Business Strategy Consulting is an investment in your future success. You may think of a consulting firm as your business advisor, but a business strategy consultant is much more. A business strategy consultant will help you map out your company’s future, determining what strategies will get you there and what strategies are likely to get you off the ground running and create the type of impact you desire. Their services may include creating a plan for marketing to your key demographic, implementing strategies to grow your business, determining what kinds of products or services will be profitable in the future, and evaluating your current performance. In short, a business strategy consultant looks at your company from a strategic planning perspective and gives you a comprehensive strategic plan – one that focuses on “where” you want to be, not just “how” you got there.

However, the most important skill of business strategy consultants is their ability to act as “time-keepers” for you. It’s amazing how many people blame their lack of productivity on the “lack of time.” But the truth is that if you spend too much time worrying about your responsibilities and being overly self-conscious, you’re not giving yourself the best chance to succeed. Time management is a skill that many management analysts overlook in their efforts to help others succeed. But if you don’t master it, you’re destined to waste your valuable time doing things that won’t bring you closer to your goals.

So how does a business strategy consultant help a business owner to become more productive? First, he identifies the problems that are keeping you from reaching your goals. Second, he provides a solution to those problems by offering realistic advice about how to solve them. Finally, he brings realistic expectations to your work so you realize that you can make it work.

In hiring business strategy consultants, however, business owners need to be sure that they are looking for someone who will be helpful. Some focus only on price, while others offer high-level strategies that cost thousands of dollars. You need to find consultants who have significant experience working with small businesses but who offer reasonable pricing for their services. And keep in mind that what works well for one business owner may not work well for yours.

Some business strategy consultants charge a flat fee for strategic planning sessions, while others charge a percentage of your business profits for helping you achieve your goals. Still, others work on a per-customer basis, seeking to develop personal relationships with their clients so they’ll continue to recommend their services when they’re needed. If you’re considering hiring a strategic planning consultant, ask to see examples of their previous work. Then use those examples to gauge their professionalism and their commitment to your business strategy.