Consultants have specialized knowledge and skills, and can help you come up with new ideas for growth, implement change from within your organization, and provide training and coaching.

Strategic planning and marketing consultants can help you in a variety of ways. For example;

Strategic planning consultants can help you

• Grow your position in the marketplace,
• Increase your products or services, and
• Evaluate your resources, and ongoing cost savings strategies.

Marketing consultants can

• Create marketing plans,
• Write position statements,
• Refine or re-do branding,
• Launch media campaigns, and
• Assess internal and external messaging.

Professional consultants can support your organization in a number of ways as you innovate for the future. This will help you as you assess new opportunities for ongoing engagement with your stakeholders.

Facilitation and Communication

Consultants should be skilled at group facilitation. Excellent communication skills are a must in order to best support your organization as you work together to achieve both short terms and long-term goals.

Your Investment

Think about how much time and money are you’re willing to dedicate to your initiative. Consider your own readiness to implement change. Begin to think through specifics and the depth of your project before you get started. What is your vision?

Pricing can vary based on the size of the project, and the type and size of the consulting firm. Quality takes time. Establish measurable milestones. Work should extend beyond initial proposals to allow for implementation of the strategy or plan, ongoing follow up, and an assessment of results.

As you begin to work with your consultant, remember that consultants need to have honest, ongoing feedback from you. Manage your investment by paying attention to your time and your engagement with the consultant.

Professionalism

Hire someone based on their qualifications and skills. Professional associations and networks may be useful in helping you find the right consultant for your project.

Inquire about a contract. This will provide you with clarity (in writing) about the project, and protect interests. Contractual agreements may include, but not be limited to: compensation, confidentiality, conflict of interest, reimbursement of expenses, and work product ownership.

Connect with the consultant. Different consultants have different styles. Establish a good rapport so that you can have a positive relationship for the long-term.