Why Hire a Consultant? – Conspectus Nonprofit Solutions

When your organization is faced with problems that won’t go away, a consultant may be your answer. In the long run, you can save time and money by funding the right assistance to help you overcome a current obstacle or avoid costly mistakes in the future.

A good consultant, looking at your situation objectively, should be able to identify and implement the solution to the problem more quickly and efficiently than you or your staff. The trick is knowing what types of problems warrant a consultant’s services. Here are basic guidelines:

When you need an objective point of view. When you are very close to a situation, there is often a tendency to favor a predetermined – rather than creative – solution.
When the problem or situation is short-term, such as public relations around a special event.
When the problem requires special expertise that doesn’t exist in your organization.
When your organization’s financial situation is not favorable toward hiring permanent staff with all the consequential financial obligations.
When your agency is facing a major crisis, or when it seems to be operating in a crisis-management mode.

If your situation fits into any or all of these categories, a consultant’s services are probably a worthwhile investment.