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What Does a Business Consultant Really Do?
July 7, 2025

What Does a Business Consultant Really Do?

In today’s fast-paced and hyper-competitive business world, business consultants are in high demand—but many people still ask: “What exactly does a business consultant do?”

If you’ve ever wondered whether hiring a consultant is worth the investment or what they bring to the table, this article will give you a clear picture—especially from the lens of someone working in both local African markets and with international clients.

💼 Who Is a Business Consultant?

A business consultant is a professional advisor who helps businesses solve problems, improve performance, and achieve their goals. Consultants bring unbiased perspectives, deep expertise, and strategic insights into a business to identify what’s not working, recommend what will, and guide implementation.

Their work spans various areas depending on business needs, but typically falls under the following categories:

1. Strategy Consulting

What it involves:

  • Business model evaluation

  • Growth strategies

  • Market positioning

  • Competitive analysis

  • Business planning

Case Example (Nigeria):
Say logistics company in Lagos wants to expand from B2C to B2B operations. As a consultant, you would conduct a market analysis, redefine their value proposition for corporate clients, and develop a partnership strategy that will increase their revenue by 40% within a year.

Case Example (International):
Say a UK-based EdTech startup was unsure how to penetrate the African education sector. A consultant would develop a localization strategy for Nigeria, South Africa and/or Ghana, advise on strategic partnerships, and help them build a region-specific go-to-market plan.

2. Operations Consulting

What it involves:

  • Process optimization

  • Workflow automation

  • Supply chain efficiency

  • Cost reduction initiatives

Case Example (Nigeria):
Say a mid-sized manufacturing firm was facing production delays and high operational costs. A consultant may map out their processes, identify inefficiencies, and help them adopt lean manufacturing practices. This would cut operational waste by a significant percentage within six months.

Case Example (International):
Say a UAE-based fashion retailer needs help streamlining its order fulfillment process for African orders. A consultant may audit their workflow and introduce a hybrid logistics model involving Nigerian delivery partners, reducing delivery time from 10 days to 4.

3. Marketing and Branding Consulting

What it involves:

  • Marketing strategy and campaign planning

  • Brand positioning

  • Customer acquisition strategies

  • Sales funnel development

Case Example (Nigeria):
A beauty brand in Abuja was struggling to convert online traffic into customers. I redesigned their sales funnel, restructured their messaging, and introduced a conversion-focused email sequence. Their monthly sales doubled in 90 days.

Case Example (International):
A Canadian NGO expanding to Nigeria needed local branding insights for one of her projects. I helped them brand the project and refine their messaging tailored to Nigerian audiences.

4. Digital Transformation Consulting

What it involves:

  • Digital strategy

  • Tech stack recommendations

  • CRM and ERP implementation

  • Process digitization

Case Example (Nigeria):
An oil servicing company in Lagos still managing leads manually needed a CRM. I implemented Zoho CRM, trained the team, and set up automated follow-ups. Their lead response time dropped from 3 days to 6 hours—resulting in more closed deals.

Case Example (International):
A US-based consulting agency wanted to digitize its services. I helped redesign their digital outlook (website and social media)—bringing improved performance and increased leads to the brand.

5. Organizational Development & HR Consulting

What it involves:

  • Talent acquisition strategy

  • Culture building

  • Leadership coaching

  • Change management

Case Example (Nigeria):
A religious organization with high volume in membership and traffic needed assistance stabilizing her structure. I conducted team assessments, developed the training curriculum and structure, and facilitated some training sessions to coach the leadership team—improving leadership and workers commitment by 30% in six months.

Case Example (International):
A US-based company outsourcing to Nigerian developers wanted to improve remote team collaboration. I provided onboarding tools, cultural integration workshops, and process alignment—leading to a 35% increase in team efficiency.

So, What Does a Business Consultant Really Do?

In short: a consultant helps you see clearly, move faster, and grow smarter.

Whether it’s defining your strategy, fixing broken operations, embracing digital tools, or aligning your team—consultants bring proven methods, industry experience, and tailored solutions.

Hiring a business consultant is not just about getting advice—it’s about accelerating your business potential.

If you’re a business owner in Nigeria or an international brand looking to engage Africa’s fast-growing market, now is the time to work with someone who understands both global strategy and local dynamics.

Need help? Let’s talk. I’d be glad to help you find the right solutions for your business.