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Writer's pictureAyodeji Peter Falope

Understanding the Role of Business Consultants: A Deep Dive

Updated: Nov 15, 2023

Introduction

As a business consultant preparing for a consultation session in Lagos, Nigeria, I often get asked: What do Business Consultants really do? This article sheds light on the multifaceted roles a consultant plays and how businesses can make the most of their expertise. Many business owners ask me about how top business consultants skyrocket your profits!


A nigerian business consultant in a blue suit and brown tie addressing a business meeting
A business consultant addressing a management board in a meeting.

Who are Business Consultants?

Business consultants are specialists in certain domains of business. Think of us as information brokers. We possess knowledge and experiences that perhaps you haven't encountered yet. With each business we consult for, our knowledge bank only expands. The more challenges we face, the broader our solution spectrum becomes.


The Diagnostic Role of a Consultant

Just as you'd visit a doctor for a health diagnosis or a lawyer for legal advice, you seek a business consultant for the health and matters of your business. Our primary task often involves identifying the root cause of the challenge you're facing. Many clients approach us knowing something's amiss, but they might not always know the exact problem. That's where we step in.


A meeting between a Nigerian man in blue suit and another Nigerian man in a brown suit in a restaurant.
Business consultants actively seek opportunities to engage clients to understand how best to help their business.

Engaging with a Business Consultant

It's essential to understand that consultants have specialties. The myth that a business consultant should know everything about business is just that—a myth. My value to you lies in my expertise in solving specific problems. While I might own multiple businesses and sit on several boards, my primary value is in addressing particular challenges using my skills.


My Expertise and Value Proposition

I specialize in improving profit margins and growing sales through my expertise in Marketing, Sales, Digital Transformation, and Operations. While there are many facets of business I might not be acquainted with, remember that a consultant's role isn't to solve every problem. It's to address specific, often pressing, issues that can change the trajectory of a business.


A business consultant presenting business growth metrics to a board of managers
Using analyzed data and charts, business consultants demonstrate their results and recommendations to their clients

A Real-life Case Study

I recall consulting for a client who believed her challenge lay in operations. However, upon diagnosis, we found that the actual issue was with leadership. In such cases, our partners in business governance, leadership, and HR teams come into play. Once these foundational issues were addressed, we could then move to enhance operations, grow sales, and improve profit margins.


Conclusion

Every engagement with a business consultant should be guided by a clear roadmap and milestones. The journey might be long, but with a well-defined path and the right expertise by your side, success becomes not just a possibility, but an expectation.

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