I need help. Should I bring in a star consultant from the US or struggle on?

Dear Aunty B,

I have a very tricky business problem and I honestly can’t find anyone in Australia to give me some advice on how to sell a difficult product. One option is to hire someone from the US where they have lots of consultants who are really good at this function.

The trouble is I would never be able to afford them. I am in a bind. Should I struggle on or try and bite the bullet and bring someone over? It just seems so risky…

Worried,
Melbourne

Dear Worried,

You know why some small businesses fail? Well, there are lots of reasons. But a major one is that as struggling small and medium business owners we cannot afford the advice we need.

And if we can’t afford it, then we hate paying for it. It’s not that we are stingy and risk adverse. It’s just that we don’t want to go broke and hate paying for advice when we don’t know the outcome.

But as you have identified, we need to constantly be on the lookout for fresh thoughts, new ways of doing things and new strategies, and that involves taking some risks. We won’t get all of them right but that’s business.

The good news for you is that this is sales related. So you don’t pay unless you get results. Also at the moment in the US there are a lot of people who are unemployed and would be more than happy to strike a deal with you.

You could bring them over for three months or even a year on a strict performance contract that pays for results.

Don’t struggle on. Try something bold.

Good luck!
Your Aunty B

To read more Aunty B advice, click here.

Email your questions, problems and issues to auntyb@smartcompany.com.au right now!