Fishnet (FAQ's )

What can a consultant do for my business? A good business consultant can help make your company easier to run and more profitable. Or help you get your firm under control. Or provide marketing help for your product or service to increase sales and profit margins. And provide an objective outsider's business advice viewpoint. And keep you from "reinventing the wheel" by using his/her own experiences to provide proven solutions.

Why do I need a business consultant? Why can't I just do it myself? Company owners hire consultants for any (or all) of three reasons:

They want the consultant to perform specific technical tasks which the owner is unable to do himself (herself)

They want the consultant to perform specific technical tasks which the owner is unwilling to do himself (herself)

They want someone who has an fresh, objective, outsider's viewpoint and proven expertise to help them solve business problems and show them how to manage their company more efficiently

How much does a consultant cost? It depends. Project consultants who are hired to do a specific project usually will draw up a written proposal for you which will detail their fees and expenses. General business consultants charge an hourly or monthly fee to provide advice, often on a retainer basis. Contact us to discuss our fee structure.

How do I find a good consultant? If you're visiting this site, you've already started your research. Check out the rest of this site - ask fellow business owners whom you meet (in your town or in cyberspace) for recommendations. Then interview prospective consultants.

How do I tell if a particular consultant is right for me and my business? After checking their credentials and references, judge them by how they conduct themselves during your interview (by phone or in person). Do they have the kind of personality and manner you're comfortable with?

Can I use a consultant who is located in another part of the United States? For two years, I used a consultant who was located 3,100 miles from my place of business. We communicated by phone, fax and email. This arrangement worked well for me and I now have clients that are located 5,000 miles away. My experience is that advice travels very well electronically

OK. Enough of this general stuff. I want to know more about Fishing For Answers and how you can help my business. Thanks for asking. Please read through our website and see if what we offer is what you need. To read specific comments from clients about our services, click here.

One additional question - I'm thinking of becoming a client of Fishing For Answers. What's the next step? Thank you for considering us. We offer a proven consulting program. To learn program details and pricing, contact us about your problem. Consultations can be in-person (anywhere in the Central NY area) or by telephone (anywhere in the world).

1. They want the consultant to perform specific technical tasks which the owner is unable to do himself (herself). I'm a total amateur when it comes to design. I often hire design consultants to help me with things like brochure design and layout.