Business Consultants Will Be In High Demand In 2013

Businesses, like the financial markets, hate uncertainty. As I type this, the international markets -- and the domestic markets -- are responding quite positively to the recent "fiscal cliff" legislation. While this legislation may not be perfect, it at least has provided some certainty to the business world. Markets know what will be happening at least in the short term. I contend that business owners respond in the same way. They hate uncertainty, and will act once they have some idea of what tomorrow will bring.

Now that businesses know what will be happening in 2013, company owners will begin to invest again in their futures and will stop sitting on the side lines as it relates to strategic initiatives. The one thing I know about business owners is that once they decide to do something, they want it done yesterday! The challenge these organizations will have is that over the past four or five years, they have not developed the strategic talent to formulate and implement key strategic initiatives. While some businesses have maintained, or even added to their workforce in 2012, they have not added EXPERIENCED talent to their staff. They may have the "brawn" to get things done, but do they have the right "brains"?

The need for experienced talent is going to skyrocket in 2013. However, do not look for businesses to begin hiring workers with 30 years of experience. The recession has taught business leaders that payroll is too cumbersome. Adding talent to the payroll is too risky, and while the recent legislation has solved some short term issues, business owners know that the next issue may be just around the corner. Therefore, look for businesses to hire independent consultants who have the years of experience to work side-by-side with their in-house talent to tackle key initiatives.

Independent consultants allow business owners to "have their cake and eat it too." In other words, it is possible to hire young, more affordable talent AND get the experience you need all at the same time. Once the project is complete, two things will have been accomplished. First, the initiative/project will have been completed, AND you will have provided training to your new talent. All of this will have been done WITHOUT having assumed legacy payroll expenses.

Financial markets, like business owners, want certainty. The recent legislation has added some short-term certainty so the markets will respond positively. Independent consultants provide business leaders with the same kind of short-term certainty. The experience they bring is a given and not a risk, especially since there are no legacy payroll costs. If the market shifts, business owners can simply end the relationship. There is no residual expense. 2013 will prove to be the "year of the consultant" and Baby-Boomers will find their experience is a very valuable asset and in great demand as a consultant.

Recommended reading: USA Today article: When to start a small business

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