Best practices are the operating procedures for your industry that bring about the most effective results. Best practices are fluid in the sense that they can change: If a more effective procedure comes along, that becomes the best practice.
Since the most effective practice brings the best value for your money, following best practices whenever possible is simple common sense. But committing to industry best practices isn’t as easy as it sounds. It requires not only a commitment to quality but also a commitment to continuing education. You need to learn not only what works now, but to keep pushing to see what might work better in the future. The best way to do that in a world of limited resources is to call for outside help—in this case, a business management consultant.
The best business management consultant for your small business should also be a successful entrepreneur—someone who has a sense of the risks you face and the limitations you have to deal with. Ron Sturgeon, Mr. Mission Possible, can help you learn the best practices for your industry through a consulting assignment, a peer benchmarking group, or a speaking engagement.