How can you find the most reliable strategic planning consultants for startups?

Startups are created on certain very nice idea, hence if they are supported by team members, who have been working in similar areas ,will be more helpful. Startup needs very specific expertise and that shall be fulfilled. Also person should able to match the stage of startup e.g.. a growth strategist in initial days will be more helpful than a corporate strategist.

To find reliable strategic planning consultants for startups: Define needs, seek recommendations, research online, check credentials, evaluate past projects, interview candidates, consider financial expertise like EDR Accounting, assess human resourcing support from Set Up My Offshore (SUMO), check references, and review contracts meticulously. Often overlooked considerations: - Risk mitigation (insurance and corporate structure) - Debt vs. Equity - Data management - Understanding how to actually run a business (many startups are great in their field but poor with running a business) These steps provide some basic guidance for your startup's success.

I will be very frank in my advice. In consulting there are two types of clients, those who spend their own money and those who do not. And another aspect is whether you are really looking for advice on strategy or whether you are looking to reinforce your value proposition to investors by saying that your strategy is "endorsed" by a reputable consultant. If it is help you are really looking for, it can only be provided if it is based on trust and understanding in the first place, not on a consultancy framework or methodology. 2, the responsibility for the strategy is yours and no one should know more about your own idea than you do. Now you can choose a trusted consultant to help you find your own strategy. Good luck!

In your search for a strategic planning consultant, I'd recommend focusing on finding an expert whose skills align directly with your startup's industry and current level of growth. 👀 Their understanding of your sector’s unique opportunities and challenges is pivotal. What you should be looking for is a consultant with a demonstrated history of helping businesses similar to yours expand. Their experience should sync with your own objectives, may it be scaling up operations, venturing into new markets, or enhancing your business model.🎯🚀

Startups can find Strategic Consultants from pool of retired professionals from same industry because they bring with expertise, network and they have done already not once but many times.

I don’t think the consultant needs to know your industry. I didn’t know it at all, in any of my last 2 years clients. Growth stage yes. And growth pace even more. I believe a simple way to assess the expertise is to observe the questions asked by the consultant in the first hour. Do they make you think in a way that opens new perspectives. Do you feel it can bring you closer to your ambition ?

I love starting with the end in mind. What are you looking to accomplish with your startup? What team members do you need to accomplish that goal? What skill sets do you already have on your team? For example, you might be looking to raise investment for a new mobile app. This might require someone to determine what is the MVP, build it, get customers for it, build pitch deck, build financial model, get customers to buy, and get investors to invest. What skills do you have in the team? What skills are missing? Finding the consultant or fractional C-suite member you absolutely need can save you time and therefore money in the long run. The opportunity cost of not being revenue generating might outweigh the cost of a consultant

Startups looking for reliable strategic planning consultants need to make sure that their experts are a good match. You can make sure that strategic planning is done in a way that fits the startup's wants and goals by matching the consultant's skills to those. To get the most out of strategic projects, look for consultants who have worked with startups before, know a lot about the industry, and have a deep understanding of how markets work. Also, get suggestions from people you trust, read testimonials from past clients, and do in-depth interviews to see if you'll get along and make sure the relationship works.

Defina suas necessidades: Comece por identificar claramente seus desafios e objetivos específicos. Isso te ajudará a buscar consultores com expertise na área relevante. Busque referências e participe de grupos de networking: Peça indicações de outros fundadores de startups, investidores ou mentores experientes. Leia avaliações online e compare diferentes consultores. Participe de grupos de networking para startups, eventos da indústria e workshops, onde você poderá conhecer consultores em potencial e obter informações valiosas de outros empreendedores. Avalie a experiência: Verifique o histórico do consultor em trabalhar com startups em estágios semelhantes ao seu. Analise projetos anteriores e seus resultados

When looking for trustworthy strategy planning consultants for startups, it's important to check their reputation. Finding out about consultants' past work, client reviews, and fame in the field can help you decide if they are reliable and have a good track record. More proof can come from referrals from reliable sources and networking in startup groups. Startups can find consultants with a track record of success by using reputation check methods. This increases the chances of a successful relationship.

Don't hire generic consultants! Look for specialists with a stellar reputation in your industry. Talk to past startup clients - their experience is gold. Positive online reviews and testimonials are confidence boosters too. A consultant with a history of guiding startups to success is more likely to get yours there

In the consultation/freelancer domain, everybody can show his capabilities in words, especially with AI availability but actually, very limited numbers of them can deliver real value. recommendations " trusted ones" or reviews can give you insights about the real value. from my perspective, try the consultant first with minor jobs, then expand the partnership with him/her.

Seek referrals from your industry/trade association or trusted colleagues. Use LinkedIn to reach out. The referrals will help you understand how the consultant works, estimate costs, and improve the likelihood of success. Additionally, you start with a deeper relationship of trust based on mutual connections, which is an important key to success.

