Association with a management consultant can help a business enterprise minimize the risks involved in the implementation of solutionsHiring management consultants is commonly considered as a practice restricted to big domestic companies or MNCs. However, that is not true. Even small and medium scale business enterprises can significantly benefit from the services of the management consultants. The role of management consultants is not just confined to providing advice and they can play different roles in different areas of business at different points of time according to the requirements of a business enterprise. These include both short-term and long-term associations, for a specific purpose or for a wider scope. From fulfilling informational requirements to being partners of growth, present day management consultancy encompasses a wide range of functionalities which could prove to be game-changer for business enterprises.
Data and Informational Requirements
A business enterprise makes use of a wide range of data and information pertaining to its environment. These include data pertaining to market segments, customer demographics, competition, availability of required manpower, logistical infrastructure, the network of supply and distribution and so on. For a business enterprise, this data and information are crucial for functional planning, to devise strategies and to facilitate business decision-making. For example, data and information requirement becomes extremely relevant in marketing management where tons of quantifiable data has to be processed to determine the size of the market, identify the market segments and understand customer demographics, estimation of available market share and so on. Digging out such huge volumes of data involves conducting extensive market surveys and it is a time-consuming process.
Providing an organization with the relevant business data and information is one of the basic but critical services rendered by some of the management consultants.
Data and information are crucial for functional planning, to devise strategies and to facilitate business decision-making.
Problem: Diagnosis, Identification and Definition
A problem well-defined is a problem half-solved. Problems and situations which arise in the course of business are manifested through smaller symptoms which are often not considered as worth reporting or are ignored or quick-fixed by managers and executives so as not to disrupt the flow of operations. However, that only makes the situation worse as the underlying fundamental problems continue to establish its roots until one day it begins to surface as something major. Even after the problems are being identified, an improper assessment may result in efforts and resources being poured into the wrong solutions.
With their core expertise and experience of dealing with various problems and situations faced by several business enterprises, management consultants can quickly assess a situation through the symptoms and track the source of the problem. Professional management consultants conduct systematic diagnoses of the problem areas helping them identify and define the problems with much more accuracy and efficiently than the host business enterprise.
A problem well-defined is a problem half-solved.
Solution: Design and Implementation
Many business enterprises with an efficient and skilled management and ownership at the top are able to correctly diagnose the existing or emerging problem areas that need to be addressed to ensure that the business operations run smoothly and gain or continue with the momentum necessary for growth. However, the owners of small and medium-sized business enterprises are often constrained by lack of time, expertise and professional assistance to design and implement the solutions. This is where management consultancy comes into the picture. By joining hands with a competent management consultant, a business enterprise can expect to find the best professional solutions and their implementation to get rid of the diagnosed problems. Association with a management consultant can help a business enterprise minimize the risks involved in the implementation of solutions; risks which a business enterprise always remain vulnerable to when they choose to go alone.
Association with a management consultant can help a business enterprise minimize the risks involved in the implementation of solutions.
Long-term Associations
Management consultants can play a much bigger and enhanced role than just meeting the short-term requirements of a business enterprise. Management consultants can be long term partners of growth in the journey of a business enterprise. During its life cycle, a business enterprise may have to undertake several new projects and activities like product and market development, franchise development, ERP implementation, SOP development, employee training and development programs, process management, modernization and so on. These heavy-weight projects require not just professional expertise but also an associate a business enterprise can entrust the responsibility to who exhibits the sense of ownership for these projects. With long-term associations, both the parties begin to realize each others’ potential and strengths. In the long run, both the parties share a rich learning curve and experiences to mutual growth and benefit.
Long-term associations, both the parties begin to realize each others’ potential and strengths.
Overcome Internal Resistance For Change
Every business enterprise, irrespective of its size and operations, must adapt to changes in its environment. Changes often find internal resistance in organizations and it is never easy for the owners to incorporate changes while keeping the motivation and morale of the employees unaffected. Sometimes change could be resisted even by the co-owners or the business partners. But when bringing a change becomes a necessity and it is being stiffly resisted, involving a management consultant can make a significant difference in overcoming this resistance. The recommendations in favor of the desired changes coming from a reputed and professional management consultant as a neutral and outside party can influence the opinion of the people (resisting the change) towards reconsidering their positions.
Every business enterprise, irrespective of its size and operations, must adapt to changes in its environment.
From a short to a long-term association, there are multiple ways in which an organization can benefit business-wise from its alliance with a competent management consultancy firm. Such alliances can significantly enhance the strategic and competitive position of a business enterprise and equip it with the necessary professional expertise required to address specific problems or to undertake growth and expansion projects.
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Author Bio
Rupal Agarwal
Chief Strategy Officer
