It can be quite daunting selecting a consultant or external professional let alone letting them lose on or in your business. We have devised the following list (with help from some of our clients) of the things that we think you should check before appointing a consultant or external professional.

No 1 – Make sure they have direct experience of working in or doing the role you are paying them to do. When consultants have lived and breathed the role it gives them excellent insight into practical solutions for day to day problems and they are also more likely to know a few tips, tricks and cheats to resolve issues quicker, efficiently and more effectively.

No 2 – Do they have some form of professional qualification or competency in their relevant discipline or areas. It can highlight a further or deeper understanding of their areas of expertise.

No 3 – Are they a membership of a professional body. This can give them access to extra resources and support for those very complicated issues. It may also mean that they have satisfied certain professional criteria for membership, which is also further evidence of competence.

No 4 – Do you to trust them? It can be a difficult question to answer but remember you may be giving them access or authority to deal with sensitive issues, data and information.

No 5 – A sense of humour can go a long way, it may not be essential but can really help when dealing with those horrible, difficult and uncomfortable situations.