How to Start an Efficiency Expert Business
If you have extensive experience working in a corporate
environment, and more specifically have managerial experience in
mid to large size corporations, you should consider a setting up
your own practice as an efficiency expert.
What
do you need to be an Efficiency Expert?
Unlike
other professions and businesses, being an efficiency expert
isn't simply a matter of learning as you go or taking some
certification courses. This is really a profession where your
experience and past results will attract clients to you.
Other than experience, a business administration degree or MBA will almost certainly be an expectation.
This is a business that depends on your track record.
What will you do?
You're going to be marketing yourself as someone who can
help companies identify and fix deficiencies in their
operations, production, and workplace efficiency – and even
management. In a nutshell, you'll be showing them where things
are not working as well as they should be, what needs to be cut
out, and what needs to be implemented.
Each of your
clients will have specific issues; there are no one-size fits
all solutions. Some of your clients will be looking for short to
mid-term implementations, while others will seek long-term
solutions. Generally though, your clients will want to see that
they are able to improve productivity and workforce motivation
while reducing operating and production costs.
What you'll
need to get started
This is your chance to work freelance
and be your own boss. This means you can either work from home,
or set up your own office.
That said, you're probably
going to spend most of your consulting hours at your clients'
offices. So, you need to be mobile – a notebook, cell phone and
a cellular data plan for connecting to the web remotely.
Since you're in the business of efficiency, you will need to be
an efficient time manager yourself. Having a very organized
calendar and task list is vital, and you should look into using
project management software like MS Project or similar packages
to oversee projects and resources.
You can expect to be
stationed at the client's workplace on a daily basis. Depending
on the extent of your contract, you may work full-time hours at
the client's office, and projects can be as short as a few weeks
and as long as a year, or longer.
Back at the office,
you'll need a decent color printer for printing professional
reports, and an efficient workspace, which includes an ergonomic
desk and chair. You may also want to have office telephone and
fax numbers.
Before you begin providing any consulting,
you're going to take considerable time and effort to market
yourself to potential clients. You'll want to start building
your profile through your existing professional network.
Your business is going to grow based on your ability to produce
results. So handle each client with utmost care and
confidentiality, and work towards gaining a positive reference
from them for future projects.
