Presenting Your Net Result, LLC...

Questions To Ask Any Prospective Consultant

Here are nine things you should ask a firm before you hire them as your small business consultant:

1. What are your credentials? What experiences have generated expertise as a business/technology consultant? Educational experience? Hands-on experience? Or a combination? How long has the individual been a consultant?

Gabriel Quave of Your Net Result, LLC has been giving business and technical advice to small company owners since 1995. In addition to his educational credits, Gabriel has been in leadership and advisory roles for multiple Fortune 500 companies. To learn more about Gabriel's credentials, read bios.

2. What is your consulting philosophy? Different consultants have different approaches. Some are very hands-on and want to get very involved in the mechanics of the engagement. Others may have a more detached approach and want to deal only in generalities.

At Your Net Result, we teach clients to develop systems for solving problems. We know that our clients are very independent business owners who don't want some stranger interfering with their firm. Therefore, we generally limit our meetings to whatever the business owner or engagement contact is comfortable with. This is usually daily but can span into weekly / monthly meetings by way of retainers.  The client always controls their company. We simply help them by offering very specific business advice and technology help to solve problems and meet goals.

3.What is your fee structure? Some consultants charge strictly by the hour. Others will make written proposals which either quote a fixed price or state fees and expenses. Still others sell subscriptions; they are on 'annual retainer.' And some ... are very coy about fee questions. It's fair to ask any consultant the two key questions: "How much is this going to cost?" And, "How long will this take?"

Your Net Result works on an hourly basis with our clients. They can drop out of the contract at any time with no further obligation to us. A client can expect to spend between $3,000 and $20,000 for an engagement. We have clients who have been with us for over five years because they continue to get great value from our services. See a complete description of our program and fee structure.

4. Do you work off a proposal or on a contract? Proposals are used for project consulting where a defined set of tasks are to be completed in a specified period of time. Contracts are often used for subscription programs, where a client is 'buying time' for determined purposes over a period of time.

At Your Net Result, we use proposal forms and contracts for project-type consulting, such as market research. Our monthly advisory clients sign no contracts; we operate on a handshake basis. (Either a real handshake or an electronic one.)

5. Describe your best clients. Do the firm's best clients sound just like you? If so, you may have found the perfect consultant to help you.

Your Net Results' best clients have an agenda for each meeting, are prepared to report on the implementation of ideas generated at the previous meeting and are excited about making positive changes in their companies. These clients already have good businesses but want to make them better. They appreciate what we do for them and they are a joy to work with.

6. Describe your worst clients. If the firm's description of their worst clients sounds just like you, this is definitely not the consultant for you!

The worst clients we've ever had were willing to pay us money, but didn't want to make necessary changes in their business or technology - because (a) they were uncomfortable with change and/or (b) they were disorganized and couldn't make time to make changes. These relationships didn't last long, since both of us soon wondered what they were paying us money for. We now closely pre-screen prospects to uncover such potential problems before we accept them as clients.

7.What are you best at? Is there a fit between the consultant's strengths and your needs? If so, you've found a good fit.

Your Net Result clients tell us that we are strongest in the management consulting and technology advising arenas (marketing, organizational control, sales, profit control and Internet creation & promotion). They also find our advice very helpful in the system arena (development of websites, e-commerce setups, search engine positioning and other systems) and the planning arena (business plans, financial goal-setting, cash-flow forecasting). Clients enthusiastically state that we provide them with straightforward, down-to-earth, objective advice that works. For a more complete discussion of the reasons clients use our services view their testimonials.

8. What are you worst at? Is the consultant weak in the areas where you need help? Now's the time to find out - before you engage a consultant's services and start paying money.

Your Net Result works primarily with firms who sell goods or services to other businesses and/or to the public. Our client list includes manufacturers, business and professional service firms, manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers. We have the experience to cover marketing and business-related issues for these types of firms. For a complete list view the Industries Served pages.

