In 2013, Fourlane increased our payroll expenses by 400% to meet customer demand. We also hired numerous consultants to help us achieve our goals. Believe me, this gave me a few sleepless nights and hours of working with the budget to ensure the investment in human capital was worth it.
Once the decision was made and I could see that hiring was the right thing to do, I felt a great deal of relief. I now have help to achieve my goals.
I also realized that hiring a consultant is a lot easier than hiring staff. No need for an offer letter; No need for policies, job descriptions, goals or performance reviews; However, working with a consultant comes with its own set of measurement strategies and techniques.
The onus of the consulting engagement detail is upon the consultant. It is their job to provide you a proposal outlining the goals and terms as well as the compensation. It is your job to decide if that will work for your business.
This process itself is the final checks and balances on whether the firm is the right fit for you. Did the proposal accurately reflect what you want and need? Are their proposed deliverables acceptable? Is their pricing in line with your budget?
Again, only you can answer these questions. If the proposal doesn’t work for you, move on.
I hope you enjoyed this blog series. Let me know if I can answer any questions about hiring a consultant!
