A business consultant does not have the magical power to make all the issues related to your business disappear. However, a qualified, experienced and successful mentor can help you identity the weaknesses in your business plan and in other aspects of running a business. With the guidance of a business mentor, you can create a plan that leads your business towards success. However, it is prudent to carefully select a mentor based upon the following factors.
Experience of Successfully Running a Business
The lessons learnt through practical experience cannot be learnt through theoretical concepts. Therefore, it is prudent to appoint someone as a business management consultant who has at least five years of experience in successfully running a business or working with successful companies.
Qualification Matters
There is no minimum academic qualification or requirement for a business mentor who is running a consultant firm. The academic achievements may not indicate someone’s expertise in relation to business mentoring. However, it is prudent to appoint someone with a degree in business management or a certificate from a professional body as the business mentor.
Has Worked with Companies Similar to Yours
It is essential to ensure that the suggestions provided by an expert business consultant are tailored to the needs of your company. In this scenario, you may look for mentors who has –
- Worked in the same industry similar to yours
- Successfully run a similar type of business
- Helped similar businesses through conventional mentoring or as a business consultant online
Lessons Learnt from Mistakes
Success never comes without any failure. A reliable business consultant owns up to their mistakes and these mistakes are proof of practical experience. A mentor, who has learned from the mistakes, can prevent you from making the similar mistakes with their guidance.
Feedback of Past Clients
The methods of successful business management consulting firms have to be tested at a corporate environment. You may get in touch with the past clients in order to learn about their experience and their opinion regarding a particular consultant or a business consultancy.