Every business needs advisors.
They may be helpful or destructive or expensive or cheap, depending on many
circumstances. Owners of small entrepreneurial business usually do not take
advantage of advisors because they do not know what to look for in choosing
them.
There are attributes for which to search and steps to be followed when seeking
and selecting advisors.
References should be obtained and checked out carefully and completely. Try to do this face-to-face. People tend to be more frank in these circumstances. Over the telephone will not always get the right answer. It is too easy to say what one wants to hear.
Practicality is the most important attribute for which to search. Find someone who has done it before and has been successful not only in planning, but also in implementation.
Results are the only matters for compensation. There must be something tangible such as a written report, proposal or plan on which to act. It must be timely, coherent and achievable.
Compensation should be settled before the task is commenced. Do not wait until it is completed to examine it, pay for and obtain written progress reports and plans. Don't wait until the end to get surprises. If you are not satisfied as it goes along, speak up. Stop the process and/or the task if necessary.
Accountant
Banker
Factory/plant organiser/manager
Insurance agent - other than life
Insurance agent - life
Investments - both long and short term
Lawyer
Office procedures/systems/equipment analyst