ChApter 12 | GOOD RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES | 195
consultant is to meet for an hour or
two each month and talk about your
plans and upcoming projects. Most
good consultants can suggest different
ways to reach your goals that will save
you time and money.
• Specialists. These people are experts
in specific fields like advertising,
marketing, sales, or employee benefits.
Specialists try to solve limited problems
as directed by the owner. For example,
you may hire an advertising agency to
help you introduce a new product.
Use a consultant if you’re convinced that
the advice will bring in more money than it
will cost or you require expertise you don’t
possess. Bear in mind that a consultant
can only give you advice. If you don’t
follow that advice, then you’ve wasted your
money and everyone’s time.
Make sure that you like the consultant
as a person; you probably won’t listen to
advice from someone with whom you’re
uncomfortable. Ask the consultant to out-
line how he proposes to approach your
problem and about how much his approach
will cost you. Your consultant should be
open to your feedback on his proposals.
If you dislike most of what he proposes,
you’ll be better off finding another consul-
tant more in line with your thinking.Consulting Help
Several small business consultants whom
I know and trust helped me with this
book. They are available to review business
plans for reasonable fees and for general
guidance. Roger Pritchard (roger.pritchard
@mindspring.com) advises individual small
businesses and partnerships in Berkeley,
California. His business is called Financial
Alternatives and he can be reached at 510-
527-5604. Additionally, most CPAs and tax
advisors can help you with your plan. If
you’re not happy with the professionals in
your area, I may be able to help. Call me at
415-816-2982 or email me at mckeever.mp@
gmail.com. (Be sure to mention Nolo
Business Plan Book in the subject line of the
email so I don’t trash it as spam.)CAUTiON
Consultant or future employee?
Sometimes people use consulting as a way to
find permanent employment. There’s nothing
wrong with that. Just make sure that you and
your consultant communicate completely if
you think that’s an issue. You may or may not
have any openings or interest in hiring the
consultant. You’ll want to be clear about the
situation before you begin your work together.