Consulting
For many small business owners the idea of employing consultancy help conjures up cynical visions of the kind that inspired the image on the right!
To see some more offbeat views of modern business life, click across to www.despair.com for a tongue in cheek overview!
When you’ve seen enough of the downside come back and check out what I think ‘Consultancy’ should really mean to the small business owner.
To my mind ‘Consultancy’ is just a ‘marketing speak’ term for getting someone with a different skill set to help you – particularly where complicated technical issues are involved.
That help can take the form of a few minutes advice about a new PC or Smartphone, or help with a complex new intranet , website, ecommerce solution, or computer network.
The idea that an expert can be ‘parachuted’ into your business, fix all your problems and ride off into the sunset waving a big fat cheque seems a bit old fashioned to me. It might have worked when budgets were a bit more relaxed and the focus was on being ’seen’ to be doing something, but in todays stringent financial atmosphere it seems somewhat out of place.
In my experience, what most folks appreciate is a friendly, no-nonsense approach to the issues and a set of solutions that actually produce a result. And by result, I mean a return on the money spent.
Benjamin Franklin popularized the expression: “A penny saved is a penny earned.” However, Ben got this one wrong because a penny saved is much better than a penny earned!
Let’s face it – for most of us in business every penny earned is taxed to the hilt so we are lucky to walk away with 60p in the pound – and that’s the first way that a penny saved is better! Next you have to factor in your time, to earn that extra penny you normally have to trade your time or goods, saving a penny involves no further trade.
So how can getting someone in to help with particular issues, be profitable for a small business?
Normally folks give me a call when they have a specific issue to resolve, they need a new network, a new PC needs setting up, their mailserver is slow or needs replacing etc. Often the working relationship continues long after the original problem is resolved, Why? Because I go out of my way to look for and suggest ways that new kit or new software and ideas can create better value for the business.
Buying the wrong mobile phone for example, can make the difference between having all your company data in your hand whilst out on the road, or having to call in to the office and ask for help on a regular basis!
Would it be more cost effective to keep our email services in house or outsource them onto the Internet?
Would sharing information on a company Intranet save a bunch of time and money? or would we spend more time learning the system than actually using it?
When it comes to uploading new products and prices into our online store or company database, should we get an online freelance worker to do it, or should we ‘get by’ with our already overstretched staff?
Which solution saves the most time and money?
These and many similar questions are being asked on an almost daily basis, by small business owners who are already stretched, just trying to keep their day to day operations running - So where can they find answers?
If the question relates to IT, computers or the Internet – That’s where I come in – I know many of the answers already - it’s what I do -all day – every day!
If I can’t find what you ‘re looking for – I can probably put you in touch with someone who can.
Try me – Getting it right first time is usually much cheaper than trying to pick up the pieces afterwards!
Get in touch for a chat and some free advice!
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