The “Different Types” of Business Consulting We Offer

Types of business consulting

Written by: Matt Wilhelmi

Over the past 2 years of working with IA Business Advisors , I’ve noticed there are several “different types” of business consulting we offer. It’s certainly not all straightforward. In fact, some clients don’t know exactly what they need. When prospects or contacts at networking events ask: “So, what exactly is it that you do?” I often need to watch how I respond. I’ve met so many “business consultants” who are really merchant processors, insurance salespeople, or “widget of the month” sales people.

No, no, no.

IA is a boutique business consultancy firm. Boutique? Yes. We don’t take every client that walks in the door. There are some qualifications. One: They have to understand exactly how we approach problems. Two: They have to be willing to submit to our process. We don’t take shortcuts. We don’t make outlandish promises. We do, however, provide some “different types” of business consulting.

Professional Problem Solvers

Probably the most common type is the “Professional Problem Solver.” We are often asked to think outside the box as other professionals have said “it can’t be done” to whatever the specific need is. We come in, ask for a retainer for the work, perform our BizVision® Process, and then fix the problem on contingency.

One client Brian worked with was on the brink of having his company literally taken from him. He got into a nasty partnership with 2 other people who were about as dishonest as they come. They were lying to banks, vendors, and employees about payments, money, and reports. Well, the bank they were working with caught on to the inconsistent financial reports (because they were fabricated by one of the dishonest partners) and the bank started to repossess the business’s vehicles. The client’s attorney called Brian. Brian and the IA Team swooped in and not only stopped the bank from destroying the company, but also fixed the partnership, restored their credit, found a new banking relationship, and have been providing strategic advice ever since. How? Brian and the IA Team are “Professional Problem Solvers.”

Encourager

Sometimes, we work with clients so closely that we can tell something is a little off. Many entrepreneurs are under an unbelievable amount of stress and have few outlets to turn to. It’s during these situations where we need to be an Encourager to our clients. It might be subtle; a text message here, or a facebook message there. Something that says, “Hey, we know you’re busting your butt for your company and you’re doing a great job!”

Accountability Partner

Other times, we need to be the Accountability Partner to our clients. Most of our clients who develop a Strategic Plan for their business with us realize they need a little bit of accountability. And, it doesn’t need to be a naughty word.

One of my favorite speakers says, “The problem isn’t with education. All the information is out there. Thank GOD for Google. You can find information on anything. The problem is with Accountability.” You see, when running a business , often times there is very little oversight to your decision making. Sure, you may have a spouse to be accountable to, or a business partner, but what about someone who (like a personal trainer) will ask you what you did last week or last month to take action steps getting you closer to your goals. That’s accountability.

Analyst

Clients who need an Analyst are some of my favorite clients. They tend to make decisions only after they have all the information. Or, they know they don’t have the time (or maybe the will power) to do the proper due diligence and some critical thinking on a very important decision.

We’ve been asked to prepare Competitor Reports, Market Trend Analyses, and Business Evaluations. To Reverse Engineer Processes. Conduct Interviews. And yes, Review Financial Statements. We do all this through the lens of, “What is the overall goal for the business? And does this align to that goal?”

Sometimes a client will ask us to generate XYZ Report, which would take 5-8 hours of time and cost a bunch of money and we pause for a minute to think if this is A) Really necessary B) The easiest way to do it C) Going to generate the ROI the client expects D) Something we should show one of their staff members how to do. This is why the critical thinking pays off. We’re not going to mindlessly take orders just to spend time on it. It has to fit into the overall goal of the business and stay within their budget.

Teacher

I almost gave this one away. Phew! Part of the time we’re working with our clients, we need to be Teachers. You know, we support business owners in a variety of ways. Sometimes a little too much. When clients ask us to perform routine tasks for them, we often provide an option (they may choose to have us do it anyway) of showing them how to do it, providing them with a Standard Operating Procedure, or teaching one of their staff members how to do it.

