When you’re running your own business it’s important to take advice from a spread of experienced peers and professionals. Without someone to check your point of view you run the risk of losing sight of the big picture, becoming too focused on your particular specialism, or acting on blind faith. While it’s important to have self-belief to drive you forward, you also need people you trust to tell you if your self-belief has become self-deluding.
We’re presenting a guide to where you can get this all important advice, and who is the right person to consult for the insight you need in specific situations.
Personal Issues
Running a company is a high stress occupation, and it’s important to make sure you’re managing your time and relationships well to avoid burning out and burning bridges. A new breed of support staff is the ‘executive coach’, ministering to the needs of the burgeoning class of start-up entrepreneurs.
If you’re experiencing difficulty managing your work life balance or resolving disputes with co-founders, an executive coach can help you find more productive ways to move forward.
Legal Expertise
Legal advice is not something you should leave until you hit a crisis. Speaking to a lawyer when you’re setting up your company, drawing up contracts and looking for funding mean you can be assured you’re laying solid foundations for your business that will see you in good stead for months and years to come.
Over the last ten years more options have become available to connect small businesses and start-ups with the lawyers who can help them. If you use an online lawyer like Lawbite legal advice is available via your browser when you need it, rather than having to make an appointment to visit another office. It can also be cheaper – as you only pay for the specific service you require, making it easier to budget for getting advice in advance of a crisis.
Recommendations and Referrals
If you’re looking for professional services – like a lawyer or an executive coach – the place to start is with your professional network. Look to your peers who are in a similar position to you. Better yet, if you have the contacts, speak to entrepreneurs who are where you want to be in 1, 2 or 5 years and ask them for recommendations for the professionals they used along the way. A personal endorsement from someone you trust is worth a hundred online reviews when you’re trying to get the advice you need.