Business advisory can be transformational, but only when both you and your advisor are clear on what’s needed and what’s expected from each other. Whatever your goals are, from navigating a specific operational challenge to simply needing a strategist with experience; preparation is key to getting value from the relationship.

As business advisors, it’s our job to ask the right questions and ascertain what your business needs to thrive — but the more clarity you bring to the table, the faster we can arrive at the outcomes. In this article, we go through some things you can think about before engaging a business advisor.

Remember, the best strategies are tailored to your specific needs. When you come to us with a sense of your goals, we can personalise our support to help you get there sooner. Think of it as a partnership: we’ll lead, but you can help us help you.

Part 1: Defining Your Goals

Below are some questions an advisor might ask you in your first consultation, and a few you should be asking yourself too. Thinking about these things before you book any discovery calls means you can ensure you’re receiving personalised, relevant guidance down the track — and that you’re actually equipped to implement it.

1. Why do I feel I need outside advice?

How did you get here? Identifying the trigger that’s leading you to seek support will help shape the solution.

Are you stuck on a big decision? Feeling overwhelmed as a founder? Is it just the right time to take your startup to the next level? Run through the areas of your business and see if any need specific attention. Look at your overall business plan, marketing, operations/team, and financial management.

Or, maybe you know you need things to improve, but aren’t sure exactly where the challenge lies. Don’t worry; this is a perfectly acceptable answer in itself! Part of our role as business advisors is to identify the areas where there’s room for development.

2. What does success look like at the end of this engagement?

Imagine it’s six months from now. What’s different? What do you want to have achieved or gained? If we know what success means to you, we can work backwards to come up with a plan to get you there. Working towards a clear vision also makes it easier to measure progress along the way.

3. Am I open to change and challenge?

Good advisers won’t just agree with you. They’ll question assumptions, challenge the status quo, and flag blind spots — all to push for growth. If you’re only looking for someone to validate your existing thinking, you may not get the full value from the collaboration.

4. Do I have the time and capacity to implement advice?

Advisory only works if you take action. You can’t just talk about solutions; you actually have to put them into practice. Consider whether you have the space (mentally and operationally) to follow through, or whether you also need help with execution. This is something your advisors can focus on, if not.

Part 2: Questions to Ask a Business Advisor

Once you’ve considered the above, it’s time to evaluate potential advisors. This isn’t just about finding someone with experience. It’s about finding someone who understands your business and is aligned with your goals, who you can see integrating into your team. The right fit can make all the difference.

1. What is your background and how does it apply to my business?

Do they understand your industry, stage of business, and challenges? Experience matters, but so does relevance. If you’re a healthcare practitioner, for example, you’ll have very different needs from a tech startup or a retail business. Look for someone who has either worked directly with similar businesses or can demonstrate a clear understanding of your landscape. Bonus points if they’ve navigated the kinds of decisions or roadblocks you’re currently facing. You want someone who not only “gets it”, but also knows how to help you move forward in a way that makes sense for your world. Learn more about our industry specialisation.

2. What does your process typically look like?

Every advisor and every business works differently. You might find that a boutique advisory firm is better suited for a high-touch hands-on approach, embedding themselves in your operations and spending regular time in your office, factory, or practice.

Ask yourself: what matters most when it comes to communication and collaboration? Do you value frequent check-ins, on-the-ground support, or just a monthly big-picture conversation? And just as importantly, what will you expect of your advisor — reports, workshops, financial reviews, or something else? Clarity here ensures that your expectations and needs are always met.

3. What’s expected of me as a client?

While our goal is to lighten your load and help you focus on what you do best, the best outcomes come when you’re actively engaged in the process. The more open and responsive you are, the more your advisor can tailor guidance and drive meaningful results.

Ask what kind of input, availability, or follow-through will be needed from your side. Will you need to provide up-to-date financials or operational reports? Commit to regular check-ins or strategy sessions? Understanding your role up front means a productive, focused, and aligned advisor-client relationship.

4. How do we measure progress and ROI?

Whatever the KPI, it’s your business advisor’s job to keep you on track and monitor progress. Make sure that the mechanisms in place for tracking results will work for you. This is where you can also provide your input on what you want to look at every month — it might be quantifiable data like revenue growth and profit margin improvement, or maybe it’s qualitative measures like decision-making clarity and operational efficiency.

Hiring a business advisor can be one of the smartest moves you make as a business owner, but the magic happens only when you’re aligned on goals, expectations, and how you’ll work together. Take time to prepare before you reach out, and don’t be afraid to ask meaningful questions. When you’re ready, focused, and open to the process, your business will thrive.