Consulting Industry Know-How

What Does a Consultant Actually Do?

If you've ever wondered, “What does a consultant even do?”—you’re not alone. The word consultant is thrown around in many industries, often creating more questions than answers. Let’s clear things up.

At its core, a consultant is an expert who provides professional advice or services to businesses to help them solve problems, improve performance, or seize new opportunities. Consultants work in many fields—strategy, marketing, finance, HR, operations, technology, and more.

Here’s what a consultant typically does:

• Identifies challenges: Consultants conduct deep audits and interviews to understand what’s holding a business back.

• Analyzes data: They assess internal reports, market trends, and competitor strategies to identify gaps and possibilities.

• Recommends solutions: Consultants don’t just point out problems—they provide actionable, strategic solutions.

• Implements changes: Many go beyond advice to actually implement and monitor changes, working alongside your team.

• Trains staff: They often guide internal teams to adopt new tools, workflows, or mindsets.

• Offers an external perspective: Perhaps most importantly, consultants bring a fresh, unbiased point of view.

Whether you're launching a startup, scaling a business, or restructuring a department, the right consultant can save time, reduce costs, and drive meaningful progress.

In-House vs. Consultant: What’s Right for You?

Now that you know what consultants do, the next question is—should you hire a full-time employee or bring in an external consultant?

Let’s compare the two

	In-House Employee	External Consultant
Cost	Long-term salary + benefits	Typically higher hourly or project rate, but no long-term obligations
Speed	Slower onboarding, longer adaptation time	Fast onboarding, already experienced with similar projects
Expertise	May be generalist or need training	Brings specialized knowledge and fresh perspective
Commitment	Fully invested in your company long-term	Project-based, limited-time engagement
Control	Easier to manage daily workflow	Independent, works on their own terms (with accountability)

When to choose in-house:

• You need consistent, long-term help.

• You’re building a permanent department.

• You want to invest in internal company culture.

  
  

When to choose a consultant:

• You have a short-term or urgent project.

• You need expert input on a complex challenge.

• You want an objective outsider's view.

How Alpha Consulting Builds Market-Leading Specialists for Brand Growth

At Alpha Consulting, we go beyond traditional recruitment.

We understand that every business has unique needs, and that's why we offer a hybrid approach when it comes to talent selection. Whether our partner requires an in-house employee or external support, we tailor our solutions to deliver the best results.

When our clients need in-house specialists, we don’t just find someone to fill the role — we find someone who can grow with the brand. Our process involves in-depth market research, a rigorous interview process, and, most importantly, comprehensive training. We ensure that every selected candidate is aligned with the company's vision and is prepared to become not just a specialist, but a leader in their field.

One notable example of our approach was when we helped launch a new beer brand into the market. We carefully selected a candidate and transformed them into a high-performing sales manager. Through hands-on experience, structured learning, and consistent mentorship, this specialist quickly adapted, captured market attention, and played a vital role in strengthening the brand’s position. Their success was a direct result of education, discipline, and a commitment to excellence.

At Alpha Consulting, business development isn’t just a service — it’s a mission. We see every partnership as an opportunity to build powerful teams that drive lasting success. Our goal is to empower specialists who not only meet current business needs but also contribute to the long-term growth of the brand.