Many executives ask: Why should I hire a consultant? Here are six good reasons.
1. To obtain specialized expertise. Consultants have highly specialized knowledge that might not be available in-house, from understanding intellectual property law to how to conduct clinical trials. That knowledge can help you grow your business and achieve success.
2. To provide an objective viewpoint. The primary benefit of in-house employees —they know the company intimately—can be a drawback in some situations. Consultants work with many companies day in and day out, which gives them a broader perspective.
3. To save money. Many people think of consultants as expensive. However, a good consultant can save money. First, because hiring someone in-house with that much expertise could cost much more (think fixed expense vs. variable expense), and second, because they have highly specialized knowledge difficult to find in an employee, consultants can identify areas of vulnerability—such as illegal claims made on your product packaging or gaps in your quality control program—which, if not addressed, could cause a financial nightmare down the road.
4. To make money. Hiring a consultant to develop an innovative product, design irresistible packaging, write sales-generating copy or create buzz at a trade show can increase sales and profits, helping you recoup your original investment many times over.
5. To get something done fast. Consultants’ highly specialized knowledge makes them extremely efficient. In contrast, in-house employees have many different projects competing for their attention.
6. To handle a crisis. If you accidentally sell a batch of product contaminated with E. coli, or are embroiled in a public-relations disaster, it’s a good time to call a consultant experienced in managing crises. Not only can an outside expert not personally enmeshed in the business keep a cool head, they’ve handled crises in the past and learned from experience.
Sara Lovelady is a member of CANI and a freelance copywriter specializing in natural products. Contact her at sara@wordgirl.biz. Established in 1991, CANI is a non-profit association of more than 40 consultant members who work in all aspects of the natural products industry. Members’ areas of expertise include overall business strategy and development, branding and government regulations, product development, ingredient sourcing, plant reviews and flavor enhancement. Contact CANI at CANI-Consultants.org, info@cani-consultants.orgor 559/325-7192.