Une précision importante à considérer lors de la vérification de la réputation d'un consultant en planification stratégique est d'examiner attentivement la cohérence des avis et des témoignages en ligne. Bien que les recommandations personnelles soient précieuses, il est également essentiel de consulter plusieurs sources pour obtenir une image complète et équilibrée du consultant. La variété des opinions et des expériences partagées peut vous donner une perspective plus nuancée sur la réputation du consultant et vous aider à prendre une décision éclairée

Preferring the Consultant who knows how to execute it deeply, sometimes it’s not about the perfect strategy creation but also finding the proper way to execute with a different level of maturities. I see the Consultant must has a step forward than anyone, has something to represent, has a USP that makes him different, know everything about many of things and know deeply everything about one thing.

When choosing a consultant, it's important to prioritize execution over strategy creation. Look for someone with a unique selling point, extensive knowledge in various areas, and expertise in at least one area.

Startups that are looking for strategic planning consultants need to know how the consultants work. Startups can figure out if they will work with them by learning about their approach, methods, and analytical techniques. By asking about problem-solving methods, data analysis skills, and decision-making processes, you can make sure that they are in line with the startup's goals. Startups can judge how well experts can deal with problems, come up with workable solutions, and promote long-term growth by understanding their methods.

Focus on Methodology, Not Just Experience! Don't just pick a consultant with a fancy title. Look for someone with a clear, adaptable strategic planning process. Their approach should be structured, yet flexible to fit your startup's unique needs. Transparency is key – you should be involved and understand the steps. Ideally, their methods should lead to actionable strategies with measurable goals. This way, you'll track progress and ensure the plan drives your startup forward

Estoy de acuerdo se debe trabajar bajo una metodología que permita a la empresa obtener resultados con una estructura definida

Il est crucial d'obtenir un aperçu détaillé de la méthodologie de planification stratégique d'un consultant pour évaluer sa pertinence pour votre startup. Recherchez un consultant qui utilise une approche structurée mais flexible, capable de s'adapter aux besoins évolutifs de votre entreprise. Leur méthodologie doit être transparente et collaborative, favorisant votre implication tout au long du processus. De plus, assurez-vous que les stratégies élaborées sont non seulement réalisables, mais également mesurables, afin de pouvoir évaluer leur efficacité et leur impact sur le succès à long terme de votre entreprise.

Finding consultants who fit in with your startup's culture is crucial for a successful collaboration. This involves ensuring that the consultants' values, goals and working style are aligned with those of your startup. For example, when interviewing strategic planning consultants, I would consider how they communicate, their approach to solving problems and whether they demonstrate a genuine understanding of the specific needs and challenges faced by startups.

De acuerdo el consultor debe estar alineado con la cultura de la empresa para poder generar sincronías y obtener el resultado esperado

Ensuring a strong cultural fit between your startup and a strategic planning consultant is crucial. Beyond aligning values, the right consultant should deeply understand your startup's unique culture, reflecting its energy, vision, and challenges. This alignment fosters trust and mutual respect, making strategic planning more seamless. They should adapt to your team’s dynamics, becoming a part of your culture rather than an outsider, which will lead to more genuine communication and collaboration. A culturally aligned consultant can therefore truly champion your vision, providing insights that resonate with your mission and team spirit.

This one is the most critical point in my view. Best strategists often come from large organizations and diverse industry backgrounds Adapting to a small young organization and to founders who are first time entrepreneurs will be a challenge if the consultant has no experience in working within a fast growing startup context. You have to think in the founder’s shoes (burn rate obsession), support very fast decision making and bring long term perspective in a structure that is probably still in the experimentation mode. Not in the optimization mode yet.

When startups hire strategic planning experts, cultural fit is one of the most important things they should think about. Checking consultants' values, communication styles, and ways of working to make sure they fit with the startup's culture and goals. Partnerships that work well depend on things like working together, being flexible, and coming up with new ideas. Startups can find out how well consultants get along with others and how well they'll fit in with the team's dynamics through interviews and open conversation. Putting culture fit first leads to a better working relationship, which improves trust, collaboration, and the success of strategic planning projects.

in some projects, we need cultural insight, especially for projects related to population culture, ex. marketing, PR, or investment. get a consultant who taste the culture and has worked for it for a long time to get the right direction.

L'adéquation culturelle entre vous et votre consultant en planification stratégique est essentielle pour une collaboration fructueuse. Il est crucial de trouver quelqu'un qui partage vos valeurs et votre éthique de travail, et qui comprend pleinement la vision et la mission de votre startup. Un consultant qui s'intègre harmonieusement à la culture de votre équipe peut favoriser une communication fluide, un respect mutuel et un environnement de travail positif. Cette adéquation culturelle peut renforcer la confiance mutuelle et permettre une collaboration plus efficace dans la poursuite de vos objectifs stratégiques.

