The Curious Case of Business Consultation: Insight or Venting?
As a consultant for small business owners, I often find myself in a unique position during our sessions. Surprisingly, I sometimes feel more like a therapist than a strategic advisor.
When small business owners approach me for Instagram consultations, they usually express a desire for increased engagement, improved reach, and overall growth—a promise of transformation that I genuinely enjoy delivering. It’s fulfilling to see clients who take my insights seriously and implement changes that significantly impact their businesses. Those who do often experience a remarkable shift in their online presence.
However, I’ve noticed a troubling trend: many clients leave our sessions without making any real adjustments. It’s not that my recommendations are superficial; we dive deep into crucial elements like brand clarity, messaging, content strategy, and audience connection. We cover substantial topics that could propel their businesses forward. Yet, after our call, it’s as if the conversation never happened.
I can’t help but ponder this phenomenon. It leaves me questioning the motivations behind seeking professional help. Have they come simply to vent about their challenges rather than to genuinely explore solutions?
Perhaps I’m viewing this through a different lens. If I were managing a business, my commitment to its success would be paramount. Understanding my target audience would be essential since that’s where revenue flows from.
So, it raises an essential question: why invest in expert advice if you’re not going to act on it? Why approach growth with such ambivalence when the desire is ostensibly there?
Is this behavior a widespread issue among small business owners, or am I just encountering a select few who are more interested in voicing their frustrations than pursuing a path to improvement? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this subject—maybe together we can uncover the answers.
One Comment
This post raises a compelling point about the emotional dynamics at play in small business consultations. It’s understandable that owners may seek a space to vent frustrations—particularly given how demanding and isolating entrepreneurship can be. However, the disconnect between receiving strategic advice and taking actionable steps can sometimes stem from deeper issues like fear of change, overwhelm, or even burnout.
To foster greater commitment, it might help to incorporate accountability measures into your consultations—setting clear, achievable goals with follow-ups can make the process more tangible. Additionally, exploring the underlying motivations and emotional barriers during sessions can uncover why clients hesitate to implement recommendations.
Ultimately, your role as a strategist can also be a facilitator of mindset shifts, helping clients see setbacks not as failures but as part of growth. Engaging clients in self-reflection on their willingness to invest in their business’s success can lead to more genuine engagement and tangible results. Thanks for opening this important conversation — it’s a reminder that small business support is as much about emotional resilience as strategic advice.