If you seek a better career, then why not become a business consultant? Nowadays, this is big business. This industry is commonly referred to as ‘management consulting, with a turnover of over $250 billion annually. There are over 700,000 consulting firms that operate across the globe. Hiring the best consultant is sure to help businesses derive huge returns.
Functions
They act as professional advisors to companies belonging to different industries to achieve their set objectives and goals. They also help companies to streamline their operations within a particular area. It includes IT, sales, marketing, finance, HR, supply chain management, operations, security and engineering.
Role of the consultant
They work along with the upper management and help with the following:
- Facilitate learning new processes, tools and systems
- Increase revenue and sales
- Develop business plans
- Enhance employee performance
- Implement diverse organizational changes including firing & hiring staff
- Enhance organizational efficiency
- Improve customer satisfaction & service
- Prepare/conduct audit
- Boost employee morale
How to become a business consultant?
To enter this professional you need to acquire extensive training and domain knowledge. You need to be an expert at data analysis, research, problem-solving, strategy implementation and project management.
Tips to follow to become a successful consultant
1. Earn Bachelor’s Degree:
You need to acquire a degree in engineering, economics, marketing or business management, etc. A Master’s Degree will be essential to join to consulting firms.
2. Determine the industry type to serve:
Identify a specialty area to align with your specific personality, interests and skills. In case you prefer to be among people, then you may lean towards human resources consulting, marketing or sales. If you prefer analyzing data and be independent, then select IT or finance consulting.
Depending on what suits your interest best, you can also try to benefit by opting for corporate training in Singapore. This might help give you an idea about industries that can offer the best professional opportunities. The best training institutes work with a host of experts from different fields. Professionals who opt for corporate training programs learn everything from perfecting their communication strategies to executing complex presentations.
3. Get Certified:
Small business consultant with valid certifications is in huge demand in the global market. With a proper certification, you can demonstrate and develop your expertise. But then you are to earn your professional certification only from an well-established industry association.
4. Online Courses:
After completing your bachelor’s degree, do consider enhancing your education. For this, you may choose a good online course that is relevant to your specialty area. Most colleges these days offer a variety of online Master’s & certificate programs in business management. Take up such courses from established online education provider.
5. Industry Tools:
A good Business Consultant is one who has good knowledge of using several industry tools. Most organizations these days prefer to use sophisticated technology to enable better work productivity and smooth operations. Salesforce is popular CRM software and the other is Oracle’s PeopleSoft ERP software. You need to be aware of both the tools.
6. Hands-on Experience:
Relevant industry experience is vital to become a successful small business consultant. You may be employed somewhere currently, but not as a consultant. In such a case, you are to avail additional projects allowing you to get better exposure to a particular domain. You may also consider providing non-profit firms with pro-bono consulting services.
7. Industry Groups:
Join industry related social media sites like LinkedIn. Post own content and be active. Also comment on other’s posts. Join business groups meeting regularly in your particular area. Local CoC (Chamber of Commerce) can help you to move in the right direction.
8. Presentation skills:
Whatever be the type of industry that you wish to enter as a consultant, do enhance your presentation skills. Go through videos of experienced presenters. Brush your knowledge of Google Slides and PowerPoint. Practice public speaking and engage your audience.
Following the above tips will help you to know how to become a business consultant.
