Are business advisers worth seeing?

[MorrisChesterfield]

Good morning,

Just a quick question, ive never been to a business adviser, but always wondered if there worth a quick chat to?

Do they give you support in giving you fresh ideas to build your business or advise on streamlining your business?

Many thanks,


Ben

 

Business advisers come in all shapes sizes and flavours. They are just another part of your team. This means you choose them with as much care as you would for any other person or service. Do they have a track record which think will match what you are looking for? and even; Do you get on with them enough to give their suggestions serious consideration?

Pick well and it will be very rewarding. Pick a person who failed in their own business and just suggests Investors in Paperwork and it could seriously damage your business.

i would give it a go but with your normal business sense well and truly switched on.

 

One of the biggest causes of business failure is inability to respond to constructive criticism.

If you take advice with an open mind and consider it rationally it can only add to your business strength.

Having said that, there are many types of advisor from the Government Quangos (Business Link, Enterprise hubs etc) to franchises (see other threads) to independent professionals.

If I was spending money on these services I would tend to avoid retired bankers and civil servants and look for someone with some genuine business credentials. (IMHO even a failed entrepreneur has more to offer than a banker or civil servant)

 

[bridges]

I personally think, advice from anyone with any experience is valuable. Don't forget where you are though, a lot of people here have many years under their belt.

Why not try discussing some areas you want fresh ideas for, and see what people come up with?

B x

 

[GRDCredit]

They are definitely worth more than a quick chat!

One of the services I offer is to spend a day with a company and review - as an outsider - their credit controls policy and procedures (on one memorable occasion this caused me to come across the credit controller who was not allowed a telephone!) I am always able to offer ideas for chagnes that will benefit the business because within human nature there is a culture of 'we always do it that way so why change' (Someone once wrote a credit control blog along similar lines!)

A good business adviser will do the same thing but will look at all aspects of the business but you do need to find one who you like and trust - I would agree that you should look for someone who has run their own business in the past.

 

[MorrisChesterfield]

many thanks for your advice, i think it would help my business to find someone to have a chat with, more to do with marketing side of things.

I know its a question of how long is a bit of string, but what costs would i be talking of for advice. on average.

Many thanks,

Ben

 

[Humphrey]

As already mentioned there are many different types of business advisor.

I would suggest you take a look at what areas of your business you need advice on before you start looking for an advisor. Business advisors do not know everything about everything to do with business, they have specialist niches.

I have come across a few business advisors who believe they do know everything about everything and I bless them, as I got a lot of work trying to put right the damage they had caused. (one of those was an ex bank manager)

 

i think its always worth a go you never know a fresh pair of eyes can see a flaw you may not ,that said i have met some shockers LOL

 

[profitxchange]

If you want to talk to an adviser, try business link first, at least they are free. If you do not like the first adviser, ask for another. There are still a few good guys left. Where are you based?
Any "commercial" adviser should give you a sensible amount of their time for free. Do not pay for them to learn about your business, only pay for meaningful advice.

 

[Decorum]

I found the business link advisers variable - from outstandingly good to totally clueless. As someone already said don't be afraid to ask for someone different.

Tracy

 

[trustme]

I have used Business link once and they were very good, it wasn't free though, from memory about £25 per hour.

 

[PERSPEXfiona]

Well, I'm a bit biased being a business adviser myself but maybe I can help with your pricing question....we reviewed our packages in 2008 to make sure we were offering recession friendly prices. And we're doing a lot more with businesses that need to make their money stretch further since the banks raised their rates.

Our prices start at £19.99 for our 30 day email coaching programmes. That's our entry level package - popular with student entrepreneurs and people thinking about starting in business. For one to one mentoring and group coaching, prices start at £49 and we have various packages from £99 upwards depending on whether the client is an established or start up business. We quote for business consultancy/troubleshooting depending on the client's needs. Email coaching is also available, and again, we prepare a quote based on the level of support a client needs and how regularly they want it. We don't do telephone coaching and I prefer our advisers to meet clients face to face if possible. We all run our own businesses so our angle is very much practical not theory - doing not talking about it.

I've used Business Link at various points in the past myself - partic on the statutory side - and have found the same as others here. Some advisers are great, some are not so great. I was disappointed last year when I passed a client onto them and they told her their 'write a business plan' workshop was only for companies with more than 5 employees, not start ups. Not very encouraging. After that I decided to start a series of workshops under the banner of our company - they're £49 plus vat for a half day.

I don't know anyone in your area for one to one mentoring I'm afraid but feel frree to PM me if you want to.

Fiona.