by Hayley Solich

Created on: January 02, 2008

What's wrong with your ideas?

As a creative person, I view the need for an idea consultant as unnecessary, but there are people who need help to get their creative juices flowing, so if you are stuck for ideas and you have the money, why not? An idea consultant can help you to formulate your business strategy and open up to you worlds that you may never have known existed. Equally, if you get someone that you don't click with, it can be a total waste of time!

When I started our home maintenance business we received a $200 grant from the government. The local business enterprise center recommended that we get an idea consultant out to help us to formulate our marketing strategy. As I was new to the home business process, I thought it would be a good idea (pardon the pun). After sitting with us for 30 minutes, I realized that everything he told us I already new from my work experience. However, having him tell me, validated that I had the knowledge and skills to be able to effectively market my business. This was very valuable to me.

An idea consultant is also important if you are the type of person who likes to externally process information. I like to thrash my ideas out with someone, as I am an Aural learner (I learn best by hearing). This drives my husband nuts, as he is an internal processor. Having an idea consultant that you can run your ideas past is a huge advantage and can take the pressure of your relationships.

An idea consultant can also be quite perceptive and help you to focus on your new business opportunity or challenge. They can help you to realize your barriers to success and design pathways to help you overcome these barriers. They can also teach you tools for creative thinking and help you to identify and deal with your own limiting assumptions. Any mentoring in a new business venture is helpful and especially in the generating of innovative and creative ideas.

Personally, an idea consultant can be very valuable. The question is, do you already have what they can give you within you and are you going to be able to draw that out by yourself? If you answer yes, then save your money. If you answer no, then by all means, make the investment and reap the rewards!

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