Connect Spring 2017 | Page 15

Dysfunctional management. Tricky transitions. Stalled growth. Some situations require immediate reinforcements, even for the most successful leaders. That’s why a growing number of companies are turning to consultants to navigate their toughest challenges. Learn how consultants can help support your most important business objectives. Consultants come with as many special- izations as there are unique business needs. They offer highly specialized knowledge, skills, and experience to improve outcomes or to make changes for future growth. Whether you opt for a big-name firm or an independent contractor, consultants fill those critical gaps in your strategy that can change the direction of your business. Areas of Expertise Business consultants account for more than half of all consul- tants worldwide, and while many services overlap in terms of disciplines, there are four broad-stroke categories that define some of the most common areas of expertise. Î Î Strategic consulting focuses on big-picture planning and Boost Business Strategy with Consultants tends to be analytical and advisory. These consultants look at your situation from a bird’s-eye view. Î Î Operational consulting plays a more hands-on, advisory role, where oversight in specific departments, such as sales, finance, and production, might help to improve or consoli- date old processes or create new ones. Î Î Human Resources consulting can impact an organization through restructuring, RIFs, recruitment, retention, and training, to name just a few areas. Î Î Information Technology consulting, as the fastest-growing category for mid-size businesses, handles technology infra- structure, design, security, and implementation. Î Î Marketing is a rapidly-growing consulting service that offers everything from a new logo design and social media strategy to turnkey marketing services and public opinion research.  RANKED BY FORBES’ 2017 “AMERICA’S 100 BEST BANKS” // CONNECT STRATEGY SPRING 2017 // SNB.COM | 15