Entrepreneur Beware – How to Find the Right Help

Many corporate fugitives start their businesses with a solemn vow to live footloose and fancy free and to fly completely solo. Self-motivation is good, but getting the right kind of help when you need it makes a world of difference. Entrepreneurs who are willing to invest wisely generally grow their business much more quickly and avoid expensive and time consuming detours.

But like any other consumer purchasing decision, buyers of professional services need to be savvy and aware.

Let me give you one recent example. I was speaking with a business owner who I’ve come to know. Although he has never been a client of mine, I’ve had the opportunity to watch his new business develop from an idea to a reality and I enjoy speaking with him from time to time.

He did all of the right things before he started his business. He researched his market well, and he took steps to develop services for the market based on what he learned, and not on what he thought they needed.

He was also willing to invest in hiring a business consultant. He had met this consultant through a university, and this person had credentials.

One of the consultant’s recommendations was to lease office space, so that potential clients would take him seriously.

Well, it didn’t take very long to realize that despite getting good response, the high overhead was really limiting his ability to get his business started off on the right foot.  This expensive detour set him temporarily off course and tied up money that could have been used to grow other areas of the business.

You see, the business owner in this example was dealing with a consultant who was very familiar with traditional business models, but not versed in the world of online marketing, membership and event based programs. So his advice might have been sound for someone else’s business, but not this particular one.

I’ve seen other examples of business owners spending a fortune on various marketing materials, and others who have used up their last available credit or savings to join the “hot ticket” program that they think will change their lives and businesses forever.

I hear stories like this all too often. The truth is, there is a real range of business and marketing advice to be had out there. Some are highly qualified, and some aren’t. Even a well respected business advisor can steer you in the wrong direction, if you haven’t chosen the right one for you.

Other entrepreneurs simply find themselves have been disappointed when their results did not add up to their expectations.  So what’s at the bottom of this? How do you know you’re making the right choice? Here are some tips.

Invest at the right time. Don’t spend randomly. Invest only in those services or programs that will help you get further in the area you need help with the most right now or in the next short while.

Be very clear about what you need before you go looking for it. All of your decisions should be based on your strategy and where you want to be. Make decisions that are in 100 per cent alignment with your goals. So if you know you’re weak in one area, for example, how to price and package your services, and that is your immediate priority, then don’t sign up just yet for that top notch speaking coach. All of the speaking and marketing in the world won’t generate sales for you if you don’t have the business foundation in place.

Perform your due diligence check. Before you sign the contract or whip out your credit card, check out the business. Is it credible? Does the provider have demonstrated expertise? Can they supply references beyond testimonials published on their web site? Are they well respected within their industry? Have they taken the time to speak with you and get to know you to be sure there is a good match on both sides? A reputable advisor will want to work with the right kind of client, and will want to be sure that they will be able to work successfully together, rather than simply make the sale. An advisor who turns you away and refers you to someone else views this as adding integrity rather than losing business.

Check your expectations. Before you commit, be sure you are very clear what your intentions and expectations are and that this service is the right match. Sometimes disappointment is the result of unrealistic expectations or simply a premature or mismatched investment.

And most of all? Remember that in the end, it’s your business. Seek trusted advisors, but never abdicate your seat as the CEO of your business and your life.

Want to use this article? You can as long as you include this footer: Sherri Garrity is the Chief Corporate Fugitive and creator of the Five Keys Success SystemTM for ex-corporate employees and aspiring entrepreneurs who want to break free from the confines of their corporate experience and live outside of the ordinary. The Corporate Fugitive system demystifies the business of setting up, managing, marketing and growing a successful and extraordinary business. Visit www.corporatefugitive.com for information and step-by-step resources to take you from overwhelmed employee to extraordinary entrepreneur.