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Your outside advisors -
attorneys, accountants, tax advisors, business consultants
and coaches, and other professionals - should be key contributors to the success of your
business.
Many health and wellness businesses decide who they'll
work with based on a mix of personality and gut instinct. Yes, those
factors matter. But insights from their clients are equally important.
Get
the names of several former and current clients - ideally, those with
similar needs to yours. Then, use this guide to get the most valuable
insights from them:
1)
Set the stage for the conversation.
2) Of the services mentioned, which ones were the most
valuable and why?
3) What kinds of additional value did the professional
bring to your business?
4) How quickly did they usually respond to you?
5) Did they let you know who you could work with if they weren't
available?
6) Did you ever work with anyone else in the firm when
your primary contact wasn't available? How did that work out for you?
7) Did anything surprise you - good or bad - during the
time you worked together?
8) What did you like best/least about this individual and his or
her firm?
9) Could you give me an example of something that didn't
go as expected and how it was resolved?
10) What advice would you give this
firm on how they could strengthen their services?
11) Are you still working with them? If not, what
changed and who are you working with now?
12) Would you work with them again?
13) What advice would you give me if I decide to hire them?
14) Is there anyone else you think I should talk to?
15)
Evaluate the information you've received.
Then, make your final decision with confidence, knowing
that you've balanced personality with the real-life experiences of their
clients. |
