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What to Expect From A Business Consultant
By Doug Walker

A Business Consultant should provide services which complement and/or supplement the capabilities of your own staff. These may include such services as planning, review and analysis, accounting, automation, their staff may even provide key management for your business.

At Rue & Associates, Inc. we have developed our staff to be able to provide a wide range of these services. The following touches on these areas and how a business consultant can be a valuable asset to your business.

• Business Planning - An integral part of every organization is the development of a Business Plan. Planning is a combination of looking ahead as well as reviewing the immediate past. We approach business plan development based on extensive experience in the creation of realistic plans. Once the plan is approved, tools are set in place for the continued analysis of results versus the plan.
  
• 􀂃Problem Resolution - Business consultants are often brought in to resolve problems. Many businesses find themselves reacting instead of planning. This is not unusual. Typical problems may include inadequate cash flow, poor financial results, tax resolution, and inability to report financial results on an accurate and timely basis. We provide problem resolution through an analysis of the problem, identification of all reasonable solutions, implementation of the best solution, and development of a plan to avoid future problems.
  
• 􀂃Tax Planning and Preparation - Our Tax Department provides expert tax situation and anticipated future results. We provide tax preparation services for all business entities and personal returns. Our on-line tax service provides the most up to date tax reference and preparation service available.
  
• 􀂃Accounting - We offer a wide range of accounting services from providing a review of your financial reporting up to providing all accounting functions. Our information systems provide automated processing either entirely at our site or in combination with some processing and inquiry at your location. We provide quick turn around of Payroll and Financial reporting.
  
• Operations Management - We provide a complete operations overview to include identification of problem areas and solutions; an organizational plan and guidelines; an Operating Manual to identify standards, expected performance, and work flow; and reporting procedures. Many companies invest too heavily in inventory due to poor planning and purchasing. We address these areas to free working capital for better use.
  
• Marketing - We develop Marketing Plans to maximize overall market penetration and results. This may include a product line evaluation; identify possible new products and services; establish sales goals, establish a compensation program for sales and marketing, identify marketing tools and their role to include advertising and promotions, tele-marketing, public relations; and electronic marketing based on the Internet.
  
• Personnel - We provide personnel management to include the development of an Employee Handbook, benefits evaluation, job definitions, compensation analysis, and performance analysis. We also provide organizational charts and work flow analysis.
  
• Technology - We provide a complete system overview to identify the role automation should play in your organization, identify the optimal system and software, and how electronic communications through the Internet may be an invaluable tool.

The Business Consultant can address all areas of your business and should be looked at as an important asset. Most companies can't afford or attract personnel to provide the expertise they require. The use of a Business Consultant to provide these services makes good business and financial sense. When used to complement your strengths and to supplement your weaknesses, a Business Consultant can bring success to your business.