Why companies hire consultants and how you can consider adding consulting as a service today
Brands and companies all have differing reasons as to why they hire consultants, but the main reason that they are sought after is that they’re experts in their industries and they really know what they’re doing.
For consultants, this opportunity to help out brands of all sizes can be extremely rewarding and lucrative.
And for YOU reading this, if you haven’t thought about expanding your business to offer consulting services, I’m about to give you some fabulous reasons as to why you should (and if you’ve already thought about it, then head over to my episode on how I structure the consulting end of my business!) Nonetheless, here is why companies hire consultants:
Consultants offer a third-party, unbiased POV on a project or decisions that need to be made.
This is by far the main reason why consultants are hired. 9 times out of 10, the advantages of using external consultants are because they can offer the ability to get from point A to point B without company emotions, drama, politics holding up the process.
You can help them make decisions without any prior knowledge or feelings about the project you are brought on to help. An example could be assessing a marketing budget (which I do!) There’s nothing on the budget you personally are invested in, and you can analyze it from a business perspective and see what needs more help and what really doesn’t.
Consultants offer relief for a brand or company strapped for hands.
The second biggest reason? You can provide some much-needed help!
Sometimes consulting help is brought on because a brand or company doesn’t have the manpower internally to take on additional tasks. Bringing in a consultant can also help shift around responsibilities so other employees can focus on other things (things they’re actually hired to do) while you do what you do best – whatever that is!
Consultants offer a cost-effective solution for a brand or company.
Not all brands or companies have the same budget when it comes to hiring for certain positions (especially niche ones!). It might be cheaper to hire someone who is specialized in a specific area short term, rather than take the necessary resources to search, interview, vet, and hire someone at a salaried level long term.
FUN FACT: If you are thinking of adding consulting to your repertoire of services, this is a GREAT pitching talking point. Because who doesn’t love saving money while getting the results they wan and need?
Consultant’s expertise guarantees quality assurance.
When it comes to getting something done, as an expert in a specific field you KNOW you can do it and do it right. This factor can be very persuasive for some brands or companies who are launching into something that is pivotal for them.
For one, they can relax knowing that their xyz is going to be taken care of thoroughly, and also they can use YOUR name as a credibility resource. It’s a win-win situation: you get your name out there, and the brand can be seen as a company that knows how to hire the right people.
Consultants offer connections and reach they may discover they need.
Brands and companies recognize that spheres of influence and networks are everything in the business world – and you may offer valuable connections for them!
By bringing in a consultant, this can help them connect with other brands or reach a different audience, whether as a by-product of the relationship or strategically as you’re working together.
This also goes two ways! You never know who you might connect with when working for someone outside your own business. (Networking comes in all amazing forms!)
Consultants don’t affect the internal workings of the hiring brand or company.
This might not be one of the top of mind reasons people think about when hiring consultants or when people think about adding consulting their services, but it is a handy little tidbit.
When you’re brought on as a third party for your services, you yourself are not affecting day-to-day operations. So you and/or your team can get your sh*t done, and the ongoing tasks of the hiring company can continue with ease. (Tip: this is another great pitching point!)
Why Companies Hire Consultants: The Recap
Consulting can be something very valuable to offer a service in your business, if you choose to share your expertise with the world. If I have managed to convince you of the incredible reasons out there as to why people need and hire consultants, and you yourself want to become one – then make sure to check out my “Ditch DFY for Good: How to Launch a Consulting Arm of Your Biz” masterclass.
So if you want to start offering small business consulting services, look no further. In this tell-all masterclass I discuss everything from why consulting is extremely lucrative, how to figure out exactly what it is YOU can offer as a consultant, and how to start booking clients for your consulting services.
Click here to grab a copy and watch anytime!
– Laur