5 Things to Consider Before Hiring a Business Consultant
I’ve been a college professor of management for nearly 20 years, teaching MBA classes and serving as Associate Dean of a College of Business. I also run my own consulting company, Lean Management Solutions, which I started back in 2008. Over the years, I’ve seen what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to hiring a consultant.
Here are five things to consider before you sign that contract.
1. Ask About Their Experience
First things first, ask about their background solving problems like yours.
Have they worked in your industry?
Do they have experience with your type of challenge (nonprofit, restaurant, gym, church, etc.)?
They don’t have to be a perfect match—if you run a restaurant, for example, someone with strong hospitality experience may still be a great fit—but they should have relevant experience.
Ask for testimonials or references, and actually reach out to past clients to hear about their experience. You deserve to know their track record.
2. Pay Attention to How They Listen
A good consultant should begin with a discovery call, usually free and about 15–30 minutes. During that call, they should spend most of the time listening to you. They should ask you:
What challenges are you facing?
What outcomes do you want?
Where do you feel stuck?
After listening, they should respond with next steps that make sense. Sometimes, they may identify a deeper problem than the one you describe, but they should be able to clearly explain how they got there. If their response feels completely out of left field, or they can’t explain their reasoning, that’s a red flag.
3. Find Out Who Will Actually Do the Work
Sometimes you meet a charismatic consultant during the sales process, only to find out they hand your project off to a junior associate the moment you sign. This isn’t necessarily wrong, but it’s important to know exactly who you’ll be working with and what their role will be. Transparency is key.
4. Clarify All Fees Up Front
Before you agree to anything, get a clear picture of the costs and payment structure.
Is it a flat fee, hourly, or monthly retainer?
Are there hidden charges (like your college’s “technology fees” you didn’t see coming)?
They should be able to give you a complete price, including any additional fees, before you sign.
5. Ask for a Written Proposal
Finally, make sure they provide a proposal before work begins. It doesn’t have to be a 20-page document—a simple one-page summary is fine—but it should include:
The problem as they understand it
The steps they’ll take to address it
The timeline and pricing
The deliverables (the outcomes you can expect)
This is your roadmap for the engagement. If they can’t or won’t provide a proposal, that is a major warning signal and you should walk away.
Final Thoughts
Hiring a consultant is a big decision. Whether you’re starting a new business, scaling an existing one, or just need a fresh perspective, the right consultant can be a partner, guide, and coach through the process.
If you’d like a free discovery call to talk through your challenges, please reach out.
I’m here to help!
-Dr. Lean (January 2025)
