The decision has already been made
If you are only looking for confirmation, you do not need a consultant.
Guide
When is consultingworth it?
Not every problem needs a consultant. These questions help you judge whether outside help makes sense or whether you can solve it yourself.
In short
Management consulting is worth it for small and medium-sized businesses when a problem has been known for months but nobody internally has the time or distance to solve it. Typical occasions are growth without a matching organisation, an upcoming investment, unclear priorities or a succession. Consulting makes little sense if the management does not want to take part in the work itself.
Typical occasions
- The business has grown, the organisation has not
- A larger investment is coming up, for example in software or a site
- A problem has been known for months and is not being solved
- The management is so tied up in operations that strategy is left undone
- A succession or a change in the owners' roles is coming up
- The team has different ideas about where to go
When consulting brings little
The management does not want to take part
Change in SMEs only works if the owners are involved themselves.
The problem is purely technical
For tax, law or IT technology there are specialised experts.
A simple rule of thumb
If an issue has been on your list for more than three months and is not moving forward despite good intentions, what is usually missing is not knowledge but time, distance or moderation. That is exactly where consulting helps.
A reputable consultant will tell you in the initial call if you do not need them.
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Further reading
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can a consultant understand my business if they do not come from my industry?
In strategy, organisation and workflows, the questions are very similar across industries. You and your team bring the specialist knowledge. The consultant brings distance, method and experience from other businesses.
How do I recognise a good management consultant?
By clear offers with described results, transparent prices, a named contact person and the fact that they do not earn from selling third-party follow-up services.
Is management consultant a protected profession?
No. In Germany anyone may call themselves a management consultant. That makes verifiable experience, clear offers and a conversation before you commission anyone all the more important.
When is consulting worth it?
Have your situation assessed
In the initial call we look at your specific situation. 20 minutes, free of charge.