Why Hire a Consultant when I can use AI?

Great question! I recently dug into this question from the lens of a small business owner that was overworked and underpaid (been there!) and here's what I did along with what was lacking.

I started by simply going to Google.com and typed in "help reworking my small business"

Here's what the AI generated content showed at the top in case it's helpful - I've added my comments in yellow:

Reworking a small business can involve various strategies, depending on the specific challenges and goals you have in mind.

Here are some key areas to consider and steps you can take:

1. Assess Your Business:

* Understand your business's strengths and weaknesses: Identify what your company does well, what it struggles with, and the biggest challenges you face.
This is extremely hard to pinpoint accurately when you're involved in the business day-to-day.
* Review your current setup: Analyze your organizational structure, reporting lines, and identify any bottlenecks or inefficiencies.
Those bottlenecks are the exact thing you complain about except it sounds like "I'm so tired of wearing all the hats"
* Evaluate financial health: Look at your cash flow, outstanding debts, and payment schedules to understand your current financial standing.
It's hard to evaluate this objectively when you know the cash flow is lacking. We help evaluate this from a high level and map out your existing, modified, and new revenue streams to help meet your goals.

* Analyze market changes: Consider how new competitors or changing customer needs are impacting your business.
Have you reviewed your customers needs or evaluated how the current economy is effecting their spending habits?

2. Define Your Objectives:

* Set clear goals for restructuring: Decide what you want to achieve, such as increasing profits, reducing costs, or improving operational efficiency.
You likely want to do all these things but pinpointing the priority and focusing there will fast-track your business in the right direction. Doesn't mean you can't set the others as future goals, but pick one goal to start.
* Define key performance indicators (KPIs): Establish measurable objectives to track your progress and evaluate the success of your restructuring efforts.
This looks different for every business and there's no one right answer that fits all. The best KPIs to measure are the ones that will hold your business back from growth if they fall behind.

3. Develop a Plan:

* Formulate a restructuring plan: Outline the necessary changes, including roles, processes, and financial adjustments.
I can help you determine what those changes are
* Consider legal and compliance requirements: Ensure your plan adheres to relevant regulations, especially regarding employee transitions and shareholder approvals.

* Create a communication strategy: Develop a clear plan for communicating changes to employees, customers, and other stakeholders.

* Assemble a change team: Identify individuals responsible for executing the restructuring plan.

4. Implement Changes:

* Roll out the plan step-by-step: Implement the new structure and processes gradually.
I can help you create the steps and prioritize the roll out
* Manage workforce changes effectively: Address potential layoffs or role changes with sensitivity and provide support for employees.

* Invest in necessary tools and technologies: Automate processes where possible and invest in software solutions to improve efficiency.
Okay, okay, this may be one of my favorite areas. Online Bookings - Yessss! Get asked the same question 100x a day? Lets get those questions into your marketing so you customers don't have to ask you anymore!

5. Monitor and Adjust:

This is where our monthly fractional CMO services shine
* Track progress against KPIs: Regularly evaluate what's working and identify areas for further improvement.
I can provide those monthly KPI reports (progress reports) as you implement the changes. Part of the fun is receiving the reports and being delighted to see your hard work paying off!
* Stay agile and adapt: Be prepared to make adjustments as needed in response to changing circumstances and market conditions.
As part of those monthly reports I provide notes and recommendations. These could include upcoming seasonal weather considerations as it pertains to your business or things to be prepared for or working on with the current economic climate.

Potential Strategies to Consider:

• Improving profitability: Reduce costs, increase order values, optimize pricing, eliminate unprofitable areas.
  Easier said than done - customers and clients may balk at a price change, you've already reduced as much cost as you can, and all the areas you offer are necessary. Let me help, I bet I can still find areas of improvement here.

• Customer retention: Provide excellent customer service, build relationships, and implement loyalty programs.
  Receiving negative reviews? Let me turn those perceived personal attacks on your business into profitable opportunities!

• Streamlining operations: Eliminate waste, automate tasks, and optimize resource allocation.
  Did you say automate?! Gosh I could talk about this all day. Seriously, though, my corporate experience has given me some fun tools to help streamline your business.

• Marketing and innovation: Invest in marketing strategies, develop new products/services, and expand your email list.
  Also a favorite area of mine! This often overwhelms small business owners because there's no clear rulebook, just a bunch of trial and error. The business assessment that I perform for all my clients will reveal which marketing strategies we should implement to target or nurture your clientele appropriately. Not all the marketing strategies are right for your business - just the ones that will work best for your biz.

• Diversifying revenue streams: Explore new markets, products, or services to mitigate risk.
  THIS! I cannot emphasis this enough to clients. If you're not diversified, you could be one pandemic away from going out of business.

• Investing in employees: Foster a positive work environment, provide training, and recognize achievements.
  Do you have a clear path for employees to move through your company or are they stuck in one role until they choose to leave?

• Building a sales funnel: Attract new leads and convert them into customers.
  Don't think you need a sales funnel? Guess again! Don't worry, we'll make it fun and non-salesy.

• Strengthening credibility: Use video content or other strategies to build brand awareness.
  It's okay if you don't love being in front of the camera! See if you have an employee that would like to do this. You (or we) make the script, and they just record it.

• Seeking external support: Consider working with a small business coach or turnaround consultant.
  Hi!! I'm here and ready when you are!!

Note: Reworking a small business takes time and commitment. It's crucial to be methodical in your planning and execution, and to seek expert advice when needed.

All-in-all, google gave some really great advice that can help shape an outline for what needs to be done to "rework" a business but without a clear focus on what your trying to achieve, making ALL of these changes is a whole other full-time job.

When you join our community as a full-service client, we'll start by having a casual conversation about all of the major aspects of your business. I spend a lot of time asking questions and simply listening which helps determine our next steps forward as we reshape your business. I'll find themes in what you're sharing, bring in additional information from your website and google reveiws, and then put the full package together. We can do just the initial assessment with a report that you can then go DIY the solutions or we can continue on with the 1-on-1 consulting/implementation calls to help work through the changes and revamp your business faster.

These consulting calls are also a chance for you to sit back and not have to "drive the bus" for an hour or so at a time. No fires to put out, no chaos, just casual conversation focused on making your life easier.

I'm here when you're ready. Hope to see your name on my calendar soon!