand how to analyze specific components of their business, then sensible decisions are not made. Effective owners and their leadership teams will contact a business consultant who has expertise in areas of their business where they lack knowledge and are most vulnerable.

There are two types of business consultants, certified and non-certified. One isn’t necessarily better or more qualified than the other. I have met numerous business consultants who are not certified but have plenty of skill, knowledge and experience to benefit struggling small businesses. I have also met certified business consultants with little experience, who have never owned a small business and have no business consulting for organizations who need help. Consulting certifications are a dime-a-dozen. Someone can become certified within a week by taking an online certification course, passing a multiple choice test and promoting themselves as a “certified business consulting expert”. Reputable certifying agencies in any industry are designed to prove that an individual validated their knowledge in a specific skill, field, or area of expertise. Quality certifications help professionals advance their careers, enhance their credibility, make themselves more marketable and gain a competitive advantage. If you are a small business owner or part of a leadership team who’s searching for a business consultant, choosing a candidate with a reputable certification proves that a professional has taken the time and necessary steps to go above and beyond to become as knowledgeable as possible in their chosen field. Some of the top tier and most recognizable business consulting certifications within the profession are the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) through the Institute of Management Consultants, Project Management Professional (PMP) through the Project Management Institute, Certified Business Consultant through the Six Sigma Global Institute (SSGI), and the Accredited Small Business Consultant through the Association of Accredited Small Business Consultants (AASBC). Whatever choice is made upon hiring a small business consultant, it is imperative to conduct thorough research beforehand to ensure that the individual or firm is professional, will provide sound advice, and give you the confidence needed to trust the process and plan they put together to solve issues within your company.

With as many distractions as small business owners and their leadership teams face today, a certified small business consultant with the appropriate credentials should significantly increase the odds for long-term or sustainable success. Consultants give hope to small business owners who feel trapped in the day-to-day operations and tasks of their company that prevents them from becoming the visionary leader needed to drive their organization and team forward. They act as sounding boards for owner’s or CEO’s to bounce ideas or thoughts across. A knowledgeable consultant challenges owners or CEOs when their other team members don’t feel comfortable in order to break through complex challenges and elevate their business to new heights. For most business owners or CEO’s, it’s lonely at the top when there’s no leadership team providing support. A certified business consultant can be that piece of the puzzle needed at a much more effective cost than hiring internal staff. This will allow the small business owner or CEO with the opportunity to refocus on fulfilling their customers wants & needs through selling their products or services.