Can a Consultant Save You Cash…and Heartache?
As a bootstrap entrepreneur, I’ve learned there are just some things you don’t cut corners on. My “golden rule” has always been to hire the best Lawyer, Accountant, and Business Consultant you can find, even if you can’t afford it. The truth is you simply can’t afford NOT to. Running my small business over the years has taught me a valuable lesson,
“you don’t know what you don’t know.”
Those past experiences are fresh on my mind as I find myself preaching about my golden rule on nearly a daily basis. As I consult with fellow entrepreneurs teaching them how to replicate my successes with branding, social media integration, and celebrity placements, I am heartsick. I hear countless stories of companies who have learned this costly lesson too late in the game. The “killer product launch” at a tradeshow that cost $30k that no one showed up for because the owner didn’t know how to contact the media or set appointments with key buyers. The “grand opening” in small town America that didn’t even make the neighborhood newsletter. Or the Mom that licensed her invention only to find that the company shelved the product and she had unwittingly relinquished her intellectual and distribution rights. I could go on. Knowing all of this, I can’t stress my golden rule enough. Please don’t make these same mistakes.
I know it might seem like an extra check to write when your bank account is already maxed out, but it will end up saving you money and heartache in the end. The money is there, you just need to re-allocate it. Instead of focusing your efforts on making a “big splash”, maybe focus on ensuring a return on investment? A solid marketing plan to leverage your event/news/product launch? Or making sure all the legal and accounting issues are resolved so you actually get to keep your money? Seek the help of professionals who have been there, done that. After all, “you don’t know what you don’t know.”
Need help with your business? Contact me here: http://su.pr/2GXnYX
February 4th, 2010 at 5:14 am
and to think that businesses don’t hire consultants because they think they are just warming up seats.
May 24th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
i love to see new product launches because i am addicted to shopping both online and offline..:*
July 27th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
i am always watching for any product launch on the internet as i am a gadget addict myself.:::
September 13th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
product lunches are great! i am always on the lookout for it”`,
September 14th, 2010 at 2:48 am
product lunches are great! i am always on the lookout for it*~’
February 6th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
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July 25th, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Great advice. It’s true, you don’t know what you don’t know. As a small business owner myself, I have learned this valuable lesson and the importance of hiring professionals that know what you don’t know. At first I tried to manage my own accounting but quickly realized how challenging it can be and decided to hire an accountant. I chose Tanner LLC, one of the leading firms in Utah to manage all of my accounting needs and doing so has allowed me to focus less on finances and more on running my business.