In fact, we’ve taught dozens of small business owners how to use QuickBooks. That’s just one example, but because we know the software so well, we can give an overview (if that’s all you want), show you how to generate the most important reports (if you want that level of functionality), or even how to pull transactions from online into the QuickBooks system and reconcile bank accounts. We actually have a very large database of QuickBooks specific Standard Operating Procedures to help support our teachings.

Dreamer

As a good business consultant should, we sometimes need to help our clients dream a little. I’m not talking about blowing smoke up you know where. I’m talking about helping our clients realize why (or reminding them of why) they started their business in the first place. It could be to establish a legacy for their kids or grandkids. It could be creating a money-making machine so they can take 4 months off a year. It could be simply having some autonomy and not working to make someone else rich.

Whatever the dream, (and sometimes we need to have the “Dreamer Conversation” where we help brainstorm exactly what the dream is, and the more specific the better) we want to help you get there. That’s our ultimate goal. Without knowing your dream, it’s hard to give advice.

Part of our BizVision ® Process is uncovering what your business looks like today. Part of the process is understanding where you want it to be. That’s how we’re able to build the plan to get there.

© Individual Advantages, LLC 2017

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How to Mitigate Financial Risk Using the S.M.A.R.T. Management System

June 9, 2025

In an increasingly volatile economy, businesses cannot afford to be reactive when it comes to their finances. Whether you're a startup founder, a growing enterprise, or a seasoned business owner, the risk of financial instability is real—and growing. At IA Business Advisors, we help companies proactively navigate these risks using our comprehensive S.M.A.R.T. Management System . S.M.A.R.T. is more than just a goal-setting acronym. It is a decision-making and execution framework that brings clarity, structure, and alignment to every part of your business. From six-week action plans to one-year targets and long-term strategy, S.M.A.R.T. ensures your financial operations support healthy growth and resilience. Understanding Financial Risk in Today’s Business Climate Financial risk is multifaceted. It ranges from cash flow disruptions and market shifts to internal mismanagement and over-leveraged growth. As Brian Smith shared on a recent Daily Influence podcast episode, unchecked growth can drive a company into bankruptcy. Scaling without intention—chasing fast growth without aligning the internal team and financial resources—leads to diluted communication, quality issues, and operational chaos. Mitigating financial risk begins by understanding that more revenue doesn't always equal more stability. True sustainability comes from building systems that support intentional, well-paced growth. The S.M.A.R.T. Framework in Action: Reducing Financial Risk Our S.M.A.R.T. Management System guides businesses in creating resilient, financially stable operations through: 1. Specific: Build with Intentionality Clarity is power. One of our podcast guests, Mike Heatwole (CEO of The Dala Group), emphasized the importance of sitting down to define what matters most—whether that’s paying down debt, investing in growth, or launching a new venture. When your financial goals are specific, your strategy becomes targeted and less prone to reactive decision-making. “If we don’t know what the goal is, how do we get there?” — Mike Heatwole, CEO of The Dala Group 2. Measurable: Track What Matters Many companies are blindsided not by invisible risks, but by unmonitored ones. We help clients implement tools to track cash flow, margin fluctuations, and budget variances in real time. Visibility into your financial health gives you the power to respond early and course correct as needed. 3. Achievable: Assign Financial Stewardship Risk is reduced when financial responsibility is distributed. Through teamwide financial literacy and clear accountability, we empower organizations to make stronger daily decisions. No individual person should carry the entire burden—and no key area should go unmonitored. 4. Relevant: Make Risk Management a Habit Quarterly or biannual financial health check-ins create a sustainable rhythm. These don’t have to be complicated—they just need to be consistent. Regular reviews embed risk awareness into your company culture and decision-making process. 5. Timely: Foster Honest Dialogue Financial silence is a hidden threat. As Brian noted on the podcast, emotions like fear or shame can prevent businesses from facing financial realities. We encourage honest, blame-free communication around financial performance, creating space for solutions and collective action. Case in Point: Short-Term Action, Long-Term Impact One of our clients, a family-run distribution company, had strong revenue but was bleeding cash due to aging receivables. Together, we built a six-week S.M.A.R.T. Plan focused on accounts receivable recovery. We implemented weekly check-ins, assigned ownership, and used real-time tracking. Within 90 days, their outstanding A/R dropped by 22%, freeing up capital and restoring operational confidence. It’s Never Too Late to Get Financially Intentional Many leaders in their 40s, 50s, or 60s worry they’ve waited too long. But as Mike Heatwole wisely shared: “It’s never too late. Just get started. Do something.” Progress—not perfection—is the goal. Start small. Build momentum. Take the next best step. This mirrors a concept we love from The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan: measure progress based on how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. Final Thoughts: Make Financial Stability a Strategy Mitigating financial risk isn’t about a dramatic overhaul. It’s about consistent action, visibility, and intentional decision-making. With the S.M.A.R.T. Management System, IA Business Advisors helps businesses turn risk into clarity, fear into focus, and instability into opportunity. If you’re ready to start, we’re ready to help. Let’s have a conversation about what matters most to you—and build from there.

Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships for Toxic Workplace Recovery

May 29, 2025

Hello, team! Mary here, continuing our journey through the I in Team series, where we challenge and empower you to Find , Be , and Build Your Influence. One of the most common things we’re asked to help our clients with is toxic workplace recovery. This directly connects to the culture of the team, and while rebuilding that culture takes time and intention, it is absolutely possible. In fact, with the guidance of our I in Team approach and S.M.A.R.T. Management system, we’ve successfully helped more than 19,000 teams evolve into high-performing, values-based cultures. If you’re ready to take the lead and breathe life back into your team, we’re here and ready to support you. Practice Emotional Intelligence One of the most impactful steps you can take on your toxic workplace recovery journey is to practice emotional intelligence (the ability to recognize, understand, and manage both your own emotions and the emotions of those around you). Toxic environments are often the result of emotional disconnection, poor communication, unnecessary competition, and a culture that avoids constructive feedback. Begin by shifting your perspective: respond with empathy, ask thoughtful questions, and use “I” statements. These habits model two traits, emotional regulation and empathy, that influence how your team interacts and solves problems. Start small. For example, set a personal goal to give one piece of sincere praise or recognition per day. This is a S.M.A.R.T. goal, and it starts to reinforce positive emotional exchanges. Over time, this contributes to a psychologically safe environment where people feel seen and supported. Foster Open Communication Once emotional intelligence begins to take root, toxic workplace recovery is just around the corner. Open communication becomes more natural because when team members are aware of their own and others’ emotions, communication becomes seamless. The number one rule? Listen. Really listen. Without listening, communication is incomplete. Try implementing monthly influence partnerships—team pairings that rotate so members can get to know each other beyond surface-level roles. This creates connection and, when done with consistency (Timely), fosters trust across your team. Another way to build open communication is by creating a structured feedback loop. Clarify how and when feedback should be given—perhaps during weekly one-on-ones or monthly review meetings—and make sure all team members understand the difference between criticism and constructive feedback. S.M.A.R.T. feedback is Specific and Relevant, and when delivered with respect, it encourages team members to grow without fear. Lead by Example As we say throughout the I in Team series, everyone is a leader regardless of title. Whether you’re in the C-suite or just starting your first job, how you show up directly shapes the culture of your team. To begin, set some respectful boundaries rooted in your values. Let others know what you need to succeed and what behaviors support or disrupt your work. When disagreements arise, demonstrate what respectful disagreement looks like—calm, focused on solutions, and free from personal attacks. If your workplace has leaned into competition, shift the focus to collaboration. Collaborate on micro-goals, like shared tasks or cross-functional projects. Make the results Measurable and celebrate wins together (publicly, if possible). Consider S.M.A.R.T.-based team-building events (like problem-solving challenges or goal-setting workshops) to reinforce collaboration in a meaningful way. Final Thoughts Toxic workplace recovery starts with you. Every interaction, every word, every moment of listening is a chance to model what’s possible. Show up the way you want others to show up. If your team is struggling to rebuild or you need expert guidance, reach out . We’re here to help. Let’s keep influencing responsibly and positively together.