What is the best way to work with a consultant within your budget? Be upfront about what you need and how much you can afford. Especially in early stage, many founders respond to a budget question with “I don’t know.” In comparison, a founder who knows what they need and what their cash flow looks like comes off as far more serious and likely to succeed. It’s possible for the consultant to work with the founder to rescope the project, find ways to creatively finance, or even leverage revenue share or equity. Asking a consultant to work for equity only is asking for them to be one of your investors. This carries far more weight than hiring them with cash and should not be offered lightly.

your budget is the real guide for this section to avoid wasting time, effort, or even trust with your consultants. make the budget for the job clear to get the best match.

in consultation, you can ask not only for one time job, but you can make a long-term partnership or support. from start, you can agree with your consultant on the after sale / consultation support or review if you think it is mandatory for the project

Ongoing support is "cherry on the cake". A continuous dialogue between founder and consultant helps to keep the startup on its growth track. Strategic planning defines the overall direction whereas individual tasks and actions steer the project into profitable and sustainable path.

Before looking to pay for start-up consultants there are many people out there who are happy to share their experience for free. This insight will help shape your start up and strategy. People who have been there, done that, failed, succeeded. I have found many people are happy to share experience. At the early stage as you watch your cash flow closely it is wise to see what you can do in the most affordable way. These conversations will also shape what and if you need start up consultants and what skills they should bring.

Startups are normally born out of a brilliant idea that solves a problem for a set of customers who are not getting a satisfactory solution now! However brilliant ideas alone don’t make a sustainable business. The idea needs to become a tangible product or solution. Even a potentially industry disrupting idea needs a strategy- structure- skills - scale to become a viable business. A consultant typically helps in identifying industry boundaries that the startup would breach; the resistance it’s likely to face and the possible options for mitigation. This helps the startup to define the path from incubation to industry recognition. The consultant can also help in decoding trends and help to keep ahead.

Une stratégie doit être accompagnée d'un plan d'actions clair de sa mise en oeuvre. Un consultant en planification stratégique doit pouvoir être capable d'élaborer un plan d'actions qui facilite la mise en oeuvre ou l'exécution de sa stratégie. Par ailleurs, le Consultant doit être disponible pour apporter des ajustements nécessaires si besoin en vue de permettre à la startup de s'adapter à l'évolution de son marché de façon constante.

All the above mentioned are important BUT consulting focusing solely on strategy can miss the emotional challenges and potential limitations of leadership. What businesses truly need are consultants who incorporate mindset coaching, a coaching-focused consultancy approach. This combines strategic planning with personal development, equipping leaders to overcome mental blocks, develop the right mindset, and acquire the skills necessary for effective execution. A coaching-focused consultant assesses the team's readiness, provides personalized guidance, and bridges the gap between strategy and implementation. This address the human element, fostering growth, resilience, and accountability.

Here is a list of criteria that our clients told us made the difference in hiring a coach or consultant that made a real - move needle impact - on their business success: ❏ Deep relevant (industry-specific) operational AND strategic expertise ❏ Guarantee of improved business results ❏ Adherence to a "model" / approach that consistently delivers results ❏ Experience working through crisis moments (downturns, recessions, business disruption, etc.) ❏ Practical operational knowledge to understand the impact of recommendations ❏ Up to date with the latest strategies and methods for every core aspect of your business (SEO, capital-raising, marketing, sales, team building, pricing, cybersecurity, etc.). ❏ Experience with high-growth businesses.

Startup Experience: Look for consultants with experience in the startup field, especially those who have previously been involved as founders of one or more startups. Personal experience as a founder and a deep understanding of the challenges and successes of a startup can greatly assist in strategic planning. Engagement and Accountability: Ensure that the consultant you choose has the capability and accountability to engage with your startup. This includes actively participating in meetings, being responsive to your questions and needs, and providing ongoing support throughout the strategic planning process. These additional points can help in selecting the right consultant for your startup.

For me, I am always examine their Logical mindset, How they act and react, How they think, How they see Strategy, his clarity, his depth. Secondly, What is his reputation in his field. Then, If we are aligned I can take the risk to work together. I never put a strong skill matrix to select, just check these points and go ahead.

The shortest answer is: seek out a role model who has done what you want to do and can advise, either through a paid consultancy or a referral. Expertise in both industry and academia is best developed within context. Start with your local business community and startup ecosystem and then broaden out: - The Small Business Administration has the (free) SCORE mentorship program, which will pair you will someone in your industry who can provide a frame of reference to start - Local incubators and entrepreneur meetups can help you commiserate with non-competitors, and many larger towns/cities will have a startup week with pitching and presentations (DC Startup Week, for example, is particularly thorough and a great networking environment.)