Recommend me a business consultant

[sam.r]

Hi all looking at recommendations for someone to come into a company and have a look to see how it is running from a business point of view.

Evaluate the current situation and possible plans to improve in the coming years.

Its a small business.

Has anyone used the services of these people - any help gained or do they just state the obvious???

[Plotloss]

Speak to your accountant.

They may even be able to offer this service or will know someone that can.

[flyingjase]

Depends on what you are looking to achieve and what your end game is.

There are a lot of these so called 'business consultants' however the recomendation needs to be aligned to your goals.

For example, if you are looking to build the business for sale then speak to an advisor that has (proven) experience of grooming businesses for that.

What is your current situation (size of business / aspirations etc) then I can point you in the right direction.

Good luck with it

Jason

[Carsie]

...cough cough.....always glad to help

[Burba]

double <cough> <cough>... me too

[Russ T Bin]

Interesting thread as i am too in the same position.

Started up a company and its doing well so far, but i am a hands on chap who can generate the work, do the work, but i do not know enough about how to run a business, VAT / TAX etc, I have enrolled in some courses that are coming up soon so i hope that may help ?

[flyingjase]

Russ T Bin said:

Interesting thread as i am too in the same position.

Started up a company and its doing well so far, but i am a hands on chap who can generate the work, do the work, but i do not know enough about how to run a business, VAT / TAX etc, I have enrolled in some courses that are coming up soon so i hope that may help ?

Sounds like you need a book keeper / accountant.

I'd advise not to pay for a business consultant at this stage. Business consultants can be worth their money at the right stage in your business growth, however at your stage stick to Business Link courses / FSB etc. Once you've got ambition beyond that then look for a business consultant that has experience of your needs.

If you've ever heard the phrase 'steal your watch and then they'll tell you the time' then you'll know what I mean.

Remember it's YOUR money / effort, if business consulants were so great, why are they out there doing for themsleves? Take their advice, but follow your own.

Happy to talk to you free over the phone if you want.

Jason

[Eric Mc]

Russ T Bin said:

Interesting thread as i am too in the same position.

Started up a company and its doing well so far, but i am a hands on chap who can generate the work, do the work, but i do not know enough about how to run a business, VAT / TAX etc, I have enrolled in some courses that are coming up soon so i hope that may help ?

YHM

[Brown and Boris]

I used the local businesslink : free but not exactly cutting edge advice and the guy the gave me wasn't exactly Richard Branson in terms of experience, perspective in my sector nor ideas. More a sounding board I found.

Business consultancy is a shark infested water and I think you can only go on recommendations, so accountant is a good starting point I think.

[Plotloss]

Carsie/Burba do you work in the areas of finding potentially unconventional short term finance options?

[Carsie]

No not really but I do have corporate finance contacts- generally speaking if the deal makes commercial sense then its a bankable proposition anyway it just depends on who has the appetite for the risk at that particular time. If you feel more comfortable off forum then drop me a line I'll see if theres anything I can do to help.

Edited by Carsie on Thursday 26th June 10:49

[Burba]

Plotloss said:

Carsie/Burba do you work in the areas of finding potentially unconventional short term finance options?

echo'ing Carsie's comments, it depends on the risk attached to that funding requirement.
question though, why are you looking at unconvential methods, as this immediately asks why a conventional method wouldn't work? is there something wrong in your proposal perhaps?
typically though, most investing groups aren't risk averse at present, as it's just seen as an opportunity to buy into undervalued entities, that will pay off in the long run.

my usual remit is to look at current setup and streamline work process, which may include Development, Production, Marketing, Distribution, Finance and even HR! I don't typically provide solutions (unless that is my actual role) but usually provide opportunities that the business may not currently recognise.

Any more, drop me a line