Profession business consultant

Business consultants analyse the position, structure and processes of businesses and companies and offer services or advice to improve them. They research and identify business processes such as financial inefficiencies or employee management and devise strategical plans to overcome these difficulties. They work in external consulting firms where they provide an objective view on a business and or company's structure and methodological processes.

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Personality Type

• Investigative / Enterprising

Knowledge

• Business analysis

  The research field which addresses the identification of business needs and problems and the determination of the solutions that would mitigate or prevent the smooth functioning of a business. Business analysis comprises IT solutions, market challenges, policy development and strategic matters.

• Strategic planning

  The elements defining the foundation and core of an organisation such as its mission, vision, values, and objectives.

• Business processes

  Processes which an organisation applies to improve efficiency, set new objectives and reach goals in a profitable and timely manner.

• Consultation methods

  Techniques used to facilitate clear and open communication and the provision of advice between individuals, communities or the government, such as discussion groups or one-on-one interviews.

Skills

• Analyse business objectives

  Study data according to business strategies and objectives and make both short-term and long-term strategic plans.

• Perform business analysis

  Evaluate the condition of a business on its own and in relation to the competitive business domain, performing research, placing data in context of the business' needs and determining areas of opportunity.

• Advise on personnel management

  Advise senior staff in an organisation on methods to improve relations with employees, on improved methods for hiring and training employees and increasing employee satisfaction.

• Conduct quantitative research

  Execute a systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques.

• Analyse business plans

  Analyse the formal statements from businesses which outline their business goals and the strategies they set in place to meet them, in order to assess the feasibility of the plan and verify the business' ability to meet external requirements such as the repayment of a loan or return of investments.

• Analyse internal factors of companies

  Research and understand various internal factors that influence the operation of companies such as its culture, strategic foundation, products, prices, and available resources.

• Make strategic business decisions

  Analyse business information and consult directors for decision making purposes in a varied array of aspects affecting the prospect, productivity and sustainable operation of a company. Consider the options and alternatives to a challenge and make sound rational decisions based on analysis and experience.

• Liaise with managers

  Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.

• Analyse business requirements

  Study clients' needs and expectations for a product or service in order to identify and resolve inconsistencies and possible disagreements of involved stakeholders.

• Analyse business processes

  Study the contribution of the work processes to the business goals and monitor their efficiency and productivity.

• Align efforts towards business development

  Synchronise the efforts, plans, strategies, and actions carried out in departments of companies towards the growth of business and its turnover. Keep business development as the ultimate outcome of any effort of the company.

• Interpret financial statements

  Read, understand, and interpret the key lines and indicators in financial statements. Extract the most important information from financial statements depending on the needs and integrate this information in the development of the department's plans.

• Advise on financial matters

  Consult, advise, and propose solutions with regards to financial management such as acquiring new assets, incurring in investments, and tax efficiency methods.

• Conduct qualitative research

  Gather relevant information by applying systematic methods, such as interviews, focus groups, text analysis, observations and case studies.

• Build business relationships

  Establish a positive, long-term relationship between organisations and interested third parties such as suppliers, distributors, shareholders and other stakeholders in order to inform them of the organisation and its objectives.

• Analyse financial performance of a company

  Based on accounts, records, financial statements and external information of the market, analyse the performance of the company in financial matters in order to identify improvement actions that could increase profit.

• Identify undetected organisational needs

  Use the collected input and information from interviewing stakeholders and analysing organisational documents in order to detect unseen needs and improvements that would support the development of the organisation. Identify the needs of the organisation in terms of staff, equipment, and improvement of operations.

• Advise on efficiency improvements

  Analyse information and details of processes and products in order to advise on possible efficiency improvements that could be implemented and would signify a better use of resources.

• Analyse external factors of companies

  Perform research and analysis of the external factor pertaining to companies such as consumers, position in the market, competitors, and political situation.

• Analyse the context of an organisation

  Study the external and internal environment of an organisation by identifying its strengths and weaknesses in order to provide a base for company strategies and further planning.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB