I had forcefully paid for a business class ticket because of an emergency appointment I had to keep in lagos. It wasn’t funny, but somehow I was lucky to share a space with a man who from physical assessment was clean, simple, delectable and from the fragrance, you could tell he was rich. He appeared to be in his early 60s and we immediately started a conversation as soon as I took my seat which was by the aisle.
Looking at him with a smile, I said: My name is Dr. Festus Odigie-Erewele and I am a Business Consultant. His responsive smile was much more infectious. Nice he said and with a chuckle he continued: there are so many of you these days and I can’t help but wonder why? He steered hard into my eyes still hanging on to the smile and hoping I wasn’t embarrassed. Of course I wasn’t.
Encouraged to continue, he asked:
WHAT REALLY DOES A CONSULTANT DO AND WHY WOULD I NEED ONE FOR MY BUSINESS?
Interesting question I must confess and if you don’t mind, I will answer it from what I do that qualifies me as one. That’s fine he said and YES! he was prepared to listen to me.
First a consultant is one who is knowledgeable enough to teach, guide or advise almost infallibly on the way to go to achieve a desired outcome or result. Meaning that for you to be called a consultant, the evidences of what you teach or preach MUST have been seen in your situation or evidenced by many whom you have extended your knowledge to. These testimonials qualifies you as a consultant.
A Business Consultant therefore is one who has cognitive and evidential bias (character, competence and capacity) to teach, advise and guide someone else successful on a business journey. This simply means that the consultant is a “unique business compass” that helps you succeed in your business venture.
You need a Business Consultant for your business irrespective of the stage of business you are in – whether you are just starting, or have been in it or even exiting. You need one whether you are trying to build a workforce, go into partnership or collaboration, do contract biddings or negotiations for commercials, account forensics or financial advisory services. The question is how much of all of these do you know or can you handle effectively as a business owner? This is why you need a Business Consultant.
In my company, we take these responsibilities very seriously and try as much as we can to make your first time contact with us count. This is why at Excel and Grace Consulting, we listen, have an on-the-ground assessment, carry out personality profile assessment before we come up with bespoke solutions that have continued to endear lot of clients to us.
My new friend smiled at me again, brought out his wallet and handed me his business card. My name is Mazi Kalu, call me up tomorrow morning if you are still in Lagos, let’s do business.
He had barely finished when the pilot’s announcement came through. Gentleman, we have commenced our descent into Muritala Mohammed International Airport……..”
Waooooooo what a flight? I heaved a huge sigh of relief and sat up for descent. One prospect in the kitten I whispered to myself and held up the edges of my seat handles with a grin on my face.
Dr. Festus Odigie-Erewele
Founder & Managing Partner
Excel and Grace Consulting