An open letter to new business consultants:
I've noticed the expected uptick of people who have decided to take their government and corporate skills to the New Zealand small business world. Welcome, you've chosen a fun and challenging new career. As someone who's been in and out of this space for most of my working life, here are some tips to kickstart your new business:
People will have told you that small businesses have a different mindset to corporate and government. Over the next year or so you will develop a true understanding of what this means.
To translate:
- Listen to their context, then listen again
- The people you are dealing with are as educated as you are, and most likely have a broader range of experience
- Productivity tools with demonstrative financial value are welcomed
- Each small business is a web of people much larger than the number of employees suggest - industry specialists, accountants, IT strategy, IT support, planners, bankers, payroll, lawyers, contact centre, freight forwarder, security auditor, if you're lucky they'll have a board... it's a long list of people who all need to be corralled in the same direction by the boss
- Time taken on business strategy is not considered theoretical and needs to lead directly to new revenue within a defined timeframe
- In the corporate world mucking up leads to being sidelined or groups being made redundant; in the small business world you're fired and they go out of business; and the last one is interesting
- Get some business cards printed, as not having one is often seen as not seriously trying to understand them.
#businessconsultant #smallbusiness #listen #openletter
