It's more cost-effective for me to hire the talent I need. They want someone who has an fresh, objective, outsider's viewpoint and proven expertise to help them solve business problems and show them how to manage their company more efficiently. In the late 1970s and early '80s, I used to meet regularly with an advisor by the name of Bernard Gutherie. He became my sounding board for new ideas and my critic for proposed solutions to problems in my small manufacturing company. You can do all of the problem-solving yourself if you have the time and the objective outlook to do so.
Most business owners have neither the time nor the perspective.
That's why a good consultant can be a valuable resource. General business consultants charge an hourly or monthly fee to provide advice, often on a retainer basis. In my 35 years in business, I've probably hired 20 different consultants. So, there is often very little correlation between what you pay for and what you get. That's why you need to interview any prospective consultant before you engage their services.