Gold from Small Business

How to consult profitably with owner-run businesses

Michael Van Horn

#17 in the series.

Most consultants do not work with top corporate executives, so this book shows you how to build a successful and lucrative practice working with owners of smaller companies–ranging from a few to a couple of hundred employees.

There are two benefits of working with smaller companies. Since there are many more of them:

• You’re less likely to be dependent on just a couple of large corporate projects at a time, so you avoid the boom-and-bust syndrome

• You reduce your business travel, and spend less time alone in airports and hotels.

Following my guidelines, you can make the money you want while working on diverse and enjoyable projects—without exhausting travel and a 24/7 schedule.

I’ll tell you what sets small business owners apart from corporate managers and execs, the opportunities for consultants, and how to take advantage of them, plus the challenges and how to deal with them.

This is based on my work with these business owners for over thirty years.

Gold from Small Business

This book includes

The mindset and tools you need to consult profitably with smaller, owner-run companies

How to overcome the inevitable challenges

Proven ways to find, qualify, and sell to small businesses

Special ways of working with smaller clients profitably

Topics Covered

01

The mind and heart of the small business owner

02

Varieties of owner-run businesses . . . compared to corporate execs

03

Benefits of consulting with small business owners (SBOs)

04

Challenges of consulting with smaller companies

05

How to find SBOs

06

How to sell to SBOs

07

Working with SBOs. Their needs = your opportunity

08

Profile of small business consultant

09

How to price your services

10

Ways to boost your effective hourly rate

This is also useful for executive coaches who wish to become better business advisors.

Warm up exercise

From the workbook

Ready to increase your selling effectiveness?

Discover the 7 Touches—Turn Leads into Sales. A practical guide to staying connected with prospects, building stronger relationships, and turning more leads into sales.

Proven Strategies

Build trust & real relationships.

Better Results

Turn leads into loyal customers.

Stronger Relationships

Build trust and stay top-of-mind.