All Posts by Kent G

There are 6.5 million businesses that launch every year, but not all of them are successful. Startup failure rates are around 90 percent. That’s likely because the vast majority of aspiring entrepreneurs launch their business with no clear plan. Sure, everyone wants to achieve success, but that’s harder to do when you don’t have a plan in place to reach that success.

Imagine you are planning a trip to a place you’ve never been to before. More than likely, you don’t just leave for your vacation without knowing how you will get there. Likely, you research transportation options, the best hotels within your budget, and things you want to do. It’s essential to have a detailed plan. This ensures the trip is within your budget, and you have all the necessities you need to focus on relaxing and creating memories.

The same is true when building a successful business. Most people starting out have never been an entrepreneur before. If there isn’t a map or plan in place, you might never reach the level of success you need to continue your business.

A good Strategic Plan is a critical foundational pillar of every successful business. It’s so important that I call it the Roadmap to Success.

But what does a Strategic Plan look like? A good Strategic Plan has three components:

Define Success: Society’s definition of success doesn’t matter because success is a relative term. Each person has a different meaning to what success is to them. Each Strategic Plan is unique to each person, and each plan must define success. It’s vital that you take the time to sit down and brainstorm what success means to you – think in terms of finances, time, hobbies, etc.
Identify Roadblocks: You need to identify all of the obstacles that stand between the starting line (where you are now) and the finish line (success defined). Listing out all the potential roadblocks will help you be more prepared and help you navigate your way to success.

Overcoming Obstacles: Now that you have listed out the roadblocks, what tools and strategies will you use to overcome these hurdles, and accomplish your goals?
In addition to the three main components, there’s much more that goes into a Strategic Plan. Here are just a few examples:

Outlining your Vision, Values, Passion, and Mission.
Completing a SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis.
Defining what sets you apart from your competition.
Creating a Strategic Plan might seem like a daunting task, but it IS achievable, and I can help. I’ve guided countless entrepreneurs through this process using my time-tested methods. Using my Roadmap to Success can help you build a successful business that allows you to focus on your passion.

If you need some help or just want to have a conversation, please schedule some time with me or shoot me an email at kent@kentgustafson.com. I’d love to help you build success.

There’s one question I hear all the time – what does a business consultant do? This can be a loaded question and also is entirely subjective. While I’ve never surveyed to hear what people think, I am confident I would get a wide range of answers.

Over the years, I’ve received almost every response imaginable when I tell someone I am a small business consultant. Some people are curious and want to know more about the consulting I do. Other people have a preconceived notion about what consultants do – some of those responses carry a negative connotation.

I choose to focus on the positive and answer the real question: What does a consultant do?

What does a consultant do?

The term consultant is a broad term. There are a wide variety of focuses or areas of practice. Some of those include:

• Management Consulting
• Business Growth Consulting
• Strategic Planning Consulting
• Exit Strategy and Transition Consulting
• Business Start-Up Consulting
• Financial Management Consulting
• Operational Consulting
• HR Consulting

While this is not an exhaustive list, it gives an idea of all the different areas where a business consultant may focus. The next time someone says they are a business consultant, feel free to ask what kind of consulting they focus on.

Even though every business consultant has their niche or area of expertise, I believe they all have a common thread. Business consultants are problem solvers. We work with businesses and help them overcome a challenge, so their business runs smoother.

How do I know if my business needs a consultant?

You may be thinking that your business is already running pretty smoothly and that you don’t need a consultant to come in and help. Well, that may be the case, but many times, the business owner may not even see the challenge.

Or if they know there is a hurdle, the owner may not know what their specific problem is, or it could be a completely different challenge than they think. This can make a business consultant’s job difficult.

How do I find the right business consultant?

When looking for a consultant, you will want to find a good consultant who knows what questions to ask. It’s just as important that they then take the time to listen to the business owner describe the “pain” they are dealing with and what outcome they are destined for if they are unable to resolve the issue.

Consultants will vary in their approach to solving problems. Some have a strategic or patented process that they take clients through, while others choose an approach that focuses on treating the specific symptoms on a case-by-case basis.

I don’t necessarily believe there is a right or wrong approach. In my experience, numerous factors determine whether or not a business consultant is the right fit for your situation. Consider these questions:

• Does their area of expertise fit your situation?
• Do they have the ability to work on your timeline and within your budget?
• Is their flavor (style, personality, etc.) the right fit for you?
• Do they have similar goals or ideals that will mesh well with yours?

While it’s common to jump on any opportunity that may come along, I believe the very best consultants will tell you if they aren’t the right fit for your need. It isn’t always easy to say no to a money-making opportunity, but I believe when you put the customer or client’s needs first, it will work in everyone’s favor in the long run.

If you are searching for help to solve a business problem and would like to speak with a consultant, I’d love to talk to you and see if I am the right fit for you. You can reach me at kent@kentgustafson.com.