A business consultant gives expert or specialist advice in a certain area like business, finances, management, accounting, law, human resource, marketing, technology, finance, science, or any other specialized field. Their advice helps businesses achieve their short and long-term goals. The main aim of a business consultant is to provide objective and innovative guidance in business. They help businesses achieve their sales targets, customer satisfaction, competitive advantage, market penetration, and customer loyalty. The main function of business consultants is to devise and implement plans for the business that is cost-effective and yield desired results. They are usually hired by businesses to get a fresh perspective and to provide the required assistance. The consulting process starts after a client has approached the firm for which he is appointing the consultant. Once the client is at the meeting with the consultant, the first step is for the two parties to establish an agreement on the fee structure and the working pattern. The overall cost of engaging a consultant can vary depending on various factors like the length of the engagement period, the specific tasks that have to be accomplished, and the project’s scope. Some business consultants begin their engagements on a contract basis, while others work on a freelance basis. Some business consultants work as independent contractors. Freelance consultant engagements tend to be less expensive since they require shorter contracts. In most cases, business consulting is done on a team basis wherein the client hires one or more consultants to work on a part-time or temporary basis. Consultants also find it easy to recruit staff and manage projects once they are self-employed. Upon hiring the first consultant, the client needs to know what he is getting for his money. In the case of short-term engagement, the consultant may suggest the client invest in