Do You Need Outside Business Help?

Finnegan Pierson

Many business owners think that they only need help when they’re first getting started. While assistance during startup is crucial for getting your business off the ground, it’s not the only time you’ll need it.

Businesses of all sizes benefit from outside help at various times during their lives. The thing is that you might not always recognize when you need it. Here are a few tips to help you figure out when and how to go about getting the assistance you need.

When to Ask

Your business is your baby. If you’re used to doing (or trying to do) everything yourself, you might not immediately recognize when you need help. Some situations in which you might want to ask include:

• When it’s time to do taxes. You can do your taxes yourself, but having a qualified CPA comes with some significant benefits. One of the biggest advantages is that CPAs can help you find all deductions that you qualify for and help you to minimize what you owe.
• When you’re making a deal. A lawyer can be an incredible asset when you’re purchasing new commercial property or trying to organize a business deal.
• You’re experiencing rapid business growth. Rapid growth can strain your resources, leaving you struggling and unable to reach your full potential. A business consultant can help you to figure out the best ways to proceed. You may also need to look into financing options.

Who You Should Ask

Who you should ask for help depends upon your specific needs. There are numerous professionals out there ready and willing to provide their expertise to help your business thrive. Some people you may need to ask for outside help include:

• Customer relationship management professionals. A quality CRM company can help you to build and maintain customer relationships, boosting loyalty and improving retention. Companies like Salesforce have a strong record for providing businesses with the tools they need to foster strong bonds with their clientele. Reading the salesforce history can help you understand what they’ve accomplished over the years and how they can help you.
• Sales and marketing consultants. Firms like these can help you to develop your brand, create strong marketing campaigns, establish effective social media strategies, and improve your sales process.
• A lawyer. A good lawyer can be beneficial in numerous ways. If you’re looking to negotiate a business deal, your attorney can help you to prepare documents, create and understand the contract, and review or negotiate contracts prepared by the other party.
• A CPA. As mentioned above, you can do your own taxes, but a CPA can help you to identify all deductions that you qualify for, which can help reduce what you owe come tax time.
• IT consultants. Technology is growing and changing almost daily. It can be hard to keep up. If you’re not technologically savvy, you may become overwhelmed or have trouble using the latest equipment. IT consultants can help you navigate newer forms of technology. They can also help you to improve computer and phone systems, upgrade servers, increase storage space, and more.

Benefits of Asking

Some business owners might feel awkward asking for help or feel that they’ve failed if they can’t do something themselves. Never be afraid to ask. Doing so can benefit your business in ways you might have never thought possible:

• It can improve your mental health and leave you feeling more energized. Trying to manage everything yourself can be overwhelming. Getting outside help takes some of the pressure off of you, enabling you to relax and focus on other aspects of your business.
• Run your business more smoothly. Experts can manage issues more easily, ensuring that your business runs with as few hiccups as possible. You’re also likely to be less stressed when you have fewer problems to deal with.
• Grow your business. As a business owner, one of your biggest goals is likely growth. With the right help by your side, you can more easily achieve (and exceed) those goals.

It’s not always easy to recognize when you need outside business help. Being able to ask, however, can benefit your business greatly and help you further your success.