The Positives
✅ Expert Perspective – They bring industry knowledge, best practices, and solutions that have worked elsewhere.
✅ Objective Analysis – No internal politics, no personal biases—just data-driven solutions.
✅ Short-Term Cost, Long-Term Gain – A consultant won’t be on payroll forever, but their impact can last years.
✅ Staff Training & Buy-In – Sometimes, the team needs an outsider’s credibility to take operational changes seriously.
✅ Instant Access to Experience – Instead of spending months trial-and-erroring, you get proven strategies fast.
The Negatives
❌ Upfront Cost – Not everyone has the cash flow for consultancy fees, even if the ROI is strong.
❌ Implementation is Still on You – A consultant can guide, but if leadership or staff ignore the advice, it’s wasted money.
❌ Not Every Consultant is Good – Some just recycle generic advice, so vetting is crucial.
❌ Can Create Internal Resistance – If management or staff see it as a threat rather than a tool, there’s potential pushback.
Should You Hire a Consultant? Here’s the Litmus Test.
If your venue is already running at peak efficiency, profit margins are strong, and staff are highly trained—great, maybe you don’t need a consultant.
But if any of the following apply, it’s worth serious consideration:
- You’re struggling with margins but don’t know where the money is going.
- Service is inconsistent, staff aren’t trained properly, or you have operational bottlenecks.
- You’ve tried fixing things in-house, but results have been slow or ineffective.
- Your competitors are pulling ahead, and you need an edge to stay competitive.
- You’re launching or relaunching a venue and want it set up right from day one.
How to Get the Most Value from a Consultant
· Have a Clear Objective – Be specific. Do you need pricing help? Operational efficiency? Inventory control? The more focused the goal, the better the outcome.
· Choose the Right Consultant – Experience matters. Look for someone who has worked in similar venues or markets, not just someone with a flashy website.
· Commit to Change – A consultant can only provide solutions; it’s up to the venue to implement them properly.
· Don’t Just Go for the Cheapest Option – The consultant who charges £500 but gives generic, ineffective advice is more expensive in the long run than the expert who charges £5,000 but delivers £50,000 in savings.
Final Thoughts
Consultants aren’t a magic fix, but they are one of the fastest ways to pinpoint and solve expensive problems in a venue.
The key takeaway? Expensive is relative. If a consultant costs £5,000 but identifies £50,000 in lost revenue, was it really “too expensive” or just a missed opportunity?
Before saying, “We can figure it out ourselves,” ask: How much has that approach already cost?
A well-timed consultant can make the difference between struggling to survive and thriving in an industry that doesn’t leave much room for second chances.