Small Business Consulting from A Lawyer’s Perspective
Small business owners can wear all the hats, and often do all the things (at least in the early days).
There is so much to know; so much to do, and rarely enough time in the day!
The value of the right team and being surrounded by the right people in business can be priceless – and in my experience can mean the difference between surviving and thriving. This can start with growing your team in the traditional sense, aka by engaging employees or contractors.
I discuss the value of outsourcing in business in this article: Outsource with ease in small business and I explore engaging independent contractors here: Independent Contractors and Australian Employment Law.
However, when it comes to surrounding yourself with the right people, consulting can be incredibly valuable, too.
Small business consulting
When we hear the phrase ‘small business consulting’ we often think of generalist consultants, strategy, planning, and development. Legal support isn’t necessarily front of mind. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be!
When it comes to working with a business lawyer, having one as part of your team in business can be a game-changer. Unless a business wants to actually employ a lawyer in their business (and unless we are talking larger businesses wanting in-house legal counsel, this is not often a feasible option), small business consulting can work really well.
Building a relationship with a business lawyer who gets to know you and your business; your business values; your objectives, and what you stand for, can be an incredibly valuable and rewarding relationship. I have found over the years that I rarely work with clients as a ‘one-off’. Most of my clients are repeat clients and I have come to be part of their team. I get to know their business, I learn how they operate and I gain a deep understanding of their values and what’s important to that business. What this means is when a problem or hiccups arises, I am just a phone call or email away!
Cost-effective
My clients get in touch with me to bounce ideas for all sorts of things, such as new service offerings; new directions; team growth, or more general strategy ideas. I often support them through tricky client situations, outstanding invoices, or disputes they are having with their clients or suppliers. Honestly, the list goes on.
Thinking of working with your business lawyer in terms of small business consulting can add tremendous value to a small business, and the arrangement is commercially sound because having your lawyer as part of your team cuts down significant time in terms of briefing a lawyer when you have an issue or need advice; spending time going over the background, or filling gaps that arise as you work through an issue.
There is a lot to think about when running a small business and I talk more about some of the fundamentals for small business owners in this article: Building Your Small Business | The Beginners Handbook.
Remember, if you need help with any aspect of setting up your small business, or if you are keen to chat about what working with a business lawyer could look like for you, reach out here and book a time to chat!