This is where a small business consultant comes in! A small business consultant is someone who is trained to look at businesses and their operations from the viewpoint of achieving the goals of the business owner. From starting a small business to marketing to new audiences to growing a small business into a big company, a business consultant can often cut through the fog and pinpoint areas where small changes can make a big difference in achieving your goals. Here are a few ways that business consultants can be beneficial to a small business.

Planning & Development

If you have had a business for years or are just starting out, the road to reaching your next level isn't always clear and laid out. A small business consultant can help select a business model, develop a business plan, boost fundraising, and help launching new products and services.

Strategy

Even small and micro businesses need brand strategies, and knowing how to help your business grow and reach the right audience will be key to reaching your goals. Whether your goal is to have local influence or to expand to international markets, a business consultant can help you lay out the steps your business will need to take to get you to each level of growth. Do you want to expand product lines? A small business consultant can help you build a roadmap to success and give you advice on the specific tactics and resources needed to achieve those goals.

Marketing

A small business consultant can also help you develop marketing and sales techniques that reach the right audiences and help your business grow. From creating a marketing plan to social media strategy; from SEO to content marketing, and more, a business consultant can help you drive traffic to your online store fronts and brick and mortar locations, too.

Staffing

Talent acquisition has never been more important in today's economy, and human resources issues have gotten more complex in recent years. A business consultant with connections to talent and staffing resources will help you fill positions quickly with the right people to help your business prosper. A business consultant may also be able to direct you to resources to fill organizational gaps as well as train staff on complicated topics such as inclusion, harassment, diversity, benefits, remote work, working with freelancers and/or contract employees, and more. This is one of the most important areas your small business will deal with, as having the wrong talent can impact efficiency and your bottom line very quickly.

Problem Solving

You know your business best, so you may be aware of where the most pressing issues with yourbusiness lie, but be out of ideas on how to solve them. A small business consultant will be able to look at your business and its problems objectively and help you develop strategies for alleviating or eliminating the areas of concern, as well as help you create a strategy for heading off future issues. Having processes and contingency plans in place can leave you sitting better when problems arise, including ones that are out of your control, as the pandemic so plainly showed us.

Finances

From cash flow to accounting, business finance is a complex area and far too many small business owners fly by the seat of their pants when it comes to the topic of money. A small business consultant will be able to give you advice on how to better manage your business' financials, including record keeping, hiring an accountant, taxes, payroll, expenses, profit and loss statements, and more. A small business consultant with accounting certification will be able to help you find areas where you can rethink spending, plan for retirement, create an emergency fund, and tax planning.

Technology & Security

It's a small business' nightmare to become the victim of a data breach, as many small businesses are ill-equipped to handle the fallout from a hack. Dealing with a data breach can be expensive, time consuming, and open you up to liability if customer data is breached. Additionally, it's critical to know technology regulations for privacy and data. A small business consultant well versed in IT and security can direct you to resources to protect your business and customer data, as well as fill in gaps in knowledge in your staff or management.

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