How to Know It’s Time to Hire a Strategic Advisor
- Susan Goebel
- Apr 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 21
You’re not new to business. You’ve built something that works. But lately, things feel… heavy.
You’re still growing — kind of. The team is doing their best — sort of. But underneath it all? You're carrying too much. And you know it.
TL;DR — Should You Hire a Strategic Advisor?
If you're:
Drowning in decisions
Unsure what’s holding you back
Prepping for a big shift
Or simply tired of running a business that doesn’t feel fun anymore...
It’s probably time.
If you’re feeling stuck, uncertain, or buried in complexity, you might be wondering:
Is it time to bring in a Strategic Advisor?
Here’s what to look for — and what to expect if you do.
1. You’re Making the Same Decisions Over and Over
You’ve answered the same question six different ways this week. Approvals pile up on your desk. Every major decision seems to loop back to you.
This isn’t a leadership badge — it’s a bottleneck.
A strategic advisor helps you break the cycle. We bring structure, decision frameworks, and a way to scale your judgment — so your business stops relying on you to keep moving.
2. Growth Has Plateaued Despite More Effort
You’re pouring more hours, hiring more people, testing more marketing — and still not seeing results.
That’s a sign of systemic friction, not effort failure.
Strategic advisors diagnose the real root issues — across operations, team alignment, and delivery systems. We don’t just fix what’s broken. We fix what’s slowing you down.
3. Team Misalignment Is Slowing You Down
Everyone’s busy. But if you ask five team members what the top priority is, you get five different answers.
Busyness without clarity leads to burnout.
A strategic advisor brings alignment:
Clear priorities
Accountable roles
Systems that support performance
And yes — sometimes it means hard conversations about what’s no longer working.
4. You're Drowning in Complexity
Processes, vendors, finances, compliance, tech stack…You’re running the business — but it’s running you back.
This isn’t growth. It’s operational entropy.
A strategic advisor simplifies. We bring a calm lens to the chaos and identify which fires need putting out — and which are just distractions.
5. You’re Preparing for a Major Move (Acquisition, Funding, Exit)
High-stakes transitions are where most businesses lose momentum — or value.
Whether you're heading toward an exit, investor conversation, or scaling push, a strategic advisor helps you:
Anticipate challenges
Protect valuation
Build the backbone for what’s next
Foresight beats reaction. Every time.
How a Strategic Advisor Adds Value
If you’ve never worked with one before, here’s what we focus on:
Operational Clarity
See what’s working, what’s stuck, and what needs to change.
Profitability Focus
Identify the levers that impact your margins and cash flow — fast.
Leadership Alignment
Get the right people doing the right work at the right level of accountability.
What to Expect When You Work with One
This isn’t coaching. This isn’t high-level fluff.
Our process is structured and hands-on:
30-60-90 day roadmap tailored to your business’s current state
Collaborative work with your leadership team
Outcome-first mindset — clarity, traction, and measurable improvement
If you're unsure whether you need a fractional COO, a strategic advisor, or a consultant — this table breaks down the key differences so you can make the right call based on your business stage and needs.
Which Type of Support Does Your Business Need: Fractional COO, Strategic Advisor, or Consultant?
Fractional COO | Strategic Advisor | Consultant | |
Role Focus | Day-to-day operational leadership | Strategic guidance for the CEO and leadership team | Specific project execution or subject-matter expertise |
Time Involvement | Part-time but embedded weekly | Light-touch, often biweekly or monthly | Project-based or hourly |
Scope | Processes, people, systems, delivery | Decisions, alignment, strategic planning | Narrow, often tactical |
Engagement Length | 6–18 months+ | Ongoing or milestone-based | Defined project duration |
Works With | Internal teams directly | CEO and executive leadership | Internal teams or solo work |
Value Provided | Builds capacity and systems | Creates clarity and decision frameworks | Delivers specific outcomes or analysis |
Ideal Use Case | You’ve outgrown founder-led operations | You’re scaling, stuck, or prepping for a strategic move | You need specialized knowledge or quick execution |
Risk If Misused | Too much in the weeds for early-stage companies | Not enough implementation support if you lack operators | Solves the wrong problem if strategy isn’t clear |
Explore More Resources to Grow Your Business
Looking for more insights to scale your business? Check out these resources:
Visit our SHOP for tools, templates and programs to help you scale
Do you know what your business is worth? What levers to pull to increase its value? If not, click HERE to learn more.
Stay Connected
Follow me on LinkedIn, subscribe to our newsletter or our YouTube channel for tips, expert advice, and updates on how to grow and scale your business efficiently.
Let’s Chat
Ready to take the next step? Schedule a call and see how we can help you achieve your business goals.
Comentarios