Why might I want a consultant?
We won't know the answer until we talk to you, but consultants can serve several useful functions: trouble-shooters; developers of new products or systems; solvers of management situations; advisers on sales, marketing, advertising, publicity, communications, quality control etc.

Aren't the services of a consultant expensive?
No, because costs are relative to income and benefits. A one-off investment of £1,000 or £10,000 can be quantified and justified if it results in savings or benefits of £10,000 or £100,000 - or saves a business from failure during difficult trading conditions.

Why is a consultant better than an executive I already employ?
Existing executives are often too fully committed and may be too closely involved with the problem. The consultant can bring a fresh viewpoint to your problems and apply lateral thinking. He or she has no axe to grind or corporate niche to protect and can concentrate effort solely on the assigned brief. You also get better value for your money because a consultant does not add to your overheads cost.

How do you charge for your services?
Every assignment is different, so consultants have to assess the client's needs and the amount of his or her own input required before quoting a fee. Some jobs are more fairly charged by the hour, others by the day, week or by the assignment.

What do I get for my money?
Total commitment and efficiency. There's an old saying in the profession that "a consultant's reputation is only as good as his last assignment."

What makes you think you can tell me anything about running my own business that I don't already know?
We have different, and perhaps wider, business backgrounds. As professional consultants we can apply systems and techniques from other businesses to your problems. The products and details may differ, and systems that work for one business may fail in another. Our business and that of any other professional consultant is knowing which solutions are best for your particular problems or situation, and we can call on other specialist consultants when necessary to provide you with cost-effective solutions.

How do I know you are good at what you do?
Two ways. Firstly, we provide you with references you can check independently. Secondly, by the fact that we are accredited Associates of the Institute for Independent Business, the IIB.

IIB? ... I never heard of it. What is it and what does it do?
The IIB (Institute for Independent Business) is a London-headquartered national group of management consultants founded in 1982 to provide both professional training and support to its Associates, each of whom operates independently to a strict IIB Code of Professional Conduct.

What's this local network of Associates?
Each Associate is qualified in one or more business disciplines by virtue of his or her experience prior to becoming an IIB Associate, as well as by Institute training. If we encounter a problem that is outside our particular disciplines while providing you with solutions, we can call on the required specialists without delay or worry about their qualifications.

Does this mean that I may wind up with two or three different consultants, all charging me fees for their parts of the job? No. Once the budget is agreed, the tasks are performed within the financial limitations set even if the professional fees must be split between two, three or even more consultants. The only time this does not hold true is when an agreed brief is later altered to include additional duties or responsibilities.

Don't you also charge expenses to me?
It depends on the assignment, but like the fees, the expense budget is approved in advance. Also, any expenses are authorised and charged separately and fully itemised.

If I have a long-running problem that may take months to sort out, wouldn't it be more in my interest to engage you on a monthly retainer basis?
Yes, particularly if you are going to need us constantly to implement systems we have introduced or if you require a 'non-executive director' on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis. Most consultants will work initially on a fee-per-assignment basis, but once the consultant has proved his or her worth, clients get better all-around service from a consultant who can relate specific tasks to the client's overall needs.

Are there differences between an IIB Associate and other consultants?
Yes, particularly in the areas of continuing support. Many established consultancies provide clients with short-term solutions and then leave the client to sort out any long-term problems of implementation that may arise. An IIB Associate does not produce a long report and then disappear. We are all 'hands on' experts accustomed to the problems of being out at the sharp end and want to stay and see our ideas and systems properly and effectively implemented.

I don't want any company information to be publicised. Can the IIB Associate be trusted to keep information confidential?
Absolutely. Aside from being in direct violation of the IIB Code of Conduct, security breaches harm everybody concerned. Professional consultants must maintain the security standards of priests because they are usually privy to sensitive information. Most consultants won't even admit to acting on behalf of a client without the client's specific authorisation.