9. Can you supply me with references? Consulting firms have a confidential relationship with clients and must protect it. Nevertheless, any firm worth its salt can provide you with clients who have agreed to provide references.

View testimonials from some of Your Net Result clients. We can also provide additional information to serious prospects so that they may contact our references directly.

What can a consultant do for my business?

A good business consultant can help make your company easier to run and more profitable; help you get your firm under control; provide marketing help for your product or service to increase sales and profit margins. And provide an objective outsider's business advice viewpoint. And keep you from "reinventing the wheel" by using his/her own experiences to provide proven solutions.

Why do I need a business consultant? Why can't I just do it myself? Company owners hire consultants for any (or all) of three reasons:

1. They want the consultant to perform specific technical tasks which the owner is unable to do himself (herself). I'm not an artist.  Therefore I usually contract out to three designers I use on a regular basis for website contracts.  I often hire design consultants to help me with things like brochure design and layout.  See what I mean.  Business owners are usually experts in their field of business.  Many times they aren't experts IN BUSINESS.  This is where I come in.

2. They want the consultant to perform specific technical tasks which the owner is unwilling to do himself (herself).  Many business owners can't run small networks, create e-commerce websites, or figure what their employee overhead is. 

3. They want someone who has an fresh, objective, outsider's viewpoint and proven expertise to help them solve business problems and show them how to manage their company more efficiently.  We've all had mentors for one purpose or another.  Business mentors help you move your company into the Next Level.

You can do all of the problem-solving yourself if you have the time and the objective outlook to do so. Most business owners have neither the time nor the perspective. That's why a good consultant can be a valuable resource.

How much does a consultant cost?

It depends. Project consultants (who are hired to do a specific project) usually will draw up a written proposal for you which will detail their fees and expenses. General business consultants charge an hourly or monthly fee to provide advice, often on a retainer basis.  So, there is often very little correlation between what you pay for and what you get. That's why you need to interview any prospective consultant before you engage their services. Be sure to ask them the above nine questions which I recommend.

By the way, at Your Net Result, most of my practice is with clients who retain my services for individual monthly meetings. The average client pays me $7,500 per year. And I get lots of testimonials from satisfied clients.

How do I find a good consultant?

If you're visiting this site, you've already started your research. Check out the rest of this site - ask fellow business owners whom you meet (in your town or in cyberspace) for recommendations. Then interview prospective consultants - and don't forget to ask those nine key questions, listed above.

How do I tell if a particular consultant is right for me and my business?

After checking their credentials and references, judge them by how they conduct themselves during your interview (by phone or in person). Do they have the kind of personality and manner you're comfortable with?

I have a can-do, decisive personality. In my practice, I enjoy the give-and-take of a discussion. I often challenge a client's thinking by playing devil's advocate. I also try to give clients my honest, no-holds-barred opinion. They're paying for my opinions and they deserve my best. I try not to be wishy-washy. My clients appreciate my honesty and decisiveness; they believe that I help them come up with creative and effective solutions to business problems.

Can I use a consultant who is located in another part of the United States? For six months, I used a consultant who was located 2,100 miles from my place of business. We communicated by telephone, fax and email.  This arrangement worked well for me. I now use the very same arrangement with clients who are 3,000 miles from my office. We communicate by fax, phone and email. My experience is that advice travels very well electronically.

One additional question - I'm thinking of becoming a client of Your Net Result.  What's the next step?

Thanks for considering us. We offer a proven consulting program. View program details and pricing to learn more about how we operate. Please contact us by phone or e-mail regarding any questions you may have about the program. Our fees are based on results. Consultations can be in-person (Florida) or by telephone (anywhere in the U.S.). Payment for traveling fees incurred will be paid by company check.

Last updated: March 2003

Copyright 2003 | Your Net Result, LLC 162 N. Brevard Ave. Arcadia, FL 34266 863-990-6937 ofc | 813-354-2423 fax