Consultants are often hired by small businesses to provide advice on business decisions. You can help small companies to reach their goals by using your expertise in certain areas, such as sales, marketing, or project management. You can decide whether you want to pursue a career in this field by learning about small consultants’ different types and paths.
This article discusses eight types of small-business consultants and how you can enter this career.
What is a Small Business Consultant?
Small business consultants are people who provide advice to businesses in their areas of expertise. Small business consultants are usually highly experienced in their respective fields. They can use their experience to offer advice and insights to help clients reach critical business goals. These consultants are typically contracted by small businesses to provide their services. These consultants may have several clients or work with a single company for a set period.
What is the role of a small-business consultant?
A small business consultant’s duties may vary depending on their area of expertise and consulting.
- Meeting with clients to assess and understand their business goals
- Assess current operations and identify areas of improvement
- To gain a complete understanding of your small business, analyze data and metrics
- Small businesses can benefit from advice and suggestions to improve their operations.
- Present reports to business leaders and make recommendations
- Watch the impact of their recommendations, and adjust as necessary
Types of small business consultants
Many different types of consultants can offer services to small businesses.
Strategy Consultant
This consultant type works with small businesses on the strategic planning process, creating plans to achieve goals. A strategy consultant can advise small companies on different aspects of strategic planning, such as product launches, forecasting, or brand messaging. They help small businesses grow and develop to achieve specific goals. Strategy consultants often work closely with leaders or business owners to give input on decisions and business initiatives.
Marketing Consultant
A consultant helps small businesses understand how to create marketing campaigns that connect them with their potential customers. Market research may be conducted to determine consumer behavior and to help develop strategies for targeting consumers through various channels, such as social media. They help small business owners create marketing content that reaches targeted demographics to generate revenue. Marketing consultants may have a variety of specialties, including:
- Email Marketing
- Search engine optimization (SEO), marketing
- Content marketing
- Digital Marketing
- Social Media Marketing
- Influencer marketing
- Print Marketing
- Event marketing
Financial Consultant
Financial consultants assist small businesses in accounting, budgeting, and other economic issues. Some financial consultants have long-term agreements with small businesses, handling payroll and bookkeeping. Some financial consultants may only work with small businesses for a short time to create a budget, make financial projections, and identify ways to cut costs. A consultant can also help a small company prepare its taxes and comply with regulatory requirements. A financial consultant can also provide advice to small businesses in the following areas:
- Investment portfolio management
- Financial planning
- Revenue generation
- Fundraising
- Risk management
Legal Consultant
Small businesses hire legal consultants rather than an in-house lawyer to advise on laws and regulations. Legal consultants provide information to small business owners and recommend how to conduct their businesses legally. Legal consultants can advise on lawsuits, contracts, or conflicts. Legal consultants are usually well-versed in the local laws of a region, such as a state or city, and can therefore help businesses to comply with local regulations. They may be responsible for:
- Reviewing policies of the company and making recommendations
- Prepare or review business contracts
- Investigating complaints or disputes can help businesses to respond legally
- Offer legal advice on business transactions such as mergers and acquisitions
- Small business counseling on internal conflict to find optimal solutions
- Legal research and analysis can help small business owners stay on top of regulations.
Project management consultant
A project manager supervises small business projects. A small business will hire a project manager for a particular project, like developing a product. Small companies may employ these consultants to evaluate their project management processes and recommend improvements. These consultants may advise businesses on all or some phases of project management.
- Project planning, project initiation, and strategy
- Planning, budgeting, and resource allocation
- Risk management
- Execution and testing of projects
- Monitoring project deliverables
- Review of the project after completion
IT Consultant
IT consultants work with small businesses to improve or develop technology systems. Some IT consultants help small companies to install computer systems, including software and hardware. Some IT consultants examine existing systems and recommend repairs or upgrades. They can also assist small businesses to increase their cybersecurity efforts to protect sensitive information and prevent security breaches. Small business IT consultants can provide general support or focus on a particular technology area.
- Data Analytics
- Information systems management
- Network management
- Software engineering or development
- Information security or cybersecurity
- Hardware systems
- Database management
- Web design
Human Resources Consultant
Many small businesses hire HR consultants to help with staffing, recruitment, training, employee engagement, and other HR functions. An HR consultant can help a small company find qualified candidates for vacant positions and manage to onboard new employees. Also, they may consult or oversee businesses in compensation, employee benefits, and policies. Some HR consultants are generalists who provide input in many areas. Others in this field specialize, for example, in recruitment, compliance, or payroll.
Sales Consultant
Small business consultants work with businesses to improve sales and generate more revenue. Sales consultants may help develop sales processes, set prices, or create incentives. A sales consultant can also train sales teams to improve their sales techniques and negotiation skills. Their duties may vary, but they can include:
- Meeting small businesses to learn about their products, sales goals, and services
- Hire or train sales representatives
- Pricing, promotions, and discounts can be discussed with business leaders or sales managers.
- Making recommendations after observing sales pitches and presentations
- Building relationships with business clients and identifying sales leads
- Helping to develop sales strategies and processes to increase conversions