Personal reflection is a good thing, regarding both our personal and corporate lives. Listed below are questions that have evolved after interviewing hundreds of owners and principals of the small to mid-cap, for-profit business entity.

• Do I manage myself for both greater productivity and balance of life?
• Do I have a high level of personal and corporate accountability?
• Do I have a clear vision for the growth and success of my organization?
• Do I consistently develop others to assume leadership roles?
• Am I developing trust, cooperation, and teamwork within my organization?
• Do I have a written business, strategic, and tactical plan?
• Is my organization focusing on the most critical elements for success?
• Am I successful at recruiting and retaining key employees?
• Do I have a practical, measurable approach to selling and marketing our services/products?
• Is it fun and exciting to work for my organization?

Do you need help? Are you concerned about using a consultant to help you define and attain your goals as a business principal and owner? These are both realistic and prudent concerns. Much work has been done by the consulting industry to address these issues. Consider the questions listed below. Our concern for these questions shapes our approach to becoming a TRUSTED ADVISOR to our client.

• How can I ascertain value received from the consultative process?
• Will the consultant understand my business?
• How can I trust my consultant?
• Will the consultant respect my position as Owner/President/CEO?
• Will the consultant ask the hard questions that need to be asked?
• Although respecting me and my position, will the consultant confront me when necessary?
• Will the consultant assist not only with tools, but with private, understanding counsel?
• Will the counsultant take a long-term, relational approach or seek a short-term, quick-fix approach?