7 Benefits of Business Advisory Sessions

I’ve had the privilege of giving over 300 advisory sessions in Adelaide in the past 5 years. I’m constantly surprised and grateful by how pleased people are at the end of a session. Although they’re only an hour long, they’re jam packed with lots of information and ideas.

If you’re sitting on the fence, not sure whether to spend your precious hour listening to someone who isn’t part of your usual team, consider these seven benefits

1. Objective Opinion
2. Sounding Board for Ideas
3. Confirmation of Strategy
4. New Techniques
5. New Products
6. New Ideas
7. Real Life, Local Examples

Objective Opinion

The business advisor has no stake in your business. They have no reason to lull you into a sense of confidence or conversely, slam your good idea for no reason. They provide an objective voice. Is your plan viable? What’s the likely outcome if you go down this path? How do the numbers stack up? What actions will need to be taken to bring this idea to life?

It might seem dispassionate, but this voice of reason may shed a much needed reality check on your business plans.

Sounding Board for Ideas

Got a great idea for a new business venture or got plans to launch a new product? Thinking of promoting a new service or looking to grow through a new partnership?

Talking through your idea with a local business leader who has experience and knowledge can help hone in the idea so that it is more viable, give credence to the idea’s value, bring it into perspective with other possibilities or build upon it with new thoughts.

Confirmation of Strategy

Many business owners come into a session with a well thought out strategy. In these cases, getting a confirmation that the strategy is sound can be that last piece of the puzzle before implementing the first steps. Sometimes it’s just good to get confirmation from someone in the field.

New Techniques

Do you know it all? Probably not. Very few of us can claim to know everything and maybe there’s a key technique that could be super useful to your business that you’ve not yet discovered.

A business colleague of mine re-introduced me to the concept of zero inbox. I’d read about it previously, but his knowledge and enthusiasm for this technique got me started in using it. I’ve not looked back since. It’s saved me lots of time and energy in keeping up with the many requests that enter my inbox each day. Zero inbox is not for everyone, but it demonstrates the power of having someone talk through a technique with you, giving you examples of how to use it and tips on how best to implement it. A new technique can make a positive difference to your daily work habits.

New Products

There are many products out there that you probably don’t know about. Whether it’s scheduling your social media posts, creating an online booking form, accessing a government resource or finding the perfect warehousing solution – the next helpful product for your business could be out there.

In my business advisory sessions I’m frequently introducing businesses to free, online tools or marketing channels they never knew existed. You don’t know what you don’t know – right?

New Ideas

Most business owners come in with plenty of ideas, so it might sound counter-intuitive to want more ideas. But occasionally there could be a gem of an idea that has not quite entered your head, but the business advisor can see it clearly.

Of course, ideas are only a small part of the picture. How you action ideas is the success behind most businesses. But ensuring you’ve canvassed all the possible ideas that suit your skills and expertise is a powerful way to ensure business success.

Real Life, Local Examples

In my surfing on the net I keep coming across people who’ve made a million dollars and if I follow their plan, I can too. Do you also see this? You know the saying – if it sounds too good to be true it probably isn’t true.

Wouldn’t it be nice to hear about real life examples in your industry and in your neighbourhood? This is what a local business advisor can give you. Depending on their experience and how long they’ve been around, they’ll have seen and spoken with many business owners. They have a library of knowledge when it comes to local business success stories (and some failures too).

Business Advisory Sessions with Fiona of DIY Digital – Southern Adelaide

If you live in, or have a business in, one of the following Council areas:

• City of Holdfast Bay
• City of Marion
• City of Onkaparinga

You are eligible for a free 1:1 digital marketing consultation with Fiona Blinco from DIY Digital. For more info and to book, visit the Southern Business Mentoring Program website.

Business Advisory Sessions with Fiona of DIY Digital – TTG

If you live in, or have a business in the City of Tea Tree Gully, you are eligible for a free 1:1 digital marketing consultation with Fiona Blinco from DIY Digital.

For more info and to book, visit the Tea Tree Gully Support for Local Businesses website.

Free or Low Cost Advisory Sessions for South Australian Businesses

Find out about other business support in Adelaide and South Australia here.

Further Reading

South Australian mentor Nan Berrett has written an interesting article on the power of mentorship.