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Your business in a funk? Call in a consultant

Gladys Edmunds
for USA TODAY

Hi Gladys, My husband is a master plumber. Three years ago we opened our own plumbing company. We were so excited to finally be in our own business. But it has been slow to take off. We can't seem to attract steady customers and especially commercial customers. How can we regain our optimism and get more customers? I'm beginning to have serious doubts about ever becoming successful. -- Thank you, Sandy

It's time to get a good consultant on marketing your business. Map out a plan that will put your business on the right track.

A business development expert can provide you with a number of important things your business needs.

You have to face situations straight on. Experiencing a shortage of customers can certainly curtail your optimism. It's not easy to remain upbeat and positive when things are looking bleak. And, look carefully at this thing called doubt.

Doubt can be a two-way street. On one hand it's good. On the other hand it can be debilitating.

We wouldn't be human if we didn't have doubt from time to time. Having doubts about some things can keep us on our toes. Doubt makes us double check to make certain that the doors are locked and the stove is off before we crawl into bed at night. It can keep us out of harm's way.

On the other hand, doubt can defeat us by making us question our abilities and attack our confidence.

But know that you can get back your optimism and defeat doubt by finding ways to attract new customers.

Especially helpful would be a business development consultant. This type of professional can provide you with a number of important things that you and your business needs:

1. Help you identify and understand your market
2. Offer creative advice and suggestions to attract new customers.
3. Help you learn when and how to use social media.
4. Help you get more value from your current customers

This is just a short list of the value that a business development consultant can help you with.

There are many people who can provide this kind of service. The important thing is to do your homework and check out possible candidates completely before hiring them.

During your interview don't hesitate to ask for references. And, make a point to contact the references. Make certain that the consultant is familiar with the various aspects of your business. You don't want to get stuck with someone who doesn't understand how your business works. Don't jump at the first person you speak with. Interview several before making your final decision. After all personalities differ from person to person and you are looking for someone who has a temperament that works for you and your husband.

As we move into a New Year make a decision to ditch both doubt and lack of optimism and call in someone to get you going on the right track.

Gladys Edmunds, founder of Edmunds Travel Consultants in Pittsburgh, is an author and coach/consultant in business development. Her column appears Wednesdays. E-mail her at gladys@gladysedmunds.com. An archive of her columns is here. Her website is gladysedmunds.com.

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