True North Services: A professional consulting and marketing firm

How Do You Choose the Best Consultant?

In my life I have never attempted to repair an automobile. I have no facility for mechanics, no interest in fixing things and no curiosity about what makes engines tick. I have simply recognized my limitations as a backyard mechanic and take the wounded vehicle to professionals for proper care.

Most people are similarly limited in certain skill areas, while gifted in others, much like me. My career as a Marketing Consultant and Consumer Product Development specialist has introduced me to 1000's of potential clients. Most have never undertaken the challenges inherent in Marketing a new product or service, or starting a new business. They often recognize that they need help, but they often need to ask: what is the best way to uncover the right consultant for a specific project?

Here are several tips for securing talent that will save your project time, mistakes and money when choosing a Marketing Consultant:

Meet Face-to-Face

Look at their work product, PR, past strategies, designs

Ask about the products they have launched themselves

Ask about patents they might have owned

Only deal with specialist firms - if you have a consumer product, hire a consumer product consultant

Have they won industry awards

References are nice, but really, who gives bad references

Quality Consultants are Fee Based, discover pertinent fees

Make sure they will sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

After signing the NDA, describe your concept, prototype, etc.

What specific, off-the-cuff strategies does the consultant propose

Do the strategies proposed seem cogent, offer fresh perspective

After conducting the above due diligence, repeat the process with at least two more candidates. Keep notes, even record the meetings. Do not allow any high pressure, walk if this occurs. Then collate your thoughts, confide in trusted advisers and weigh the best features of each firm. The choice will be most obvious in every case.

Certainly, if your organization is in need of consulting or outsourcing services, True North can help. We are a full-service consulting and marketing firm that provides businesses with solutions that drive real, measurable results. We pride ourselves on our consistent, proven approach to address business problems and provide solid, fact-based solutions. Simply put, we analyze, design, deliver, and measure results -- so you realize value for your investment. Come see the difference a true 360° degree, value-based program can make to your organizations bottom line.

True North Services -- The RIGHT Direction.

About the Author: Geoff Ficke and his consulting firm, Duquesa Marketing, Inc. (http://www.duquesamarketing.com) has assisted businesses large and small, domestic and international, entrepreneurs, inventors and students in new product development, capital formation, licensing, marketing, sales and business plans and successful implementation of his customized strategies. He is a Senior Fellow at the Page Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Business School, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

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